tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243670386782319482024-03-05T20:41:37.696-08:00Dirt Girl Unleashed: Whit & Her Metal DetectorIn January, 2011, I bought a used Tesoro Cibola metal detector off Craigslist and ever since, have been obsessed with this new hobby, really my first hobby ever. Herein, I will describe my hunts, my finds, the metal detecting culture and try and figure out why this is so weirdly fun and addictive. Other possible topics: my new book (Not About Madonna: My Little Pre-Icon Roommate and Other Memoirs), writing songs in Nashville, the music biz, dogs...whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-62140417246854619352022-05-06T18:18:00.004-07:002022-05-15T17:27:53.649-07:00Matriarchaeology<p>It's been almost four years since I posted here. Sorry. There are reasons: busy, sick, grieving, joyful, distracted. </p><p>I submitted this to the New York Times' Modern Love feature thinking it might be an interesting take on Mother's Day, but they didn't take it so I decided to add some photos and post it here. Happy Mother's Day.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Beep. Beep-beep. Stop, kneel, dig, hold, examine.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m metal detecting an old farm field on the outskirts of Nashville and thinking about my mom.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the palm of my glove lies the target: a rusted bottle cap. Whee. I hold it up to the sky and yell, “Happy Mother’s Day!” I sometimes speak in this concerning manner because I’m finally allowed to talk to her.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I drop the pull tab into my fanny pack and move on, swinging my Fisher F75, which is the finest and most magical of machines.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj5aR81LcAMRtApaUD-jnL-3EQ3hyxoESR5SHZp1jFSjRxz5xbN5ACFEdIhI7tU7Fx0mDxB8ZDxdtYigECvgwDhRlpqbBEMSCEOxvTyVzzOYfwHIntEVjPOgRjlucm7o1Pi_rab3I8Q5umDpplNuHnUi5aRBVys26d2b-hfht0ZDP5bHGLNt6OHkCFJQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="2320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj5aR81LcAMRtApaUD-jnL-3EQ3hyxoESR5SHZp1jFSjRxz5xbN5ACFEdIhI7tU7Fx0mDxB8ZDxdtYigECvgwDhRlpqbBEMSCEOxvTyVzzOYfwHIntEVjPOgRjlucm7o1Pi_rab3I8Q5umDpplNuHnUi5aRBVys26d2b-hfht0ZDP5bHGLNt6OHkCFJQ" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i don't normally hug my detector.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCKbzkZVMHTL_FeyMJ2GH6WCLt1V3xAgCQZSlPmeYCNjfXLMBVuVbRwiqHpIuIYA_JMDtUxHRIfqFfH07jCBJZUHhCe-F4F4AgQiz_HkF0j8q--p3i50sKIRrsjtDA7DcQlFo-TZ-OTL0ltPX6uBg0xatweGlJsfnqL0xPZui2XViGmpQeRl2O-KB5wg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCKbzkZVMHTL_FeyMJ2GH6WCLt1V3xAgCQZSlPmeYCNjfXLMBVuVbRwiqHpIuIYA_JMDtUxHRIfqFfH07jCBJZUHhCe-F4F4AgQiz_HkF0j8q--p3i50sKIRrsjtDA7DcQlFo-TZ-OTL0ltPX6uBg0xatweGlJsfnqL0xPZui2XViGmpQeRl2O-KB5wg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bottle caps were once useful, but now<br />are disappointing. still, they deserve<br />to be posed near knockout roses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the last decades of my mother’s life, I spent my birthday and hers, but especially Mother’s Day, wondering what she was doing and if she might be thinking with some sort of fondness of her only child. Once she achieved the cessation of her successful, cultured, New York City speech teacher life by dying nearly alone in her Sutton Place apartment, I stopped wondering what she was doing on those admittedly meaningless marker days. Instead, I was suddenly free to learn as much as I could about the woman who birthed me, raised me to adulthood, then cut me out of her life like a tumor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beep beep. Beep. Stop, kneel, dig, slice through annoying root, hold, examine. 1941 Mercury. Nice.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisTnh09KYh0P8Guk9JGxO1TcTG5RB39C7-WvmPAwEXOt3p73Hz4rOG2gxRCIIprrejVygTTL0TZD3H-0YDKPImYL9zuofmSquUWTaBQsbekL5rdSvb5aGIn0bQ-21MBfGxcIXratW_tXzfIvAuSeNGuthAO1uj1V5hTB3NyuxV9SkhAaeI5Vhlwjcj5w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisTnh09KYh0P8Guk9JGxO1TcTG5RB39C7-WvmPAwEXOt3p73Hz4rOG2gxRCIIprrejVygTTL0TZD3H-0YDKPImYL9zuofmSquUWTaBQsbekL5rdSvb5aGIn0bQ-21MBfGxcIXratW_tXzfIvAuSeNGuthAO1uj1V5hTB3NyuxV9SkhAaeI5Vhlwjcj5w" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so pretty.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She was born in Mississippi, the white-blond eldest of three daughters, and grew up picking cotton and helping her daddy gather pecans. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI101sSrB8A3jjWUUjbvqZdjP3K9nRUNpJJKvnpV54bUbeSTVALEAaI8Li39NOYl9X_q8E59VubxLqQ4Mrnv_lwNw-RP9XnCtgE2_marL497nd3urso0EoEcpxclL7h5uiUNyeN0OuabR__X3GJZ91YdMY73Ip0p72MQiYuDDfW7wVQiOJXHmpkJZn0A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI101sSrB8A3jjWUUjbvqZdjP3K9nRUNpJJKvnpV54bUbeSTVALEAaI8Li39NOYl9X_q8E59VubxLqQ4Mrnv_lwNw-RP9XnCtgE2_marL497nd3urso0EoEcpxclL7h5uiUNyeN0OuabR__X3GJZ91YdMY73Ip0p72MQiYuDDfW7wVQiOJXHmpkJZn0A" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the kind of truck that would<br />have thundered down the dirt road in front of the farmhouse<br />where she grew up.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She told me once that while sitting in the outhouse, clutching a magazine intended for other purposes, she learned that there was a place called New York City, and that it had “delicatessens.” The city became her tractor beam. She met my father—a full-blooded Armenian from Appalachia—while doing summer stock and they moved to the city to become actors. A few years later, and despite her best efforts, I appeared in her uterus. This caused all sorts of dismay, the end of my parents’ marriage (and my mother’s dreams of theater) as well as the start of a mother/daughter relationship with a sell-by date.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaf56VAu0tJVNTwIcTXaANWAy_N_rNUGo--lX_9iRUITwa8aWlQ6h-1Tdlt-SP9b5C7xMjuNV2jNTRzIP2bthFxX0TRRMVGsgUXuh03m-yffKq-UE9kTzjrZTP67wLbVYVzmshYoL3Uom472H9WFd3oa1jNb1BHb-de_9MDOpOAgKpKiU1eCpgpcvjxw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaf56VAu0tJVNTwIcTXaANWAy_N_rNUGo--lX_9iRUITwa8aWlQ6h-1Tdlt-SP9b5C7xMjuNV2jNTRzIP2bthFxX0TRRMVGsgUXuh03m-yffKq-UE9kTzjrZTP67wLbVYVzmshYoL3Uom472H9WFd3oa1jNb1BHb-de_9MDOpOAgKpKiU1eCpgpcvjxw" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i found this in her belongings.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg__uWrw0Vq0TcbfrIQVR0Ylsny_Y2j_FOVxTLax4vxf3p4k4ujKxbFFlV7mg_2EnMs2OGuWG-Tn0qx1HG9L9ZM1BKg2Lm0jUfS5-UglJfVc4VBXart08TRfLcm-FPLWJ3YS2b1nlaQ0dfvqm1JUmyjRzO_9mGtwDjCxWR3bZlaamNuh6gJ-d6y6mA6PA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg__uWrw0Vq0TcbfrIQVR0Ylsny_Y2j_FOVxTLax4vxf3p4k4ujKxbFFlV7mg_2EnMs2OGuWG-Tn0qx1HG9L9ZM1BKg2Lm0jUfS5-UglJfVc4VBXart08TRfLcm-FPLWJ3YS2b1nlaQ0dfvqm1JUmyjRzO_9mGtwDjCxWR3bZlaamNuh6gJ-d6y6mA6PA" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a music box that doesn't make <br />one sound.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But if she was going to do this mother thing, she was going to do it right: a progressive preschool, dance and piano lessons, horse camp, French camp, world travel, and a delightful disregard for rules. I wanted to stay home from school to write a story about an avocado? Of course, I could. And I did, in 15 minutes, then spent the rest of the day crouched in front of the portable Zenith eating Snow Caps. On the bookcase above the TV stood bronze sculptures of us—a hollow-eyed bust for her, and me as the little Degas ballerina, albeit with quite a tummy. This was a love for the ages; the two of us in our one-bedroom, roachy micro-apartment, living our best enmeshment, while padding about on Oriental rugs. “Ours is a charmed life, my daughter,” she told me over and over. I believed her and loved her with all I had.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDJRe7dqhwDuBPROaVIpt_VXlTwzwKUj20xS38F1i6Zvy0cTatv6I9qDXbaGeaTXFz6lnyKZBCMdmWIX4Mru4Dc6XxUOYLg-mwvz66AJuHxJJVICjVt4xAga7bEmr1HJabSTLYOsYwISnklj4UwjhnORh1AFruWpfJXKmmPvDF634rdUCPSwNnr45N6w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="928" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDJRe7dqhwDuBPROaVIpt_VXlTwzwKUj20xS38F1i6Zvy0cTatv6I9qDXbaGeaTXFz6lnyKZBCMdmWIX4Mru4Dc6XxUOYLg-mwvz66AJuHxJJVICjVt4xAga7bEmr1HJabSTLYOsYwISnklj4UwjhnORh1AFruWpfJXKmmPvDF634rdUCPSwNnr45N6w" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she wanted me to be a dancer.<br />luckily, i was one, for a long time.<br />but it was not enough.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">There were clues of what was to come. The letters I ripped open at camp often closed with some version of “I thought I would miss you, but I don’t. Mom.” There was the occasional and entirely unwarranted crack across the face. There were the many trips to various neighborhood liquor stores, which I loved because they smelled like paper. But I was just too close to it—and too alone—to know what I was dealing with: an actress playing a part. Luckily, happily, my dad was a natural and enthusiastic parent; his resilience and optimism shaped me as I grew. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYwIOamgzGIWpa1Z-5QrZe_2mCWgS5aT_YE156pw5tWOdxBEznqjSUC3oV76IBNEEh-8I3fxrmOMXUKu0oZ6Xjefcp3caagLpcxHPu3cbNMeZsbakn06Mb2i_XxFNRcZAF-HRAuidpgmtTdi4lvSZLGvxEf9S5ZKs6FBj5Pd8JRIRQmjT-u42wq1rdLQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYwIOamgzGIWpa1Z-5QrZe_2mCWgS5aT_YE156pw5tWOdxBEznqjSUC3oV76IBNEEh-8I3fxrmOMXUKu0oZ6Xjefcp3caagLpcxHPu3cbNMeZsbakn06Mb2i_XxFNRcZAF-HRAuidpgmtTdi4lvSZLGvxEf9S5ZKs6FBj5Pd8JRIRQmjT-u42wq1rdLQ" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an item i want.<br />an item i don't want.<br />an item i both want and don't want.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beep. Beep beep.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beep.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I dig and dig and dig. Ooh, look: a silver dime from 1848. A few steps later, another signal: part of a Dr. Pepper can. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRKePXrmyWoq20ubS5V_riO05fDuw-2joDuecsb9mHaVNsC7LkGGHQIS8BaTufc6AxD9cY1IQcrrpYrIs1lNNkfEebz71T2XLGR84zzcwKbDxkZLVBJOxXmnRZOfDKA9Ik2smS5FTEav9lu7NwiXGXDcFSIGS2O2k6C0HMuS9KgW7_Ys_yUCco9zXnTA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRKePXrmyWoq20ubS5V_riO05fDuw-2joDuecsb9mHaVNsC7LkGGHQIS8BaTufc6AxD9cY1IQcrrpYrIs1lNNkfEebz71T2XLGR84zzcwKbDxkZLVBJOxXmnRZOfDKA9Ik2smS5FTEav9lu7NwiXGXDcFSIGS2O2k6C0HMuS9KgW7_Ys_yUCco9zXnTA" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i do have a part of a dr. pepper can in the<br />trunk of my camry, but i'm too lazy<br />to photograph it so here is a 4. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">At 22, I was back from college living in a Soho loft with a brooding boyfriend and attempting to “be a dancer.” It was pretty much what my mother had raised me for: a life in the arts, one untethered to convention, filled with inquiry and adventure. Though we saw each other regularly, she seemed increasingly tense and distant; I’m sure I was too wrapped up in my own life to ask why. On a hot September day, I sat on her sofa and told her I was going to have a baby. For a long minute, she stared out the window at the traffic hurtling up First Avenue, then turned toward me, unrecognizable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMM7LUrbOBPge-im4UASRdInHy9zdMVHGUDN2tPcnsCE6fx_PAjqNyLFAohp4jjzNj7yqpfZtqqAR3pi5szC6gO7V6JsU0sv9KCXQyOtd1Z_2gYVhianCZ3EluE-kspsaKZu10Eam_AWWqSK5QF2OMuDSTu0YWOgt3Kod2hRNK0vGi6SYrtoU_o0GimQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMM7LUrbOBPge-im4UASRdInHy9zdMVHGUDN2tPcnsCE6fx_PAjqNyLFAohp4jjzNj7yqpfZtqqAR3pi5szC6gO7V6JsU0sv9KCXQyOtd1Z_2gYVhianCZ3EluE-kspsaKZu10Eam_AWWqSK5QF2OMuDSTu0YWOgt3Kod2hRNK0vGi6SYrtoU_o0GimQ" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this, too, is unrecognizable. <br />no one knows what it is. <br />even experts.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Get it taken care of.” Her words: rusted machinery, jolted to life. I knew exactly what she meant and I swear, she showed her teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, I don’t want to…do that. It’s OK! We’re gonna get married!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’ll be barefoot and pregnant like the rest of them.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What? No! I can do this Mom. I want to do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Then there can be nothing more between us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And with those words, she was free of me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEeiMll1HN24zm4g-iM0FNkt1M2YCleIacyCyDurBDep4UHO-21IAmvS9luVsBXQmL3QbXl_QRifWKrmxKEphaPnz4MNdD_ryWZKOPZ2ujbR3td1-AoRKXVF5h4mT1_fArYR8gAH1w9OlzZA3GCntnmVh-w-mo9FRmDEtCx6BGULYmgNh44QE7ONuXQQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEeiMll1HN24zm4g-iM0FNkt1M2YCleIacyCyDurBDep4UHO-21IAmvS9luVsBXQmL3QbXl_QRifWKrmxKEphaPnz4MNdD_ryWZKOPZ2ujbR3td1-AoRKXVF5h4mT1_fArYR8gAH1w9OlzZA3GCntnmVh-w-mo9FRmDEtCx6BGULYmgNh44QE7ONuXQQ" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and it was like a stake to the heart.<br />this is not an actual heart stake.<br />but it certainly could be used<br />that way. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My boyfriend and I had a grim little wedding in a Greenwich Village church, then moved to Cape Cod where I gave birth to my daughter in an 1830s house on a soft spring evening. Not long after, a box arrived with no return address, filled with the detritus of my childhood: dolls, doll furniture, crumbling crayon drawings, adoring love notes with backward “e”s, letters I’d sent her from college. I put it away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoonQVXfVN917UutSn6Bc1LgdKbBhP-ZnA8mxJwxqBSRE8f1HUWsEH4yB8_chMX40spuRdXVFp0xygybGdEkPmIiOhsJ8EDiB8EG-ze1F1c72n7NjyICXGQPdK0T6bKoQ_I9ztLnohWQ089Yzvzi6Nnbq7bzEUhf4599OHu4uN1M88PKrnAsul60QamA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="642" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoonQVXfVN917UutSn6Bc1LgdKbBhP-ZnA8mxJwxqBSRE8f1HUWsEH4yB8_chMX40spuRdXVFp0xygybGdEkPmIiOhsJ8EDiB8EG-ze1F1c72n7NjyICXGQPdK0T6bKoQ_I9ztLnohWQ089Yzvzi6Nnbq7bzEUhf4599OHu4uN1M88PKrnAsul60QamA" width="153" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is my daughter. she <br />just sent me a beautiful<br />mother's day gift. i'm so<br />glad i stuck to my guns.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivFqOdv7KcEKhEfQzA_mBl0i5HXlK7JDANZshCaaB7dLcqRBMSrrfWGs7qYYp2L3zi6toHhSnScgLhHg7rhpSy0PQIP1G2vq0-lVs2Cq4KnT2h8r5z6OtCYYARn5EZZ8MIK3ZBqQ6UkvzAa5ZrQSuOGVtmkaoKBmI85cKZ1C7s1vFUnnoaGnV6RZN0fA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivFqOdv7KcEKhEfQzA_mBl0i5HXlK7JDANZshCaaB7dLcqRBMSrrfWGs7qYYp2L3zi6toHhSnScgLhHg7rhpSy0PQIP1G2vq0-lVs2Cq4KnT2h8r5z6OtCYYARn5EZZ8MIK3ZBqQ6UkvzAa5ZrQSuOGVtmkaoKBmI85cKZ1C7s1vFUnnoaGnV6RZN0fA" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this is another beautiful find.<br />it had been hit by a lawn mower,<br />but i had it repaired.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We moved to Michigan where I founded a dance company and our son was born. This makes it sound as if I moved on with my life easily, but those years—and many to come—though filled with art, friends, divorce, remarriage, and the joyous chaos of tending to small, sticky, hilarious humans, were weighted with the loss of my mother. I sometimes wondered if I’d done a truly terrible thing–murder, perhaps? Klan membership?–and somehow forgotten about it. I never gave up, sending her letter after letter, some pathetically chatty—as if nothing had happened—others pleading, outraged, demanding to know why, how this could have happened. Silence from my phantom limb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3YM-GBy6rr3YRRaRvJf5cWhChP6Mpd8tfsJpvI4N6rBcWKE8O98jzrTZMfG-2Os57bSUiH0zn4p0Socvlf6e0Lf9xYu1-T0TwBZ9wuZZ378272t5uJpa_9dps3ah56ZdVrbtwvOFxmx8svsJbUYR1CYxUa2uyRraH6adihw6ZkFTbnZ637CRpjf5i6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3YM-GBy6rr3YRRaRvJf5cWhChP6Mpd8tfsJpvI4N6rBcWKE8O98jzrTZMfG-2Os57bSUiH0zn4p0Socvlf6e0Lf9xYu1-T0TwBZ9wuZZ378272t5uJpa_9dps3ah56ZdVrbtwvOFxmx8svsJbUYR1CYxUa2uyRraH6adihw6ZkFTbnZ637CRpjf5i6w" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih9_8BnIK8m8qL6n_M-sdtpSgxbiwGjn29z6Cdx4YIEL0ni4YzH7MhUIsNRtmnQ7jw9Mk0y4OcbRY_SuwRVpGfcUl5M-NMLhmnPlEhDk5Afcny7RCWO4R6jf_sSz9eHQPInFh2QcrtxN67wvLX0aDfZ7fyt3AEpXpKK14sIKJLpZ6blBG-lq1oq2bfmQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih9_8BnIK8m8qL6n_M-sdtpSgxbiwGjn29z6Cdx4YIEL0ni4YzH7MhUIsNRtmnQ7jw9Mk0y4OcbRY_SuwRVpGfcUl5M-NMLhmnPlEhDk5Afcny7RCWO4R6jf_sSz9eHQPInFh2QcrtxN67wvLX0aDfZ7fyt3AEpXpKK14sIKJLpZ6blBG-lq1oq2bfmQ" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was challenging explaining her absence in my life to others. My children, whom she never met and whose names I assume she never learned, grew up knowing that mothers, even once-beloved ones, can and do abandon their young. They processed this in their own ways. When my son was five, he burst into tears one night, thinking of his grandmother alone in New York. “We have to call her, mom! She needs us! Can we call her? Now?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgANMuqNpYAzk2EnTqy9vfgVowXcKDHPDwPQVRRuMhH2JqwJrZUnBUty8RZfa93DG2fyWsglXDAzDy2UAotAo6JWJDjbdVyzwQFtrEu-Uj75JjIIwMom0un5w2UA7h6taJvLuLwHTvNkl6MgBlb6XdRKmOqY0IB6WuflTI8HDquLewg17sQdBR03iUUcg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgANMuqNpYAzk2EnTqy9vfgVowXcKDHPDwPQVRRuMhH2JqwJrZUnBUty8RZfa93DG2fyWsglXDAzDy2UAotAo6JWJDjbdVyzwQFtrEu-Uj75JjIIwMom0un5w2UA7h6taJvLuLwHTvNkl6MgBlb6XdRKmOqY0IB6WuflTI8HDquLewg17sQdBR03iUUcg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there was no one to call for help.<br />she didn't want our help. <br />she wanted to be free.<br />to not be a mother.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">If a new friend asked me about my mother, I had a few sad, stock answers: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’re not very close.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah, she died a long time ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “She lives in New York. I mean, I guess you could call it living…” (This one shut the topic down and became my go-to.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAzP4Wt7LYT_vlvskJrbNB1dubbLu7U-GIYzDM6IbMFXlHrTl2zeyE17uNLhXBlpaLD9w2ohP3V9HfsIz9lJnC5SQNqSiJfCcG2ZW41ICJbcXkht1oQCyZt6_3qhye0ErPLX7OGIFfPG0SIexylALtUio9iHmLP6JoSc4ZRpkUdSXsAkp1XXQqRANUOw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAzP4Wt7LYT_vlvskJrbNB1dubbLu7U-GIYzDM6IbMFXlHrTl2zeyE17uNLhXBlpaLD9w2ohP3V9HfsIz9lJnC5SQNqSiJfCcG2ZW41ICJbcXkht1oQCyZt6_3qhye0ErPLX7OGIFfPG0SIexylALtUio9iHmLP6JoSc4ZRpkUdSXsAkp1XXQqRANUOw" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this sterling silver child's knife handle <br />is the only item i ever dug in new york city. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But in fact, with me out of the picture, my mom exploded into living. She traveled every corner of the world, spent two years in the Peace Corps, wrote her memoirs, and developed deep, enduring friendships. Meanwhile, our “estrangement” (a polite word for what felt to me like dismemberment) had blighted every leaf of our family tree. My good, sweet, Southern relatives never stopped loving me, but they also fell in line with my mother’s directives. If she was within earshot, I was rarely mentioned. If she planned to visit for Easter, I was gently advised to stay away that year. When names were drawn for a Secret Santa gift exchange, my aunts made sure the tiny slips of paper my mother and I received bore safer names. “It was like a bomb went off in our family,” my cousin told me recently. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAD1Ledb_4hpXCNPm3U3AGxV28_B7Qg8CXbiCruOy0Tv6alBo8Ev3artoZCKOMkTXzCr32KJrPsZo6xUeHx4nseIpcIzvhXzhOLgKbpUefONs04NR6IkmOdLUnnHV7x31e1oLRxs25spw_yA63lr0hjXZfJG-Ca9SfOMaxWuRtpRiiAzYXE-BcRSMgdg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAD1Ledb_4hpXCNPm3U3AGxV28_B7Qg8CXbiCruOy0Tv6alBo8Ev3artoZCKOMkTXzCr32KJrPsZo6xUeHx4nseIpcIzvhXzhOLgKbpUefONs04NR6IkmOdLUnnHV7x31e1oLRxs25spw_yA63lr0hjXZfJG-Ca9SfOMaxWuRtpRiiAzYXE-BcRSMgdg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i found this 1944 new zealand half <br />crown in a yard near my house here<br />in nashville. new zealand is one<br />of the places my mother visited while<br />in the peace corps in the 1990s. <br />there is no meaning inherent in this. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my darkest midnight moments, I cycled through questions: Had she ever loved me at all? Was my upbringing an elaborate performance? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjK8c_L_Uvrd990bCT7YrHe0NspuKR0i_CY7uP0rZgwytPKcWh_px3vHwt3obxJonag6zwo5csaHCqmm_MvSaacl1Sl1IQW93GMQTuZTjTylAx0TLfqCbwthmFZNZss9GjJ5ekm5_Kvamud1KWKbofE5UBtFLaLi6TQocXwq2Z5ytPVe9yBA1Y8Xofm-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjK8c_L_Uvrd990bCT7YrHe0NspuKR0i_CY7uP0rZgwytPKcWh_px3vHwt3obxJonag6zwo5csaHCqmm_MvSaacl1Sl1IQW93GMQTuZTjTylAx0TLfqCbwthmFZNZss9GjJ5ekm5_Kvamud1KWKbofE5UBtFLaLi6TQocXwq2Z5ytPVe9yBA1Y8Xofm-w" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Was that kind of ruse even possible? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu3zE3l1Qz1zS63AIlhZW5m9B6Z_eAzIlv3rIKsR4J7Bxurtmc7qjAIeJZWgZ6oLdxAgksNTg1uPByIaIJ6nkeq8s5YlnVeLzHLyt0mPDpjRtGRa8YkUlQqXa1mGlblwKqJYiiqjJV1QyxrIEBl3DmTUDq6Dauuf6OP3GngJ5S6QwcnV9AIXIYxOpxRw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu3zE3l1Qz1zS63AIlhZW5m9B6Z_eAzIlv3rIKsR4J7Bxurtmc7qjAIeJZWgZ6oLdxAgksNTg1uPByIaIJ6nkeq8s5YlnVeLzHLyt0mPDpjRtGRa8YkUlQqXa1mGlblwKqJYiiqjJV1QyxrIEBl3DmTUDq6Dauuf6OP3GngJ5S6QwcnV9AIXIYxOpxRw" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did she ever dream about me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuy3J1Wj6nGmvp4awJQ5Djg7pV60sQS0M7iCHR6HH72f6_JA6Om0UXko5R2RH1oTZ2j2-95bDtMX2gmsQYiU9uQtkADpvL0ITvEkKG13zu53tKOLXwqP08BYzvZPyLLln0c7WWpG5ykYVop9kgbGeWKQDdCYaxkwMMlWQ2f537O_rQlvnWcN7VpOl4IQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuy3J1Wj6nGmvp4awJQ5Djg7pV60sQS0M7iCHR6HH72f6_JA6Om0UXko5R2RH1oTZ2j2-95bDtMX2gmsQYiU9uQtkADpvL0ITvEkKG13zu53tKOLXwqP08BYzvZPyLLln0c7WWpG5ykYVop9kgbGeWKQDdCYaxkwMMlWQ2f537O_rQlvnWcN7VpOl4IQ" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soon after moving to Nashville with my second husband, I bought a metal detector from a man at a gas station. Bizarrely, this uncool hobby stilled the roiling questions and gave me hours and hours of peace as I roamed forests and fields, digging into the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-b_uECAmI3q0QOPCzuRiRyCKTyx6rHvCcF-BSkl28iawVFdyjxeLyx3ho28gjYHt5SyhzIWzJfTkdNljtefbmHaKfyjYBY64leVSplEMihSmpGmA6JVZOkfyn862w4W6-Zi150y-SCw0xKd7LjTyOO40KqJqXxcrftTjNM6creWuTO6cWwMrafI_b9A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="2320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-b_uECAmI3q0QOPCzuRiRyCKTyx6rHvCcF-BSkl28iawVFdyjxeLyx3ho28gjYHt5SyhzIWzJfTkdNljtefbmHaKfyjYBY64leVSplEMihSmpGmA6JVZOkfyn862w4W6-Zi150y-SCw0xKd7LjTyOO40KqJqXxcrftTjNM6creWuTO6cWwMrafI_b9A" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i am adept at finding round things.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">One morning during a pandemic summer, my aunt called me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hey, little chick,” she said. “I can’t reach your mother. She hasn’t answered her phone in five days.” I’d always wondered how this would go. My aunt eventually tracked my mother to a hospital where she was recovering from surgery; she wouldn’t say what had happened. Though groggy from drugs, she was emphatic: No one was to come help her. Her plan was to “go home and die in three weeks.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhLtqSzNXd6fVMScuLsm7cg_Cy7FUdSx49lDBeKqTYmw5ZewVYGe8hlCMWIJsMVCceOHW9ZhoJyWYO70P947D9FrlqKSIoV-FmZtjfElGnQNvMwk277fHujjxL6khBvRZrXcd-pDit5Nphsu139pEBcmV8Wt88L-8Wgrz-6_LAPnuq1D1Evxk7CSsLHw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhLtqSzNXd6fVMScuLsm7cg_Cy7FUdSx49lDBeKqTYmw5ZewVYGe8hlCMWIJsMVCceOHW9ZhoJyWYO70P947D9FrlqKSIoV-FmZtjfElGnQNvMwk277fHujjxL6khBvRZrXcd-pDit5Nphsu139pEBcmV8Wt88L-8Wgrz-6_LAPnuq1D1Evxk7CSsLHw" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she was not religious. at all.<br />but somehow this feels appropriate.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that’s pretty much what she did. At my request, my aunt bravely asked my mother if I could send her a card. Her response: “What would be the point?” I stared at the card, already written, addressed and stamped, then put it in the recycling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A week later, my mother’s attorney called to tell me she was gone and I wailed the singular, strangled wail of the excised daughter as my husband gathered me tight. Flustered, the attorney tried to soothe me by telling me my mother left me her belongings and some money, but this confusing information did nothing to stop the torrents of necessary sound. See, I just never could quite bring myself to hate her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEVm9DF2s2wzYuiRh9BQqyAfMIAjo0XeolGYSQVNa4rbUG6B-vWbme8Nktc3xVt0H_B0RDJNsBECUWmsOH3AauQIUgb2m2UCw42hm_exxogVNkwCIXaQGsB5WRq2XkRsqa69mAcb2g62099xJsWy718rnGGR5h1EBOGK6AgG9y7h59m46C7zFt4bFLDg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEVm9DF2s2wzYuiRh9BQqyAfMIAjo0XeolGYSQVNa4rbUG6B-vWbme8Nktc3xVt0H_B0RDJNsBECUWmsOH3AauQIUgb2m2UCw42hm_exxogVNkwCIXaQGsB5WRq2XkRsqa69mAcb2g62099xJsWy718rnGGR5h1EBOGK6AgG9y7h59m46C7zFt4bFLDg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The attorney gave me the phone number of my mother’s closest friends, two women I’d never heard of. I stood in my driveway, called them, and learned that through decades of friendship, she had never mentioned she had a daughter. Even though the information stung, I discovered that knowing it felt oddly empowering. What else could I learn, now that she was gone?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beep. Beep beep. It’s a faint signal, this one. I dig deep into Tennessee dirt, then set my spade aside and use my fingers, feeling for something dropped and forgotten, but I never find it. Sometimes that happens. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGcqGsRE3NhQxb9UlnMx1_b3zmO75ilwswcUsa9DhPiDnPj24hPFGkWfco6unxFvvz9nFxzx5QX3PueZEpRXL3jPRxFLXpNw-BMAZA2PUO5DsldRgqiGonaI9LFlq_hP9_i-3f3Ib_abRGrtwZrHK2brla96r8h2fs4y6gzQBJrjbb24jIXF6SLlBVlg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGcqGsRE3NhQxb9UlnMx1_b3zmO75ilwswcUsa9DhPiDnPj24hPFGkWfco6unxFvvz9nFxzx5QX3PueZEpRXL3jPRxFLXpNw-BMAZA2PUO5DsldRgqiGonaI9LFlq_hP9_i-3f3Ib_abRGrtwZrHK2brla96r8h2fs4y6gzQBJrjbb24jIXF6SLlBVlg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back home, I peel off my jeans and stand barefoot on the threadbare Turkish carpet I learned to walk on. Around me are boxes of her life: manuscripts, photographs of strangers, her travel journals—and all the letters I ever sent her, unopened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I’ve been going through everything, trying to understand. There’s something in here, somewhere.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmz3WnRhTPkI5m3K85uCQ6YZo33QIUUAyHQmfT1CsAe5llUXgi1SAS9ws4qSw8m0zvzKnku_Fo9BTRj7yPrW217smCPXuJH0dZlFmwbpCw_fVY4MEqouJJ-f0lYntm32DP-k7PkkQBIXGm6aPv9YeNhIUGbJk2yzU-lX1jQ_35rI5F6Ti2VZKFv7qtYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmz3WnRhTPkI5m3K85uCQ6YZo33QIUUAyHQmfT1CsAe5llUXgi1SAS9ws4qSw8m0zvzKnku_Fo9BTRj7yPrW217smCPXuJH0dZlFmwbpCw_fVY4MEqouJJ-f0lYntm32DP-k7PkkQBIXGm6aPv9YeNhIUGbJk2yzU-lX1jQ_35rI5F6Ti2VZKFv7qtYg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-87837862110351354732018-10-25T15:59:00.001-07:002018-10-26T15:43:59.674-07:00George Washington Slept Here<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Wonder of wonders, my last Dirt Girl post about losing my longtime job actually netted me a rather sweet freelance gig. Little did I know that my long and somewhat whiny plaint (illustrated with stuff I dug out of the ground) would find its way to the desk of a Cincinnati media company that started shooting me advertorial work right away. It’s not what I need long-term, but writing about financial planners, travel agents and endodontists is fun and is keeping me and Al in ramen noodles and guitar strings for the time being. Thanks to all 32 of you who commented! I appreciated the kind words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
(Me being responsible: Anyone looking for a copywriter can check out my portfolio at <a href="http://www.whithill.pressfolios.com/">www.whithill.pressfolios.com</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
OK. This post is just going to be a breezy little recap of recent finds. Also included will be some not-so-recent finds because I dug a LOT of cool stuff during the THREE YEARS I ignored this blog. You deserve to see these magnificent, dirt-encrusted items!<br />
<br />
At the end of the post will be some Big News.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
First, here is a random picture of Pearl. I didn't dig her up. (Digging is <i>her</i> job, as my yard can attest.) I found her a year ago at Nashville Humane and I love her so much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRTlAwEZZpxRLBSTvqW-YRN4UzInbeiYLo8-NCAeMxEkGGHnQ75WkrGEeS2Bi-Iy8nQ07jHQGsifnGFD5YKfAHK75XkQDLjkWkwft3AHq2UWwEW8r9p7VGuVwnkHNwmu2Ksx7RSI09AQl/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRTlAwEZZpxRLBSTvqW-YRN4UzInbeiYLo8-NCAeMxEkGGHnQ75WkrGEeS2Bi-Iy8nQ07jHQGsifnGFD5YKfAHK75XkQDLjkWkwft3AHq2UWwEW8r9p7VGuVwnkHNwmu2Ksx7RSI09AQl/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl, wondering what and why.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
There’s a road near my house that I just never get tired of. It runs along a high bluff overlooking the Cumberland River. People have been walking along that river for… well, as long as there have been people walking. I think I’ve detected 70-80 yards along or near this particular road. In fact—and don’t tell Al—I’ve had something of a love affair with one yard. Been digging it for years and yes, every now and then, I bring the homeowner brownies. I’ve found lots of Colonial stuff there. Here’s a smattering. Longtime DGU readers will recognize some items from previous posts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM4aWrxnEjApsNQmNrn0-FaIz-FsfO6_PGZERleFlCLRUDi2Wgo14DPJLectgh8jenl_spK6GXOpHK6t4bfqVUHtTYMqJN93JoumKzOTxgY8y-Ui4ZnyK3QHnFeKn1O5q_wHrEd2g5-b2/s1600/India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM4aWrxnEjApsNQmNrn0-FaIz-FsfO6_PGZERleFlCLRUDi2Wgo14DPJLectgh8jenl_spK6GXOpHK6t4bfqVUHtTYMqJN93JoumKzOTxgY8y-Ui4ZnyK3QHnFeKn1O5q_wHrEd2g5-b2/s320/India.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I originally thought was a broken Colonial<br />
flat button turned out to be an India-Bengal<br />
Presidency "pice" circa 1810. The writing is Persian.<br />
This is perhaps my favorite find of all time, and the <br />
inspiration for my song, "How'd This Get Here?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx6UAhri7B3b5WihGyzuH1hzZT8tfXnvTcpWKlvj2VwbPNjLoL34Qbx458SkJxlZ9BP6WAfwusJ0OvFL5XzCmFWOxgPdnAW528TCqXIKsshDTRyqHaZ0n6OyNpZ4_fnTH9FqIgVqyXldJ/s1600/brush+hill+7-12+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx6UAhri7B3b5WihGyzuH1hzZT8tfXnvTcpWKlvj2VwbPNjLoL34Qbx458SkJxlZ9BP6WAfwusJ0OvFL5XzCmFWOxgPdnAW528TCqXIKsshDTRyqHaZ0n6OyNpZ4_fnTH9FqIgVqyXldJ/s320/brush+hill+7-12+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, I didn't actually find this; Cheryl Clark did, about 20 feet<br />
from where I was standing. Grrr. This is an actual "piece of eight"<br />
(a cut Spanish real coin.) Can't tell the year, of course, but <br />
probably late 1700s. I'm including it here because it speaks<br />
to the date of the activity that once took place on this <br />
mild-mannered, suburban lawn. I, myself have found three <br />
Spanish reales (two whole, one cut) on this road over the years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoClLBJCORFVflcQ36XoLpAULE-DeuZhlyJycMNGQ-w4ej-nFUj2kSMfIlSFvOZ1YLdD8V5g6BIdyObyWHt6zYYEr8kVzgE3VZs-ZjAqKV8BXe_IUFr4yXA4CMQ10-A5C4yzvZDo0pjYCM/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoClLBJCORFVflcQ36XoLpAULE-DeuZhlyJycMNGQ-w4ej-nFUj2kSMfIlSFvOZ1YLdD8V5g6BIdyObyWHt6zYYEr8kVzgE3VZs-ZjAqKV8BXe_IUFr4yXA4CMQ10-A5C4yzvZDo0pjYCM/s320/IMG_0827.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely buttons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZEHY29Q8PXM0IwGDN-V-YIlPFIG2DMToL6Hgo33kMuuFpXWNMayCmtMSSH83NnqEbTxK7Kesr5jU1Rt_xQc05SSO3AnwnoK2I2KJNG0nWTjJb-J4wATqYg1T_K6azqqs8qc9PfnDwm0p/s1600/IMG_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZEHY29Q8PXM0IwGDN-V-YIlPFIG2DMToL6Hgo33kMuuFpXWNMayCmtMSSH83NnqEbTxK7Kesr5jU1Rt_xQc05SSO3AnwnoK2I2KJNG0nWTjJb-J4wATqYg1T_K6azqqs8qc9PfnDwm0p/s320/IMG_0828.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this was; possibly a heel plate.<br />
Ideas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9_k0X-fCwdYxdS-tKJzB9tm6Tl8IpA7IvR212xgim8bazbf2H10rbAueuSSZ_945J3unjr45QYEbGI506-j4A1ndoeNz0etu7Oz1z5gM9zFlX3wdmF-W107-kF_WuhgsqxUwMybLI2Ty/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9_k0X-fCwdYxdS-tKJzB9tm6Tl8IpA7IvR212xgim8bazbf2H10rbAueuSSZ_945J3unjr45QYEbGI506-j4A1ndoeNz0etu7Oz1z5gM9zFlX3wdmF-W107-kF_WuhgsqxUwMybLI2Ty/s320/IMG_0829.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bone-handled implements.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBY3t1oP1oMneK7IrHOIF_NJy2ASMavbG807_e0XVUD_LnAfw-z1pmM56yCd_i7S5ZJZ6nZ2Q33DZNKi47A-aLUfpxNW3Dexk8T6ehr11BCt6_mhDNbUMF_OTiFiUsg6qkamJzXNl2zOU/s1600/IMG_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBY3t1oP1oMneK7IrHOIF_NJy2ASMavbG807_e0XVUD_LnAfw-z1pmM56yCd_i7S5ZJZ6nZ2Q33DZNKi47A-aLUfpxNW3Dexk8T6ehr11BCt6_mhDNbUMF_OTiFiUsg6qkamJzXNl2zOU/s320/IMG_0830.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWII-era knapsack buttons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyV_3v4OqHV3qJiN7xsvVqz2YhXCPQi0OUX_9T8xhPeGbt_VEqxqwq1ccRbSSKMMs0YyNJ7VmPiPHSHqolZhpCxxAx1DiN3ICW-kkm-6ToCf_Ge3sK0-d-Yja6kRWvJIAYCsyOgC7cs7m/s1600/IMG_3216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyV_3v4OqHV3qJiN7xsvVqz2YhXCPQi0OUX_9T8xhPeGbt_VEqxqwq1ccRbSSKMMs0YyNJ7VmPiPHSHqolZhpCxxAx1DiN3ICW-kkm-6ToCf_Ge3sK0-d-Yja6kRWvJIAYCsyOgC7cs7m/s320/IMG_3216.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what these little shields are. Possibly<br />
saddle or bridle decorations. You'll see another<br />
later in this post, from the lawn next door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRfWtGbbALR5TPwq44-eKQyi4_ZRqzSxqg5u89hx8iZwpNP-Fi-xRb55pPl0epvRj0NzYqgEuJrHZtcdGS0lV48vd9MgzlTZnY7tzLNt3Ks4wMm-LKpcTaxMDYLLVbE79mygIF3A8vMcC/s1600/photo+82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1532" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRfWtGbbALR5TPwq44-eKQyi4_ZRqzSxqg5u89hx8iZwpNP-Fi-xRb55pPl0epvRj0NzYqgEuJrHZtcdGS0lV48vd9MgzlTZnY7tzLNt3Ks4wMm-LKpcTaxMDYLLVbE79mygIF3A8vMcC/s320/photo+82.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of my favorite finds of all time. Found these Colonial-era<br />
items way out by the road, next to the mailbox, amid all<br />
the usual modern roadside detritus: bottle caps, can slaw, etc.<br />
These "TALLIO" cufflinks, showing a fox jumping over a log,<br />
are found all over the Eastern seaboard, anywhere there may have<br />
early settlements. The fact that there are two here, linked for the ages,<br />
makes this an absolutely stellar find.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
As you can see, I love the lawn, and the lawn loves me.<br />
<br />
Of course, the logical step would be to get permission to dig the next yard over. I’d left messages in their mailbox, but never heard back. In my own little head, I decided that those people were mean, angry people who would NEVER let a dirt girl onto their property. Their house was too pristine, their yard immaculate. I gave up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Silly me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
Turns out, the homeowner is the nicest guy ever. Out of the blue, he texted me and was 100% into having his yard detected, plus he wanted to try it himself. I loaned him a machine and we’ve been exploring his yard together for about 6 weeks now. I’ll let the finds speak for themselves.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDL_Nasc2F1h-pJkVlT1dvhHCxBiXBrz22RJVCP_RC-nkCW72DzdyHo_whZpWm_6xx3Nr9Jd2LLI2RCZa1WbYocMy9NHXIYagSXk3m7cSgjGqcrrG_K6P6_UPB6EkHwjuWppfpI7Dxumv/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDL_Nasc2F1h-pJkVlT1dvhHCxBiXBrz22RJVCP_RC-nkCW72DzdyHo_whZpWm_6xx3Nr9Jd2LLI2RCZa1WbYocMy9NHXIYagSXk3m7cSgjGqcrrG_K6P6_UPB6EkHwjuWppfpI7Dxumv/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome homeowner with his first find. I think<br />
it was a penny. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriyULo82L8O32AKu-Smt1I3E_U1jtO3mJJCnJ9kY7lzx6uMqowW6PRL6j5ceml-H4b5rQFxAiZBRKv0ppkJWfThFnmR6-nq0yuHwJZQtxEifvu_wiBRjTZ5hKXISkQHZ-86ZRz-1aI5IL/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriyULo82L8O32AKu-Smt1I3E_U1jtO3mJJCnJ9kY7lzx6uMqowW6PRL6j5ceml-H4b5rQFxAiZBRKv0ppkJWfThFnmR6-nq0yuHwJZQtxEifvu_wiBRjTZ5hKXISkQHZ-86ZRz-1aI5IL/s320/IMG_0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd be lion if I said I wasn't thrilled to dig this item, right up<br />
next to the house. I think it's part of an old drawer pull.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDPiFbkKdWvW2owkeUq4iLPMMJ6hkHCkiLxa5E5hcFumc6EwmNM0XxNuQYvmHys4FkznaBhHrBPvQV7FC5V1JuG9xRwCZHvlresXGJhndl54XBo36bmjC5nM6kab_eTh9mF5kPG7KU30M/s1600/IMG_0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDPiFbkKdWvW2owkeUq4iLPMMJ6hkHCkiLxa5E5hcFumc6EwmNM0XxNuQYvmHys4FkznaBhHrBPvQV7FC5V1JuG9xRwCZHvlresXGJhndl54XBo36bmjC5nM6kab_eTh9mF5kPG7KU30M/s320/IMG_0615.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCXgReTuifLxKyv9GmfAj9VYgw6n5OZl9htGiyibB3-gWFObhVLCyDc05uvaizn5XvPo2Fezf-rS-aG0C_FlKoLLFWsv5fTPgl5obUSOAdfQNmwBCkkPtN8i0tucuHjjbsrtw_IypbcQC/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCXgReTuifLxKyv9GmfAj9VYgw6n5OZl9htGiyibB3-gWFObhVLCyDc05uvaizn5XvPo2Fezf-rS-aG0C_FlKoLLFWsv5fTPgl5obUSOAdfQNmwBCkkPtN8i0tucuHjjbsrtw_IypbcQC/s320/IMG_0631.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK. This was next to the driveway, literally five feet from the<br />
bumper of my 1999 Toyota Camry, and maybe 8 inches down.<br />
I was pretty sure it was something special from the get-go, <br />
as I'd never seen such a big button. Turns out I was right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZuio9Dam1UuCQ0M5REZQEh8Eih9dAPk9qZZzZbOgvUNRzRlUXYJk4faJWn-OlTU366_hoJO7FjgoGMU028-DGZUqk2uXxUHjDkTokjqenDLcWSGhVNnoUwZyh54ZrjcRxDvnA6W5rlb_/s1600/IMG_9501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZuio9Dam1UuCQ0M5REZQEh8Eih9dAPk9qZZzZbOgvUNRzRlUXYJk4faJWn-OlTU366_hoJO7FjgoGMU028-DGZUqk2uXxUHjDkTokjqenDLcWSGhVNnoUwZyh54ZrjcRxDvnA6W5rlb_/s320/IMG_9501.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends, this is a George Washington Inaugural<br />
button, the extremely rare "Dotted Script" version,<br />
made in 1789.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAB74RGUE0PKlwlSeh3b6EyEhE79RXNn1-HdZTYBCkIJU7obC99Y49u0-aWQzP4Xun1L1oCbwhxprvE65fWlAlPlu3x05uq1n3naZ-2O9CU4QKSbBzxhfHGs3I6pArhyHEWPP8Khmu97h/s1600/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAB74RGUE0PKlwlSeh3b6EyEhE79RXNn1-HdZTYBCkIJU7obC99Y49u0-aWQzP4Xun1L1oCbwhxprvE65fWlAlPlu3x05uq1n3naZ-2O9CU4QKSbBzxhfHGs3I6pArhyHEWPP8Khmu97h/s320/IMG_0639.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's pretty toasty, but, heck, I hope I look this good after 229<br />
years in the ground. (Not that I have any intention of getting<br />
in the ground anytime soon.) And the shank is perfect. <br />
I could sew this bad boy on a denim jacket and go <br />
to a show, and I just might do that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WD8kvrr3-BadQf30BkVNAwlzSmYuSVGnp-jikRcs6VAxAEFH2dAH8JhaB62_-RP4qKprSWIdu2RMtppAxemKEetjwWoiWbUJKqfE7wFXbVmk8x9VqEaqYADDWvf1k83fGKm2-wgcUWOR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-09+at+8.20.14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WD8kvrr3-BadQf30BkVNAwlzSmYuSVGnp-jikRcs6VAxAEFH2dAH8JhaB62_-RP4qKprSWIdu2RMtppAxemKEetjwWoiWbUJKqfE7wFXbVmk8x9VqEaqYADDWvf1k83fGKm2-wgcUWOR/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-09-09+at+8.20.14+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what it looked like back in the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No guarantees, but I'm fairly sure this beautiful item will be featured in the "Just Dug" section of the upcoming issue of American Digger Magazine. And yes, you may touch the hem of my garment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw7cuf3wxxXDf5sMCcyUrdV1Lzi9E-SzfUP5s95A1vdRp1zwwTmYVFc60evBR7_BXjVHKQdkAws4yhylCPxRZvpmD-OkvpfxnaTDuvZXNUr7RapY4yDAM9jj7A_yrqbzL0C8Yuc-ruCR5/s1600/IMG_0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw7cuf3wxxXDf5sMCcyUrdV1Lzi9E-SzfUP5s95A1vdRp1zwwTmYVFc60evBR7_BXjVHKQdkAws4yhylCPxRZvpmD-OkvpfxnaTDuvZXNUr7RapY4yDAM9jj7A_yrqbzL0C8Yuc-ruCR5/s320/IMG_0718.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's more (minus the GW button). Notice all those flat buttons<br />
on the lower right and buckles to the left. All Colonial era.<br />
Also notice that "shield"thingie--just like the ones I found next door. <br />
Oh, and that thing that looks like a cut coin (upper right)<br />
about made me bust out into the Macarena or some such, <br />
but alas, it appears to be just a broken metal copper disk. <br />
No markings of any kind. I like it, though. <br />
It can't help it if it's not special.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
All of this begs the question: WHAT WAS HERE ON THIS SPOT BEFORE ALL THESE RANCH HOUSES? I’ve looked at all the expected old maps, but find no mention of a house or farm on this site. Ideas, anyone?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Here are some other delightful finds from random different sites.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZQq6kxy0rHPoZTFNil9bdthJihTYsu5Oij66WUVc_mOe_UZMnaYMXSv6xc_pjPabI_BXWkhFyFSLw95NrPjs8ZENvWv78rgx3gztJMRQOkLsaRHclqcxnlvH9KbAesexgbkWQyISzDbs/s1600/IMG_5935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZQq6kxy0rHPoZTFNil9bdthJihTYsu5Oij66WUVc_mOe_UZMnaYMXSv6xc_pjPabI_BXWkhFyFSLw95NrPjs8ZENvWv78rgx3gztJMRQOkLsaRHclqcxnlvH9KbAesexgbkWQyISzDbs/s320/IMG_5935.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A realtor friend allowed me to check out a<br />
property she was selling and it delivered.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHvwt_HymJE0dVb2PPtqxn_WoojkIWdg9bnm1sTW_DSdeMJNgRZYTEWI5hKYrtGv6mw4HhtOwU4ms2F06l85EyCIP0BwyQ9VT82PHIupgwD363-V8lsKqsdxatU34E9DL3KKUUK4RpAm3/s1600/IMG_5936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHvwt_HymJE0dVb2PPtqxn_WoojkIWdg9bnm1sTW_DSdeMJNgRZYTEWI5hKYrtGv6mw4HhtOwU4ms2F06l85EyCIP0BwyQ9VT82PHIupgwD363-V8lsKqsdxatU34E9DL3KKUUK4RpAm3/s320/IMG_5936.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this old buckle. It'll clean up real nice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3d5nD61Q1RIN4fPNc4NytNP_-T_tSSfeFA35dOG_PkaMkRc8NNg_ZGH8Fbt9HF6w4aefK6XoyuLGEU90uh9Kd_A5bWvx7G7_FTEU7FV1ENb9Ei3OOv4aecCfyp1u4dfK_ATwF7G7kILy/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3d5nD61Q1RIN4fPNc4NytNP_-T_tSSfeFA35dOG_PkaMkRc8NNg_ZGH8Fbt9HF6w4aefK6XoyuLGEU90uh9Kd_A5bWvx7G7_FTEU7FV1ENb9Ei3OOv4aecCfyp1u4dfK_ATwF7G7kILy/s320/IMG_5937.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Know what this is? I didn't, but now I do:<br />
a Civil War powder flask. So pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnEMxtLtb-WH1LzvJqeBUbGxbCCfZcUrpMKxpob1_kj6mIc1kyVqOTi86lyGj-kEMXkIM3FwBd6gTRp-A2gbygaRu1_fmI1Tm4VVotyAxy6OKEEOPF74Pl3OgfXzUL8zQxkmyX7gcS3sd/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnEMxtLtb-WH1LzvJqeBUbGxbCCfZcUrpMKxpob1_kj6mIc1kyVqOTi86lyGj-kEMXkIM3FwBd6gTRp-A2gbygaRu1_fmI1Tm4VVotyAxy6OKEEOPF74Pl3OgfXzUL8zQxkmyX7gcS3sd/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old log-splitter I pulled out of a Civil War encampment<br />
is back at work in our yard. Strong and functional. Clearly<br />
glad to be of service, ma'am.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7sNuVLU6WEpWTjLyS3PJrA1f8m-nKU9Fn0hWHu1AbtcHPIExyV4DTDW6tx4H7Rp6WtAIxOdABCKagoniscmYvPFXCBfzH8QJSvRY4D0qFOHbBsrDcNPr3TFvu-8-KRvPIqXObtt8DRO5/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7sNuVLU6WEpWTjLyS3PJrA1f8m-nKU9Fn0hWHu1AbtcHPIExyV4DTDW6tx4H7Rp6WtAIxOdABCKagoniscmYvPFXCBfzH8QJSvRY4D0qFOHbBsrDcNPr3TFvu-8-KRvPIqXObtt8DRO5/s320/IMG_0297.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty sure this was from a West Nashville yard from last year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
A friend let me detect her East Nashville backyard. Didn't find much except this beautiful earring, which, it turned out, had been lost during a Halloween party years before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPiZoqWcsvPMR5AQsUaJO2sP7zqfO8KkJtMRbwLF-9sZR6V2uC9J-SebasXwH_aQOMc13UOwhc-Ee8sgOQh7sItDd2yOLaMK62IPA-vv0Dp6qTsD4plL_0AzGUoV3oTCKlwOzbSzS3zWN/s1600/IMG_4968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPiZoqWcsvPMR5AQsUaJO2sP7zqfO8KkJtMRbwLF-9sZR6V2uC9J-SebasXwH_aQOMc13UOwhc-Ee8sgOQh7sItDd2yOLaMK62IPA-vv0Dp6qTsD4plL_0AzGUoV3oTCKlwOzbSzS3zWN/s320/IMG_4968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhOoqPi29wa5m2WWdBsc5BBk8xQUwHoncZdteJYfVV0Lk-3c6eB67hAEqrBu0hkKigd998NEaoY_5gs_WUVGCyb-a9Dl1JA9mYPDU9E_TzBvbbSHNsAMlCSo6F56b6C6T6ppkqR9Z36V6/s1600/IMG_4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhOoqPi29wa5m2WWdBsc5BBk8xQUwHoncZdteJYfVV0Lk-3c6eB67hAEqrBu0hkKigd998NEaoY_5gs_WUVGCyb-a9Dl1JA9mYPDU9E_TzBvbbSHNsAMlCSo6F56b6C6T6ppkqR9Z36V6/s320/IMG_4969.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Here's the moment when the woman who lost it learned she was getting it back. Happy feelings!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJxTJt_PqGU_YxfJmQRqy63nVHgl7vEeU5HLOlvtmmYMXgzcA2RZqUUpw6hZrcG0FQMZnSIm32q8QTfDfrCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
OK, the Big News. As many of you know, a few years back, I released "I Dug It Up"-- a record of 13 songs inspired by metal detecting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqKl3zWVRrM5YxmOI7asR6IoV3pTmwDYFVLfUVnY-WAfAnHChK3Q4Y_SvBFnXgnYktFeh44ljkTteSExddYA0OUJhpZnwtnO0osVCOldDQg0Sva3D3z3gt1_vXPW1Bd3IELUx7By-jBk3/s1600/10686751_10202984837764430_5772951721196010688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="729" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqKl3zWVRrM5YxmOI7asR6IoV3pTmwDYFVLfUVnY-WAfAnHChK3Q4Y_SvBFnXgnYktFeh44ljkTteSExddYA0OUJhpZnwtnO0osVCOldDQg0Sva3D3z3gt1_vXPW1Bd3IELUx7By-jBk3/s320/10686751_10202984837764430_5772951721196010688_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you think this photo was taken on a certain beloved bluff<br />
overlooking the Cumberland, you'd be right. My buddy Jeff<br />
Thorneycroft designed the whole album. Nailed it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Everyone says CDs are dead, but I dunno; I sure sell a lot of them, both at gigs and from my website, <a href="http://www.whithill.com/" style="color: #954f72;">www.whithill.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Well, presto-chango, I’ve turned I Dug It Up into a musical. Four characters, two acts, a whole lotta time travel, and most of the songs on the record—plus several new ones.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Nope, never done anything like this before. (I started the process by googling “how to write a musical.”) Oddly, I found I could only actually write the thing at SIP Café, near my house. Despite my powerful introversion, that loud and uncomfortable environment, with hits of the ‘70s or ‘90s blasting away (depending on the age of baristas), allowed me to write without stopping for SIX hours a stretch. Anyway, it’s done. Had the first reading in April. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheR0O56DoakV1L89J2ScbjR4wb0n_po2yadGKifUJwWp8WyEW7nQaDdexDlTGpQh_FhW4_sZda3B5IYAlazGCuJH_URoYXnnTTj7yQ8BgKBrPgJUQMHZg575xSZETh7DE3vIOYlOkixu5/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheR0O56DoakV1L89J2ScbjR4wb0n_po2yadGKifUJwWp8WyEW7nQaDdexDlTGpQh_FhW4_sZda3B5IYAlazGCuJH_URoYXnnTTj7yQ8BgKBrPgJUQMHZg575xSZETh7DE3vIOYlOkixu5/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many thanks to the actor friends who brought my characters<br />
to life for the very first time, and to those who watched and<br />
gave such excellent feedback.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I'm planning another reading soon. Stay tuned. Love, your Dirt Girl.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRa99-V9APcbQeYjbb7qKsUuq9bjhqYSHZVhA0ET5b4y_RTeqvhyphenhyphensJRIxHGWuGUVtWPwG19t86IHzLZrMsOPBNdu1OdoYhZmn8Kdu3tVqpuUFUasqlzN3Y98AIu6o8dlPF1JRv9nqbytl/s1600/MN2A5431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRa99-V9APcbQeYjbb7qKsUuq9bjhqYSHZVhA0ET5b4y_RTeqvhyphenhyphensJRIxHGWuGUVtWPwG19t86IHzLZrMsOPBNdu1OdoYhZmn8Kdu3tVqpuUFUasqlzN3Y98AIu6o8dlPF1JRv9nqbytl/s320/MN2A5431.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-53269351940040859902018-06-25T12:48:00.000-07:002018-09-05T10:14:51.178-07:00I Lost My Job<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Can I write about the loss of my dayjob on a metal detecting blog?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Let’s see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Later this week, I will submit my last stories to the University of Michigan Office of Medical Development and Alumni Relations. In one way or another, I’ve been employed by the U-M (my alma mater) for 22 years – a relationship that has supported me and my family with varying degrees of generosity. Despite its many distractions (and the cognitive dissonance of dayjob vs. artist), my work for Michigan has buoyed me through the creation of dozens of dance/theater pieces and hundreds of songs. Because of this job, I have a (very) modest retirement account that I never would have had if not for those “golden handcuffs.” Because of this job, I made some stellar friends I adore to this day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-b5Bp90pXco7BTVjk8813_2vAigM1mSI9QORrWlpXcNWiZ0Iyn1pTQJMxB_GjUjqnmwgAWlKX5-RFmq5UAQ2RHYsWF8pK-5OG0aGUwNlIER9YqQfpnGH_4lwtbFZmN-jDN9nKUTXxA4V/s1600/IMG_5609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-b5Bp90pXco7BTVjk8813_2vAigM1mSI9QORrWlpXcNWiZ0Iyn1pTQJMxB_GjUjqnmwgAWlKX5-RFmq5UAQ2RHYsWF8pK-5OG0aGUwNlIER9YqQfpnGH_4lwtbFZmN-jDN9nKUTXxA4V/s320/IMG_5609.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of those stellar friends, <br />
on casual Friday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
What did I actually do? From ’96 to ’01, I was the public relations coordinator for the U-M Museum of Art. I also organized community arts events that were tied to exhibitions. That was fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
In 2001, I took a job as a development writer for the Medical School. As part of a feisty, supportive, brilliant team, I wrote campaign copy, research descriptions and donor bios (hundreds and hundreds of donor bios, which I LOVED!) I interviewed and wrote about billionaire philanthropists. I ghost-wrote letters for various deans and administrators, and historical articles and (more) research descriptions for our beautiful alumni magazine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhR1A3YZB7v04m3vRb0l0rQbeucEEoPfyuQwYuKXWnmVdHuJwtzQIuLlzEquOW3tCSN0j-p76mhJsOLs_AT0PL9KXs4hdcDXWPtK1Mr74clRhwWGfHdVGB3EAEl97CpV9nSpGeXY5Ou5v/s1600/IMG_5484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhR1A3YZB7v04m3vRb0l0rQbeucEEoPfyuQwYuKXWnmVdHuJwtzQIuLlzEquOW3tCSN0j-p76mhJsOLs_AT0PL9KXs4hdcDXWPtK1Mr74clRhwWGfHdVGB3EAEl97CpV9nSpGeXY5Ou5v/s320/IMG_5484.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not an example of the kind of writing I<br />
did for the U-M Medical School.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The health insurance was dreamy. After years of dancing, I had my right hip resurfaced in South Carolina in 2006. It set me back $150.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl2ErpFwhvoic_2KZU37wTzrPtE4yCNgQLeW77z1V4rYR_SEtnCivLPFDA2ZN0A8sKV6NPMYaRfxUQbnK0UqSoLlxt4ZhYDKpPcytd9NGLIQ0VRCwpf5J_ebewSJbWPNgkp5lB2H5qPYJ/s1600/IMG_5630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl2ErpFwhvoic_2KZU37wTzrPtE4yCNgQLeW77z1V4rYR_SEtnCivLPFDA2ZN0A8sKV6NPMYaRfxUQbnK0UqSoLlxt4ZhYDKpPcytd9NGLIQ0VRCwpf5J_ebewSJbWPNgkp5lB2H5qPYJ/s320/IMG_5630.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is money I dug up. I did not have to dig<br />
up any money to pay for my first hip surgery.<br />
Due to dreamy U-M health insurance. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
Here's an example of one story I loved every minute of writing:<br />
<a href="http://staffstories.umich.edu/genius-in-his-hands/" target="_blank">http://staffstories.umich.edu/genius-in-his-hands/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
All the while, I was writing more and more music, zooming to Nashville to record demos and get the lay of the land. Al was touring the world with Bettye LaVette and I was home with the responsible dayjob/health insurance, feeling increasingly bitter, pulling against an oceanic current of longing to be part of a bigger songwriting scene.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
In 2007, I asked my boss if it would be possible for me to move Nashville. He didn’t hesitate. “Sure!” he said. A year later, we did, with the full blessing and understanding of my amazing office mates and administration. Not only would I be writing from my home office in TN, I’d be driving all over the state visiting alumni. I set up my computer and worked 9-5, just like everyone else. Far from the distractions of the office, my productivity soared and my annual reviews reflected this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPo9iRmYxn7_UBZabmwX-jW3sHvftuEueVMREtYvtwWacWazzOA35ruafV3eDL50Qt0qoYuvrhkKJqfZ3iUb3rLMAgzZldpUTwJG_hkKzc8I5x4_XqWXhmngHPWqgWna_HKH2zLkolCbF/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPo9iRmYxn7_UBZabmwX-jW3sHvftuEueVMREtYvtwWacWazzOA35ruafV3eDL50Qt0qoYuvrhkKJqfZ3iUb3rLMAgzZldpUTwJG_hkKzc8I5x4_XqWXhmngHPWqgWna_HKH2zLkolCbF/s320/IMG_4996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal detecting a construction site while I should have been<br />
at my desk working for the Medical School. SUCKAHHHS!<br />
I am totally joking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Things happen, though, don’t they? (The next part is boring. In fact, I’m pretty sure this whole thing is boring. That’s why I’m illustrating it with items I’ve dug out of the ground.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEOIqDH0dFOjUzA8b9u23Ub_D69l-QIgKkQbabCs6WfkBOrXHWjO7eb3OSS92ItScApSbUelsU7RLLi9dmECmmG6U1t-I3C3NifPRIXyStcy9WU_b_pV_PzKTjn5WXokl8QrQBlaahRM2/s1600/IMG_5725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEOIqDH0dFOjUzA8b9u23Ub_D69l-QIgKkQbabCs6WfkBOrXHWjO7eb3OSS92ItScApSbUelsU7RLLi9dmECmmG6U1t-I3C3NifPRIXyStcy9WU_b_pV_PzKTjn5WXokl8QrQBlaahRM2/s320/IMG_5725.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this beautiful, brass instrument mouthpiece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
In 2013, there was a sweeping deck-shuffle back in Ann Arbor. A new director was hired to reorganize the entire office and in the process, it was “discovered” that there was a full-time employee (little me, trying desperately to keep my head down) in Tennessee of all places. Outrage! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm1TuH3wTAV5oCH6gCudVQij_aa6fe3AQ-iQLw4cT5nbP6P6hyphenhyphen-yfwHpwr6tXxmc0CBI6flHedZs-KTwi53cysgmOg_i2dwn-auQwqXmtD1RQrZuP-7aqMm1ADO6DFkzBL4TDMVMKK3kh/s1600/IMG_5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm1TuH3wTAV5oCH6gCudVQij_aa6fe3AQ-iQLw4cT5nbP6P6hyphenhyphen-yfwHpwr6tXxmc0CBI6flHedZs-KTwi53cysgmOg_i2dwn-auQwqXmtD1RQrZuP-7aqMm1ADO6DFkzBL4TDMVMKK3kh/s320/IMG_5432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this OUTRAGEous haul from a Nolensville-area<br />
construction site.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
A new supervisor, oozing great, smarmy “empathy” made me an offer. I could keep my job, she said, if I moved back to Michigan. I declined. They couldn’t terminate me right then because I was in the middle of a huge, multi-year writing project. But when that ended, I transitioned to free-lance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
(Even though it is beneath me, I feel a strong urge to hint at the identity of that smarmy empath. Her name <i>sort of </i>rhymes with “Buy me lunch” and soon after she terminated me, she was gone too. Such is OfficeLand.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0-4n9R9ODVn6NTdfzTxIhixy_eDYf5WMWl1KpmaSgmNuuSs8A58kUldjjwbdrrYlX5Iee_7cs8f9jVUkRmJO_MW7JBijpywhZnOhLK0lUC5_O2rr7XpFUHEusYkFxnoKBSs4WyyslzDo/s1600/IMG_5906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0-4n9R9ODVn6NTdfzTxIhixy_eDYf5WMWl1KpmaSgmNuuSs8A58kUldjjwbdrrYlX5Iee_7cs8f9jVUkRmJO_MW7JBijpywhZnOhLK0lUC5_O2rr7XpFUHEusYkFxnoKBSs4WyyslzDo/s320/IMG_5906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel a little bit bad about making fun of the name of the lady<br />
who terminated me. Pearl is clearly embarrassed too. She<br />
thinks I am not being the best version of myself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I love that the word “free” is in “free-lance.” Did I feel free tho? No, mostly terrified. When you’ve had phenomenal health insurance for years, the lack of it brews up a stew of anxiety that, in turn, makes you sick. I’m not going to rant about health care in America – not here – except to say “Thank you, ACA.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieciBnwwi5vZ2E5_WSBf59_Jt3fMriyUBpd06ZifAaAzN-14YHNXs2iJMAuB05uEhrZ4yj9dCrsj_xyavI9NXFt75nplZuqfDtR55RxMnLik43HCNLvwkqflR89SFmwcpZ8r4RnhDEi6Vx/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieciBnwwi5vZ2E5_WSBf59_Jt3fMriyUBpd06ZifAaAzN-14YHNXs2iJMAuB05uEhrZ4yj9dCrsj_xyavI9NXFt75nplZuqfDtR55RxMnLik43HCNLvwkqflR89SFmwcpZ8r4RnhDEi6Vx/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this awesome 1910 City of Chicago<br />
"Vehicle Tag" in a northern Michigan field<br />
last fall. The man largely responsible for the<br />
ACA is said to have ties to the Windy City.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I augmented my income with lucrative assignments from renowned medical schools in Gainesville, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Chapel Hill. And of course, I taught a zillion dance classes – gritting my teeth through the pain in my other hip joint. All of it was never quite enough to pay my part of the bills, but Al, bless him, kept touring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqfHZhAqwVXp78FSlFkjYHT8tGNfJ6WOcWoaWXj4UIiEntW59f1RUjtYmc_HaRLiZ2sSZS-hH6bnEYdA9VALormmNwoDt8XUNJGZfetZkM-iOuYwAGSH3-9lO-V0Dx06q_e5gpht9SG_U/s1600/MN2A1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqfHZhAqwVXp78FSlFkjYHT8tGNfJ6WOcWoaWXj4UIiEntW59f1RUjtYmc_HaRLiZ2sSZS-hH6bnEYdA9VALormmNwoDt8XUNJGZfetZkM-iOuYwAGSH3-9lO-V0Dx06q_e5gpht9SG_U/s320/MN2A1116.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, at DancEast (where I teach), in full<br />
detecting/songwriting regalia. Even I<br />
am not sure why this photo exists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I’m no innocent. As I knew would happen, the U-M freelance work began to evaporate. I’ve been physically gone from the office for years, my accomplishments and my genuine belief in the place mean nothing now. A week ago, I got a very nice call from the truly lovely man who now heads communications there, snipping my final connection to the place. Something about a budget.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98gVQPV_KLBiTdDof9GB9EPiJNT22IhUqIZSlJCocLrYF1TnXBIMz7P3fqus1MrD4KwKAmgOoLpt_R6hmiC5GyVM_sp8-ZLGe7e7LxRdWJ-dojOluNfGO7vqJhFm2-CnZyCmhQPX7e_Ss/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98gVQPV_KLBiTdDof9GB9EPiJNT22IhUqIZSlJCocLrYF1TnXBIMz7P3fqus1MrD4KwKAmgOoLpt_R6hmiC5GyVM_sp8-ZLGe7e7LxRdWJ-dojOluNfGO7vqJhFm2-CnZyCmhQPX7e_Ss/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of someone's budget a century ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
And so here I sit, trying to figure out what’s next. In the other room, I have two shelves of books about the history of the University of Michigan Medical School. I have thick files of research for all the stories I wrote, stories I cared about. Why did I care? Because I’m a carer, and it all seemed so important at the time. Even as I wrote the stuff, I tried to remember: this won’t last forever and won't mean much in the long run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZvPCsZPJkD0Yc2Vn2wloM5oqX8gTqqTkIeI1dJdi7KuR5d6_3HRrnpDyHDTaimG3o9vVt_we9Mua0okLqbwS9tOiwMbSBt7JCuIb1VneG2ySb12fxFkevw_DMapjxFM_KVN9nHhwAdBZ/s1600/IMG_E0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZvPCsZPJkD0Yc2Vn2wloM5oqX8gTqqTkIeI1dJdi7KuR5d6_3HRrnpDyHDTaimG3o9vVt_we9Mua0okLqbwS9tOiwMbSBt7JCuIb1VneG2ySb12fxFkevw_DMapjxFM_KVN9nHhwAdBZ/s320/IMG_E0124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These items used to mean something to someone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj285If-gnikGDYJaYzDIcDYzbpR0L_mqvm2rcqgYUa4vkpJege-NWoIoZWybeyd16bCApt_lkcSK9XWQ95rBBQiNPU3akHQAQtfAFuk7PtBfjHo9Ac-28tv2SH5LuwIi_4btQz5aEFD_4J/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj285If-gnikGDYJaYzDIcDYzbpR0L_mqvm2rcqgYUa4vkpJege-NWoIoZWybeyd16bCApt_lkcSK9XWQ95rBBQiNPU3akHQAQtfAFuk7PtBfjHo9Ac-28tv2SH5LuwIi_4btQz5aEFD_4J/s320/IMG_5937.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Civil War gunpowder keg used to "belong"<br />
to a soldier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bj12gg9PGjja5kppIlOYpxE_DzJzaD7sYJ2lK6fx2vtuErNyEPIlLyYVdai_LwDpRHHAXqx-ifXo4eW7Tg-f0v3OEIYYEzAzrbYRwFTVPrDHeK4RS1BMM7JimCtLnx2xh0A_kD30Mmy6/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bj12gg9PGjja5kppIlOYpxE_DzJzaD7sYJ2lK6fx2vtuErNyEPIlLyYVdai_LwDpRHHAXqx-ifXo4eW7Tg-f0v3OEIYYEzAzrbYRwFTVPrDHeK4RS1BMM7JimCtLnx2xh0A_kD30Mmy6/s320/IMG_0090.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A man wore this against his chest, then lost it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1qXWaHCGB3KYg5zsAeTDDFLePY7jjqjy1y1aHbSd7BV5jcz2BBm7Pzs8k6rqG0c1v5mYol6siqNoGHuU18cGVWXW9meAU-FUJF8Mj4opxZVhnOMcge7o3Mxvc3e4qTgNp71-pGnShLTR/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1qXWaHCGB3KYg5zsAeTDDFLePY7jjqjy1y1aHbSd7BV5jcz2BBm7Pzs8k6rqG0c1v5mYol6siqNoGHuU18cGVWXW9meAU-FUJF8Mj4opxZVhnOMcge7o3Mxvc3e4qTgNp71-pGnShLTR/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These things were useful. They had value. Then they were dropped.<br />
And then I dug them up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I think about health care. Who knows what will happen to the ACA in the next five years? I’ve got other some stuff going on in my body that could get rather expensive and it sure would be nice to feel like simply <i>existing </i>isn’t dangerous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthGwmg1YUyb5GZdShWmva5bMx7IAXTu_NU_68P2xXDrJ-zaI9sU5WVTOMzih35_i5nkYRRP3ziBLkQpfd2Ne5cT-EDej0LVPY6di2pURikvUnO5gH-w8WAfl7789GK1QN6GYutcVu29il/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthGwmg1YUyb5GZdShWmva5bMx7IAXTu_NU_68P2xXDrJ-zaI9sU5WVTOMzih35_i5nkYRRP3ziBLkQpfd2Ne5cT-EDej0LVPY6di2pURikvUnO5gH-w8WAfl7789GK1QN6GYutcVu29il/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, pondering the future. Or perhaps just looking at a tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I’ve been applying for weeks, for work I could excel at with my eyes closed, and have not heard one thing back. I picture the 30-something HR lady looking at the year I graduated from Michigan and doing the math. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I teeter back and forth between “go get ANY JOB” and “why bother trying?” (While filling out a recent application, I was asked to answer the following question: “Do you believe in the Eternal Lake of Fire for the Unsaved? Check yes or no.”)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTn7hfgJVtWmI6HeW3gS01k-MJq5h3-Imfg9lENmlP9kEVGT4dwmlDu9LRnBQO18r2cun7J3e23Z0SS1LH8trQosAM_rSwy058wtxu5JTXf-ba3YtbhPz-vOUkPhant1vv22KXzlrH-Zu/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTn7hfgJVtWmI6HeW3gS01k-MJq5h3-Imfg9lENmlP9kEVGT4dwmlDu9LRnBQO18r2cun7J3e23Z0SS1LH8trQosAM_rSwy058wtxu5JTXf-ba3YtbhPz-vOUkPhant1vv22KXzlrH-Zu/s320/IMG_0360.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really can't think of anything to say, so here are some figurines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Notice that I haven’t said anything about trying to support myself through my songwriting? That is some pondering for another time, but suffice it to say, I’m a realist. When you blend the current state of the music “industry” together with my innate introversion and cosmic lack of drive, you get a whole lotta overwhelm. And song after song, written simply for the writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWYh6eKzUtGSZLO5baW6JAPJ2urxnW7k3iTXEjuw0szQvxeDYgFTFuTt1tDmkgfKHc94GQCsj2OZ7wQ9qDn4csAZXMrrdc2F3YcMBo8WpTXGHXtj7K9TtoQ1TkWfrnVLbpvmtk4pauLCg/s1600/IMG_4207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWYh6eKzUtGSZLO5baW6JAPJ2urxnW7k3iTXEjuw0szQvxeDYgFTFuTt1tDmkgfKHc94GQCsj2OZ7wQ9qDn4csAZXMrrdc2F3YcMBo8WpTXGHXtj7K9TtoQ1TkWfrnVLbpvmtk4pauLCg/s320/IMG_4207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the Bluebird Cafe, feeling grateful and happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Goodness! That’s enough introspection to last me a good, long while. I’d walk the dogs now, but it’s too hot. Al comes home tonight after two weeks touring Europe with country music royalty Carlene Carter, whose music always makes me feel like good things happen. So maybe they will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Here are things I’m good at (in no particular order):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Development writing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Editing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Interviewing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Artist promotion<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Songwriting<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Teaching songwriting<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Dance teaching (babies to adults)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Metal detecting<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Metal detecting blog-writing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Dogs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Gardening<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Driving (’99 Camry, baby...)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
A particular kind of gluten-free cookie (Note: I am not GF)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
If you hear of anything, let me know. Meanwhile, I'll be OK. I have a shiny, new left hip and am just about ready to plunge a shovel into the ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju9xbahE3bNVoDRQxW1bAz9k7zYEOZQcKiphGvp8dxu6pkJ5FwR8UEfYMcBlDHNo_6xhin3WPSDtmxbwFQb5TGzDzh8nCl2TD7rp4_9MpIAv4TsIdpzuVb6IK_F-wBkFYm8ls84PB5CLV/s1600/IMG_5726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju9xbahE3bNVoDRQxW1bAz9k7zYEOZQcKiphGvp8dxu6pkJ5FwR8UEfYMcBlDHNo_6xhin3WPSDtmxbwFQb5TGzDzh8nCl2TD7rp4_9MpIAv4TsIdpzuVb6IK_F-wBkFYm8ls84PB5CLV/s320/IMG_5726.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's gonna be OK, Whit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-27434722921096456882016-01-09T13:52:00.000-08:002016-01-09T15:04:10.049-08:002015<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a dream that I knocked on a door, seeking permission
to metal detect. Inside, the homeowners were about to sit down to dinner.
Clearly I was bothering them. It was awkward and I left. Then, I caught a
glimpse of myself in a mirror. Not only was my hair in large pigtails, there
was a third pigtail sprouting out of the top of my head. And I remember
thinking to myself, “Well. No wonder.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OjJVRQ74Tzj1P4SaVJErqy3981JC4qa9CUChts9uCgP_KBN0hBtKLWJoNWR1LN19yyIv6vNSOZjifWtgjKbwdlhL_d3LMHIbddeon33DY7xXCFVEbkGYIcvG6I2oDWyFrD-BFzdHq3Iz/s1600/dream+ask.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OjJVRQ74Tzj1P4SaVJErqy3981JC4qa9CUChts9uCgP_KBN0hBtKLWJoNWR1LN19yyIv6vNSOZjifWtgjKbwdlhL_d3LMHIbddeon33DY7xXCFVEbkGYIcvG6I2oDWyFrD-BFzdHq3Iz/s320/dream+ask.jpeg" width="262" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s been nearly a year since I last posted. I’m not going
to delve into the reasons why, as I’m not even sure what they are. Instead, I’m
going to do a quick recap of 2015 which included some fun finds, a minor crisis
of faith, and one major personal accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since the last blogpost was last February (!), we begin with
March. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps you’ve forgotten how miserable<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>last winter was. Snow, then an interminable
ice storm. My cousin, Susan, came up for a visit and – weather be damned –
wanted to go digging. I took her to “the Farm” where Cuzi enjoyed digging a ice/mud
hole clear through to Papua New Guinea in order to liberate part of an old plow
blade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoOWrbty9Ol58jxZZo0wIi_-PyWd4SVzuBikxiDFem00n9dalwcp09cFIeGLPJ05qVqrZk24VjINQJ4YuabVIzSGE44TjybNr1ikOmqy6HkXLFDRcHQL8CzP-S-1KiFoF8-p8GGER91HE/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoOWrbty9Ol58jxZZo0wIi_-PyWd4SVzuBikxiDFem00n9dalwcp09cFIeGLPJ05qVqrZk24VjINQJ4YuabVIzSGE44TjybNr1ikOmqy6HkXLFDRcHQL8CzP-S-1KiFoF8-p8GGER91HE/s320/photo+4.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isn't she just the cutest thing on legs?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I managed a few sweet finds that day, and a few weeks later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlu7-yCNGcUfIY8gsZYK3Jv9jCpG1hR1fFtaFewwvsTfc8xwBTX6rSdfh249wd3eH1lq7SMG_h2NMA792rqjyoPGl3sJZct73OtKcHxFt0ZBhrDsvto9BoSTGaI7_n8bYAOySkNKDkcGg/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlu7-yCNGcUfIY8gsZYK3Jv9jCpG1hR1fFtaFewwvsTfc8xwBTX6rSdfh249wd3eH1lq7SMG_h2NMA792rqjyoPGl3sJZct73OtKcHxFt0ZBhrDsvto9BoSTGaI7_n8bYAOySkNKDkcGg/s320/photo.jpg" width="302" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The University of Nashville existed from 1826-1909. During</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">its history, it operated at various times a medical school, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">a four-year military college, a literary arts college </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and a boys' preparatory school.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp8aRmaQ97pTPmJRhyMGUTDjA_eopPQ0-7nXtfGD9tqW1wNicHR1iiKxz2xL3GM6gWKS1Wg9M7CJEfLnZLnjU-yNiAC82Kw9AtnMnl8WOOamf7qosWcUR-ypKkU3C8deVC8LoRKm3NfCF/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOcIvGETp7C3ZkJpl_A-mnJpSpTw_2BF0imDzsG3jthV8QR6bf3zlNvj2rPgaGQLXBczKoOOBJLDCEYDkWfnhMzixw4jbWAjzAfCxt7-haxRLShzDrp-Tc8ZAY6_heMQU0sZmj1Zw_FIZ/s1600/IMG_3887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOcIvGETp7C3ZkJpl_A-mnJpSpTw_2BF0imDzsG3jthV8QR6bf3zlNvj2rPgaGQLXBczKoOOBJLDCEYDkWfnhMzixw4jbWAjzAfCxt7-haxRLShzDrp-Tc8ZAY6_heMQU0sZmj1Zw_FIZ/s320/IMG_3887.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Odds and ends. Love the keyhole.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzOKEum2JtpPRfuLhhMt0nargO-ftwO_PYr2QhyphenhyphenN5OWS-q7Xy0fgkJ-A_axdkibfw8kY2DnouKL8PjgXTwJj4uUsiOCi-KakTxFMlkkipu2yoy8_vNdGL97ejB-Ee2RGKkidMX7ayo7tK/s1600/IMG_3942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzOKEum2JtpPRfuLhhMt0nargO-ftwO_PYr2QhyphenhyphenN5OWS-q7Xy0fgkJ-A_axdkibfw8kY2DnouKL8PjgXTwJj4uUsiOCi-KakTxFMlkkipu2yoy8_vNdGL97ejB-Ee2RGKkidMX7ayo7tK/s320/IMG_3942.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Token from Earthman's Mercantile -- a</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">combination saloon and grocery in White's</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Creek. It was there, in 1881, that the local</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">constable arrested Bill Ryan, alias Tom Hill</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(no relation) -- a member of the infamous</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Jesse James gang. And yes, that is a dog hair</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in the upper left corner.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjARIF8BCjMu3lLwEnstPEsNAKIPgWVA3BkWEhR4pNTz4dlawEzMFcU6aLTe9ZgEpyHTTzMTxxKwxvKGrB0BcsJKWdB7I-WCWuPHwqbtoVUWgQvsDuHsyFdzsbpOAqcfyoM-b-agjiFw-/s1600/IMG_3941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjARIF8BCjMu3lLwEnstPEsNAKIPgWVA3BkWEhR4pNTz4dlawEzMFcU6aLTe9ZgEpyHTTzMTxxKwxvKGrB0BcsJKWdB7I-WCWuPHwqbtoVUWgQvsDuHsyFdzsbpOAqcfyoM-b-agjiFw-/s320/IMG_3941.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy to be out of the ground. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Also another dog hair.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZTXPzpU6k0OoXMDqT8SkuufNAcSk8-1gOrvrIMCy3TJg-MDjCn6fWk3bWkLgbcOapqO5boHy_sr0WhDO0fzywMzStPiJGOHx-FZ-hgAN4xj6aheFGQzW2Zoeb8WoENjIaXe_tQdPOLq4/s1600/IMG_3938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZTXPzpU6k0OoXMDqT8SkuufNAcSk8-1gOrvrIMCy3TJg-MDjCn6fWk3bWkLgbcOapqO5boHy_sr0WhDO0fzywMzStPiJGOHx-FZ-hgAN4xj6aheFGQzW2Zoeb8WoENjIaXe_tQdPOLq4/s320/IMG_3938.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Really just my favorite kind of find.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgRLtNvLI8GfKp8D2SUNIeyBpX6CgcpZ0CLm0UKX8ztO860S2BZK3OZWLf0czKgGg7HAOfWQBAumQli0hk8LXZljJdDKvZHFWDpsP5wQCSSJ_ku3XspbQijXRA_OYkyhPVRxgrZc7I1mE/s1600/IMG_3940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgRLtNvLI8GfKp8D2SUNIeyBpX6CgcpZ0CLm0UKX8ztO860S2BZK3OZWLf0czKgGg7HAOfWQBAumQli0hk8LXZljJdDKvZHFWDpsP5wQCSSJ_ku3XspbQijXRA_OYkyhPVRxgrZc7I1mE/s320/IMG_3940.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That hook thing was under a root and about made me cry.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4Kg93iQOLXNxU0NlIFlCdRofhG2IAQnQPO_wPF5mBg1PNvA99SqyQG4LZdRHmDUli8DDf5vUGFFwqRtM8NO1xohz_7ijkILBHS6s8oSuXkGDI85e6S7j4yK8saZOowEuGA14cN5o5Nnn/s1600/IMG_3966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4Kg93iQOLXNxU0NlIFlCdRofhG2IAQnQPO_wPF5mBg1PNvA99SqyQG4LZdRHmDUli8DDf5vUGFFwqRtM8NO1xohz_7ijkILBHS6s8oSuXkGDI85e6S7j4yK8saZOowEuGA14cN5o5Nnn/s320/IMG_3966.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They don't make suspender clips like they usta.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometime in early April, Cheryl and I made plans to dig but
her car finked out on the Clarksville Pike. Waiting for the wrecker to come, we
decided to explore a nearby creek. Sure was fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibDHfeQ3u0mAchcbr8Lw0TTLMVhRMiSOP1nuYHdrU9REacs2XGZfP5gWNIEqbQyCmVUM6s3hUXD5jjZtu1DPgYYlxgTI0Dten0UqJlMjhRYoKLJiMeeKwx104wrkRs5uuAi0I2cIubU7Q/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibDHfeQ3u0mAchcbr8Lw0TTLMVhRMiSOP1nuYHdrU9REacs2XGZfP5gWNIEqbQyCmVUM6s3hUXD5jjZtu1DPgYYlxgTI0Dten0UqJlMjhRYoKLJiMeeKwx104wrkRs5uuAi0I2cIubU7Q/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A new friend, songwriter Jerry Vandiver, invited me to check
out a vacant lot he owns in East Nashville. Found way more than I expected over
several trips.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9i6QplbYiq5_PfBt1lIrc7DwC1ykCc5YOMMFGkZdMZvBrcgH9RKT19Okm2Z9rawK1UUvs1LBJoSR9Yo12AHbsrLw3pPDGy1PcvcuPoZC9VwPDZdjChU1ZBKUFhJ5G9JMtGXGFmxBYz7M/s1600/IMG_3970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9i6QplbYiq5_PfBt1lIrc7DwC1ykCc5YOMMFGkZdMZvBrcgH9RKT19Okm2Z9rawK1UUvs1LBJoSR9Yo12AHbsrLw3pPDGy1PcvcuPoZC9VwPDZdjChU1ZBKUFhJ5G9JMtGXGFmxBYz7M/s320/IMG_3970.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7SXK196gC1S-_fptRKkolY1Pn2oUMZAKr6WAEnBOxl5O6IbD13kgy4g7gmCtvNNK9OiBYGZpMjNLQP59XSRfI12XvEzXTVCHntcSuynbwDZjlrVQi8G7cJA5rYcLm2iiEn7YcVbzcD9s/s1600/IMG_3976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7SXK196gC1S-_fptRKkolY1Pn2oUMZAKr6WAEnBOxl5O6IbD13kgy4g7gmCtvNNK9OiBYGZpMjNLQP59XSRfI12XvEzXTVCHntcSuynbwDZjlrVQi8G7cJA5rYcLm2iiEn7YcVbzcD9s/s320/IMG_3976.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KZqhdWwohKNy07LQQgPkY0wUGOHpn-TRRmmDRcGPNCFdUwX4dau18wb4dOYZpBsuI6PZ1BWuEvAydu42HH3PJsRBCjfHs2s-HSxVYF-EERsDdy2BkthtpTJ_OksSA5EDMwlR0RfI32SW/s1600/IMG_3979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KZqhdWwohKNy07LQQgPkY0wUGOHpn-TRRmmDRcGPNCFdUwX4dau18wb4dOYZpBsuI6PZ1BWuEvAydu42HH3PJsRBCjfHs2s-HSxVYF-EERsDdy2BkthtpTJ_OksSA5EDMwlR0RfI32SW/s320/IMG_3979.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApOT3qugbjBscIA4MposP3Fur6Ptx7_KFiRgNa10jlhWf19WAPJlWjW9Vr4ZNEBf_ZrFMv-JuJUJ6YVFINMMO9uSzj8D2rWQ4x9Lf4XfDlA4y9AiOkcOigJHeHQSrW3VL-ee2QS3KO115/s1600/IMG_3980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApOT3qugbjBscIA4MposP3Fur6Ptx7_KFiRgNa10jlhWf19WAPJlWjW9Vr4ZNEBf_ZrFMv-JuJUJ6YVFINMMO9uSzj8D2rWQ4x9Lf4XfDlA4y9AiOkcOigJHeHQSrW3VL-ee2QS3KO115/s320/IMG_3980.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqh3SsiLy4d2lO2ihlZR-AIaFH8okkMe0dn3S3CwQt8OTkH3hmQ2bxEjG9iWqgU3_voYnZrEkFy1ikkNEudcdH-jf9Y-THPyHpdIgo1iaJOfxNpkQHPi0z3qwfHZafN0_I-Ek-giuAMvT/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqh3SsiLy4d2lO2ihlZR-AIaFH8okkMe0dn3S3CwQt8OTkH3hmQ2bxEjG9iWqgU3_voYnZrEkFy1ikkNEudcdH-jf9Y-THPyHpdIgo1iaJOfxNpkQHPi0z3qwfHZafN0_I-Ek-giuAMvT/s320/photo+3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Silver cross with sweet plastic "berries." I'm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">thinking shop class project?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRkF1ad8XtUt4oDlIHroO1rkZya0DakrhLXQxcmXiJBVhHSBDRpWArXB905oqdOOhNaUgB09HSiWPlVRdKZGY7qWK5LXnKMtOR2aSzf2xdZUabBjWbbP8dnAAsUNv6xRVmLXM4KqXDL46/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRkF1ad8XtUt4oDlIHroO1rkZya0DakrhLXQxcmXiJBVhHSBDRpWArXB905oqdOOhNaUgB09HSiWPlVRdKZGY7qWK5LXnKMtOR2aSzf2xdZUabBjWbbP8dnAAsUNv6xRVmLXM4KqXDL46/s320/photo+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Very shiny but deceptively so. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As the weather warmed, I intensified my efforts to get the
word out about my new cd, “I Dug it Up” which features 13 songs inspired by
metal detecting. Rehearsals commenced for a mid-May cd release at Douglas
Corner. I was so excited. And then,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
virus decided to go metal detecting into every cell in my body, inserting snot
and inflammation every which-where. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Never in all my years of performing as a songwriter have I canceled show. But I did. My husband, Al, took the slot and rocked the
place, which was great. But it took me a long time to get past my
disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here’s a pic from the DancEast showcase at the end of May.
Yup. When I’m not digging in the dirt, I teach li’l chilluns to dance.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvXz0Bm1bV3YUuUFEiAiBZejW2Xq3FfNt-v4u05gaklyGflnG7oENYyh0dm_EPwIKUHk3FizIVeHxZ112uiB1STNk0LZZHN5f7fMzn6qPlnGQ6E1l7SgG2-chbzO3wNg-OLxtiuH_nzDm/s1600/IMG_20150514_231745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvXz0Bm1bV3YUuUFEiAiBZejW2Xq3FfNt-v4u05gaklyGflnG7oENYyh0dm_EPwIKUHk3FizIVeHxZ112uiB1STNk0LZZHN5f7fMzn6qPlnGQ6E1l7SgG2-chbzO3wNg-OLxtiuH_nzDm/s320/IMG_20150514_231745.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our circle is SO BIG!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k4ovbjE-6d35W6Pjk5C_3do6gKqoq5ulpsCABfRfvPcJs6fvgVL96ame5ivKCT3FkliaoLkwe5iAyY6yY-uLgCBMaNWoNMqU5X0oFiHdUuEXSj3OwqBpVtg_W6uC9fB2NgHCTUFY4cP3/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k4ovbjE-6d35W6Pjk5C_3do6gKqoq5ulpsCABfRfvPcJs6fvgVL96ame5ivKCT3FkliaoLkwe5iAyY6yY-uLgCBMaNWoNMqU5X0oFiHdUuEXSj3OwqBpVtg_W6uC9fB2NgHCTUFY4cP3/s320/Scan.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dirt Girl, as a wee ballerina.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">June was spent in Ann Arbor, Michigan, readying our old
family house for sale. On my way back home, I stopped just outside of
Cincinnati to visit some sweet friends. I’ve known Grace since she was four
teeny years old. She and I once went detecting around my house and she dug the fabulous penny shown below. Now she’s in serious, full-time training to be an Olympic gymnast, but, as
they say, once a detectorist, always a detectorist.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEsj79gQMs44FLGJqXHlKdzYDMZaoYn1THx7CZO78aF2hfVQxgrXwuTUy-djJ0gz5z2snzKaOvWKAMVXXHIxq2MOUHMnftsf371-ODoJ2gqv-8Fp-90GvexHU7IIExfrJSJv-mV-VC2CJ/s1600/IMG_4312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEsj79gQMs44FLGJqXHlKdzYDMZaoYn1THx7CZO78aF2hfVQxgrXwuTUy-djJ0gz5z2snzKaOvWKAMVXXHIxq2MOUHMnftsf371-ODoJ2gqv-8Fp-90GvexHU7IIExfrJSJv-mV-VC2CJ/s320/IMG_4312.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5YdS532WITJp2m3rxAG4H3hrTHas224NfC02_atz-vYTcMmZRlNqGg4aJvYnMPHssPvcgv67jaWn3_W30yefX1GmhQnaG49fgDkAznVvmRQgq1NhdlQmRqswP6B9Ma-t1dR01TLuqzWp/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5YdS532WITJp2m3rxAG4H3hrTHas224NfC02_atz-vYTcMmZRlNqGg4aJvYnMPHssPvcgv67jaWn3_W30yefX1GmhQnaG49fgDkAznVvmRQgq1NhdlQmRqswP6B9Ma-t1dR01TLuqzWp/s320/IMG_4314.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at that form.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdgmOzhLIJhuFoD37Y5bTLCk9COz5YC5hk1YiIbMKH0YcVoecIPDVertElOM4p7aiA1WmMDGz_S7OG1WTpdF5t87gzjWE87BW0TKVpCZ7rTZdq6rw1BqR_cpjxidOIHCiAwgrhBW4jKnW/s1600/IMG_4316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdgmOzhLIJhuFoD37Y5bTLCk9COz5YC5hk1YiIbMKH0YcVoecIPDVertElOM4p7aiA1WmMDGz_S7OG1WTpdF5t87gzjWE87BW0TKVpCZ7rTZdq6rw1BqR_cpjxidOIHCiAwgrhBW4jKnW/s320/IMG_4316.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just found pennies, but had fun.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1DZTQ-Ho5xbL979xJFDyB3tK7zEdzLif34uycr6pJGoy4d2UBDfnIkJVVJwRzDgC_b1wRAFOUGEOGGiQPN4YDqHYm6UuXqBJ1Cvzdd1MtbX4Zx9UPb6iL6OpInBYmyIi-8IBW_CS15yZ/s1600/IMG_4318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1DZTQ-Ho5xbL979xJFDyB3tK7zEdzLif34uycr6pJGoy4d2UBDfnIkJVVJwRzDgC_b1wRAFOUGEOGGiQPN4YDqHYm6UuXqBJ1Cvzdd1MtbX4Zx9UPb6iL6OpInBYmyIi-8IBW_CS15yZ/s320/IMG_4318.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"V" is for victory. And when you see Grace</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">compete, the word "victory" does come to mind.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">On June 26, the Supreme Court of this country ruled that
same-sex marriage is a right, nationwide. It was a joyful day, a triumph for
love and common sense. Maybe I will finally dig a wedding ring, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now that there are going to be so many more of
them flying off of fingers during backyard volleyball games, or at the beach,
or whilst digging in gardens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the summer, my dad again rented a big, old rambling
house on Cape Cod. I tried my absolute best to unearth something fabulous, but all
I managed to find is arranged, artfully, here. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJSxQ2ldzzS_0UdpFd7ksfzTaUdrd-542q7Yrz55pXelmdN9q7KI6mH5P7fF1hHJPuzkhbLklVObSQfpiAOgGt_GL0o2d2lmYNIK1_694QkQKjBPBKMa84FeLkbvxk7WfUY0yWnJdozC2/s1600/IMG_4251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJSxQ2ldzzS_0UdpFd7ksfzTaUdrd-542q7Yrz55pXelmdN9q7KI6mH5P7fF1hHJPuzkhbLklVObSQfpiAOgGt_GL0o2d2lmYNIK1_694QkQKjBPBKMa84FeLkbvxk7WfUY0yWnJdozC2/s320/IMG_4251.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I spent 10 hours as "the weird lady on the beach"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">for this?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Back home, Cheryl and I got permission to detect a modest
lawn in a neighborhood on the outskirts of CW activity, “outskirts” being the
operative word. Cheryl was attacked by bees, but survived.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DqMcZpdVNmZ_Q1xgqjyaPVSyoRkVn966aHodoK5324x-ca55otxR53OXBtSuzKB4RdnOX5YblLFbstZ8SsryIVmZ2_usL14rccxkgPQNPcP-zQUisMQ2c5mBBpK4kiLfWaxByhkITOk-/s1600/IMG_4400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DqMcZpdVNmZ_Q1xgqjyaPVSyoRkVn966aHodoK5324x-ca55otxR53OXBtSuzKB4RdnOX5YblLFbstZ8SsryIVmZ2_usL14rccxkgPQNPcP-zQUisMQ2c5mBBpK4kiLfWaxByhkITOk-/s320/IMG_4400.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHilvwneUsIJppmspb9o6AQaCrHXx1kI942DBSOAgJblinIt9HCTDDAePDfk5LoyP7sRZIaVubGHZOX58xIfbjmLoGI8A0MQXvUIiq4EVsdyY7CktiL3VO9VAXY2mrgkRPA8EKs1PHqcy/s1600/IMG_4404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHilvwneUsIJppmspb9o6AQaCrHXx1kI942DBSOAgJblinIt9HCTDDAePDfk5LoyP7sRZIaVubGHZOX58xIfbjmLoGI8A0MQXvUIiq4EVsdyY7CktiL3VO9VAXY2mrgkRPA8EKs1PHqcy/s320/IMG_4404.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnywPTa1BYmhIWLDn0EUDhCftfiHYpizi61Jt6QENTzMVtrsvDXYY-pR2HwMC5tz1W3-UxeZ4BIRq3mdv9SZfffD-Bh2HDco75aRrh-ZEkasOAAskZXtRoW-VdRwyaz630PLtY2JoG3QCi/s1600/IMG_4401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnywPTa1BYmhIWLDn0EUDhCftfiHYpizi61Jt6QENTzMVtrsvDXYY-pR2HwMC5tz1W3-UxeZ4BIRq3mdv9SZfffD-Bh2HDco75aRrh-ZEkasOAAskZXtRoW-VdRwyaz630PLtY2JoG3QCi/s320/IMG_4401.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ExCzbyX9wdoM8Et1hCaGuIWifHFmyWBTVtdqewiFhIZ2bIESkkzeyM-T-DWpr-nYCKnaTdqoi4E8tSTQvz-rAQOceUax8bgRVEFimMnat9-SqmN0qrmfX5099AzWeToLmfhqVYwaXnco/s1600/IMG_4402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ExCzbyX9wdoM8Et1hCaGuIWifHFmyWBTVtdqewiFhIZ2bIESkkzeyM-T-DWpr-nYCKnaTdqoi4E8tSTQvz-rAQOceUax8bgRVEFimMnat9-SqmN0qrmfX5099AzWeToLmfhqVYwaXnco/s320/IMG_4402.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSxsLc6Tj3aLPrGXtA22lVQpx2194kK61K6IPvnIYiOQ54HlLHpEMfI9Kbmx-v9sMqBC106uB1u34VybVqZs9oCKZ0oFRt3Ab3LlIi2ieaKAnqhwCf95VilIbWCMwdRW19RFkTLmn4mJf/s1600/IMG_4403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSxsLc6Tj3aLPrGXtA22lVQpx2194kK61K6IPvnIYiOQ54HlLHpEMfI9Kbmx-v9sMqBC106uB1u34VybVqZs9oCKZ0oFRt3Ab3LlIi2ieaKAnqhwCf95VilIbWCMwdRW19RFkTLmn4mJf/s320/IMG_4403.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are two small digressions. The first: Hazel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, I get a powerful nudge about a random dog that
needs a home. When a post about a little muttly cur appeared on Facebook in July, that
nudge nearly knocked me down. Soon, Al and I were driving to a Franklin shelter
to pick her up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYxWYKBrHpMwKW35LkK_o4vTz9UNAAs6MJceSZH91gwc6t8qk2GyUZq8scxKCmYGXCcg_qvGqUkDVM9veCj6jAq5vrLwx3yRFRe0G_1B1QezFOBVsqHoXMGskne9yBRqtKoYQfvjzXfLy/s1600/Photo+on+2015-06-28+at+10.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYxWYKBrHpMwKW35LkK_o4vTz9UNAAs6MJceSZH91gwc6t8qk2GyUZq8scxKCmYGXCcg_qvGqUkDVM9veCj6jAq5vrLwx3yRFRe0G_1B1QezFOBVsqHoXMGskne9yBRqtKoYQfvjzXfLy/s320/Photo+on+2015-06-28+at+10.33.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heaven</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwg4PSK55Zcx8-rFRYmuvz6zcfNkgwhoE3Y3iDq9TTQDq5OZMzzdlm3Uq4tjr8-OyqsJvxuvU3wmepFbgMmQt7cOyEI8Ri9JBvr6pNdu3QrjWdXDbEcQ2PKiQcoEKuvcrtl1asmiPNTli/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwg4PSK55Zcx8-rFRYmuvz6zcfNkgwhoE3Y3iDq9TTQDq5OZMzzdlm3Uq4tjr8-OyqsJvxuvU3wmepFbgMmQt7cOyEI8Ri9JBvr6pNdu3QrjWdXDbEcQ2PKiQcoEKuvcrtl1asmiPNTli/s320/photo+3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll have what you're having.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While she recuperated from her spay, I got busy playing
matchmaker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRRJEaZXnCg4-m_8r2sjnyALB4w3bQn20tB5x2LIhpwt7DZiep4rS1iWlhzYCXtr4MhGRR91nmg9EL32ESnhTyfT71Kjppxmx8uYg94oHjvhoQDY367__ww2mpC6wVLZle3a9vmZMrgJj/s1600/IMG_4246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRRJEaZXnCg4-m_8r2sjnyALB4w3bQn20tB5x2LIhpwt7DZiep4rS1iWlhzYCXtr4MhGRR91nmg9EL32ESnhTyfT71Kjppxmx8uYg94oHjvhoQDY367__ww2mpC6wVLZle3a9vmZMrgJj/s320/IMG_4246.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hazel with her new family.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Digression #2: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In June, an angry,
not-very-bright young man with a bad haircut and access to a lot of firearms,
killed a bunch of lovely, peaceful, praying human beings in an historic Charleston, S.C.
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amid the national grieving and
disbelief, the Confederate flag was removed from the city’s state house. (I
always wondered what that was doing there – or anywhere.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the next meeting of our local metal detecting club, the
usual discussion of the Finds of the Month, dues, and other club business
suddenly devolved into a heated discussion of the "true" history and meaning of the
Confederate flag, how wrongheaded it was to remove it, where would this PC nonsense end, etc. The discussion ended with some heartfelt language about President Obama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It really was unfortunate. There were some new faces at the
club that night, folks who haven’t been back. My heart raced a little, but I didn't leave. It’s my club too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">For a few weeks after that, I thought a lot about the words
“tradition” and “heritage” and “pride” and what it means to “honor our
ancestors.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know about anyone else, but I honor my ancestors by
being the best person I can be.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now. In this life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">(And, in truth, I don’t think my distant ancestors are
floating around demanding my attention. I think they are long gone to wherever
we will go. But you know, I could be wrong about this.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
End of digressions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In September, Cheryl and I got an interesting permission: an
old farm south of town. Didn’t hit any kind of motherlode, but managed a few
good finds. We’ll definitely go back.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8n9-uJXxbI-guUrrJcsB7xknrag0NHUS9LON3SK66eGYPAROVvyaD3jU1kJk0sTlPNw8_ZIZk5m3moZgfu9L0Ro0dfrLFaIPDWR0SNLcQIEgzSrtc-P7NNElJsewDxWa7jJNtn3C1wx1/s1600/photo+%252819%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8n9-uJXxbI-guUrrJcsB7xknrag0NHUS9LON3SK66eGYPAROVvyaD3jU1kJk0sTlPNw8_ZIZk5m3moZgfu9L0Ro0dfrLFaIPDWR0SNLcQIEgzSrtc-P7NNElJsewDxWa7jJNtn3C1wx1/s320/photo+%252819%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSz5NWZKw2pCq0qn26Mdwggg_6xdeviooys_VtmNNWvlNHO4HFl3rjQVdvNNAZ7I6hFHpHkiDW0BcO9cg4uYQNGSLkIbacRa8TVtgTHY4M1IkuUEvxSwp0DxUnsaMVWG_AnV55EXIaD8d/s1600/photo+2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSz5NWZKw2pCq0qn26Mdwggg_6xdeviooys_VtmNNWvlNHO4HFl3rjQVdvNNAZ7I6hFHpHkiDW0BcO9cg4uYQNGSLkIbacRa8TVtgTHY4M1IkuUEvxSwp0DxUnsaMVWG_AnV55EXIaD8d/s320/photo+2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfQodAF-8ZrYK1cBRyJ-smQ1FQ-TrQocF0YgMFXrJTzwi2wP4ajA0u_YrWtXRGfpik9E1HD5rfmgsOu3rYLuxTyL4FtIThtR7HZD_0IhxwTcoUhjfV_XDkFs_XH3sOzSt-E4PdsB_twcJ/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfQodAF-8ZrYK1cBRyJ-smQ1FQ-TrQocF0YgMFXrJTzwi2wP4ajA0u_YrWtXRGfpik9E1HD5rfmgsOu3rYLuxTyL4FtIThtR7HZD_0IhxwTcoUhjfV_XDkFs_XH3sOzSt-E4PdsB_twcJ/s320/photo+1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-46x5xnyI9Bc9xflNvLm6GIJEsCBkasc_f7vcCfNbrTXjwILv2UYKlazFJkOssrty-OOlsVO83EEbuCFfQs0uaUuoogjIjmGxE2r6GQGSyAfEq2a_qPmRKaZjXmOg6YHfTI-TZZQay1Ae/s1600/photo+1+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-46x5xnyI9Bc9xflNvLm6GIJEsCBkasc_f7vcCfNbrTXjwILv2UYKlazFJkOssrty-OOlsVO83EEbuCFfQs0uaUuoogjIjmGxE2r6GQGSyAfEq2a_qPmRKaZjXmOg6YHfTI-TZZQay1Ae/s320/photo+1+%25283%2529.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nice bridle rosette!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cHbgQcKoPwpcCj5HojR52Zm6o88JVYM-tQpgc26D5JMu6dIzQrYAqCFaDAulqlhZmLhKJlxUkiNEoShi4CaEhyphenhyphen5wQC7IVLOw5JsDr0IR1tuaoI4AuDDB6Ho_YjeggY8iN96yTxxzgaHu/s1600/photo+3+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cHbgQcKoPwpcCj5HojR52Zm6o88JVYM-tQpgc26D5JMu6dIzQrYAqCFaDAulqlhZmLhKJlxUkiNEoShi4CaEhyphenhyphen5wQC7IVLOw5JsDr0IR1tuaoI4AuDDB6Ho_YjeggY8iN96yTxxzgaHu/s320/photo+3+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkAF_58lAvYpuxNiL9-P65mFVtPDktn2bXfgl8m3ZsqJ30WTDiWOwG6b7EQcPQ_256r6WHTMJHDh1ObxFgp9-dSOkhO76GB_cT-mwdMLiUwf6U52R4RKMShaWKGs3MStXbJqkYC_7ixRi/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkAF_58lAvYpuxNiL9-P65mFVtPDktn2bXfgl8m3ZsqJ30WTDiWOwG6b7EQcPQ_256r6WHTMJHDh1ObxFgp9-dSOkhO76GB_cT-mwdMLiUwf6U52R4RKMShaWKGs3MStXbJqkYC_7ixRi/s320/photo+4.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not sure what this is. I would like someone</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">to tell me how rare and valuable it is.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">One October afternoon, I scored a nice permission in my
neighborhood: a beat-up little cabin with a huge front yard, right across the
street from the Cumberland bluff. Cheryl came and brought her grandson, Trey.
We dug for hours, pulling out a thousand bottle caps and pulltabs. Just...
nothing. And then, this. It's a 1792 Spanish 8-real piece.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkrNWA9pk6udURyuboCGgFktEQCekj1coNQKAD5qYdu6chMl0wbW_hTYQUWgVYr1fLtnWyudKAaQY3_eCoGWaIbXfBd5dSESxWvFJnVHGl03ITgW6Da7-EOmkjHQO5Cd2BopG6vitEGSk/s1600/IMG_4435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkrNWA9pk6udURyuboCGgFktEQCekj1coNQKAD5qYdu6chMl0wbW_hTYQUWgVYr1fLtnWyudKAaQY3_eCoGWaIbXfBd5dSESxWvFJnVHGl03ITgW6Da7-EOmkjHQO5Cd2BopG6vitEGSk/s320/IMG_4435.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: small;">o be honest, I thought it was a stainless-steel</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">washer at first. Then the profile of King Charles IV</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(or "Big Nose Charlie," as Doug Drake used </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">to call him) became visible and I made</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">some muffled high-pitched noises, and all </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">was good and right with the world.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_atqQ1axBBJL6RCFNqaf9EgBH4NWAtJoD4nwwt5J5FqhBvo5Oyso7m7j_duFmzqwRytxRnwFj8gjXZvhe8vEVFBl8sr4IhEBvPxICNp2Q586br-ycZWcYLS4PcQg1aUOBo6ioA_DCNOf/s1600/IMG_4436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_atqQ1axBBJL6RCFNqaf9EgBH4NWAtJoD4nwwt5J5FqhBvo5Oyso7m7j_duFmzqwRytxRnwFj8gjXZvhe8vEVFBl8sr4IhEBvPxICNp2Q586br-ycZWcYLS4PcQg1aUOBo6ioA_DCNOf/s320/IMG_4436.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been told that people used to drill holes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in coins so they could run a string through</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">them to prevent loss. Obviously, not foolproof.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">On October 31, my daughter, Maya, was married in Ann Arbor,
Michigan to her Michael. What a party it was: a Halloween costume ball in an
old, cobblestone barn. It was a joyous weekend and I only thought about
sneaking out to detect the farm grounds maybe three times.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITpQcp-__khX9LmHelPgEONl8J2DiLmAHZg_tOYEOHhJDaEa64TBBUblGCIVpMKMFJ5rFO3xTkP9ros3gZohK191TJqcbJEYxC4P-FcQ1y3DYzVCJpY2cVgCjKTqzW3jr_EKWvnJ0pgB8/s1600/bogert-105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITpQcp-__khX9LmHelPgEONl8J2DiLmAHZg_tOYEOHhJDaEa64TBBUblGCIVpMKMFJ5rFO3xTkP9ros3gZohK191TJqcbJEYxC4P-FcQ1y3DYzVCJpY2cVgCjKTqzW3jr_EKWvnJ0pgB8/s320/bogert-105.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The lovely bride.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In early November, a reporter from WPLN, the local NPR
station, contacted me about my detecting and my new record. He interviewed me at
home, then asked me to go digging. Hmm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I certainly didn’t want to take him somewhere and then not
find anything. (“Oh! Everyone loves a vintage pulltab – it’s just part of the
fun!”) So I did some serious reconnaissance. Got permission for a Really Good
Yard belonging to some musicians who are famous enough that I will not mention
their names, as much as I would like to do that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Scoped it out by myself and found and Enfield bullet just lying on top of
the ground.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudXbyr09SRoI7_I77qdmKYThuNanGrbfnZuUp9EokWp860obzCqCV21BMQOG1cKr0oly05Z-N3ylkQNof799csp_a3rZanCj95JPFlLbyMik4VPo55FjCtC4HBLWUuBpBHXWgObpw6VHu/s1600/IMG_4541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudXbyr09SRoI7_I77qdmKYThuNanGrbfnZuUp9EokWp860obzCqCV21BMQOG1cKr0oly05Z-N3ylkQNof799csp_a3rZanCj95JPFlLbyMik4VPo55FjCtC4HBLWUuBpBHXWgObpw6VHu/s320/IMG_4541.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, that's not something you see every day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dug several more then backed off, leaving some really
delicious signals undug. (For the record, this is hard to do.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Came back the next day with the NPR guy, handed him my
Tesoro Cibola and let him have a go. He immediately found two more Enfields and a
bunch of camp lead. Then he held the microphone as I dug through tough roots,
self-conscious about the amount of unladylike grunting that was being recorded
For All Time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzARUR60XyvMdFY0YLhCZsiI0LmX4bJKFmAKENrk6QjXc-aLMv2WO_7Vfeo4KoF5i7WRCtQoDVmAMcBzCd0PiLlJ75Ng3dt7TpWtot_EATCoW-dfbAYSehyphenhyphenxwNt58arTHgnUrHXhxyEEVJ/s1600/IMG_4543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzARUR60XyvMdFY0YLhCZsiI0LmX4bJKFmAKENrk6QjXc-aLMv2WO_7Vfeo4KoF5i7WRCtQoDVmAMcBzCd0PiLlJ75Ng3dt7TpWtot_EATCoW-dfbAYSehyphenhyphenxwNt58arTHgnUrHXhxyEEVJ/s320/IMG_4543.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Couple of Enfields and a pulled 69 minie ball.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The next day, the NPR guy came to our monthly club meeting
where he got to see some interesting finds and talk to some interesting people.
There was no political commentary that night, for which I was
grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The cd release show for I Dug it Up took place Wednesday,
November 18 at Douglas Corner in Nashville. Backed by an ace band and a slew of
my dearest friends singing backup, I sang through the entire album. There were
lots of people. There was cake. There was an NPR guy. It was one of the best
nights of my life. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNHG149OL9Lm_d__AoFgovAySbMv9voJCvVUUhq8B8dCxNezXcAEDuIm1cfcrJ0Ih2XZFe3Yby7ZZQGs3Z-9KHPy_qmH4NSx-UINU5hJMG7UCzl-hBG3CsIyVg4bovEYkbze5oObLG3IR/s1600/12273168_10154334856891679_1517114156_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNHG149OL9Lm_d__AoFgovAySbMv9voJCvVUUhq8B8dCxNezXcAEDuIm1cfcrJ0Ih2XZFe3Yby7ZZQGs3Z-9KHPy_qmH4NSx-UINU5hJMG7UCzl-hBG3CsIyVg4bovEYkbze5oObLG3IR/s320/12273168_10154334856891679_1517114156_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here we are singing "Can Slaw" -- my ode to chopped up</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mountain Dew cans everywhere.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1KGJcwLLdXQmgmccL_f4912tCKgwPT8oCMkqlSE6_E_n9ow5ShcME9BsviVs-VkckZLc_I3-Wwi-AIvmIHwPIDgmT-Z_KADdPbKc0S-ucIL9ZH1p88n5J0HbXmaLCVhOfC2qikRDmZF6/s1600/IMG_4561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1KGJcwLLdXQmgmccL_f4912tCKgwPT8oCMkqlSE6_E_n9ow5ShcME9BsviVs-VkckZLc_I3-Wwi-AIvmIHwPIDgmT-Z_KADdPbKc0S-ucIL9ZH1p88n5J0HbXmaLCVhOfC2qikRDmZF6/s320/IMG_4561.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am thinking about becoming a professional cake decorator.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">(I will post a link to a youtube video of the whole show at the end of this blogpost. It was recorded on a phone so the sound is not pristine, but it's pretty cool. Thanks, Dave P.!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few odds and ends from random yards near my
house.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8CFMnvqGpC7hVhTL2MD7ibNEASK9-AfhUSe1W4nrc2_3tl6fKnA1UN78_2x8HXCAD0BlcGUM49OFHfKoyDCM8N2I1wGW6YVe7XA4eeV5Ne4DFjTT_I3O-9HQY18nd8hT33XVyTJSvsNJ/s1600/IMG_4575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8CFMnvqGpC7hVhTL2MD7ibNEASK9-AfhUSe1W4nrc2_3tl6fKnA1UN78_2x8HXCAD0BlcGUM49OFHfKoyDCM8N2I1wGW6YVe7XA4eeV5Ne4DFjTT_I3O-9HQY18nd8hT33XVyTJSvsNJ/s320/IMG_4575.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just grand.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu6rNDW4jP1VL3l7LPcgE0xQ4XFN13a_e3JdmeUwQgAjKJc26KkA0uvZJsfx0pTDw24QkvL2930AxKCF0PUdsy7Eog7-sqX5vFvq3Gwiy_XoPdOQZttR8Iv_SzWHmSZbMBaxc5x9sYA4e/s1600/IMG_4591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu6rNDW4jP1VL3l7LPcgE0xQ4XFN13a_e3JdmeUwQgAjKJc26KkA0uvZJsfx0pTDw24QkvL2930AxKCF0PUdsy7Eog7-sqX5vFvq3Gwiy_XoPdOQZttR8Iv_SzWHmSZbMBaxc5x9sYA4e/s320/IMG_4591.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone was fascinated by transportation.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Which brings us to January. Only nine days in and I’ve
already dug this<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGMFhG0NwqF9cjWqEAMNithhnYqJ_AcvjDgBFPi_tUs5f92PdNATZQ-fOjv5Q53V8Z2lGQrsGmFjfK4LYaKhMIE4a3xn4mIKlSen7-nZTS8aVaqt_ryp90R8nh6bmssghNOzq68aUZ1kv/s1600/IMG_4703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGMFhG0NwqF9cjWqEAMNithhnYqJ_AcvjDgBFPi_tUs5f92PdNATZQ-fOjv5Q53V8Z2lGQrsGmFjfK4LYaKhMIE4a3xn4mIKlSen7-nZTS8aVaqt_ryp90R8nh6bmssghNOzq68aUZ1kv/s320/IMG_4703.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Confederate Gardner bullet -- precursor to the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">more accurate Enfield. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1319571539"></span><span id="goog_1319571540"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And this, just yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKh8_P8MvhYSghwTnVapCAPCJJOK_lF9yXMDkIcawf2Drh7z4x5Q3YzpIQoUCi3AyQZ5cyt0ZnwtbMS_PgeIi1hoXms2zhwDymMRPrB7R52u99chsWHy7r1w5D9oan4DaYGVkf9Q1s1jy/s1600/12525466_10205378049873237_4101491452850441804_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKh8_P8MvhYSghwTnVapCAPCJJOK_lF9yXMDkIcawf2Drh7z4x5Q3YzpIQoUCi3AyQZ5cyt0ZnwtbMS_PgeIi1hoXms2zhwDymMRPrB7R52u99chsWHy7r1w5D9oan4DaYGVkf9Q1s1jy/s320/12525466_10205378049873237_4101491452850441804_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Huge yard full of nothing, then this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My hopes/plans for the new year?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Finish a new writing project<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Get permission for a certain vacant lot on the
Cumberland bluff. I’ve been trying for a year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->That the NPR guy will finish and air the story
of I Dug it Up so that all the world can hear my grunty root digging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And one other thing: I hope to travel to Fayette, Alabama where
both my grandfather’s grandfathers had farms. One, Willis Harvey Whitley, was a
captain in an undistinguished Confederate regiment. The other, Buck Farquhar,
owned a prosperous farm, including two enslaved human beings. I’d like to
locate those properties, perhaps run my detector over the land and find something
that belonged to my ancestors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Will it make me feel closer to them? Maybe, though that
closeness would be a fiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Will I feel pride? Shame? I don't know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Will it make me want to better understand the times they lived in, their particular spot in the river, the rot and the grit and the glory of history? Absolutely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And if through some miracle of dimensions, Willis and Elizabeth Whitley are there in some form, floating beside me as I swing my machine over the scattered bricks of their long-demolished farmhouse, here are two things they may say to each other:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>1. "Elizabeth Jane, why does our young descendent not have a Confederate flag bumper sticker on her Toyota Sienna minivan? The omission of it is so disrespectful." </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe this is unlikely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">or</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>2. "Willis, what on earth is growing out of the top of our young descendent's head? Lawd, Lawd, but it looks like a <b>third pigtail</b>. The poor girl should wear a bonnet, for decency's sake... " </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is more likely. I shall report back.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pu5z_XUHe-y44XY_PTGak4VVovEEuDRAdIFyOXaKB85qzzkGqW8EBnykkm92k-8cx_J0jKm4bBJ-edaLF1NPfSPGrsGqAS3D88zXAllPDBgatYmuPkpypVWvXOqo2eCOzJ_OAq9apP6f/s1600/WHWhitley+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pu5z_XUHe-y44XY_PTGak4VVovEEuDRAdIFyOXaKB85qzzkGqW8EBnykkm92k-8cx_J0jKm4bBJ-edaLF1NPfSPGrsGqAS3D88zXAllPDBgatYmuPkpypVWvXOqo2eCOzJ_OAq9apP6f/s1600/WHWhitley+2.jpeg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clvPAdohVVA" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a link to the I Dug it Up show!</span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-23247316841830113242015-02-21T11:50:00.000-08:002015-02-21T12:54:57.779-08:00Dear Obscure American Friends!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dear obscure American
friends!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I love it when my finds have
words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m particularly thrilled
when my finds say stuff like “Dear obscure American friends!” for I feel I have
some real alien communication going on, and not just the imagined variety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">More on this shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">First of all, my new metal
detecting CD, I Dug it Up, has been selling steadily, right off my website (<a href="http://www.whithill.com/">www.whithill.com</a>) and I’ve loved all the
wonderful feedback from people from all over the country. You can listen to (but not download) most of the songs on the record by clicking the "music" tab. Funny thing is, I
haven’t really released the record yet – that will come later this year. Stay
tuned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">OK: Finds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Not long after the ringing in
of 2015, I found myself in a very nice yard on the west side of town, belonging
to a friend of a friend. Only really cool finds were an awesome cat charm (that the homeowner was delighted with), a Catholic
medal and a really old brass buckle with swell patina. I may go back one day. Feel lucky there…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDABa3_CGY3v_R0Rx4p-9ZKtTxk8AwKANGfQsjuATYoHJjIobcfxdM18S3ZKoXv8ahvep-UXBl-bi52mPn7gfBhbp8ayUckh-XrjRMD2BDmLfzrDrxxSHMe7TGEXPS6p8WE4tCM1-41Ol_/s1600/10931018_10205834843612640_6691981138828203324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDABa3_CGY3v_R0Rx4p-9ZKtTxk8AwKANGfQsjuATYoHJjIobcfxdM18S3ZKoXv8ahvep-UXBl-bi52mPn7gfBhbp8ayUckh-XrjRMD2BDmLfzrDrxxSHMe7TGEXPS6p8WE4tCM1-41Ol_/s1600/10931018_10205834843612640_6691981138828203324_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN9z66s5UWv-a6Rl10-mJM6nN-5_05HGHJTipn_Cd2aBgob_xdJ3bgJEyjux1ObUBAA2ubCaTWPWKYtWyCv2VW14nppnbQxKW_ntGlTzsigti0HODJ8gCu366izKmfWXyC4Dmf8Ezyyje/s1600/bacc+token.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN9z66s5UWv-a6Rl10-mJM6nN-5_05HGHJTipn_Cd2aBgob_xdJ3bgJEyjux1ObUBAA2ubCaTWPWKYtWyCv2VW14nppnbQxKW_ntGlTzsigti0HODJ8gCu366izKmfWXyC4Dmf8Ezyyje/s1600/bacc+token.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvVMDD3nOt3U1fDPo2dT2yJSLNPz8yZDDn5Qb4czoGwBmgZtO1PEzLDzCZP8f3gvtrinM4w-9GFgbJSBjOhq4rrISBPPNpyttH7cZrDwAK6Vg_kdmeBsY6-Izz8P1quxAAA2afIAkw_zD/s1600/Bacciliere+buckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvVMDD3nOt3U1fDPo2dT2yJSLNPz8yZDDn5Qb4czoGwBmgZtO1PEzLDzCZP8f3gvtrinM4w-9GFgbJSBjOhq4rrISBPPNpyttH7cZrDwAK6Vg_kdmeBsY6-Izz8P1quxAAA2afIAkw_zD/s1600/Bacciliere+buckle.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That permission led to
another one that Cheryl and I hit in late January: a four-acre lawn right in
prime Battle of Nashville territory. It had been well hunted years before, but
we worked it for two weekends. Here’s my edited take:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulwQ1iAICEwyTHwIJWHFjBi4lqUd0HgDjcCI3HGxNkmYrWZ6gBSMlSTRFap36gx-IIN6DkJRwH0MOrpO00-FshCaRY2IXM_FlyJaL611WJ9K8dklXw-6BO_qguvk1UJ-HeLzWzfkziq9J/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulwQ1iAICEwyTHwIJWHFjBi4lqUd0HgDjcCI3HGxNkmYrWZ6gBSMlSTRFap36gx-IIN6DkJRwH0MOrpO00-FshCaRY2IXM_FlyJaL611WJ9K8dklXw-6BO_qguvk1UJ-HeLzWzfkziq9J/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FROM TOP: bar of camp lead, connector thingie,<br />part of a watch, saddle decoration, chewed up lead,<br />brass coupling, spoon, buckle, Mercury dime,<br />wheat pennies, modern fuse part, thing I THOUGHT<br />was CW fuse part, but was actually a swimming pool<br />cover anchor. CENTER: horse shoe, giant 1963 Mexican <br />peso, nice Enfield bullet (left with homeowner, sniff),<br />bullet pieces and lead scraps.:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimq8T7P4YvLm_Xxin-8_eUWT_1EqtCqhERtoWuENtBHbUYjFI0EuJHweTgX4zjXQ2MndxTLQ-ZtWvI4J2j1hWNTJevlexpXbuduZAyLinZ6o0H8PzipDepUrNCVbq3twVlF1X_kbumYUYb/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimq8T7P4YvLm_Xxin-8_eUWT_1EqtCqhERtoWuENtBHbUYjFI0EuJHweTgX4zjXQ2MndxTLQ-ZtWvI4J2j1hWNTJevlexpXbuduZAyLinZ6o0H8PzipDepUrNCVbq3twVlF1X_kbumYUYb/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FROM TOP: lovely decorative mystery item, Masonic ring,<br />bunch of old keys that Masonic ring was attached to, wheatie,<br />token, round thing with CW uniform button inside, shell, three,<br />minie balls. CENTER: another lovely decorative mystery item.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">See those keys? The huge
honker of a Masonic ring above them was attached to it. I did a little research of
previous owners of the property and finally sent an email to Stansell
Electronics, a revered Nashville company started years ago by James Stansell,
Sr. – who had built the house I was hunting. Could the ring and keys have
belonged to him? They did. At the February meeting of the Middle Tennessee
Metal Detecting Club, in walked Mr. Stansell’s son, Jimmy, and he could not
have been nicer. We had a little presentation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9D-gzJI8HM8j6Izzlx4G9cbjogA-UXBFdYlneRLzr9msxm9svuJtWCp6J_zO_f66kJllJlKlGNSdZpxvo10dWMcAdpgTTbHvx8iu432ObLTOQxQYPZNXqz9zxYh26hFJdm7aumrQN89T/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9D-gzJI8HM8j6Izzlx4G9cbjogA-UXBFdYlneRLzr9msxm9svuJtWCp6J_zO_f66kJllJlKlGNSdZpxvo10dWMcAdpgTTbHvx8iu432ObLTOQxQYPZNXqz9zxYh26hFJdm7aumrQN89T/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jimmy Stansell retrieving his dad's Masonic<br />ring and keys. He said, "This is the coolest thing<br />that has ever happened to me... except for<br />meeting my wife!" Fingers crossed some good<br />new permissions will come of this! If not, that's<br />fine too; it was really nice to meet him.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">One day, I found myself to be
inexplicably brave and knocked on a door in my neighborhood. A lovely woman
named Lisa said I could detect her whole property which was rather delicious.
There’s a beautiful stream that runs through her property and I arrived with
big rubber boots and gloves, determined to explore it and the land around it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The stream had huge, flat
rocks, almost like steps that the water ran down. I kept getting a strong
signal at the edge of one “step” but could see nothing so I reached my hand
under the edge and started pulling out strange metal bars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2qwmWtXy-fcbX9WrnEzLldr9eB3lrXWh79eAMk83xVDZH6PKp1veafk7BbbEmHhnpWIRGiD0BF_8doMUw5RbryKw94OfgJ1wouKaM4n3MzrSjWPekxwmY7GbCMOwl8h1i-_IUj9XfSG0/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2qwmWtXy-fcbX9WrnEzLldr9eB3lrXWh79eAMk83xVDZH6PKp1veafk7BbbEmHhnpWIRGiD0BF_8doMUw5RbryKw94OfgJ1wouKaM4n3MzrSjWPekxwmY7GbCMOwl8h1i-_IUj9XfSG0/s1600/photo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When I got them home, I
looked at the edges more carefully…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOs9LW7p-u9HNZLSaPiPUkAZzkgnGVaVZtnySS40_k97ngrWEYt_zn2XEUC_YNxfB6c7XRf3yb__KZHb_pis2oJm4mnWm_-PYr_5QG8Uvyd-R4v2g9DMeWXF9aT3wPQKjBrmmJ6dYqvlF/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOs9LW7p-u9HNZLSaPiPUkAZzkgnGVaVZtnySS40_k97ngrWEYt_zn2XEUC_YNxfB6c7XRf3yb__KZHb_pis2oJm4mnWm_-PYr_5QG8Uvyd-R4v2g9DMeWXF9aT3wPQKjBrmmJ6dYqvlF/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They read (from top):<br />The Open Way<br />Anything For Your Smoking<br /> . . . . . . . . . . . . .<br />Artist as a Young Man Modern<br />only 29 cents<br />Tennessee<br />The Open Way (again)<br />Dear obscure American friends!<br />Library Edition New York City<br />ANTIQUES</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p>Crazy beatnik poetry!</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p>The only sense I can make out of any of this is that two of them went together to read "(Portrait of the) Artist as a Young Man Modern Library Edition" which was first published in 1928, though I have no idea where.</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Nashville, of course, was and is a
huge center for printing. I have no idea how printers blocks got wedged up
under a huge rock in a stream, but I’m glad I have them and am working hard to try and use ALL these phrases in a song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Here are some other lovely
finds from that house:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVT_jo6DPT-vwCgJvlOjID7yGv7iAretUmK7_CdpOlwRcKpPXnTzzM7Mqz91JUHTpEUZwtj5d_DRM0W3DIZLhtrf6gz3ZV9nZMjJc6W1t3yYQewkShF1yO19HZ22x3Xdn0jmgCc-CSk0o/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVT_jo6DPT-vwCgJvlOjID7yGv7iAretUmK7_CdpOlwRcKpPXnTzzM7Mqz91JUHTpEUZwtj5d_DRM0W3DIZLhtrf6gz3ZV9nZMjJc6W1t3yYQewkShF1yO19HZ22x3Xdn0jmgCc-CSk0o/s1600/photo-2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1899 Barber quarter! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-5XS3q7sjPICQel8Cfm7VCyrOhFOtPHLpckjMzJ6eitAmUYw8t1BNC0WFTsncVAYOlvt_pC2QJ6dNebUKJzPXWsNuR6HYkxPUZl7Hy150kXUhisp2Gud0xp4Fp9AlQ0sXL7gMIGbVY5W/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-5XS3q7sjPICQel8Cfm7VCyrOhFOtPHLpckjMzJ6eitAmUYw8t1BNC0WFTsncVAYOlvt_pC2QJ6dNebUKJzPXWsNuR6HYkxPUZl7Hy150kXUhisp2Gud0xp4Fp9AlQ0sXL7gMIGbVY5W/s1600/photo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thimble, soft lead tag of some sort, dog tag for "Maisy."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvLDUtX_FSxUF6sdekfhkhL8e6Ga6xqDFS_QRQ1nErJsfJsOxoTSJH2hO-MC1whenbGeqnc1G8WfroqjNyLZOQZesDDvdfcEQNlKyDQxpJFkqOoxMGPaPNZeSK5bPBjZYQT3Rdm_niLxG/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvLDUtX_FSxUF6sdekfhkhL8e6Ga6xqDFS_QRQ1nErJsfJsOxoTSJH2hO-MC1whenbGeqnc1G8WfroqjNyLZOQZesDDvdfcEQNlKyDQxpJFkqOoxMGPaPNZeSK5bPBjZYQT3Rdm_niLxG/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also a luxury token from the <br />Alabama Tax Commission.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I then was obliged to
interrupt my digging life by a trip to my hometown, New York City. My husband,
Al Hill, is the music director for singer Bettye Lavette and the band had a
two-week residency at the Carlyle Hotel. I got to see the show (feeling very
out of place next to the elegant New Yorkers wearing sweaters far less shabby than mine).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdln4mkh4FiBs5WFO9xmRNmnVe4eXbmp7jcKcBZztUihjJ6e_woQ8kVSdt9cT_4YDYa-EAdjBW6-ZiQpSD27ivpvamhfKyub44HG2YzjB-gIFkULT38iJNzLheHowecJgBjwMsuLF2mmg/s1600/photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdln4mkh4FiBs5WFO9xmRNmnVe4eXbmp7jcKcBZztUihjJ6e_woQ8kVSdt9cT_4YDYa-EAdjBW6-ZiQpSD27ivpvamhfKyub44HG2YzjB-gIFkULT38iJNzLheHowecJgBjwMsuLF2mmg/s1600/photo+5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm with the band.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Al and I enjoyed a frosty walk through Central Park.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4eHQrNOGKbcHxQVkxLyArsNsByN7XGglKNbEgfbHObcrXkS9xQVuFDbdrZNzmx9VoQ9kxvZlNPOqx5ivb05fb7uYJKmGU3devxKv6VdZWlUGrJdfWFc0LpHrS5mVVuPazYFTHIeLnVwo/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4eHQrNOGKbcHxQVkxLyArsNsByN7XGglKNbEgfbHObcrXkS9xQVuFDbdrZNzmx9VoQ9kxvZlNPOqx5ivb05fb7uYJKmGU3devxKv6VdZWlUGrJdfWFc0LpHrS5mVVuPazYFTHIeLnVwo/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fun in the sun with m'hun.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And my dad took me out for Chinese food -- a tradition begun when I was just a little tyker.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytx7cePQkolA09dfLM9Dc4oDQTv6mCuPhMbEDVviVIDEC5MKHKjVQPbu8bOtCUQJoSqYuUKx1c8in7K9JEV6Jl9wjRqlVxFxCdvPX6xgjQEmgtCJP7AV13R1e3EF-lMWb9rOnjtyTM8_Q/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytx7cePQkolA09dfLM9Dc4oDQTv6mCuPhMbEDVviVIDEC5MKHKjVQPbu8bOtCUQJoSqYuUKx1c8in7K9JEV6Jl9wjRqlVxFxCdvPX6xgjQEmgtCJP7AV13R1e3EF-lMWb9rOnjtyTM8_Q/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It just doesn't get better than this for your Dirt Girl.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dad also hosted a Super Bowl
party for the entire Bettye Lavette band and some great friends of mine too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Some of you might not know
that my dad, Ed Setrakian, is a wonderful and highly respected NYC actor. Here’s a link to a Super Bowl
ad he starred in a number of years ago. (He’s the lead juror). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://adland.tv/commercials/holiday-inn-jury-room-1998-030-usa" target="_blank">http://adland.tv/commercials/holiday-inn-jury-room-1998-030-usa</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s a pic of the view from
my dad’s apartment:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UQFTvbqtyg34HwBTRZZonovwQGydt2lf1lp_IAwQpFZJLhUj44Ud_3P4PNjYE6Ky5VE44Ks7nDHDqFRkVJ7qyMKI_5Uxs4VV2n6V9bRBMVLn8OpRZWP2RbX0b_b4e0E2dGKsCUzxphI7/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UQFTvbqtyg34HwBTRZZonovwQGydt2lf1lp_IAwQpFZJLhUj44Ud_3P4PNjYE6Ky5VE44Ks7nDHDqFRkVJ7qyMKI_5Uxs4VV2n6V9bRBMVLn8OpRZWP2RbX0b_b4e0E2dGKsCUzxphI7/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Every time I see this view, all I can think is "Hmm,<br />wonder what's under all that?"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I had as good a time as
anyone can have in New York City in February but was very VERY glad to come
back to Tennessee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In fact, I was so happy to be
home, I decided to be brave and knock on the door of Lisa’s neighbors, Bart and
Kimberly. They, too, gave me permission to explore their property which is also
huge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzfXA0NVfQ_SwfVeR_VCyc5Z_fMhY6x-Z1J0rtV_lIMZwAsbldU3Glr97hRqKWi58-2ElEAzp9O2hzyvnBABp0qRW69YfpTAx0eW5pl_pJU5kmTlohgqrkbXKes92Vixv9B-Rjyy-Jr9w/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzfXA0NVfQ_SwfVeR_VCyc5Z_fMhY6x-Z1J0rtV_lIMZwAsbldU3Glr97hRqKWi58-2ElEAzp9O2hzyvnBABp0qRW69YfpTAx0eW5pl_pJU5kmTlohgqrkbXKes92Vixv9B-Rjyy-Jr9w/s1600/photo-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Christmas cookie dough extruder! Who knew?<br />Apparently everyone but me!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Uk2Z5s19cA7qDMdcukU3wX5cD4S_6mTzwZC3GaZcV_2MptBhWYEsx6Yv8uOaJkJ41a9W4wiU4gK9kp8sN_iKjlFGiLHjxhT2z_t_u_F7UUtJDVziQic4A59kmLN5Dotxnu7C_McCV3EY/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Uk2Z5s19cA7qDMdcukU3wX5cD4S_6mTzwZC3GaZcV_2MptBhWYEsx6Yv8uOaJkJ41a9W4wiU4gK9kp8sN_iKjlFGiLHjxhT2z_t_u_F7UUtJDVziQic4A59kmLN5Dotxnu7C_McCV3EY/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nice three-ringer. I've found a bunch of<br />these in my neighborhood and always<br />wonder about them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0i3kDovQoA7gmaW1zTWvG2owv8SrQoowpWbvUn-0hME1wlbIufY_DS9-2FiOB8ZWKVajhlhUAkjH1elf-dzxPOOC8JvQlkBHWk0i0gRkNXGt6CLy4N77F3WkktcVniV7d4EI4VAfp7Za/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0i3kDovQoA7gmaW1zTWvG2owv8SrQoowpWbvUn-0hME1wlbIufY_DS9-2FiOB8ZWKVajhlhUAkjH1elf-dzxPOOC8JvQlkBHWk0i0gRkNXGt6CLy4N77F3WkktcVniV7d4EI4VAfp7Za/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This one's particularly cool because it's a solid-bottom.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Last weekend, Cheryl and I
revisited The Farm – the 100-acre property (house, cemetery, barn, old
foundations) we explored with Doug Drake before he died. We walked way into the
woods and were just getting started when Cheryl’s machine died. I flailed
around guiltily for about 20 minutes while she sat against a tree playing Candy
Crush. Then we walked back to the cars. What to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cold-knocked on the house
next door and met a man who’d grown up in that holler and knew all the history.
Showed us some old foundations and said we can hunt his 40 acres any time.
Cheryl left – it was getting really cold – and I swung around the Farm property
by myself as clouds scudded overhead. Found these…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd-Xw9wSgNLKNNGeU8nx_fL5iXmtpMqJpmFl_ETJeXgYlGhl5kZU3vZAGC-Q7eNfNq0PPcN2K9bV9JKbZUEF2Y9vml3Er_hC6-J_D1UuBypPNKE4FgBSDPlhAaguqYdLVsp2-A68CzwOG/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd-Xw9wSgNLKNNGeU8nx_fL5iXmtpMqJpmFl_ETJeXgYlGhl5kZU3vZAGC-Q7eNfNq0PPcN2K9bV9JKbZUEF2Y9vml3Er_hC6-J_D1UuBypPNKE4FgBSDPlhAaguqYdLVsp2-A68CzwOG/s1600/photo-2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1919 wheatie and two flat buttons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">No one here in Nashville will
disagree when I say that it’s been a bitter winter. Last Sunday (February 15)
began an ice and snow (but mostly ice) extravaganza that we won’t soon forget. It’s
now five days later and I have driven my car exactly once. And now it’s
sleeting again. I’m lonely and bored, my dog is unimpressed with me. What else
to do but GET OUT THE BOX!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is the box of special
finds. Every digger has one. Mine is completely disorganized. It holds most of
the silver and includes stuff that is uber old and stuff that is basically junk
but I like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H5IkxcvXfBBTzr5qGxUbp9dEMt-PmXeVZ2ktKeziSc4ioORNZDPou8QD0whdL3E0eDMao8AlDq5pzs6km_c0C0FHl4IRtDBbcorVFIjYI7vq0QzSKZIFWVF2YSKrXhJaM2SNFWLACUkQ/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H5IkxcvXfBBTzr5qGxUbp9dEMt-PmXeVZ2ktKeziSc4ioORNZDPou8QD0whdL3E0eDMao8AlDq5pzs6km_c0C0FHl4IRtDBbcorVFIjYI7vq0QzSKZIFWVF2YSKrXhJaM2SNFWLACUkQ/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28tIT4Dw6AfLw7amIdC0NS3wZuMLFwg9TtPuCZgkR6BgExOgcMoaAmmUaGw820XNKVjVwZrt7p-0sKLJ-sw5hJUJrzvzLxaU0Avq-E08uwDtXHlB1l6joqSrao9nHFRGYWhV26V_T3LQf/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28tIT4Dw6AfLw7amIdC0NS3wZuMLFwg9TtPuCZgkR6BgExOgcMoaAmmUaGw820XNKVjVwZrt7p-0sKLJ-sw5hJUJrzvzLxaU0Avq-E08uwDtXHlB1l6joqSrao9nHFRGYWhV26V_T3LQf/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA8lP5W8vt54nfz3kLxo0dNJ8KToXPFdaS_t01j48nsvIoFRWKsgTWtyd2fENASjcfkWPPLXI9WdawEVQb8rIB2OueOO5yKdbkbM2twRTQ4TMEcP0xVi5cWoiiytDUk4zxXRpp4el7sht/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA8lP5W8vt54nfz3kLxo0dNJ8KToXPFdaS_t01j48nsvIoFRWKsgTWtyd2fENASjcfkWPPLXI9WdawEVQb8rIB2OueOO5yKdbkbM2twRTQ4TMEcP0xVi5cWoiiytDUk4zxXRpp4el7sht/s1600/photo-2.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know... it's a modest hoard, but I like it. Mostly, I<br />like that the oldest thing -- by several thousand years --<br />is the arrowhead that isn't even metal.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Feast your eyes, my dear,
obscure, American friends!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-55843657034264363132014-12-13T10:07:00.003-08:002014-12-13T20:34:53.413-08:00I Dug It Up!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I Dug It Up is here. The
weeks leading up to Thanksgiving were a full-on sprint of recording, mixing,
hating my voice, tweaking, liking my voice a little better, adding in
harmonies, mastering, wondering why I ever thought of this, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But it’s here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">First off: MAJOR thanks to
all who helped make this record a real thing you can play and make music go in
your ears: Al Hill, Dave Francis, Paul Griffith, Troy Engle, Mary Bragg, Pru
Clearwater, the Saloneers, Kira Small, the East Nashville Song Salon, Marv
Treutel and especially Jeff<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thorneycroft
for his wonderful, evocative, perfect graphic design and photography.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It is now available at my website:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <a href="http://www.whithill.com/" target="_blank">www.whithill.com</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">and at cdbaby:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/whithill3" target="_blank">http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/whithill3</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And here, as promised, is a
play-by-play of each song on the record, its lyrics, and how it came to be.
Maybe a couple of pictures of finds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1. I DUG IT UP <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91Ad6H_tJishjlIyj6QetUT35qpIiqtAGbi4f_7GpNhbUCoBjG_UIs0e8ejgWnrHiaYlKZFVoQh_2rGho1p8EmXClhJzL5oQhL_4UwsjSrUK4squILZcKGInzsgumdLSRYbPOMPTVRAmC/s1600/photo-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91Ad6H_tJishjlIyj6QetUT35qpIiqtAGbi4f_7GpNhbUCoBjG_UIs0e8ejgWnrHiaYlKZFVoQh_2rGho1p8EmXClhJzL5oQhL_4UwsjSrUK4squILZcKGInzsgumdLSRYbPOMPTVRAmC/s1600/photo-107.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love me any kind of equine shoe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This title had been rattling around for a while. Then
I went to the Five Spot with Al one night to hear Tim Carroll and I was leaning
up against the bar drinking a Yazoo Dos Perros, when I started kind of chanting
“I dug it up… I dug it up… for my bay-bee” to the beat the drummer was playing.
Sometimes I just need a new groove to get me going. Came home and wrote the
song pretty quickly. I choose to believe it is the only song in the world that
has the lyric “Mule shoe, you’re so sweet.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Deep in the woods, deep in
the woods<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It was ringing real good<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">10 inches down, 10 inches
down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With a solid sound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mule shoe, Mule shoe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You so sweet, I’m going to
take you home with me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I dug it up I dug it up for
my baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But he doesn’t want it, no<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">he says Go, wash your hands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Look what I found underground
for my baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But he doesn’t want it, no<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just because I dug it up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Out in a field, out in a
field<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">with my ears peeled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">All alone All alone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Got a good tone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Silver dollar you’re so sweet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m gonna take you home with
me…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I dug it up…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Under the sand, under the
sand… Found a gold band<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Diamond ring, Just the thing for
my baby’s hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Gold ring, gold ring<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I say to myself…. I’m gonna
save you for someone else<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I dug it up, I dug it up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For my baby… But he ain’t
gonna get it, no<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m gonna go wash my hands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Look what I found,
underground<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For my baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He don’t deserve it no<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s my love… I dug it up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2. THIS WAS A BATTLEFIELD (Al
Hill and Mary Bragg on harmonies)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEqhlB93BkqjhcPo8zdzS1aasz7e8tzuX2PsMufK-YfwlIaHJQqqfnTVOJkVhytTZZENwPI6m0s89zOTytMVJDg5D365S6Cgyfd_P3cM3J18PFWgzzuZ5HBLVc2Ja8YZ61y2q17hbbPk6/s1600/IMG_3031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEqhlB93BkqjhcPo8zdzS1aasz7e8tzuX2PsMufK-YfwlIaHJQqqfnTVOJkVhytTZZENwPI6m0s89zOTytMVJDg5D365S6Cgyfd_P3cM3J18PFWgzzuZ5HBLVc2Ja8YZ61y2q17hbbPk6/s1600/IMG_3031.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not part of a sprinkler system. At all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">One day, Cheryl and I were detecting a lawn in a
beautiful neighborhood just south of town. The elderly homeowners had given us
permission to come any time, but I’d never met them. This was prime Battle of
Nashville land and we’d both found some bullets and buttons. I got a good
signal and dug something that I thought might be part of a sprinkler system.
Not that I know anything about lawn irrigation. Turns out it's a rare
Confederate Brooks ratchet plate sabot. I’m so continually struck by the
contrast: how that beautiful lawn was the scene of unimaginable bloodshed, not
that long ago.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A ranch house, on a hilltop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The lawn is manicured<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a lovely neighborhood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Inside, an old man and woman
sit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They keep their windows
closed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To keep the air cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">150-something years ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">this was a battlefield, this
was a battlefield<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Beneath the grass and the
magnolias<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">lies the blood of soldiers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">bullets shells and sabers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Peeking
out of a patch of dirt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There
lies a copper disc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Weighs
about a pound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It
was part of artillery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And
when the lawn guy sees it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He
just mows around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">150-something
years ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This
was a battlefield, this was a battlefield<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Black
men and white men fought together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Old
men and young men <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Fathers,
sons and brothers <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They
shot each other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I
wonder if the ground remembers… remembers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The
middle of that cold December… Does it remember?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">3. ROBINS
(Pru Clearwater sings harmony)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-gHR8y1PEa8UizbFsGKLI06UD-4-gVwfz5UvN9fb79KGUB1x-EFYaFX4vcGNBCSnOJ60zt3o83-LrBDuk8iaaIKEpIaOniCD4XeyTpQLJEldT9ssykNlEsjd5pXpOKMBvHxhd4UAOfaJ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-gHR8y1PEa8UizbFsGKLI06UD-4-gVwfz5UvN9fb79KGUB1x-EFYaFX4vcGNBCSnOJ60zt3o83-LrBDuk8iaaIKEpIaOniCD4XeyTpQLJEldT9ssykNlEsjd5pXpOKMBvHxhd4UAOfaJ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The robins were happy when I found Cincinnati.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I was detecting a patch of grass near a
bank parking lot. Just two years earlier, there had been a sweet, old house
here, and a huge maple tree. Now, just one small strip of un-bulldozed land
remained. It hadn’t rained for weeks and I noticed that as I moved from dig
hole to dig hole, two robins hopped after me, hunting in the dark earth I’d
uncovered. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This song was about half done when I
went a meeting of the Middle Tennessee Metal Detecting Club. Bill, one of the
regulars, took me aside and said, “I woke up in the middle of the night
thinking the words ‘Out here, I feel like a kid again!’ and I thought, ‘I have
to tell Whit Hill.’” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He did, and I put it in the song. I pay
attention to stuff like that. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 157.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Granny had a garden way out back<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Twice a week she’d hoe that patch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And I would watch her with wide eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As robins followed her around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -40.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This
one’s okra, she’d tell me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Summer squash, ain’t it pretty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And she’d turn that earth and the worms would rise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And robins followed her around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And she’d say oh, out here I feel like a kid again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My hands in the dirt, just a little old girl, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">in love with the world <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And Oh, lookee there, here comes that bird again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And the robins followed her around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now I’m someone’s grandma too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Moving slower than I used to do<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But I’m out there digging just like she did<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And the robins follow me around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -40.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s
a nickel with a buffalo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Shotgun shell from long ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">and the worms they wriggle, sayin no no no<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And robins follow me around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And Oh, out here I feel like a kid again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But my hands in the dirt look just like hers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I feel her near.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And oh lookee there, here comes that bird again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And the robins follow me around… robins follow me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">4. HOW’D THIS GET HERE?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU3PsTxonqrhVFXDDaZX2YqjaYo91msa-01t_FTNgPxnWGugsikP5Umy-Yf4IalcfgXUiaTnj3QbewwVjpLlb-gYYiLpdwlInR6oyD4CPL_KAOD2_RoKlba9D9cZSZSRiJNAJFLUYdrqX/s1600/photo-106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU3PsTxonqrhVFXDDaZX2YqjaYo91msa-01t_FTNgPxnWGugsikP5Umy-Yf4IalcfgXUiaTnj3QbewwVjpLlb-gYYiLpdwlInR6oyD4CPL_KAOD2_RoKlba9D9cZSZSRiJNAJFLUYdrqX/s1600/photo-106.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early 1800s India-Bengal presidential "pice" <br />
found near my house. WHAT?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -67.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -40.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Not much to explain. Anyone who metal
detects has muttered this a thousand times.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have never lost a belt
buckle in my life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have never lost a harmonica<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have never left a Mason jar
in the yard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m perplexed at these
phenomena.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And so I cry, How’d this get
here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How’d this get here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tell me: How’d this get here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On a lovely bluff high above
the Cumberland<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Digging normal stuff one
might expect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Out pops something I have
never seen before<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A coin from India, dated
1810.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And so I cry, How’d this get
here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s got Persian writing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Persian words!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How’d this get here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh the quizzical expressions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As I hold these lost
possessions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This metallurgical obsession<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Leads me to the endless
question:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How’d this get here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s examine the belt buckle
mystery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Buckles plain and fancy lost
long ago <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And I’m not talking ‘bout the
buckles of the brave men who fell in battle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just the buckles of the
ordinary Joes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How’d how’d they get here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How’d they get here?<br />
did belts fall off?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Did pants fall down? How’d
they get here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have never lost a belt
buckle in my life…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">5. CAN SLAW (featuring the
Saloneers and Kira Small)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzw8u7NM3a5gLxzrsofUh-ThzobKI0-woJ9TrSm_2WHFQ_JOrxuN5DMChR6DTfp7rloE2mYdx1ixSnAa5u8Fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The term “can slaw” is used to describe the twisted
bits of slaughtered beer and soda cans that festoon all dirt everywhere. I hate
can slaw so much, I thought it prudent to write a 70s-style country song
through which I could express my feelings. Once we recorded it, though, it
somehow felt incomplete.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On occasional Monday nights, I host the East Nashville
Song Salon – a song critique session attended by some of Nashville’s most
talented and interesting people. One night, songs over, we were all chatting in
the kitchen. I turned to Al and whispered, “Hey. Could we get them all singing
on Can Slaw? Yes, yes we could. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Saloneers consist of Al Hill, Mary Bragg, Becky
Warren, Ben de la Cour, Laura Curtis, Andrew Lipow and Kira Small (who returned
at a later date to add more swelling opera.) Thanks, guys!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Evil little morsels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lurking… waiting in the dirt
for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Long ago you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Were a can of Mountain Dew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tossed into a field in
Tennessee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A tractor, or a mower<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Found you… twisted you and
tore you all apart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And now you lie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Scattered far and wide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Each piece of you a vicious
work of art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Can slaw, can slaw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Shiny as a Spanish real in
the sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’d cut you with a chain saw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">but that would just make maw
and maw and maw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God damn Can slaw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Deceitful and mean-spirited<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Laughing, laughing as I
scrabble ‘neath this root<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I reach for you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And you slice my thumb in two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I hope recycling tortures
you, you brute<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Can slaw, can slaw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I hope whoever threw you out
here trips and falls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’d cut you with a chain saw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But the homeowner would
probably call the law<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God damn Can slaw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, your demonic claw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Shall never cause this dirt
girl to withdraw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God damn can slaw. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">6. TRIUNE (Whit Hill/Betty
Soo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNJlAs8WDa1DI8mCeElrT5B3Ea5nkSXhT_p_sfC4Awz0rkiN5m-QNQWe6r6PAzI3Lbj9UKW2S3TCI_knJlglvO9ndjp2N7ajgiBC0pNcUmN0Bqqq2u7aYYq5vGKLu54tA0R4ErJOynjdm/s1600/Butch+bullet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNJlAs8WDa1DI8mCeElrT5B3Ea5nkSXhT_p_sfC4Awz0rkiN5m-QNQWe6r6PAzI3Lbj9UKW2S3TCI_knJlglvO9ndjp2N7ajgiBC0pNcUmN0Bqqq2u7aYYq5vGKLu54tA0R4ErJOynjdm/s1600/Butch+bullet.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carved bullet, found by Butch Holcombe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The tiny community of Triune, TN was where Cheryl and
I found our first CW bullets. Since then, I’ve found many more, but never a
carved one. When Austin songwriter Betty Soo was visiting Nashville, she came
over to write with me. I brought out some finds and we decided to write about a
carved bullet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking “I’ve
never heard of a bullet with a rose on it but I guess it could happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just recently, my friend Butch Holcombe (publisher of
American Digger Magazine) posted a photo of a bullet he’d found years before –
with a detailed and magnificent rose carved into the side. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We recorded this song late at night as rain fell
outside. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They poured hot lead into the
mold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And born a bullet was I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Three rings and a point, grew
hard in the cold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Of a Triune, Tennessee night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It was late November. The
worst was to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I lay with the others of my
kind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They longed to be fired,
thirsted for blood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But I prayed on that Triune
night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t make me fly out on that
field<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To kill and then to fall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If I were made for this, I
wish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’d not been made at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A hand reached deep into the
bag<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Where my brothers and I did
rest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He pulled me out, this gentle
lad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Saying yes, this one is the
best<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Into my side he carved a rose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In the other his sweetheart’s
name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And I heard his prayers fall softly
down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I whispered up the same<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">CH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And when bugle sounded<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He placed his rifle by a tree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Into the battle he ran
holding me in his hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then he fell til he was free<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then he let go of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And the soldier on the other
side<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The one I would have hit…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He died when he was 83<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">with his family ‘round his
bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And me, I lie in this soft
earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For you one day to find<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My simple rose, and the dear,
sweet name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Of the one he left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On that Triune, Triune,
Triune night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">7. DIG THAT DIME, DADDY!
(Mary Bragg and Al Hill sing backup)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV43W0eyWCmP4XlpfUWuG8nUMxQeeR3J7QHPQuo2tAKKx53c2z0zVybc4DYOKddvSGXBwnFDJZ1iYyvMQs8X-XOaMZmC5TcQASkMJw5Y9S7Lr0WxiY0JNssytDeKKpxUacJQm7f2NiJEY/s1600/Georgius+Rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV43W0eyWCmP4XlpfUWuG8nUMxQeeR3J7QHPQuo2tAKKx53c2z0zVybc4DYOKddvSGXBwnFDJZ1iYyvMQs8X-XOaMZmC5TcQASkMJw5Y9S7Lr0WxiY0JNssytDeKKpxUacJQm7f2NiJEY/s1600/Georgius+Rex.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British cartridge box plate, circa 1770.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh, how I love this song! I put the word out on
American Digger’s Relic Roundup (an internet radio show) that I was looking for
song ideas, digging stories, etc., and Tonya Lancaster, a lovely young woman
from South Carolina, sent me this story about a hunt with her dad, John Mize.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Daddy called me Snake from
the day I was born<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I wriggled my way into his
heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As I grew, he taught me how<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To fish the Charleston dirt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pennies and pull tabs, high
school rings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Minie balls and shotgun shells<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Side by side, shovels in our
hands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We cleaned that earth so
well…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dig that dime, Daddy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh, I remember that sunny
afternoon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">by the river’s edge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">12 inches down in the ground
I found<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">a green, patinaed badge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With a “G” and an “R” -- the
initials of a king <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But daddy called it junk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Held up a silver mercury and
danced around <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Little girl, you done got
skunked!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dig that dime, daddy…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now everybody knows, ain’t
nothing like silver<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s every digger’s delight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cool and brilliant, shining
bright<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">like the moon in a midnight
sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But my British badge brought
me ten thousand dollars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">His dime was worth just one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now every time we hunt, I
sing this song<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And my daddy sings along…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">8. HE LIKES TO STAND ON
BRIDGES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgyDstg94dXhKsVONa5XTGd3KFFjKQRanQIXTzTqgkmrs0DWQcLjoXnyn9P3MrcGYFk8QN5LY-qKK5Qk-mQg2mBrLXhWm9MsBruyO-uHvg-0QlpB_P-vOpqQlSjqEkt9F9BW5IoB_7B01/s1600/ResizedImage951389975733579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgyDstg94dXhKsVONa5XTGd3KFFjKQRanQIXTzTqgkmrs0DWQcLjoXnyn9P3MrcGYFk8QN5LY-qKK5Qk-mQg2mBrLXhWm9MsBruyO-uHvg-0QlpB_P-vOpqQlSjqEkt9F9BW5IoB_7B01/s1600/ResizedImage951389975733579.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Drake, our mentor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This one’s for Doug Drake. Here’s how it happened:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After all the songs for this record were chosen and
recorded, I was talking to Doug’s wife, Brenda.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Me: “Hey, Brenda, do you remember one day we were all
driving around in the country looking for places to dig and Doug pulled up
alongside that little bridge? We all stood there, looking down into the water…
Where was that? Do you remember where it was?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Brenda: “Oh, Whit. it could have been anywhere. That
man just liked to stand on bridges.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I went home, wrote this and added it to the record. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That’s me on piano. First time ever on a
recording.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He likes to stand on bridges<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Over streams and little
rivers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And look down upon the fishes
in their blue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If he sees one while he’s
driving, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">he’ll pull over every time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Make his wife come stand
beside him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And look down too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And if you ask, he’ll laugh
and say<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He don’t know why he likes to
stand on bridges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He was born in 1940<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He grew up in Hickman County<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Served his country, worked
construction, then retired <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now every Sunday after
breakfast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He rides around, just aimless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To the Harpeth or the Duck or
the Piney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Does the smell of iron and
ions make him feel alive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Is that why he stands on
bridges?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And if the water’s low,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you’ll find him in the creek bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Looking for old sinkers,
wedding rings, and arrowheads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But if it’s rushing, a wild
and rising flood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He will be there up above <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Leaning out over the edge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Taking a deep breath<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He likes to stand on bridges<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Over streams and little
rivers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And look down as the
bluegills dart and swim <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And he wonders if they’re
looking up at him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">9. THE OLD DIGGER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujaBL3lBD2np6qdZXcNpEghA6EbPU4KCaKcVRhyphenhyphennvWB-SFDXAj9qEdtE4aqkdSZGHqyHmbi4II-gDDky3V9ZIHwOLUhSWGbLq-tDxc4AeSdtoFqm2oB4V_rOvRyxiGKqY64z2Gl_zTzAs/s1600/ResizedImage951390012867099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujaBL3lBD2np6qdZXcNpEghA6EbPU4KCaKcVRhyphenhyphennvWB-SFDXAj9qEdtE4aqkdSZGHqyHmbi4II-gDDky3V9ZIHwOLUhSWGbLq-tDxc4AeSdtoFqm2oB4V_rOvRyxiGKqY64z2Gl_zTzAs/s1600/ResizedImage951390012867099.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug with a rare Confederate button.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This one’s also for Doug Drake. There was just
something fascinating about the guy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The old digger is gone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To that home site, beyond<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">where the weather is fine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And your shovel melts into
the ground<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So easy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You don’t knock on no doors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cause all the land’s yours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Rolling green hills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dotted with foundation stones<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And the bottles you find<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Are rare and unbroken and
shine in the sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The coins and the tokens are
gold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And each tiny toy car is your
favorite one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The old digger is gone <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To that camp site beyond<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Where the cannons and swords<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Locks and harmonica reeds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lie scattered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And the south and the north<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t mean nothing no more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The battles and wars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Have faded away into all <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That matters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When you pull out a buckle <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The soldier who lost it
appears at your side<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And you can shake hands with
that man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">‘cause you’re both in this
new life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The old digger is gone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His burden laid down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now he stands tall and strong<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As his shovel melts into the
ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">10. YOU’RE A SAINT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGRDIKcQ8tMAVx7PMWV3jlDIKbOHy7mkaKx_WdtiqWYOHk_rK2i0Tf83jnYLXKrWTapwR85WVOt32iDMhX5ir0bA1MCeHPyvoyj672LR9qMclpV_i1GrMVb-mLm2jipbPMZOH95VsedMm/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGRDIKcQ8tMAVx7PMWV3jlDIKbOHy7mkaKx_WdtiqWYOHk_rK2i0Tf83jnYLXKrWTapwR85WVOt32iDMhX5ir0bA1MCeHPyvoyj672LR9qMclpV_i1GrMVb-mLm2jipbPMZOH95VsedMm/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This one’s for Al. Because he’s so nice and patient
about my hobby and pretends to be interested in the stuff I find and he’s the
nicest guy I know and he’s introverted like me and he did so much to make this
record happen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Every time I bring home
another rusty axe head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Your eyes glaze over<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then your love takes over<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And you say, “Oh baby, look
what you found!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Every time I tell you another
scary story ‘bout<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Snakes and rabid Rovers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And mad homeowners<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You say, “I’m happy you are
safe and sound”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You’re a saint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh yeah, oh yeah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You’re a saint<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You’re a saint<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Saint Baby, Saint Darlin’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You’re a saint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears your favorite bathroom is now
devoted to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Rust removal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There’s been no disapproval<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just the occasional eyeball
roll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And every pretty Saturday I
should devote to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Fun with you… it’s déjà vu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As your wife turns into a
fanatical mole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">CH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Home is where the heart is
baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ain’t no place for complaint<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You ain’t the type to fuss
and fight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If you did I’d fall down in a
faint but you don’t<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You’re a saint!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">11. DON’T DIG TODAY (Hill/Hill,
featuring Al Hill)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YfU-wLD5lWT7cOtqqgY2IJ2DqzaGj7-hia5FH2X0i97FtnDTVLCGKtB_Fa-to5Vg6VpwtISOkusWYFX4j501HqlmNIoB0toQGp_dWHFxDT_hD7hyQ8dtgr7gMXE8TQh2Xlwu9G35yjbE/s1600/Al.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YfU-wLD5lWT7cOtqqgY2IJ2DqzaGj7-hia5FH2X0i97FtnDTVLCGKtB_Fa-to5Vg6VpwtISOkusWYFX4j501HqlmNIoB0toQGp_dWHFxDT_hD7hyQ8dtgr7gMXE8TQh2Xlwu9G35yjbE/s1600/Al.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al, trying to get me to not dig.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I wrote these lyrics a long time ago and gave them to
Al and he turned them into this luscious blues. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t dig today. Don’t be
pulling up the past <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I got all you need right
here. And life flies by so fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t dig today. Ain’t no
treasures in that ground <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I got a heart that shines
like gold. So just lay your shovel down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t dig today. Don't hold
history in your hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’ll all be there tomorrow.
Today, just be here with your man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t dig today. Just wait a
minute more for me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m coming with you, baby,
into the fields of Tennessee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">12. ALUMINUM… FOILED AGAIN
(Whit Hill/Butch Holcombe; Mary Bragg’s on harmonies)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7JC1ZRrbVaZ2XBsU3-64VBE8lcH6G8kmht8uF4UPfblHDf31187w9GtbrT0HXD64gNj4dwPdGT6Rgx-JPZx-zA60axPRgUGhxYEFKILTzSsQDMbkbWXXreu9bnaBGnY8ZFcvABF-rncn/s1600/Anita+and+Butch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7JC1ZRrbVaZ2XBsU3-64VBE8lcH6G8kmht8uF4UPfblHDf31187w9GtbrT0HXD64gNj4dwPdGT6Rgx-JPZx-zA60axPRgUGhxYEFKILTzSsQDMbkbWXXreu9bnaBGnY8ZFcvABF-rncn/s1600/Anita+and+Butch.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anita and Butch Holcombe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When I put the word out that I was looking for song
ideas, Butch Holcombe, the publisher of American Digger Magazine, popped these
lyrics out and sent them to me. Done deal. We had a chance to play this song
together (with Butch on mandolin) at the December meeting of the MTMDC. </span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For the record, I hate foil.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Scratchy sound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Jumping ‘round<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Digital readings up and down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Got me confused<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">and concerned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">If I don’t dig it I might get burned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Whoa… Let’s see what’s down below<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Aluminum…foiled again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Chewing gum wrapper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Or a thin gold chain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Nothing ventured, nothing gained<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I’ll dig it up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Can't walk away<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">So I cut a plug, what the hey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">whoa… let’s see what’s down below…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Aluminum… foiled again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Hope one day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I'll strike it big<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">And I dig something I should dig<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">But till then, again and again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I'll curse Alcoa and the Wriggly twins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Whoa…. Let’s see what’s down below!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">13. GHOSTS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD21srZny7l0vZO2bvTFkYuHJYBXl4Gh-jW-iU5t7iJ4uEUmNXjCriTzsdtAflkbYmJ3EJRypyNE3CKWUXrPihZjOyWXJauoAaH_HlYAqIbQZh1ii9l9IxaNxfSi8knVuH4ZOg_mIPOdc/s1600/photo-128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD21srZny7l0vZO2bvTFkYuHJYBXl4Gh-jW-iU5t7iJ4uEUmNXjCriTzsdtAflkbYmJ3EJRypyNE3CKWUXrPihZjOyWXJauoAaH_HlYAqIbQZh1ii9l9IxaNxfSi8knVuH4ZOg_mIPOdc/s1600/photo-128.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eeriest site I ever dug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">There’s a feeling you
get, especially when you’re alone at a site, of communing with the past. It
feels a little sacred, to tell the truth. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I know. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">But isn’t interesting
that the words “sacred” and “scared” are so close?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Sometimes in those
sacred moments, I feel a little scared. Like I’m being watched.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I wrote this song before
I ever thought about making a metal detecting record. My friend, Korby Lenker,
came to Song Salon and challenged us to write a song using just 25 different
words. It was right around Halloween so this is what came out. I’ve since
written several other 25-word songs. It’s a difficult, thrilling and
instructive exercise.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Ghosts are here today<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Harmless, harmless ghosts are close<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Praying on white shroud knees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I believe, I believe, I believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Ghosts pray quietly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Powerless, powerless prayers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">To those banished to history<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I believe, I believe, I believe…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">They say, Ah love…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Ghosts on white shroud knees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Fingers tangled here, today<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">Quietly close to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I believe, I believe, I believe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-width: 0%;">I believe they believe in me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-81410393712695523002014-12-11T20:27:00.001-08:002014-12-11T20:32:25.289-08:00Rivers and Lakes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
First things first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really want to talk about the new record, but before I do
(in the next post), I am going to do a quick recap of recent finds and doings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because I haven't posted since SEPTEMBER.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And because I found a couple of really special things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometime in October, I discovered a little-known park along
the Cumberland and explored it a few times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a cool, old boarded-up house still standing off to
the side but I didn’t find much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Found this…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIFrk-Mbr6rVzl0Hrez5SGRwwsCJibQMbFzOTPDJlKnqZrT7lrzUO0AINz84DH8TT6jZTMu1nCNfwmIlLtDQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s my best find:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh64_n4VYFSD-2ZFgORoK-zjLwI9f1wOSfvegM6M943ysriYbYdPN4EJt9rSubuhEYooC6JdqWRLiLSG1TBvYyOwiGjnvFGOTYykFp-Um50v_pnzBAEXpu3SBNzRSXLBCMV6b9G-C5vg3/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh64_n4VYFSD-2ZFgORoK-zjLwI9f1wOSfvegM6M943ysriYbYdPN4EJt9rSubuhEYooC6JdqWRLiLSG1TBvYyOwiGjnvFGOTYykFp-Um50v_pnzBAEXpu3SBNzRSXLBCMV6b9G-C5vg3/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper and meerschaum. Or however you spell that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Posted on a vintage pipe website, but no one had any info on
it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, a friend had posted on FB about a “deserted” beach on
the Cumberland, not far from me. So I nagged all my friends and my buddy Jeff
Thorneycroft took me kayaking so we could MD the beach. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNKTkdxR5wTNxODWTiaKftLdi66RAoIVMiBFH1rjAIHIXsErJ9tW8ef0QhmrTGBnhoY-ulxw_A9zpPhoXMOTnK-qWGlpgdC6uRB4KJaYcPRKAwp1a9tz8Xj-hRzNe6IOe9FAnX71RiLda/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNKTkdxR5wTNxODWTiaKftLdi66RAoIVMiBFH1rjAIHIXsErJ9tW8ef0QhmrTGBnhoY-ulxw_A9zpPhoXMOTnK-qWGlpgdC6uRB4KJaYcPRKAwp1a9tz8Xj-hRzNe6IOe9FAnX71RiLda/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZP2K9OBeDTG0KGLMA1GdwuWxI5KBAvV_nFUw9ILk5Ef5Wwg8ww7tw6ELjAQLt9upu63zhV-j2FA7q6oWUukbD5hLpe42-6AH4qxK9ipSD0WlOxmLRNAfhLW2em0-WpWSQwbO5lyMlLGx/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZP2K9OBeDTG0KGLMA1GdwuWxI5KBAvV_nFUw9ILk5Ef5Wwg8ww7tw6ELjAQLt9upu63zhV-j2FA7q6oWUukbD5hLpe42-6AH4qxK9ipSD0WlOxmLRNAfhLW2em0-WpWSQwbO5lyMlLGx/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of bullets, but
none very old, I don't think. Except for the musketball...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lYqf_2t5k2nwCw_QqkNJUwg3dTHLau7A-_1tnCb_PsuTS4IASt2EXMs0UO114s0unjg0-E_p7dbChEKhQOuGAvnamg2_Pc9DfyqrSTLtT_4do09s2I080uu7_64MeHd8LRVWCzjrmDp3/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lYqf_2t5k2nwCw_QqkNJUwg3dTHLau7A-_1tnCb_PsuTS4IASt2EXMs0UO114s0unjg0-E_p7dbChEKhQOuGAvnamg2_Pc9DfyqrSTLtT_4do09s2I080uu7_64MeHd8LRVWCzjrmDp3/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another bullet Stonehenge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeff dug this old hook, probably from a riverboat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyRCnRCMU44LE7dIq23CmBLqex6jf0wHtX0nEBn0b93ZIx5bNmpfB9kjqlexKleENLCDVo_Yu53kSplfdwSGCxzBCwiQfWkhv9Y1sQVpezh_OXQgDS2WuOgG5WHeiE7d3R5Z0PMU1QyqZ/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyRCnRCMU44LE7dIq23CmBLqex6jf0wHtX0nEBn0b93ZIx5bNmpfB9kjqlexKleENLCDVo_Yu53kSplfdwSGCxzBCwiQfWkhv9Y1sQVpezh_OXQgDS2WuOgG5WHeiE7d3R5Z0PMU1QyqZ/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, I must obtain a kayak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One weekend, I drove east trying to find a field Doug took us to a couple of years back. Never found it, but I got up the courage to ask a man if I could dig his property. The result?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxNPDgTYUhewG6pDGjIRp6hnuNtH2Lg0EFLCo6nd02KNXXSPK4z0mvlrI1k8uWA51zTw0iU1oyJZyL-iX57zA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't find anything that day, but returned the next day with my friend, M.J. We failed miserably at finding anything other than part of old hoes. Not even a freekin' horseshoe! But we had fun anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBXW3j1qVFWVS6Z9cEyhjavHo5TroTjc3YknAnw_lRh8GsEtztDXqQd40lPZXE5rpr1hBOTGU_n3EN4yGOoNitizmgKnU4J3o_FoCGAIhEEN-yoo8_L1yxpn07b6cKt2RS6zAeLy6tqYZ/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBXW3j1qVFWVS6Z9cEyhjavHo5TroTjc3YknAnw_lRh8GsEtztDXqQd40lPZXE5rpr1hBOTGU_n3EN4yGOoNitizmgKnU4J3o_FoCGAIhEEN-yoo8_L1yxpn07b6cKt2RS6zAeLy6tqYZ/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M.J., trying to look enthusiastic about not<br />
finding anything while trying to avoid snakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In early November, I returned to northern Michigan to attend
Lamb’s Retreat – a fabulous songwriting getaway. Didn’t have much spare time, as
I was busy writing a song about a piece of religious statuary, but I made it
down to my beautiful Lake Michigan a few times...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRSoHkIYJu4_Jwph2hnc2wziTpWD2QPn-o3UxfRzeBzHFUE24hFLAKKUrUcsolAy-s3nKbD8Sg0X2FM1BXKeVrqZLdvjBBxRkCKWisJDJMpXQJz5beYUpfs7AWWTxU1XI-FkAvJH9hX3e/s1600/1480515_10205135404366281_4339198919803591059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRSoHkIYJu4_Jwph2hnc2wziTpWD2QPn-o3UxfRzeBzHFUE24hFLAKKUrUcsolAy-s3nKbD8Sg0X2FM1BXKeVrqZLdvjBBxRkCKWisJDJMpXQJz5beYUpfs7AWWTxU1XI-FkAvJH9hX3e/s1600/1480515_10205135404366281_4339198919803591059_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
... and at the very last minute – right before I
had to leave – pulled this out of the sand during a snowstorm. As long as I’ve
been doing this, and as many cool things as I’ve found, I just never get used
to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzTgKYDelI5X2CHfIRWV4LOjfSTFjiz70kdJuco95fZd3vKJtj4rh2yB8sBgEzn7w5OxZjgyLxTeDywIeHIMBUDDi-i1w6nF3OWJTTnVFL8gRfhgfnwLNsDnYO0E1OcLcxpY2yZb6AxUG/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzTgKYDelI5X2CHfIRWV4LOjfSTFjiz70kdJuco95fZd3vKJtj4rh2yB8sBgEzn7w5OxZjgyLxTeDywIeHIMBUDDi-i1w6nF3OWJTTnVFL8gRfhgfnwLNsDnYO0E1OcLcxpY2yZb6AxUG/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-electric soup. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRIhoSwD9IX5pJq_PfYEwxD88G1Q9G3DW2yClVUuAJShyTozZXR6NIewqKNNirHU_ubFPR1pjuQuWMuwuDvqwkNxuXQ-UOI4p09Vn1K2JTZHQVqlIMSnEHgW8-D4mbwUjBo69KYBi38Ib/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRIhoSwD9IX5pJq_PfYEwxD88G1Q9G3DW2yClVUuAJShyTozZXR6NIewqKNNirHU_ubFPR1pjuQuWMuwuDvqwkNxuXQ-UOI4p09Vn1K2JTZHQVqlIMSnEHgW8-D4mbwUjBo69KYBi38Ib/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-electric soup. This is a personal pistol, probably<br />
1830-1850, probably European.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right before Thanksgiving, I went over to Kathy Hussey’s
house to sweep her back yard before they begin building an addition. Found this
sweet thang but nothing else of note.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ2Tpu21VmkahqipckXrYuzNHZJSB1vtDP-Re0VeJeRB_-goB-n006MJYv9k_gU99dhun238dOGWZLdBxcPD4sWaMo5HThijg01LpVuVVp2TLGN76VFO-YFArgknLaJUCRFLqYpbAVY0u/s1600/1479175_10205564687262457_1207663282592178979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ2Tpu21VmkahqipckXrYuzNHZJSB1vtDP-Re0VeJeRB_-goB-n006MJYv9k_gU99dhun238dOGWZLdBxcPD4sWaMo5HThijg01LpVuVVp2TLGN76VFO-YFArgknLaJUCRFLqYpbAVY0u/s1600/1479175_10205564687262457_1207663282592178979_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beep. Beep beep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Undeterred, I hit a nearby park. I was by myself; it was a
gray, deepening dusk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As usual for this park, all I got was pennies, pulltabs and
bottle caps – and plenty of’em. I remember sighing and saying, “Hmm. Sure has
been a long time since I’ve dug any SILVER. How ‘bout it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not one minute later, this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzk_ODr234MolkrpUTVsGoVm2BJKqEtTPuNIwKeWqGoQt_zRFih3-Yt2MPJ6FK06TiDpdz6KBIXJA82L5g_' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then – I kid you not – a white dove flew over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to sit down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok. Now I can write about the record… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-44253919920983623622014-09-12T10:20:00.001-07:002014-09-12T10:21:53.496-07:00"One of Them There Things..."That's right: two Dirt Girl posts in as many days.<br />
<br />
This one is short and to the point.<br />
<br />
In April of 2013, my dear friend (and renowned Michigan videographer) Terri Sarris, came to Nashville to make a short film about me and my metal detecting. Here's the finished product. I just love it. There was hours and hours of footage, but she has edited it down to a compact 10 minutes that says so much, so beautifully. And seeing the great Doug Drake again is just so cool.<br />
<br />
Here's the link.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/105877741" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/105877741</a><br />
<br />
<br />whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-37200139069376130472014-09-11T10:21:00.001-07:002014-09-11T13:43:26.501-07:00What I Did On My Summer Vacation<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had this dream the other night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I am going to the airport to pick up a friend. For some
reason, Al and Jakson (dog) are in the car too. We get to the airport and pull
into one of the spaces where you can only stay a few minutes. Sure enough the
guard lady comes over to us but instead of telling us to open the trunk or needlessly
circle the airport, she starts talking about DOGS, of which she has six. She
tells me that her friend is looking for a new dog. Well, I say. I know someone
who is fostering a stray dog that needs a home! Here… I say: here’s my card.
Email me and I’ll get you the info. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The guard lady takes my card and studies it closely. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Dirt Girt?” she asks, puzzled. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“What? No. Dirt GIRL,” I correct her. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Well, this says ‘Dirt GIRT’ – with a ‘T’,” she says,
handing me the card. Which I notice does in fact refer to yours truly as “Dirt
GIRT.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And then I woke up.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been way too long since I’ve posted and there’s lots to
tell you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the middle of July, my family gathered on Cape Cod. It was kind of a homecoming for me. I started going there when I was a toddler and spent all or
part of every summer there for decades, in a little gray-shingled cottage owned by my
godparents. My first husband and I moved to the Cape to live in 1980 and my
daughter, Maya, was born in the front room of an 1830s home in South Yarmouth
the following year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI0VnzY04qjumklO4XHZ9qvr8MlVpYeM4-4Cl0jI8LEVxxTPQ3KBk9flk2IzPgHD7rt_bl_IL95LNASvk_LUUM_EU9qVr6vhsAQMsIaFL97oRLQf0lBewF2q3-PguDFpVlfjzmRzxoVI_/s1600/MomandI1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI0VnzY04qjumklO4XHZ9qvr8MlVpYeM4-4Cl0jI8LEVxxTPQ3KBk9flk2IzPgHD7rt_bl_IL95LNASvk_LUUM_EU9qVr6vhsAQMsIaFL97oRLQf0lBewF2q3-PguDFpVlfjzmRzxoVI_/s1600/MomandI1.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brand-new Maya, brand-new mama, 1981.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>When my godmother died in 1998, the summer cottage was sold
and I hadn’t been back since. I was a little afraid that being there again
would unleash a torrent of tears, and that did happen, briefly. It also
unleashed a torrent of family fun, swimming in the salty, seaweedy sea, playing
“tennis” with a grownup Maya (anyone watching us play would know why quotes are needed), late-night games of Mexican
Train Dominos, and eating a lot of really good food. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, I had to engage in some serious graveyard
skulking action. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIx51pr0qykBdn48KhHUkP9ZGhDxjcmxxWA1xDNpm9t5Gu1yifUP36VJNbtZkcrcF-4QgjCffLXJhJj9boUyCJMPdttLR5Gz_juyW6DRwM1H9qla1wNJwI-ArTU3LxlBYvN_m04abPUqz/s1600/IMG_3165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIx51pr0qykBdn48KhHUkP9ZGhDxjcmxxWA1xDNpm9t5Gu1yifUP36VJNbtZkcrcF-4QgjCffLXJhJj9boUyCJMPdttLR5Gz_juyW6DRwM1H9qla1wNJwI-ArTU3LxlBYvN_m04abPUqz/s1600/IMG_3165.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I was a kid I spent countless hours<br />
doing gravestone rubbings on the Cape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX16hMVpjGuXM8Yx-nXd4E8njbtFOeQn6eiW_qud1abP5j4ZTCLRFyM2JHDU8EbWuxonfaApC_inunFiJfoNWnZxJ5mvjPKYcIUD3sSP4SzkbyAf21VKRqJFt_sfsrXcUtbY9walQzlrL/s1600/IMG_3163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX16hMVpjGuXM8Yx-nXd4E8njbtFOeQn6eiW_qud1abP5j4ZTCLRFyM2JHDU8EbWuxonfaApC_inunFiJfoNWnZxJ5mvjPKYcIUD3sSP4SzkbyAf21VKRqJFt_sfsrXcUtbY9walQzlrL/s1600/IMG_3163.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful. That's a nice name.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27fA3Dnjl9aH9-vaHUYkISnchM6YyqgihHhzQssw4iDZX_ccJadOyx8GN_qKb-YBKNR3y9i-Ni-tJU9InoJ5FZNJr7uFFuQ76UQY3Fy2Y8vSaxry7_w_c5CXempLkzQk_sKUhAc6Pk7Py/s1600/IMG_3164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27fA3Dnjl9aH9-vaHUYkISnchM6YyqgihHhzQssw4iDZX_ccJadOyx8GN_qKb-YBKNR3y9i-Ni-tJU9InoJ5FZNJr7uFFuQ76UQY3Fy2Y8vSaxry7_w_c5CXempLkzQk_sKUhAc6Pk7Py/s1600/IMG_3164.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really, these stones were the Facebook of the 1700s. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also spent many hours swinging the old Fisher F75 in a
beautiful but somewhat creepy “nature preserve” near where we were staying. I’d
heard from the locals that it was a place where the militia practiced during
“the war” which, this being Massachusetts, actually meant the Revolutionary
War. But all I found for my efforts was part of a spoon and an old file. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4aUP1ntiOihtSmMHWuZmKoCSAD1mLBfGFDn3VkYjOcwBNiYWQgXCCC0g7f4QbzVjGLdM-SsMjLTvPkTsNApxzCk-k37RkcXqRbLOGCzK0-2668ffILpWvzfIZMlaqK3yWjQRZYZtkU-X/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4aUP1ntiOihtSmMHWuZmKoCSAD1mLBfGFDn3VkYjOcwBNiYWQgXCCC0g7f4QbzVjGLdM-SsMjLTvPkTsNApxzCk-k37RkcXqRbLOGCzK0-2668ffILpWvzfIZMlaqK3yWjQRZYZtkU-X/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow. Cool file. Yawn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also did a whole lot of beach detecting and found a ton of
clad but no jewelry. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR781R5S60tzakjQVdoGizHzLcYpuEzdy2sbiqtNWPUbfTB9NV3DSJEL3wG43vM66Y6-FsuZaPTfBbXFxaRK6kg5xQxeJIVfTG3MgkoMWdyP15QDwt9JRInW_0HJYHHQK3RTQREznq-Yrg/s1600/IMG_3167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR781R5S60tzakjQVdoGizHzLcYpuEzdy2sbiqtNWPUbfTB9NV3DSJEL3wG43vM66Y6-FsuZaPTfBbXFxaRK6kg5xQxeJIVfTG3MgkoMWdyP15QDwt9JRInW_0HJYHHQK3RTQREznq-Yrg/s1600/IMG_3167.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty disappointing. Where was the jewelry???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh well. At least I looked like an idiot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFJwlM2sI7ETFxFckOpvB6_Bqgqt7UuU9dbIxg54TtXP7YqAqsB7f6GRruUlM36krVt4ofdbcWPk9CCpJCbYd6hdNTQyC9wTufj5RV8wEVtHG8fdBUQok8U2g0JGdxknLk0_uiHp8Yd79/s1600/IMG_3161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFJwlM2sI7ETFxFckOpvB6_Bqgqt7UuU9dbIxg54TtXP7YqAqsB7f6GRruUlM36krVt4ofdbcWPk9CCpJCbYd6hdNTQyC9wTufj5RV8wEVtHG8fdBUQok8U2g0JGdxknLk0_uiHp8Yd79/s1600/IMG_3161.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello! Have you dropped any jewels? Can I<br />
stand here until you do?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6j-y1jPseZbN_PmCy24EWiPKXVQxfVuX9Z5J0YhBX_YdCyNdJ7tQX-IQ3xm-y6DYMPOydLMz3DGwBNp3peBWNl69HmxdWjeIrniusQ2kRy8VcxszOUw7hA5sNT04gELlT79cQhhDamSl/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6j-y1jPseZbN_PmCy24EWiPKXVQxfVuX9Z5J0YhBX_YdCyNdJ7tQX-IQ3xm-y6DYMPOydLMz3DGwBNp3peBWNl69HmxdWjeIrniusQ2kRy8VcxszOUw7hA5sNT04gELlT79cQhhDamSl/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My father and my son, attempting to tolerate my hobby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLRr9eCp_Htbk5zbXjpBo3Bxi8h-m8I5Hlh5-1Vxas3tAoddbu0CY3h_bFkjEkvsOrFSBEChk_s75t0aceR6JdoVqmKhnMCE8NzdFMenTAxjHEPKyMtsvpPUz4qzdQbdFT5Fn0lYbBME2/s1600/Skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLRr9eCp_Htbk5zbXjpBo3Bxi8h-m8I5Hlh5-1Vxas3tAoddbu0CY3h_bFkjEkvsOrFSBEChk_s75t0aceR6JdoVqmKhnMCE8NzdFMenTAxjHEPKyMtsvpPUz4qzdQbdFT5Fn0lYbBME2/s1600/Skipper.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad and me, shortly after I knocked<br />
over a peerless vodka martini.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back home in Nashville, it was dry and hot, but Cheryl and I
got out once or twice. My girlfriend, Kira, recently bought a house in East
Nash with her boyfriend, Sailor Glen, and we hit that yard hard. I found a ton
of 70s-era toy cars and trucks but not much else. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWekU_USYbem9R9lxvgM6fR_vHvFdtOrGeWsgsVBFtm9SwS9CU64krVCAltWGmXx8uugnMlMe41TBW5zfGMYJvKLIQN-e6VXd6cWiMuW23xu-Gnf7uZBWHTpasdDsPfaBN82B15JVcgOt/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWekU_USYbem9R9lxvgM6fR_vHvFdtOrGeWsgsVBFtm9SwS9CU64krVCAltWGmXx8uugnMlMe41TBW5zfGMYJvKLIQN-e6VXd6cWiMuW23xu-Gnf7uZBWHTpasdDsPfaBN82B15JVcgOt/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carwash... workin' at the carwash, yeah...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_22532189"></span><span id="goog_22532190"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHJzvmP_-KamnmCAxkzz0orkt8LtrbOx3-3SZQ9_A0rhc4pJrwjwO0cGkB6oEFohTG_9hPeAfrmlWuIhxLn_Y1hTLPNgWzKX6u-0AcwirR4G9mVkZqH9KisODsv190yTSMeXAkcp5eC0w/s1600/IMG_3219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHJzvmP_-KamnmCAxkzz0orkt8LtrbOx3-3SZQ9_A0rhc4pJrwjwO0cGkB6oEFohTG_9hPeAfrmlWuIhxLn_Y1hTLPNgWzKX6u-0AcwirR4G9mVkZqH9KisODsv190yTSMeXAkcp5eC0w/s1600/IMG_3219.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the record, Kira is not particularly spacey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One desperate dayjob-hating afternoon, I ventured back to
the Never-Fail Wonderland Yard near my house and pulled out this sweet little
cufflink, so similar to the “Tallio” cufflink of the last post. Happy happy.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKOgQTgGVdkvoHCFN_Or_psuig1HkySZAkyLPESqtfC0pJ3XyZaOUmzQpmTYeeMSwLzf5D68vqEaRigk3N0DfPli1cav2LEIuxK_P43KGynIf4xKXpnHdmZWCBIsTHAdgVhmlmWpp_6SI/s1600/IMG_3223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKOgQTgGVdkvoHCFN_Or_psuig1HkySZAkyLPESqtfC0pJ3XyZaOUmzQpmTYeeMSwLzf5D68vqEaRigk3N0DfPli1cav2LEIuxK_P43KGynIf4xKXpnHdmZWCBIsTHAdgVhmlmWpp_6SI/s1600/IMG_3223.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean... roll!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In August, I had two rapturous days up on the beach in
northern Michigan where I spent virtually all daylight hours doing You Know
What.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one point, a man came up to me and asked if I’d go look
for his wife’s wedding ring; she’d lost it last summer. Sure, I said, and
walked a long ways down the beach to the spot he indicated. I never found the
ring but found this, instead.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirAnYeS8sNe3fRWE1WTz52bKJm-GrEiX5lm1oUtJyQo2LaKOVoTYrJMKrNXwaW4UQQ-jQJOQj5RiuHy6yqOer9ppcWXSxJtJtS_M3CAu4BVoKBSQe3_9NTdF7-32rjWaRnkGf2NzQa2ra/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirAnYeS8sNe3fRWE1WTz52bKJm-GrEiX5lm1oUtJyQo2LaKOVoTYrJMKrNXwaW4UQQ-jQJOQj5RiuHy6yqOer9ppcWXSxJtJtS_M3CAu4BVoKBSQe3_9NTdF7-32rjWaRnkGf2NzQa2ra/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_jhRMjG5dTpE4X507LdQUaNG2bDANFxqD4ri_z0WVvFYBeQc0d24_XJo2bYCzhzdi7rOUOm2zpX8NCZuuUWz66srALFEFXzRdRu9gkn1ASYHcps9ZDu835Vau7JOD25EzvSUdZ2NW2Le/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_jhRMjG5dTpE4X507LdQUaNG2bDANFxqD4ri_z0WVvFYBeQc0d24_XJo2bYCzhzdi7rOUOm2zpX8NCZuuUWz66srALFEFXzRdRu9gkn1ASYHcps9ZDu835Vau7JOD25EzvSUdZ2NW2Le/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pf9eGzjukZP3oGMMReKDK1Uf0N1nCycGE6azDZqyqDYmtOeFB0tLCzLGTdDcK5e4lzXdZXt_DujETjE0W7BQu6db6f9PtD1J0ARz4omMY5U2C1LB2A080Ya4jK2_xSFna-LmNui-BItn/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pf9eGzjukZP3oGMMReKDK1Uf0N1nCycGE6azDZqyqDYmtOeFB0tLCzLGTdDcK5e4lzXdZXt_DujETjE0W7BQu6db6f9PtD1J0ARz4omMY5U2C1LB2A080Ya4jK2_xSFna-LmNui-BItn/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebtWor0iBWkrp5CrTaBkzfPwjBKTW-ZFM5iGRxCDp6FVIdAkvb3wZ82WACy7Dm83ZepvJdmxeXD1EI023ZMF2bXhBUdyQAUKaSKpDIEE616jAah6ek02ezr1J36EG996gh-V7g7Gj5VX_/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebtWor0iBWkrp5CrTaBkzfPwjBKTW-ZFM5iGRxCDp6FVIdAkvb3wZ82WACy7Dm83ZepvJdmxeXD1EI023ZMF2bXhBUdyQAUKaSKpDIEE616jAah6ek02ezr1J36EG996gh-V7g7Gj5VX_/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqEiprvvoYK8pvx_kMDUH-ZDjXG7WpFUbyPFRuT_oQHebh2fW9IltO3EY_Lc_Vek4rToAHVKxIV9m44GzCH_wSLUB5OAJe67WVvhxpiO-dlzne7tv5AmmO8NGroOhUwNy432i9Zv8SBh0/s1600/photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqEiprvvoYK8pvx_kMDUH-ZDjXG7WpFUbyPFRuT_oQHebh2fW9IltO3EY_Lc_Vek4rToAHVKxIV9m44GzCH_wSLUB5OAJe67WVvhxpiO-dlzne7tv5AmmO8NGroOhUwNy432i9Zv8SBh0/s1600/photo+5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A flurry of posts on various MD sites identified it as a
pewter rattail spoon, circa 1750-1760.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Then I queried Wayne Hilt, a renowned pewter spoon expert. Here's what he said:<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Nice find. The spoon is in my opinion an 18th century item...The shape of the bowl an elongated taper oval originated around 1720+_. This form of bowl was used both in England and the Continent as well as America through around 1760-1780. During those latter years the design developed into a more tapered form.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The cast decoration on the handle is interesting. the raised "shell" on the face was undoubtedly produced when the mold was first made. the additional decoration shown in photo 3 are likely additions cut into the mold by one of its owners. The quality of the shell is superb while the back of the handle work is far cruder.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The rib up the back of the Bowl is typically early 18th century, while the shape of end of the handle design is more a mid to 3rd quarter design...The form in general reminds me of a European rather than English/American design.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />As this is a "relic" I would not attempt any "fix" of the crack...if handled with caution it should be fine.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks, Wayne!<br />
<br />
I just can't get over the fact that this item was found about 30 feet from the water's edge, about 12 inches deep in the sand.<br />
<br />
Also found this honking pile of rust and almost threw it
out, but decided to take it home and de-rust it.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ypw0wQI9SPA_Zit0rALuutpJl5oeh_GhfrF25rzh8adA9ZhU1niii0Uw811Bi3_4HtTM8xaA9te7Y4mYBFmUHJe0UHPRIL9cMifIXarvBWRz-h75ZXKgXw5GjyuT1X74uv5tTDKNaV8E/s1600/IMG_3281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ypw0wQI9SPA_Zit0rALuutpJl5oeh_GhfrF25rzh8adA9ZhU1niii0Uw811Bi3_4HtTM8xaA9te7Y4mYBFmUHJe0UHPRIL9cMifIXarvBWRz-h75ZXKgXw5GjyuT1X74uv5tTDKNaV8E/s1600/IMG_3281.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwxwHaoY0u9DSEpNwRJpTiIXxsAQC3MJcDzKpFy32lnBDy3PIUAMiJV6jSkmR8Y9V5ci9Fr76SAu73DWwx7re_rwdzaQCoWt5qoyuEDF7UsojBlr7JTXVJanM5Z8tyq5Me2pZvmAj_c5r/s1600/IMG_3285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwxwHaoY0u9DSEpNwRJpTiIXxsAQC3MJcDzKpFy32lnBDy3PIUAMiJV6jSkmR8Y9V5ci9Fr76SAu73DWwx7re_rwdzaQCoWt5qoyuEDF7UsojBlr7JTXVJanM5Z8tyq5Me2pZvmAj_c5r/s1600/IMG_3285.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm. Numbers...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvoPNQHI8I-XyFlfbA8r9bv6elU19EP8fj8mvQvT5NVUYKQBcTBg5pBq5HK1vncRZV-Co9Xkcq70_BI6ii2qnBQJLqNoHVLMWwJVpDAVZxU2Yilv9iIw3FCq3PcRXmbEf0O2pukFGRLFw/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvoPNQHI8I-XyFlfbA8r9bv6elU19EP8fj8mvQvT5NVUYKQBcTBg5pBq5HK1vncRZV-Co9Xkcq70_BI6ii2qnBQJLqNoHVLMWwJVpDAVZxU2Yilv9iIw3FCq3PcRXmbEf0O2pukFGRLFw/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a silver-plated something or other.<br />
Any ideas? Ashtray? Spoon rest?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, this cool old souvenir thing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTvHmDKpijYpFU5AWicgOHePGQHCQh0U9d6puHqbIdLAjxxnhMWQgdtfHMVf9mhXIOI-HulycZ6KgRkX3Kb_9G_5glduwmO0wOhKjgcldxq7UBCpPeUqEWHBShBbfmejKHXLARIGoPucC/s1600/IMG_3240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTvHmDKpijYpFU5AWicgOHePGQHCQh0U9d6puHqbIdLAjxxnhMWQgdtfHMVf9mhXIOI-HulycZ6KgRkX3Kb_9G_5glduwmO0wOhKjgcldxq7UBCpPeUqEWHBShBbfmejKHXLARIGoPucC/s1600/IMG_3240.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to see here, but there is an image of a<br />
Native American man on a horse, looking<br />
up to the sky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer is over. I’m back to writing (the dreaded dayjob) and
teaching the sticky little chilluns to point their feet (wonderful dayjob). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh. Sure do miss the beach…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last weekend, I ventured south of town to a 100-acre
construction site I had permission to hunt. It had been pretty much scraped
clean but I managed to find a smattering of the usual ordinary old home site
stuff: parts of oil lamps, mason jar lids. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also found this. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxu-O5UxUNe9rN-ovKWEwk4MF2viyBlRo45blH4Xt8vDMUji3T8Y0Owb78Si2WWuU78UhuSIa4pMTMQeEB65Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I won’t be exploring it further, but it got under my skin
and I wrote a song about it which I'll post later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s it for now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh! I know! One other thing. Recorded THREE more songs for
the metal detecting record. They are:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Triune<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Battlefield<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How’d This Get Here?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4XO5WQ0DP8DKjHEVKL9bQjv-WcExGFoYiBdz68P7Yeznua21_Ri1b62y6-cKwIuv2XjvMIS-PNTyzzDhnrVOHxgEIuYyrRHYioocB4MospYr7n4y_9bk66TSk__a4e2MIzOxMoNMloBw/s1600/IMG_3306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4XO5WQ0DP8DKjHEVKL9bQjv-WcExGFoYiBdz68P7Yeznua21_Ri1b62y6-cKwIuv2XjvMIS-PNTyzzDhnrVOHxgEIuYyrRHYioocB4MospYr7n4y_9bk66TSk__a4e2MIzOxMoNMloBw/s1600/IMG_3306.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They sound fantastic. I think we might actually meet our early
November deadline for getting this thing out into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where it is so badly needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that dream at the beginning? That wasn’t a dream. Every
single business card I have handed out over the past year has referred folks to
Dirt GIRT Unleashed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New cards have been ordered.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-53274251424159139922014-07-05T08:53:00.001-07:002014-07-05T15:20:51.911-07:00Egypt<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I write these words, a cool and gentle Nashville night is
being punctuated by bottle rockets and … (gosh, I cannot think of any other
fireworks names due to wine from Costco. I’ll make some up: clackers, giant
sky roses, frenetic street snakes, smokesters…). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, yeah. It’s the Fourth of July and in honor of The Birth
of This Great Nation, I spent the afternoon digging in the dirt trying to find
things that used to belong to people who actually lived back when the nation
was born.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found a pharaoh. But I’m getting ahead of myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not long after I wrote the last post, I ventured back to the
Ranchion for one final pokearound. It was hot and buggy and I could only last
about an hour. Dug foil and a few clad pennies. So disappointing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until I got home and one of the clad pennies revealed itself
to be this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYqYJ0w2-PLuXQe1_f-tWnuWgoAcWRYLlWLqWBratKWj5JPalkTPq73Yk4Np5z2mRoZBd70-Ybm4kBOlmmNDvnN-WeuBTaR9fn-rEQA-YySLwRFFvCeRu63F8hzSoat8cdyIS_tQtqfEv/s1600/photo-161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYqYJ0w2-PLuXQe1_f-tWnuWgoAcWRYLlWLqWBratKWj5JPalkTPq73Yk4Np5z2mRoZBd70-Ybm4kBOlmmNDvnN-WeuBTaR9fn-rEQA-YySLwRFFvCeRu63F8hzSoat8cdyIS_tQtqfEv/s1600/photo-161.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An 18?? Shield Nickel (can't read the date). <br />
These were issued from 1866-1883 and <br />
were the first five-cent coins referred <br />
to as "nickels." So you can<br />
stop wondering about that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above coin bagged me THIRD PLACE in the monthly
coin competition at the June meeting of the Middle Tennessee Metal Detecting
Club. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One morning, Cheryl and I set out to explore the East Nashville
yard of a charming young man who plays with the Nashville Symphony. Here’s my
haul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbz3xlUBmrMIB3ut_qlT7sc0Af8N8poKWJARDRYh5ROfSkyeYePUpD5_yum0YHxuH7cjCa8RwPhaBpjQ_wcJt0uXVP18oxn-Visamnhl0AoWW1WKyapfifn4-4hww9ZLD7r5QKoCUAXFw/s1600/photo-162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbz3xlUBmrMIB3ut_qlT7sc0Af8N8poKWJARDRYh5ROfSkyeYePUpD5_yum0YHxuH7cjCa8RwPhaBpjQ_wcJt0uXVP18oxn-Visamnhl0AoWW1WKyapfifn4-4hww9ZLD7r5QKoCUAXFw/s1600/photo-162.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl found a different-looking tag with the same number.<br />
We think they were tags off of telephone or electrical poles.<br />
Who doesn't like a good tag?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the real prize of the hunt was when he invited us inside
and played a beautiful Brahms piece on the piano AND gave us each a quart of
black raspberries. Way to own a home, homeowner!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were having way too much fun to call it a day, so we headed
to a lawn south of town. Cheryl and Doug had dug it before but it was new to
me. The homeowners, an elderly couple, are the kind of people who say, “Oh,
heavens, sweetie…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>y’all come by anytime
you want to! You don't even have to call ahead. It’s just grass; you can’t hurt
a thing!” which is to say that these homeowners are saints of a special sort.
Their footprints glow – that kind of thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a good day. It had rained recently and the ground was
perfecto. Here’s what I found.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTtDSoZgiNwLyDpL3JQSQqYv-q70QZpq0OUCgCFhdThyhXz-XzDXewBntDQJQTvekZRfP_Sj7pJioKeBPCiqqUZvR_Zhb6snHJKI3pkTScZ_8Ot2q1FgfIC-JHselKNCd8geavcfbrgbq/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTtDSoZgiNwLyDpL3JQSQqYv-q70QZpq0OUCgCFhdThyhXz-XzDXewBntDQJQTvekZRfP_Sj7pJioKeBPCiqqUZvR_Zhb6snHJKI3pkTScZ_8Ot2q1FgfIC-JHselKNCd8geavcfbrgbq/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise, from top: uniform eagle button, cool buckle,<br />
bumpy lead thing possibly pounded from bullet<br />
(any ideas?), 1911 penny, boot tip, two Minie balls,<br />
one Enfield bullet, two Spencer carbine shells.<br />
Center: Brooke ratchet plate sabot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I'm digging on a battle site, I am very mindful of what went on here. One friend told me that this spot was particularly bloody. "Dead upon dead" as he put it. It's hard to reconcile with the gracious, verdant, quiet neighborhood it is now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some more views of the item in the center, which
caused quite the flurry on Facebook when I posted a photo of it wondering if it
was maybe a piece of plumbing or lawn equipment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out a Brooke ratchet plate sabot is
quite rare – a very particular bottom of a very particular artillery shell. People
collect these items and I shall sell it, eventually, but for now it’s hanging
around on my desk. I wrote a song about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysw0aebG3fuYPdoA16fdctz064uTmLhIRUBJAcAoqcajLwNyOJ8R-J3JtI-ve2rLaQ_IeiH5cX7ExEeBy1BD5jJJZN4lDKwUO-V8vlsU-RREqv88NvIQnwEkof-AQqMmn11o0Bv3OZFrj/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysw0aebG3fuYPdoA16fdctz064uTmLhIRUBJAcAoqcajLwNyOJ8R-J3JtI-ve2rLaQ_IeiH5cX7ExEeBy1BD5jJJZN4lDKwUO-V8vlsU-RREqv88NvIQnwEkof-AQqMmn11o0Bv3OZFrj/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxAZ3KrNSWhl2h2WDYYsvctg64b1Vd8Twy6qBdk6fsRvZKOvYGtBaa67ekOEiEIbsnVn_FuaomrMpqCrV-p1IjzzTXAky4adYze421Q8jQYG5cQ0DncmjRikY1F7BomWLOeQoT41GuoN6/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxAZ3KrNSWhl2h2WDYYsvctg64b1Vd8Twy6qBdk6fsRvZKOvYGtBaa67ekOEiEIbsnVn_FuaomrMpqCrV-p1IjzzTXAky4adYze421Q8jQYG5cQ0DncmjRikY1F7BomWLOeQoT41GuoN6/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHd5QgpuUi5zFJ8TwIM0GXZbLs6ujJ-OkTaM2k3qUXHqiLHumw6BjnD4rHVafkmdiPLYwd7LcmA8ZHHT1ch33D79IRT5TkVOZPwr2eBfojN0yOIPpQ7PbIx_uGYz7WKfSjdu-fSOYzzUz/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHd5QgpuUi5zFJ8TwIM0GXZbLs6ujJ-OkTaM2k3qUXHqiLHumw6BjnD4rHVafkmdiPLYwd7LcmA8ZHHT1ch33D79IRT5TkVOZPwr2eBfojN0yOIPpQ7PbIx_uGYz7WKfSjdu-fSOYzzUz/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s another view of that beautiful buckle, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in situ</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArKDDPqPcMd_Wt8iBTqYtr589KPQRPUOBQP9uJIdg9b8mpGTuigmR8y_577zz484tUIuG4BH8jkTS5cBDNHC2u8U9RfVKnVyUI323tBGlBYJWIGE8iMhYPGbh98MIe2ghIlpb9ks8o10S/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArKDDPqPcMd_Wt8iBTqYtr589KPQRPUOBQP9uJIdg9b8mpGTuigmR8y_577zz484tUIuG4BH8jkTS5cBDNHC2u8U9RfVKnVyUI323tBGlBYJWIGE8iMhYPGbh98MIe2ghIlpb9ks8o10S/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's dated 1856 (?).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Also, the Enfield bullet.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpJqO3Y6ld_U3XdL2EDwkOKwrnC1tOo9_NooVZntcDBEfJRP6iWYUP1piFZzecyFjrb8wcCZZWTQ0I8BPVu8Eyt9eWQ4fYVFyg6p8W7knh3aiI6-sjbHHjr5kFwU58jsEXkR9yjxizlvt/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpJqO3Y6ld_U3XdL2EDwkOKwrnC1tOo9_NooVZntcDBEfJRP6iWYUP1piFZzecyFjrb8wcCZZWTQ0I8BPVu8Eyt9eWQ4fYVFyg6p8W7knh3aiI6-sjbHHjr5kFwU58jsEXkR9yjxizlvt/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, we went back another day and I bagged a
beautiful, huge horse shoe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb32jFfcgwS6LWXkgK7W19HgkRDXEsW-kxra9Klo56gjxXqdAS0r_SaBcsN4q6I7fZg0AKq_4IY_5DAyxqBLzsiBu_L0kFWQwF7qs8D0CdbsLH9NIeJJUNGMGdx_OcxTS_-Hr84ICkAgQ/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb32jFfcgwS6LWXkgK7W19HgkRDXEsW-kxra9Klo56gjxXqdAS0r_SaBcsN4q6I7fZg0AKq_4IY_5DAyxqBLzsiBu_L0kFWQwF7qs8D0CdbsLH9NIeJJUNGMGdx_OcxTS_-Hr84ICkAgQ/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like to imagine it was from a heroic horse in the
Battle of Nashville, but that land was farmed long before the Civil War and
long after too. So it might have just been from Old Bessie. I’ll never know for
sure. It's currently taking a long, leisurely bubble bath in the electric soup, getting derusted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alone one day, I paid a quick visit to a house on Brush Hill
that I bet I’ve hunted 20 times. It always delivers, particularly after a good
rain. I’m also way more skilled with my Fisher F75 now and that results in new
finds at old, “hunted out” haunts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s some of what I pulled out:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK7kAVeYk2GW4LQytjgqh9MAgRYkj1Z0az_wJtQjT_LORbiLtfiuFhd2IlsidS_kTgkPtXX_wP6GAX1C42dcsvIxIvbAqkDSPgzitO5pUIc1zpSsPfjwUye6yHz-XdfEeZy-hAl3f5769/s1600/photo+1-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK7kAVeYk2GW4LQytjgqh9MAgRYkj1Z0az_wJtQjT_LORbiLtfiuFhd2IlsidS_kTgkPtXX_wP6GAX1C42dcsvIxIvbAqkDSPgzitO5pUIc1zpSsPfjwUye6yHz-XdfEeZy-hAl3f5769/s1600/photo+1-3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of shield (maybe off an old bike?), three<br />
flat buttons, spoon I broke....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gilt on that center button is really gorgeous. You know, back from the day when tradespeople put decorative patterns and gold gilt on the BACKS of buttons, so the muslin could enjoy looking at it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuY9B_v9fdZcsaXkrTlZbB2tIztWCsp3ntV-TMlBuD92w3in7vbCCuVYHdtGanZ1bv5fS8A_RIc52BwG0ZcFvRJ-HGutg5vf3908G-zfDSanRwg2mblio9CVoNGa3ymrha84QJd8AK0RR/s1600/photo+2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuY9B_v9fdZcsaXkrTlZbB2tIztWCsp3ntV-TMlBuD92w3in7vbCCuVYHdtGanZ1bv5fS8A_RIc52BwG0ZcFvRJ-HGutg5vf3908G-zfDSanRwg2mblio9CVoNGa3ymrha84QJd8AK0RR/s1600/photo+2-2.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really love this too. Looks like a tiny lock from an old box or desk. If you look up close, it's covered with beautiful carvings. I just stared at them through my loop and thought about the nameless artisan who decided to put floral carvings no one ever notice on a tiny lock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07FVqHsDeK3L99RIrXqKkg5YvvDj_W52OOQxChs6TOZUNMqW-mM50GTEvLjVITGLXarPAeFwDa6a0_QWBpWMtZjzdygdgZh9fu0dt-MP1vFyFk2cjeKKmqZf4VjQHfo4XTHCVWyJS6KvR/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07FVqHsDeK3L99RIrXqKkg5YvvDj_W52OOQxChs6TOZUNMqW-mM50GTEvLjVITGLXarPAeFwDa6a0_QWBpWMtZjzdygdgZh9fu0dt-MP1vFyFk2cjeKKmqZf4VjQHfo4XTHCVWyJS6KvR/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I honor thee, long-ago artisan. You were<br />
really good at curlicues.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this find really schnockered me. It was a delicate but
consistent signal, right down by the road. Initially thought it was maybe part
of a costume jewelry earring and threw it in the bag without really looking at
it. But later, up close...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XQcYVuNVjrQpash-LW7lTp_V4t9VuteZDHt29HvptyDezqU6tAmdgua-SkEgtbOi_UCkBKxgLhdawJUw862DfFkekAYuLvp8vWPcw9VtMFMZAPdyyjQuvZvdDJzaibbDD4-W-O-glVeA/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XQcYVuNVjrQpash-LW7lTp_V4t9VuteZDHt29HvptyDezqU6tAmdgua-SkEgtbOi_UCkBKxgLhdawJUw862DfFkekAYuLvp8vWPcw9VtMFMZAPdyyjQuvZvdDJzaibbDD4-W-O-glVeA/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cufflinks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaherzJlZj_wuXkZ7EuqJAzq7MTgXoLaRK0hwF00v4z-PseqU-B53TFYVU6fPjvq4lIHcS8W-Kr17C9YoG8g8VJGGoJML8yq1Idw0uAvYiHf_Tz-f850QZMqh96Uas-biM5BaNZgOKnyuw/s1600/photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaherzJlZj_wuXkZ7EuqJAzq7MTgXoLaRK0hwF00v4z-PseqU-B53TFYVU6fPjvq4lIHcS8W-Kr17C9YoG8g8VJGGoJML8yq1Idw0uAvYiHf_Tz-f850QZMqh96Uas-biM5BaNZgOKnyuw/s1600/photo+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also called sleeve-links!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT-aO6vVX9jlWIw0-bZ3fcDBxV4lzDlnYPj_cfQOX6hO1wI589IHYTFFJPhdRZ5JVaEYAC5gPCd95d03-EXJ9kGLj7jq3u7dGTElnhm0u_dBLM7JASwOetVMWTybgH2WPsIjuNaBgy2wv/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT-aO6vVX9jlWIw0-bZ3fcDBxV4lzDlnYPj_cfQOX6hO1wI589IHYTFFJPhdRZ5JVaEYAC5gPCd95d03-EXJ9kGLj7jq3u7dGTElnhm0u_dBLM7JASwOetVMWTybgH2WPsIjuNaBgy2wv/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT063wH2n9IYoFF2JsApHJxdifE_kRxu7pPiXBrRDjyiF4EoxDo2S45ncUVlYyYpRJMcWzKO_Uh-4qwmWRkUVNc-flOaPpOKfT2PhHjT7i2-FPj0VkqFsv3qyo1Q_-rvrhaSi4yLk_pF2/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT063wH2n9IYoFF2JsApHJxdifE_kRxu7pPiXBrRDjyiF4EoxDo2S45ncUVlYyYpRJMcWzKO_Uh-4qwmWRkUVNc-flOaPpOKfT2PhHjT7i2-FPj0VkqFsv3qyo1Q_-rvrhaSi4yLk_pF2/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late 1700s-early 1800s cufflinks with a picture of a leaping<br />
fox and the word "TALLIO" on the top. I spent an embarrassing<br />
amount of time researching the "Tallio" family of Italy<br />
before learning that the word is an early version of "Tally-Ho!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hands down, one of my favorite finds of all time. Love
thinking about the man whose fingers fastened them through the cuffs of homespun
cloth, so long ago. And imagining the moment he dropped them, unknowing, hundreds of years ago. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Plink... they said, hitting the soft dirt; he never heard a thing.)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of days ago, I got permission to explore a property
I’ve been curious about for a while – a large, but very overgrown lot (think
billions of ticks) right on the Cumberland, just north of where I live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The homeowners had lost their keys and had
been asking around the neighborhood for an MDer and, due to my stellar
reputation (pushiness and borderline rude self-promotion) called Dirt Girl,
(not realizing how much saliva had been dribbled re their property by same.)
Though I tried valiantly, I never found the keys, but through the delightful
kindness of these lovely people, permission was granted to hunt their yard and
The Double Lot Next Door, so this afternoon, newbie Laura and I went over
there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is an amazing spot, high above the Cumberland and not at
all as overgrown as I’d thought. The chimney of an old house reached up out of
the brush to the sky. This had been the summer cabin of a wealthy Nashvillian,
who, according to his dirt, liked nothing better than to fire guns into the
Cumberland. Yes, there were hundreds of shells – NOT THAT I’M COMPLAINING. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laura and I valiantly dug them up for an hour or so along
with a couple of other fun items.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s some of our haul (we left out the pulltabs and
crushed Miller cans to protect your gentle sensibilities).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7ffM7XWYaZYafYjIzhM-YNl4cHqJHWD0bC_kKr_1JpzohEfIzOY9wQ0B-jsszJBj7dGd5kKi7aLQoO6Uo8gojA4tR-A6yicdvQEhA_Vhbb_KuWB3_SewXiA2e6uUsAVvw1nr8izdHW8G/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7ffM7XWYaZYafYjIzhM-YNl4cHqJHWD0bC_kKr_1JpzohEfIzOY9wQ0B-jsszJBj7dGd5kKi7aLQoO6Uo8gojA4tR-A6yicdvQEhA_Vhbb_KuWB3_SewXiA2e6uUsAVvw1nr8izdHW8G/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really liked this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsCJWVwtSEqmnizl_-5HU6FesXNgWUUDOF1xYL5Q8s3rvEf42uQw_KsGLa266DKjJumPRJe-XdJf5I79O_7Jg9SF15zNHhbUFMcyobSA5XXXBzo8NbzZ_B-ylPlaxh5HwHPsqm2lZNDtR/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsCJWVwtSEqmnizl_-5HU6FesXNgWUUDOF1xYL5Q8s3rvEf42uQw_KsGLa266DKjJumPRJe-XdJf5I79O_7Jg9SF15zNHhbUFMcyobSA5XXXBzo8NbzZ_B-ylPlaxh5HwHPsqm2lZNDtR/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool old brass hanger thing, shown here<br />
against a photo of Stephen Gaskin, who<br />
died a few days ago. Stephen was the<br />
hippie iconoclast who founded The Farm<br />
in Summertown, TN. His teachings<br />
and those of his wife, Ina May, inform<br />
my life in every way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Nu0wsEr9LTmTuGokPuI6kU5lAnvRmukqaBRez6E9b7aq5h2D5T5h99aOfinpD5Vlp6Vmj1WESRbmIO1sJzgJyzqCmhyPJvWr03WFA396Mp07XyS6F-D4aSzly3SfsnApOhix7MrChtZc/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Nu0wsEr9LTmTuGokPuI6kU5lAnvRmukqaBRez6E9b7aq5h2D5T5h99aOfinpD5Vlp6Vmj1WESRbmIO1sJzgJyzqCmhyPJvWr03WFA396Mp07XyS6F-D4aSzly3SfsnApOhix7MrChtZc/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piece of a pocketwatch from the American Watch Company,<br />
Waltham, Mass. shown here against the cover of<br />
my friend Korby Lenker's new CD.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And here, as promised, is my pharaoh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6MO9xt-TvFMFU4GaCRGmCtFrXmDJ-hd2DfUOJNVqJn5NJlxirIuL5toVOR4JVylZ7qCuzdZU4BlcOrWN1oWa90WkdSYlPCY2kEW6UOOYraptzG64-yjt0zpnw4Jerk-rcQ7Mph0db8J6/s1600/photo-165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6MO9xt-TvFMFU4GaCRGmCtFrXmDJ-hd2DfUOJNVqJn5NJlxirIuL5toVOR4JVylZ7qCuzdZU4BlcOrWN1oWa90WkdSYlPCY2kEW6UOOYraptzG64-yjt0zpnw4Jerk-rcQ7Mph0db8J6/s1600/photo-165.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Posted it on FB so that other people could do my research for me, as I am a lazy ne'er-do-well. Turns out it’s a link in a 1920s-era belt. Love it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqIaumboALaPUdtrvY4mMSIN4t_jykQy1Ewjs2WdApQuQnVWqWUmW0zlzgUNVWilowtjSrfxPEbo6z6yy9gbAM7qz0n4-pyTiGFWtNKa64ix7ML3v7_AADx78CDgwcDvTOEEyjaAFoR6-/s1600/10489691_10100602048841138_5303949124547418167_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqIaumboALaPUdtrvY4mMSIN4t_jykQy1Ewjs2WdApQuQnVWqWUmW0zlzgUNVWilowtjSrfxPEbo6z6yy9gbAM7qz0n4-pyTiGFWtNKa64ix7ML3v7_AADx78CDgwcDvTOEEyjaAFoR6-/s1600/10489691_10100602048841138_5303949124547418167_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the ID, Johnny Pryor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the best moment of the day was dear Laura, walking up to
me tentatively holding HER FIRST MINIE BALL!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzxRKf4qT96vMQYFOhKQj2Srk6cyOO_s_c_nLkOOPzwLsyGxnKwIwS-8gYzb_m46RwONHm3jlEEWrg1-i2WNWcdFR5oRBf0G24n0TQq3XMwuXVd-yyp58iR798l8Nl5DVxl2L1iFNM7jV/s1600/photo-165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzxRKf4qT96vMQYFOhKQj2Srk6cyOO_s_c_nLkOOPzwLsyGxnKwIwS-8gYzb_m46RwONHm3jlEEWrg1-i2WNWcdFR5oRBf0G24n0TQq3XMwuXVd-yyp58iR798l8Nl5DVxl2L1iFNM7jV/s1600/photo-165.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I think this is a bullet?" she said.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6ZsjFrqqsrZvNJOWfDOvg5bRnr4sieG-5M6ltNaGCjZenYo-Z6GrAEnor5EXocAoDBV_SM8IQMDdMvu7egbn7WW9tLVUXs0N0K6Q2zZopj0tzsMQa2FLLWLJiXZBvDY0ilbrgQOlvn4k/s1600/10449977_10202007928147186_7454729490494700111_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6ZsjFrqqsrZvNJOWfDOvg5bRnr4sieG-5M6ltNaGCjZenYo-Z6GrAEnor5EXocAoDBV_SM8IQMDdMvu7egbn7WW9tLVUXs0N0K6Q2zZopj0tzsMQa2FLLWLJiXZBvDY0ilbrgQOlvn4k/s1600/10449977_10202007928147186_7454729490494700111_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. Yes, it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To celebrate, we went to Dairy Queen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-25924224221316040682014-05-24T16:37:00.001-07:002014-05-24T19:26:47.304-07:00Fame Comes A-Callin'....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, free legal advice:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you go to a Civil War battlefield and strike the ground
with your hand and record the sound for a record of metal detecting songs, you
will be fined $40.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So… don't do that, says Dirt Girl’s dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a few tidbits to share.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yup, you read the headline correctly. Cheryl and I were
contacted by a New York City casting agency. Someone (not sure who because it
is apparently a HUGE AND IMPORTANT SECRET) is developing a pilot for a treasure
hunting show. "Sort of like American Pickers but for treasure hunters!" Would we like to fill out an application?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No! I responded. We are not like those dumbasses on Diggers
who bellow about "Nectar!" and hang from trees when they unearth coins that have been
clearly planted by the production interns the night before. We are not like
that at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I countered: might they be interested in some metal
detecting <i>songs</i>? I have a few of those. Not their department, they said. They
just do the casting. Why not just fill out the application? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we filled it out and the next day, they requested
a Skype interview.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made it clear that Cheryl and I aren’t treasure hunters,
specifically. That is to say, we do not slither into crawlspaces, tear apart
walls, get dropped down wells, etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We do metal detecting. We are really good at spending hours
being utterly boring to watch: swinging our Fisher F75s, then crouching down,
then peering at something without the benefit of reading glasses, then looking
disgusted and disappointed. Maybe once an hour we will look happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv66IfsP5xD7B1CTpDiJVo2GtyoyQ07syQJzen8_cOOfotI3FUOdqXt11adarzjjGizOpUlVARuGyfIXXModT6dLY0fvgYubKW8ZltZdSvW7YXT4XRbVUJPthRr32k-myrHkEZFy_12yh/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv66IfsP5xD7B1CTpDiJVo2GtyoyQ07syQJzen8_cOOfotI3FUOdqXt11adarzjjGizOpUlVARuGyfIXXModT6dLY0fvgYubKW8ZltZdSvW7YXT4XRbVUJPthRr32k-myrHkEZFy_12yh/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not like this. This is sarcasm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But despite this honest <i>caveat</i>, the 14-year-old casting lady still wanted to interview us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day of the interview, I flat-ironed my hair – OF COURSE
– and updated Skype to the latest version. At noon, Cheryl came over and we did
what anyone would do an hour prior to a potentially life-changing Skype
interview: we went and got delicious margaritas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 1 sharp, “Melissa” appeared on my screen and started asking us questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVT4Hl_dcrySXANXs6gQnMy8MYaaiFtFZZpfQFIggqDwIVBNXZFipruObJc17NQ6p4I8EWT8qyVuhD9eSa3S0X3rJ5h2Kx6fBdDdUo_Chi9Q8pEwxOHlKpc-qGhkegDJ48Lal4n07eriei/s1600/photo-154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVT4Hl_dcrySXANXs6gQnMy8MYaaiFtFZZpfQFIggqDwIVBNXZFipruObJc17NQ6p4I8EWT8qyVuhD9eSa3S0X3rJ5h2Kx6fBdDdUo_Chi9Q8pEwxOHlKpc-qGhkegDJ48Lal4n07eriei/s1600/photo-154.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really, really tried to record this monumental<br />
event for posterity -- or at least this blog-- by<br />
having Al take a picture of us being interviewed<br />
but "Melissa" would have none of it. She<br />
saw him point his phone at us and said, "NO!"<br />
and clicked her "hide" button. Apparently,<br />
taking photos during a casting interview<br />
is <i>not</i> OK. She remained hidden for the<br />
duration of the interview, leading us to<br />
suspect there was Someone Else With<br />
Her who wished to remain anonymous.<br />
WHO COULD IT BE? We never learned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>I have to say, Cheryl and I were almost dangerously
adorable. We love to talk about MD and shared some of our more bizarre and
funny stories. We laughed and joked, finished each other’s sentences and showed
“Melissa” some of our more interesting finds by holding them up to the camera
in my computer screen, sometimes making sound effects.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forty minutes flew by. When we signed off, we were high as
kites. We knew our chances were slim to none, being as how we are MIDDLE AGED
WOMEN and therefore invisible to American media, so we just appreciated the
experience for what it was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been over two weeks now, and we haven’t heard anything
more, so it (whatever “it” is – we have no details…) is probably not going to
happen. If I'm disappointed at all, it's not because we won't get to be on TV (anyone who's read my memoir, Not About Madonna, knows how I feel about that) -- it's that they probably could have scored us some really good places to dig.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But you know, we seem to be doing pretty well on our own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One beautiful Saturday, Cheryl and I decided to check out
the Bank of Harmonica again (see last post). As we pulled in, we noticed a man
mowing his lawn two doors down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hmm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a little stroll in his direction and engaged him in
polite conversation. Turns out Luis is a delightful, friendly homeowner and
allowed us to detect his sizeable property, which more or less abuts the bank.
He had halfheartedly MD’d his yard some years back, had dug a bunch of
horseshoes and a log-splitter, then returned the detector to the dealer. Not
his thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a problem. We had a lovely time. Didn’t find much, as we
were trying to be very careful with his lawn (it hasn’t rained in weeks) but I
did find this lovely axe head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh056U6GTNe-HUyTCA663DuzscjdWairNald1DG70M6bGZI2m3Nxx3lTEV3DLdpA9j_nt_J2ZKR1lt5W9fGTG9Yinu2rvJSrNgp8lspTDGHPzeiiqHubqmoccHrkFQg_iOOv3zUD36sPtFE/s1600/photo-158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh056U6GTNe-HUyTCA663DuzscjdWairNald1DG70M6bGZI2m3Nxx3lTEV3DLdpA9j_nt_J2ZKR1lt5W9fGTG9Yinu2rvJSrNgp8lspTDGHPzeiiqHubqmoccHrkFQg_iOOv3zUD36sPtFE/s1600/photo-158.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-electric soup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jls6QgJjvWx8fjiDFC_6X0YqHDbLCkwvyibcFLtyy4M_vUEJgFJdY20oWo3S-qj55cjxQ7ooiSkuwD5R5KuCMVsKf_BpHyYl6n_knUOuh4p0r8Xv42-rUzg2XhVVLYvufDztX7P1k6ff/s1600/photo-160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jls6QgJjvWx8fjiDFC_6X0YqHDbLCkwvyibcFLtyy4M_vUEJgFJdY20oWo3S-qj55cjxQ7ooiSkuwD5R5KuCMVsKf_BpHyYl6n_knUOuh4p0r8Xv42-rUzg2XhVVLYvufDztX7P1k6ff/s1600/photo-160.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-electric soup. I am delivering this beautiful<br />
axe head to Luis as soon as I finish this blog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought this was a piece of foil until I got it home and
cleaned up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzQv16UJOMjL0EX8-YSV3AuE1Kx1ompljb9KfPwNh8NiQ-tSbwFej9nt_M6-962codqHDaO-NsqakruL9sHdvNCckzezG-ef7CHvRdqcXXVojdLgtzRH6isOcVY5GR1ay3RRcNPJORB2V/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzQv16UJOMjL0EX8-YSV3AuE1Kx1ompljb9KfPwNh8NiQ-tSbwFej9nt_M6-962codqHDaO-NsqakruL9sHdvNCckzezG-ef7CHvRdqcXXVojdLgtzRH6isOcVY5GR1ay3RRcNPJORB2V/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badge from the Improved Order of Red Men.<br />
Not a whole lot to say about that. You can<br />
look it up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Also found these interesting goodies.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDv0iGtqYXMKiO-aiQCv9oVne6Ug1OdWv33i6ljdAWcSBqL3Zo7XuH8MyW1fKdhUzsfI9aLlzCn-m3oR0PBNuNi4Lp2kyd9svgMMN5UKbqiolL_fDBfpKEWZaMU-d2L21ycU5SVmfK9ze/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDv0iGtqYXMKiO-aiQCv9oVne6Ug1OdWv33i6ljdAWcSBqL3Zo7XuH8MyW1fKdhUzsfI9aLlzCn-m3oR0PBNuNi4Lp2kyd9svgMMN5UKbqiolL_fDBfpKEWZaMU-d2L21ycU5SVmfK9ze/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were mashed together with a rusted<br />
ring (since broken). I'm a little confused...<br />
top one looks like a New York State dog tag<br />
from 1932, but the other one says, "Virginia"<br />
on the side. Was that the doggie's name?<br />
Or the state? I do think it's very polite of them <br />
to refer to her as a "female dog."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfnNE0Y_9aTrkkKUEFnvrS7rHT4MkV8stw4f_9V3c9c6SwagY4clr1LfHlqD5O49wPUckEE4jVgJGYUDcja0lOj6JG7SBgJ9m8Mzm0G22vWT-YmIjIpZupvH5MiMA0RUbiT7bb4CwtuS7/s1600/photo-155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfnNE0Y_9aTrkkKUEFnvrS7rHT4MkV8stw4f_9V3c9c6SwagY4clr1LfHlqD5O49wPUckEE4jVgJGYUDcja0lOj6JG7SBgJ9m8Mzm0G22vWT-YmIjIpZupvH5MiMA0RUbiT7bb4CwtuS7/s1600/photo-155.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I challenge you to look up Challenge overalls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGzwHR8GkBFyNlJnSGyRCRYcTZpelI1XynbtHw7_oD9_Ksbt2kLxHzJ_cqeWlPby-wUe0mkmWxtvmyVVZHdJlI2ugPvH5KQYYNxXwUfcqJnIlqhL7NZHIe-3vTyfzWEDvYMuGIOZzJRc8/s1600/photo-156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGzwHR8GkBFyNlJnSGyRCRYcTZpelI1XynbtHw7_oD9_Ksbt2kLxHzJ_cqeWlPby-wUe0mkmWxtvmyVVZHdJlI2ugPvH5KQYYNxXwUfcqJnIlqhL7NZHIe-3vTyfzWEDvYMuGIOZzJRc8/s1600/photo-156.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffles, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0wMYUllCNNrRJqKU4Q0TiGTLefEL0OZduEGqNXFDQinTTqbfMDEsAQW0QlCc56kaBk6wXc6dwHoNV00LSashWIpO3oz0PH0R8WYjQIdoLR3qxpceaY7zmeazHZ-X_1bkdyhdENBMbdBx/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0wMYUllCNNrRJqKU4Q0TiGTLefEL0OZduEGqNXFDQinTTqbfMDEsAQW0QlCc56kaBk6wXc6dwHoNV00LSashWIpO3oz0PH0R8WYjQIdoLR3qxpceaY7zmeazHZ-X_1bkdyhdENBMbdBx/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other odds and ends. Loving that buckle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Newbie Laura continues to show great enthusiasm for this
hobby, peppering my phone with texts like, “Are you finished with work yet? Can
you sneak away?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmrnenQ2A8rI5UQTsK58Y1RRPgKGOiBMzVNStIZjzmuWo3uHI0DcJTyulUxfAxMof8FGTjO5uG91wwCwzasGszz_KhVHYCjK0xfK7Taxm3paH0TMr2jAdLjq95jl4yJxLDEMXSYboZ4I0/s1600/photo-156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmrnenQ2A8rI5UQTsK58Y1RRPgKGOiBMzVNStIZjzmuWo3uHI0DcJTyulUxfAxMof8FGTjO5uG91wwCwzasGszz_KhVHYCjK0xfK7Taxm3paH0TMr2jAdLjq95jl4yJxLDEMXSYboZ4I0/s1600/photo-156.JPG" height="320" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura, sneaking away.<br />
<br />
But not me. I would never.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Sunday, I took her back to a farm in Hermitage I’ve
been slowly exploring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a huge
property with a long walk through ticky, snaky woods to an area that’s got “old
home site” written all over it. (The ground is full of iron and mason jar
lids.) But Cheryl and I have never quite found THE spot, as it’s very rough
going and quite overgrown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think we're getting closer, though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsq966SVfjE9yjmAoJjrsettKMDEM7VLVEiAXQ4KjcUdb5i5hJgRiiAuS0QS6Yv-QbXOHwLzTVEcZCm-Q-5uZ6HkJqsqxxxBlr6AFZNKN7KQ85z3Vqd23nIJJ_yoF-POWAUpdHN3kOZmj/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsq966SVfjE9yjmAoJjrsettKMDEM7VLVEiAXQ4KjcUdb5i5hJgRiiAuS0QS6Yv-QbXOHwLzTVEcZCm-Q-5uZ6HkJqsqxxxBlr6AFZNKN7KQ85z3Vqd23nIJJ_yoF-POWAUpdHN3kOZmj/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat button, buckles, thing with daisies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4t1kMQjQI4mHp2Le_hze7uFOnMwIxSBYFKKGStiO1JJxKpw7c7fn_xSWDd5c3kpfmT0pnxoi3h9bc3TdZ4x1o5o0aBNumTGJ6_KdroIj0nvNIQgETPm5y30ydguyswNB9ER0uG-i4Qwb/s1600/photo-157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4t1kMQjQI4mHp2Le_hze7uFOnMwIxSBYFKKGStiO1JJxKpw7c7fn_xSWDd5c3kpfmT0pnxoi3h9bc3TdZ4x1o5o0aBNumTGJ6_KdroIj0nvNIQgETPm5y30ydguyswNB9ER0uG-i4Qwb/s1600/photo-157.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Laura's finds, all cleaned up. Wish I'd taken a "before"<br />
pic. It looked like the Mickey Mouse of Rust.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> Laura and I swung, crouched, scrabbled and examined for hours, then limped back to the car in the fading light of a luscious Tennessee spring. As far as I know, neither of us had a tick. </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night, I lay on the sofa and caught up on some back
episodes of “Nashville” while sensing a demonic presence or two nearby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzwf5uVlQGBijETxL45hijg0MZYn3sjxOwmwkDOGIgpR3v81aqBd8dL8H01k7boAvkaee0ojrjdCf0RhDiCGw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Memorial Day, all! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any bullets or buttons I find this weekend will be even more meaningful than usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJZyMKDElNIqEMhCnJldwRvbiDrSxkaDKavyMH62mutA2zeY4MCzi7f63X_W98IdrYczDrKHRu62b4dZeMlVuY_qsmgfYJYBKCfGJe-zScQ5zXchjAesapNc5RXKwIZ9gmeExl-vTyCfK/s1600/photo-27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJZyMKDElNIqEMhCnJldwRvbiDrSxkaDKavyMH62mutA2zeY4MCzi7f63X_W98IdrYczDrKHRu62b4dZeMlVuY_qsmgfYJYBKCfGJe-zScQ5zXchjAesapNc5RXKwIZ9gmeExl-vTyCfK/s1600/photo-27.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullets. Buttons. Fossil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-78997563076309996322014-05-08T23:42:00.000-07:002014-05-09T21:40:28.414-07:00The Ranchion and the Bank of Harmonica<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Glorious: that’s the kind of spring it’s been here in Nashville. Your Dirt Girl has been busy with a slurry of pleasant and/or mundane activities. These include: </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Boring Dayjob (I write at home for a university medical school)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Teaching Sticky Little Chilluns to Point Their Feet (I’m a ballet teacher.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Writing Songs (I think I wrote or cowrote 11 in the last month.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Going to Song Gatherings (Critique sessions, rounds, etc.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Socializing (This has become very important to me due to my delightful friends.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Working on my Metal Detecting Record (SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Digging Dirt (I think you are not surprised.)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I continue to be enchanted by the strange serendipity of this endeavor – the way the finds somehow seem to have a sense of humor, a sense of irony. Is that even possible? Why does this hobby feel so connected to something … intelligent? The coincidences and oddities are so frequent that it’s hard to ignore.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For instance, remember (from a Dirt Girl post a couple of years ago) when I was working that NY Times crossword puzzle and couldn’t get the 5-letter answer for “vintage toothpaste”? I thought about it for days, and it was on the tip of my brain… and then I went into some northern Michigan woods and dug a tiny, metal toothpaste cap that read “IPANA”?</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That kind of thing seems to happen a lot. And I love it.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here’s a recap of recent finds, both ordinary and magical:</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One sunny Sunday in early April, Cheryl couldn't join me so I headed out alone. First stop: a lawn near Shelby Park. It SHOULD have been a great yard – on a hill, overlooking the river and downtown – but I found nothing but bottle caps. Poked around in the park for a bit, and found this...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajR1iZdYqMWNWyOklSCZgfbwaJooLPad-L1ndVVzP1sVKizvJXMMGrFPYu0UCTuHBb7VsIn9gef9uqCQ-T9IU8t4b2YezI6rG1CShCFhKsMG_1IgCeMzpm6iGT2OZ6hA7k4fXIF-HbzF_/s1600/photo-152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajR1iZdYqMWNWyOklSCZgfbwaJooLPad-L1ndVVzP1sVKizvJXMMGrFPYu0UCTuHBb7VsIn9gef9uqCQ-T9IU8t4b2YezI6rG1CShCFhKsMG_1IgCeMzpm6iGT2OZ6hA7k4fXIF-HbzF_/s1600/photo-152.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is so very not gold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">then headed down Riverside Drive (a real misnomer of a street, as it does not follow any river at all). Amid all the ‘50s ranchers and more modern homes on this street, I’d noticed a really old Italianate home trying to hide behind some very high shrubbery. I’d done some research on this house; it’s one of only four surviving antebellum homes in East Nashville. Originally surrounded by hundreds of acres of land, it’s now hemmed in by suburbia on all sides.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was far too shy to knock on the door but had a sudden Epiphany. I drove around to the street behind the mansion and began driving past (stalking) the ranch homes there. If I could find out which rancher was directly behind it, well… the back yards would adjoin. Soon, I was talking to a nice young homeowner who was out mowing his front yard. Yes, his house was directly behind the mansion. Why, sure I could metal detect the whole place – any time!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had a lovely time at the ranch house behind the mansion (“The Ranchion.”) The back yard was massive. I’ve since been back with Cheryl and we will be returning. Here are some of the goodies:</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzo1GR26FasVKgee6bFPQlSyuqxVYIz3cO4ZUgHuft_H8a7biOmE9KV7O_Eq5leCCD7NruYFY01tPQ3YcO2IkWr1fptVpLxyAyKW_dBKGiFBsrtKL88re0JMhyphenhyphen7LgCg_zNIr2UD_2R2Jz/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzo1GR26FasVKgee6bFPQlSyuqxVYIz3cO4ZUgHuft_H8a7biOmE9KV7O_Eq5leCCD7NruYFY01tPQ3YcO2IkWr1fptVpLxyAyKW_dBKGiFBsrtKL88re0JMhyphenhyphen7LgCg_zNIr2UD_2R2Jz/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the handle, sadly. So pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6ZaL6awYX66u67r9ub1RpUc4B30XboBahaSF9sZ6TYf3yjoG6sjG3_aezfNdlwR1OcwuS9hKnKmKR5QRJI4BklcgGDRhcg-osS-cECIt8R9QzhZLl47hNRAxvUkhd7ZvZUWh5WfyVn5h/s1600/photo-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6ZaL6awYX66u67r9ub1RpUc4B30XboBahaSF9sZ6TYf3yjoG6sjG3_aezfNdlwR1OcwuS9hKnKmKR5QRJI4BklcgGDRhcg-osS-cECIt8R9QzhZLl47hNRAxvUkhd7ZvZUWh5WfyVn5h/s1600/photo-153.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pie, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBo-JtU0Fg00f0WXFB5NJuWwIUS47xynKyezirwPh6E7l703plm0sTcDPRDeuN6AuQapwuaJDWQNFuHffpwxzEU-hf8HPVi93VdaAaL4KzZdAIHT09OcW_k2HeBdAOAi4cjzsl6pMCLob/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBo-JtU0Fg00f0WXFB5NJuWwIUS47xynKyezirwPh6E7l703plm0sTcDPRDeuN6AuQapwuaJDWQNFuHffpwxzEU-hf8HPVi93VdaAaL4KzZdAIHT09OcW_k2HeBdAOAi4cjzsl6pMCLob/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="258" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautiful bell is very old. Also very broken.<br />
But it is one of my favorite finds of all time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also found a minie ball that I insisted the homeowner keep even though he clearly didn't want it. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One Friday afternoon, I returned to a yard near my house that I keep as a default site. Pulled this out and it was only later that I realized that not only was it Friday, it was Good Friday. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vI6pCiw8XvUHFSNXQlCwDHR_ODq3PTQpZMyMv4LxX1OHcICSWT1kX94s9bSAldivXHOiQbf-CfPa7EmJ54YoWqDVQKH0IifHAA20cZPl_5ze8CapWTPpJ6dDqGo6vcpDCL_qW-OFm2Hw/s1600/photo-150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vI6pCiw8XvUHFSNXQlCwDHR_ODq3PTQpZMyMv4LxX1OHcICSWT1kX94s9bSAldivXHOiQbf-CfPa7EmJ54YoWqDVQKH0IifHAA20cZPl_5ze8CapWTPpJ6dDqGo6vcpDCL_qW-OFm2Hw/s1600/photo-150.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love digging Catholic medals.<br />
And let us not forget the 1980s 10 yen<br />
coin that was near the Catholic medals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Progress on my collection of metal detecting songs is going well. I’ve never been so excited about a project. One song, written a couple of months ago, is a silly one that I never dreamed anyone would like, but it has proved very popular and I’ve started performing it. The first verse goes like this:</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I have never lost a belt buckle in my life</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I have never lost a harmonica,</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I have never left a mason jar in the yard</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I’m perplexed at these phenomena…</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>And so I cry… How’d this get here???</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(We detectorists do expend some brain energy wondering how all this stuff got in the ground and I must render this robust pondering in song. Because who else will???) </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last week, in the midst of a busy day, I went to the bank. My branch is very new. They tore down a really pretty 1920s-ish house on Gallatin Road to put it in, which really pissed me off at the time but I seem to have adapted. As I got back in my car, I looked closely at the strip of green grass on the edge of the parking lot. It occurred to me that it was a really big strip of green. With old trees. In fact, it looked suspiciously like the back yard of the old house, relatively untouched by ‘dozers.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I went back in the bank and talked to the security guard. Yes, the strip belonged to the bank. SURE, I could detect it!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let me tell you that at 5 p.m., your Dirt Girl returned to the bank and made many, many withdrawals.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Including a buckle, multiple harmonica reeds and a mason jar lids. (See song lyrics above…)</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKOhVv8f5rODecScEplqXvrby0V0tOxaDGUS86yobxTBOhowmY9KbGZmcUsU-mnl2ZTyf_zim2LYG9_gbjUlu9h7Xl7PU7yAv5BBZ7rTJ-78KLRjm7Jf9kDCuvMA2BdrMZRmtCVErJh-A/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKOhVv8f5rODecScEplqXvrby0V0tOxaDGUS86yobxTBOhowmY9KbGZmcUsU-mnl2ZTyf_zim2LYG9_gbjUlu9h7Xl7PU7yAv5BBZ7rTJ-78KLRjm7Jf9kDCuvMA2BdrMZRmtCVErJh-A/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always smile when I find harmonica reeds.<br />
BUT the item on the top right corner is NOT a harmonica<br />
reed. It is, according to the president of the<br />
Middle Tennessee Metal Detecting Club,<br />
some kind of clip, but I cannot remember what<br />
he called it. Sure do miss Doug Drake at<br />
times like this. Also many other times.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAB-tFeAYR6iJSbZ9gxF2einkXYPKNV4EGE9jrhQt6mktACB-HIXryhF32inLmOkRtHlBasS6SoFv_FsdNRwTltXVNkthfjM6UjIWKre6ltQMNTFGh-Yq0_3McsihkiY95uHQLa1OhHKS/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAB-tFeAYR6iJSbZ9gxF2einkXYPKNV4EGE9jrhQt6mktACB-HIXryhF32inLmOkRtHlBasS6SoFv_FsdNRwTltXVNkthfjM6UjIWKre6ltQMNTFGh-Yq0_3McsihkiY95uHQLa1OhHKS/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still dirty. That spoon part is massive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa_alFhY67nm_BqBNUd7iYZnpxaLcqEL3y9pDBkOxvaZbRCrEhjR6znqVQ1DeJENyGId4k1XKXlVQy9OGhrrUTSVSo93j6bDIrvuOwqdRZLaYsgusoCKYj7Y4s7UBKw0Scqit7Jdj4zUr/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa_alFhY67nm_BqBNUd7iYZnpxaLcqEL3y9pDBkOxvaZbRCrEhjR6znqVQ1DeJENyGId4k1XKXlVQy9OGhrrUTSVSo93j6bDIrvuOwqdRZLaYsgusoCKYj7Y4s7UBKw0Scqit7Jdj4zUr/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cincinnati, after a bath in some electric soup. Not<br />
sure what this is. Ideas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0h-xCUdEvpEDFVkel47SsXWoRi_faGeUURtC9AgeUYGugQBF3DXHPrrLFIForbe7IFznrIMgQCbeCGvdTL7tmIMaPaZOp3fmCVkfk2potTcSdItZMB9G67i5-iHeOgBGfLDvveBSrQQA/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0h-xCUdEvpEDFVkel47SsXWoRi_faGeUURtC9AgeUYGugQBF3DXHPrrLFIForbe7IFznrIMgQCbeCGvdTL7tmIMaPaZOp3fmCVkfk2potTcSdItZMB9G67i5-iHeOgBGfLDvveBSrQQA/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool find! Not sure what it is... some kind of strap clip?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFAZfj8C1hRqfrGLj2sI06Blx7o1h558I74OMBPXP6baIqvnAQ5TOZ037MtNeZDmnr67falu3XRxoyrRrnV7RBXUaIOVvKmEOOvgrOhyCw1Dn51Db6G55SIZdoaUIbkr04yp5ONqGTmnL/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFAZfj8C1hRqfrGLj2sI06Blx7o1h558I74OMBPXP6baIqvnAQ5TOZ037MtNeZDmnr67falu3XRxoyrRrnV7RBXUaIOVvKmEOOvgrOhyCw1Dn51Db6G55SIZdoaUIbkr04yp5ONqGTmnL/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bummer. Cool, old brass ring thing with<br />
giant tree root going right through it.<br />
I know my limits.<br />
(Wait a minute: is this vaguely pornographic?<br />
No! It's not. Stop it.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I don’t know for sure if soldiers were camped there, at the site of the future Bank of Harmonica – I didn't find any bullets – but some of the stuff is definitely CW. It was crazy to sense the history on this spot, on a busy Nashville corner, next to the drive-thru teller, with hundreds of cars whizzing by. This stuff is OLD.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(One other interesting item: I noticed that as I dug, a couple of robins were watching me carefully. They followed me from hole to hole, looking for worms in the black moist dirt I’d turned up. Wrote a song about it.)</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A dance tangent: we've had Flo Speace staying with us for a while. Flo is a redbone coonhound we dearly love. She’s a nervous little canine, but an absolute dearie-dear. We have been working on our tap-dancing routines. Sometimes she likes to rehearse with me, but other times, she prefers not to rehearse.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxH5E4g25ZZBS0TzY7FlNQX_KcPRcbzGf29uSRrNAHCIUM0ZSyMLNeLUP3vTVKG0lUGR6tb81X4hMs4AIay7w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today after work, I met up with my new friend, Laura, a wonderful singer-songwriter from Oregon who has been in town about a month. She had a detector as a child and loved it and asked if she could go digging sometime. Yes.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We visited a friend’s huge Inglewood yard for an hour or so. I gave Laura my trusty, old Tesoro Cibola and she went to town and thoroughly skunked me, finding a key with her last name on it.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcRc7meRR5F1TxcEvk6Af8RYw9mNuRxUJVlF_bboekIDehu8pTJzIfK9rQubOe2zuBX5NTfuCd1D54ehdLb27KPNVbo4woci8ncxd_HqNb1AEyenxG3dthBLxjBqPDXLNJOYrlMRCwS6m/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcRc7meRR5F1TxcEvk6Af8RYw9mNuRxUJVlF_bboekIDehu8pTJzIfK9rQubOe2zuBX5NTfuCd1D54ehdLb27KPNVbo4woci8ncxd_HqNb1AEyenxG3dthBLxjBqPDXLNJOYrlMRCwS6m/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. Curtis. A Curtis key. Welcome to Nashville, Laura Curtis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also this cool item:</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rii7OWj88AnCtlZ-E_Tk7rvjntobscyiJ7YVzvHhWHtiw3n2lKTwNaMaWejp3SNMSUF35RmflejPhmBesX-E8v3mYMOXosz2KC0ZY4wDGkhFsEuwTm2DC4-1SMSlCPZr2_dyd9nvbbIX/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rii7OWj88AnCtlZ-E_Tk7rvjntobscyiJ7YVzvHhWHtiw3n2lKTwNaMaWejp3SNMSUF35RmflejPhmBesX-E8v3mYMOXosz2KC0ZY4wDGkhFsEuwTm2DC4-1SMSlCPZr2_dyd9nvbbIX/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty sure this is a clasp from a trunk or<br />
briefcase.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Later in her own back yard, she found a 1940s-era toy fire truck and a car. Don’t have a photo to share but trust me: they are ever so cute.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My non-junk haul for the day (complete with message from the Lovely Beyond):</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8l4avh8gWKL-QLyqi3UdUxv5BBocYcjOznsthrml6mFs8J11ukzT_l8RFWNGD7YtL7NU9e1pJdQ8vybzF-30SdA5gekKzhyphenhyphenud1mFNJp_9JlMBFONKbIH6NLfs9dG0JbfArOce6WY0dzyU/s1600/photo-151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8l4avh8gWKL-QLyqi3UdUxv5BBocYcjOznsthrml6mFs8J11ukzT_l8RFWNGD7YtL7NU9e1pJdQ8vybzF-30SdA5gekKzhyphenhyphenud1mFNJp_9JlMBFONKbIH6NLfs9dG0JbfArOce6WY0dzyU/s1600/photo-151.JPG" height="184" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Put Purity in your Life"<br />
This is probably from the Purity Dairy -- an iconic<br />
Nashville business. But I prefer to think that I am being reminded<br />
to embrace PURITY (freedom from contamination or adulteration).<br />
<br />
I will be thinking about this while I drink a delicious<br />
Lagunitas IPA at next opportunity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-60577330917339334872014-04-03T22:06:00.001-07:002014-04-03T22:07:23.833-07:00Because Nothing Says "Springtime" Like a Bormann Fuse<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not every Dirt Girl post needs to be epic. I’m going to try
for a short one: just a quick recap of recent finds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the beginning of March, Cheryl and I found ourselves back
at a torn-down house site we had explored a year ago. It’s right in the midst
of Battle of Nashville territory – a very fancy neighborhood now. It was kind
of strange that it’s just been sitting here all this time – a big, old
rain-filled hole surrounded by trash – but we took it as a sign that there was
more to find. Found mostly junk, including this weird item, below. I was sure it was a piece of modern plumbing and almost threw it out. Instead, I posted it on Facebook and was surprised when a bunch of the Club guys responded, “Wow! Nice Bormann fuse!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7rAv_PlYEtwlRVK_i3aKF52NoJolBSz1DPAgUlBz-0kOnsyAsnaVsgzJW3IaNBLcrYBSx7tHkZTX4o83eOn3hJWQGEDoR11CYfu2XV3KWqItVNgRZZHjGlA9X2V_5xq6xSnXejLR_9V4/s1600/photo-150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7rAv_PlYEtwlRVK_i3aKF52NoJolBSz1DPAgUlBz-0kOnsyAsnaVsgzJW3IaNBLcrYBSx7tHkZTX4o83eOn3hJWQGEDoR11CYfu2XV3KWqItVNgRZZHjGlA9X2V_5xq6xSnXejLR_9V4/s1600/photo-150.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumbing? Please. I am a deadly Bormann<br />
cannonball fuse. The notches are for the<br />
soldiers to set my timer so that when I<br />
explode, I do so at the appropriate time.<br />
I am actually a rarer "Braille" Bormann<br />
fuse -- with dots instead of numbers<br />
so that the soldiers can set my timer<br />
in dark and smoky conditions.<br />
Plumbing? Seriously? Sigh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends in Franklin invited me and Cheryl to come over and
hunt the yards and pastures of their new farm. Delicious! We spent two sunny Saturdays there. Here's a sampling of our finds:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKLI5k17lTvvA2-CGTi5TMnczEUk6S5ZyMUX9PCbZgY950Nh06XUMQodRxD2_7VOKJIx79rHcj51IlUO08bCP8GgvNIcGGNsUpZa34jeP6v2IoFIGm_OjFrlcowzwo6sbCxxZ5cKOVR4D/s1600/photo-147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKLI5k17lTvvA2-CGTi5TMnczEUk6S5ZyMUX9PCbZgY950Nh06XUMQodRxD2_7VOKJIx79rHcj51IlUO08bCP8GgvNIcGGNsUpZa34jeP6v2IoFIGm_OjFrlcowzwo6sbCxxZ5cKOVR4D/s1600/photo-147.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful mystery item + Williams cleaner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY157gdmwyi9ICGmjtmarkxuAR2kiJu8OmIHEPMW8XWaIug5lx7CLwUmNFg7ohc2lDeRunTxZYb7_muDH_Imm-dhYLdGLBiKYKiCu0mg8diQo3lotWzClyw3LKTCb3eNWLTgVvw93DXN9/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY157gdmwyi9ICGmjtmarkxuAR2kiJu8OmIHEPMW8XWaIug5lx7CLwUmNFg7ohc2lDeRunTxZYb7_muDH_Imm-dhYLdGLBiKYKiCu0mg8diQo3lotWzClyw3LKTCb3eNWLTgVvw93DXN9/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did not expect to find this in the horse pasture.<br />
It's some kind of trophy from the 1950s.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OBLF-GcdTt3arVq7M0hi65RUaVDob31APaKnpTLKX5o5nKofbjm952G8uAH1zFjEqaNttyJeuFiHU4XztpkyrFUxq_HPoe70-W-oJWmRceUUVwS57OHZ8JwS97Sq9-ns8eDHYGpfGnVJ/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OBLF-GcdTt3arVq7M0hi65RUaVDob31APaKnpTLKX5o5nKofbjm952G8uAH1zFjEqaNttyJeuFiHU4XztpkyrFUxq_HPoe70-W-oJWmRceUUVwS57OHZ8JwS97Sq9-ns8eDHYGpfGnVJ/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This, too, was unexpected. Turns out it's a<br />
1950s trophy for German shepherd dogs. The<br />
previous property owner was a veterinarian<br />
who raised German shepherds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPSB_pkZ9wUCcpr6VH6mjAmQWathCgqOz6y1vWiW-2BfOCcJLegR4dHlpmUyg1CWnpbA_u3Og7E7vxJiEobQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yup, that's "Muddy" -- the family pig. I touched him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We noticed a huge church across the street and and got
permission for all that property too. It’s obviously been hunted for decades,
but we managed to pop out a few more tasty treats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JGnAl7Qs0hhqhEyt-3r4xUfB5dxeWMSzT9YLDzGgB9vXljDdS51h7jPGMAJjpspS8kTGo96TylmDxwBeEw6Hc90EkCOHth-aHc96d7qvlZVdqjZolPxRtLR6bMAM7CeVSbsyU8w4RHWL/s1600/photo-150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JGnAl7Qs0hhqhEyt-3r4xUfB5dxeWMSzT9YLDzGgB9vXljDdS51h7jPGMAJjpspS8kTGo96TylmDxwBeEw6Hc90EkCOHth-aHc96d7qvlZVdqjZolPxRtLR6bMAM7CeVSbsyU8w4RHWL/s1600/photo-150.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous diggers left behind this beautiful,<br />
small sledgehammer head. Here it is all<br />
cleaned up and polyurethaned. Apple is for<br />
scale. Because apples are pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8CLSrReOcd9Yec77NTE_yXcbBbXiig8y1PX7fWHBzlRabfVut8CU947M0m0ObK-plURXlp-m1RmbM17h4BoZ8dP3D5Oc9S260CTV4WMqNDw2LaK8qmjb4WGyeJFrMv_YsCF7ELKzRmXc/s1600/messed+up+reale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8CLSrReOcd9Yec77NTE_yXcbBbXiig8y1PX7fWHBzlRabfVut8CU947M0m0ObK-plURXlp-m1RmbM17h4BoZ8dP3D5Oc9S260CTV4WMqNDw2LaK8qmjb4WGyeJFrMv_YsCF7ELKzRmXc/s1600/messed+up+reale.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This, my friends, is very interesting to me. I believe this<br />
is actually a Spanish real (pronounced "ree-al") coin! <br />
Look at the edge, at about 9 o'clock. Do you see the "I S P"? <br />
That's part of the "HISPANIA"! <br />
I do not know what happened to this coin.<br />
Perhaps it went through a fire?<br />
What do you think????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW7Qjti3ASGd8R8aHCwfITp8U6BGu2zhyphenhyphen1tZr_saNjP4zQcXxZNAH8IoU7-0AZCL-fy4YAKwWL-x-BpPTc4DO9BSlzE4Pc610f9pf0hfHOzFQxSZVst05j3foMCCHUQrxV5xh_n_-FMg_/s1600/photo-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW7Qjti3ASGd8R8aHCwfITp8U6BGu2zhyphenhyphen1tZr_saNjP4zQcXxZNAH8IoU7-0AZCL-fy4YAKwWL-x-BpPTc4DO9BSlzE4Pc610f9pf0hfHOzFQxSZVst05j3foMCCHUQrxV5xh_n_-FMg_/s1600/photo-36.jpg" height="292" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's another real I found last year, for comparison.<br />
In this case, the "I S P" is at about 2 o'clock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My obsession with electrolysis continues unabated. At the
last meeting of the MTMDC, some of the guys gave me some old, rusty junk to
clean up and I’ve been slowly going through the pile. Why this is fun, I have
no idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX1Y8oY92X38YSW4n2wMILdcezw9qF8tWt3YhLLTVKWGCJDItZBZrkP8WxijsM5tw-1ZdtwQ7Sb1PjVDn2jNVqOQ2F6mc0PDPrBB2mLMVpiIofvYh8F6Q_3Fe5zD5x2F42Ms78FoYsk_5/s1600/electrolysis+medley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX1Y8oY92X38YSW4n2wMILdcezw9qF8tWt3YhLLTVKWGCJDItZBZrkP8WxijsM5tw-1ZdtwQ7Sb1PjVDn2jNVqOQ2F6mc0PDPrBB2mLMVpiIofvYh8F6Q_3Fe5zD5x2F42Ms78FoYsk_5/s1600/electrolysis+medley.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top left: animal trap, step to get into a carriage,<br />
tiny spike, horseshoe, colonial era (?) axe head.<br />
Banana for scale...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF4QtsV6oukaNwtA-zqEL8gBhfQ4-oq1QCJUxB5cJcxH64NacHZLUmHTK47ypKRe4yQJxmCu2r8SRMiPZo-Anj6h5EdxmbW1bvlXy_pbRoO_lxI5VsrKWUKMTosF5HGUwurEjQ1HdTvre/s1600/photo-149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF4QtsV6oukaNwtA-zqEL8gBhfQ4-oq1QCJUxB5cJcxH64NacHZLUmHTK47ypKRe4yQJxmCu2r8SRMiPZo-Anj6h5EdxmbW1bvlXy_pbRoO_lxI5VsrKWUKMTosF5HGUwurEjQ1HdTvre/s1600/photo-149.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handles and a buckle thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPYxK0rvzGb7EnTadZBTcGQza2JjTial58J1ZGGK-k-NV815wyst7Ni78G4zGGVsWUcOAu7zxJjp0DNh2KMpRFJI449HAgfms1QwaLpprRB_NTVCtQWFyVsadncIPecLIWVy3PknkLCdR/s1600/photo-150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPYxK0rvzGb7EnTadZBTcGQza2JjTial58J1ZGGK-k-NV815wyst7Ni78G4zGGVsWUcOAu7zxJjp0DNh2KMpRFJI449HAgfms1QwaLpprRB_NTVCtQWFyVsadncIPecLIWVy3PknkLCdR/s1600/photo-150.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shears of some sort. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, I received an email from a woman who found this
blog online. Seems her brother, Bob, had been playing football in his backyard
last November when his platinum wedding ring flew off his finger. He’d rented a
detector but had not found it. Would I be interested in helping? I was!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This afternoon, Cheryl and I met up at Bob’s house in a
subdivision in Franklin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the
ring on the other side of the back fence, next to some unmowed grass. The
signal had the distinctive sound of “not deep” and I knew pretty quick this was
the ring. I could see its outline in the dirt; just reached down and picked it
up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlIAmxOrwBe4YpoIr-9Y0FiZZcLDKr4z3K9cHDnotst1jmmWFOR7c9dK1z3KQxinzPIaJi-7SrKqMt_5aM9S-h5bLnG5hNHBRHt29KssgB5tucUl81sN4aZA-PoK69fcMxziBWTzl2B1g/s1600/IMG_20140403_131319_674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlIAmxOrwBe4YpoIr-9Y0FiZZcLDKr4z3K9cHDnotst1jmmWFOR7c9dK1z3KQxinzPIaJi-7SrKqMt_5aM9S-h5bLnG5hNHBRHt29KssgB5tucUl81sN4aZA-PoK69fcMxziBWTzl2B1g/s1600/IMG_20140403_131319_674.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surgical gloves give this<br />
image a certain je ne sais quoi...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Got a nice text from Bob. He promises that his wife will spread the story
far and wide to all her FB friends and score us some sweet Franklin properties
to hunt – the only “payment” I wanted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We left the ring with Bob’s neighbor (who invited us to hunt
his great-grandmother’s land… you know: the place where she buried $250,000 IN
MASON JARS IN THE GROUND THAT WERE FOUND WHEN HIGHWAY 840 WENT THROUGH THE
PROPERTY. Yup, that place. We said yes.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drove back to the church property for another look around. These
cool spring days won’t last long and it was pretty sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqC_v6cg2JhjgcMbXTM9PDwRx_rzVvZ90TVAuMzTbYcm_-kVklhS1fgsJmDW-nn86WjjtbeJSnZURvrXlEr1lYdrBPQWCU9YVoaVGT1wxHKn5cnyp0_WZzwWOWSog125BkggRU_tq-nPC/s1600/58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqC_v6cg2JhjgcMbXTM9PDwRx_rzVvZ90TVAuMzTbYcm_-kVklhS1fgsJmDW-nn86WjjtbeJSnZURvrXlEr1lYdrBPQWCU9YVoaVGT1wxHKn5cnyp0_WZzwWOWSog125BkggRU_tq-nPC/s1600/58.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">58 minie ball.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Home by five. A very good day with only one tick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-58559120043471716742014-02-24T11:14:00.000-08:002014-02-26T20:57:40.320-08:00I Am an Electrical Engineer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sadness of losing Doug Drake, combined with a hefty
serving of bone-aching Tennessee winter, conspired to keep me and Cheryl from
any serious digging for a week or so after his funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But little by little, the shadows have been lifting
along with the temperatures and we’ve been venturing out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For our first serious excursion, we decided to revisit a
tried-and-true site just west of town, a place Doug and Cheryl discovered on
their own and generously invited me to after they’d explored (decimated) it. It
was there I found my first CW button – nothing special, but a coup for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We brought along our new Junior Digger, Ruth, who has shown great
initiative, doing research, buying a good machine, inviting me and Cheryl to
hunt her property, joining the <a href="http://www.mtmdc.com/" target="_blank">Middle TN Metal Detecting Club</a>, coming to see
Dirt Girl perform at the Bluebird Cafe, etc. Ruth shows great promise!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xz2B-bvRXkf2s9eCmuxx-Sm7L-DhZFG6YNjRwXMvd6CG2Z9FXqw37mPptpz_5J6PzZVcXgbgiaPwjHmV33s3z9checF66MteI9mylHSrtcqb4gN9RhW8-UFdAIQGF-JncgiV2OyC_qOF/s1600/photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xz2B-bvRXkf2s9eCmuxx-Sm7L-DhZFG6YNjRwXMvd6CG2Z9FXqw37mPptpz_5J6PzZVcXgbgiaPwjHmV33s3z9checF66MteI9mylHSrtcqb4gN9RhW8-UFdAIQGF-JncgiV2OyC_qOF/s1600/photo+5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newbie lady detectorist, poised for adventure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We three spent a lovely afternoon sliding
around on a steep hill pulling out bullets and buttons and assorted ancient
items from this bona fide CW hotspot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one point, I was crouched in the dirt trying to locate
something with my pinpointer, when I heard a faint “woof” behind me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjX3ogHfVS2smgq1tBshkQxndvwmkI792jTnPXQYOyzDkGW85wRDNfixF9V14JJEvgg1XqGPykdbzVHJgpsix3VihFMz2dQUeckD8FnsVkJZetdrI0qkAfezHeSC4LhyRmJmBH7A6wKRU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjX3ogHfVS2smgq1tBshkQxndvwmkI792jTnPXQYOyzDkGW85wRDNfixF9V14JJEvgg1XqGPykdbzVHJgpsix3VihFMz2dQUeckD8FnsVkJZetdrI0qkAfezHeSC4LhyRmJmBH7A6wKRU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unexpected, but welcome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruth started her MD career with a bang, pulling out this
beautiful, old key.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHcJt1HNegg2QIm33QE8QbE2Gni-ji3oM-Jb27QJ4YQBGGQQA2osjGN8zw24BNZlwg5U55ZnNy_XVIKLxLEngn2RQg0bsF1w4CiM4eO8HUAViOe-nPACcptmwn_PePAe1Ya2kuvhv1ZMY/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHcJt1HNegg2QIm33QE8QbE2Gni-ji3oM-Jb27QJ4YQBGGQQA2osjGN8zw24BNZlwg5U55ZnNy_XVIKLxLEngn2RQg0bsF1w4CiM4eO8HUAViOe-nPACcptmwn_PePAe1Ya2kuvhv1ZMY/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's writing on it, but, sadly, not legible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a week later, Cheryl and I ventured back to a favorite
old home site a bit north of town. We’d covered the open areas last summer but
had been waiting til winter to venture into the woods. The property owner (our
hero) told us to have at it. He was pretty sure there were some old foundation stones back in there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just an amazing tract of land – 100+ acres, mostly
steep, forested hills and adorable streams. After a lot of tromping around, we
started getting some signals and found what might be a pile of foundation
stones. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnB4vBfOu4PkOPc6wHqtS1JGIGoJnwMyXJd_BA8cz9D9bdN4gmg-qkYiOU7RVYrbuyV_SrtByGJUpW4BkcjjnzoXOw0T7Ld49z9PoZp7aipszY_KtpipwDbKcFmZP9PPO5V0U3Id-k4Df/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnB4vBfOu4PkOPc6wHqtS1JGIGoJnwMyXJd_BA8cz9D9bdN4gmg-qkYiOU7RVYrbuyV_SrtByGJUpW4BkcjjnzoXOw0T7Ld49z9PoZp7aipszY_KtpipwDbKcFmZP9PPO5V0U3Id-k4Df/s1600/photo+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're not entirely sure what kind of structure this was, or<br />
if it was a structure. But there was enough stuff around it<br />
to indicate concentrated human habitation. If it's a home<br />
site, it does not appear on the 1871 map I have of this area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>We spent a couple of days at the site. It was hard going -- tons of shotgun shells and thick brush -- but
a lot of fun. We both found a ton of harmonica reeds; these folks enjoyed their music. I'd show you the reeds, but I can't find them... This site was also transcendently beautiful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOCcUE7Mh6awscGAL2IkFy2JpYDJhsp7UdwEcH8kXvfLmYfNpC8dgIoYwM7Loc8ajMPoWXwRgFoqXlHCI6T5WludPRCDCjtErGhjD7wQaTaKCtjBvBCMltv0Wk43myXJe6yPjCmaCoKd6/s1600/photo-146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOCcUE7Mh6awscGAL2IkFy2JpYDJhsp7UdwEcH8kXvfLmYfNpC8dgIoYwM7Loc8ajMPoWXwRgFoqXlHCI6T5WludPRCDCjtErGhjD7wQaTaKCtjBvBCMltv0Wk43myXJe6yPjCmaCoKd6/s1600/photo-146.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought this was another shotgun shell but<br />
no: it's a half of a mourning brooch, found<br />
nestled in a huge, rusted chain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdox5_9Y8-6WN-VFSPby88RoL3I_L8QMB0pMdQCb1zytLblpC4cW8hx85T7wqRo4rKOcFQK5lgcKpyQV1TlaBFtgMpCvaEgw_O1kaYthuq0pY1jIxwlx_Q9CdYr0hAL5vRyWWZjqCdaUQi/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdox5_9Y8-6WN-VFSPby88RoL3I_L8QMB0pMdQCb1zytLblpC4cW8hx85T7wqRo4rKOcFQK5lgcKpyQV1TlaBFtgMpCvaEgw_O1kaYthuq0pY1jIxwlx_Q9CdYr0hAL5vRyWWZjqCdaUQi/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suspender clip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLIYTNDK78-YgRH2jHfRDUPyE9sFnRNq5ccpEWef0v9Z8_nqWnXcVwKDU9dbL-sb_Jk5yrxoIn6f4iaKOPPlFH5r7jBTXIWgJGUxsQQuG_vq2fAnf4pWlWJqloFmEklN2F__AAOYtt3PZ/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLIYTNDK78-YgRH2jHfRDUPyE9sFnRNq5ccpEWef0v9Z8_nqWnXcVwKDU9dbL-sb_Jk5yrxoIn6f4iaKOPPlFH5r7jBTXIWgJGUxsQQuG_vq2fAnf4pWlWJqloFmEklN2F__AAOYtt3PZ/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I worked very hard for this excellent prize.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieBrusewOIzMah4y8ULylISznbxgswEltva-QtY0OIUq52i4akbJtGxRzlNo98hQ8OpOnZ3qN35m1mUDKmGVAXoDcZckYhIr4mVpXu07_LEiR_0vtDrnek_15o7EncDQk9yoXCdlGvmgC/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieBrusewOIzMah4y8ULylISznbxgswEltva-QtY0OIUq52i4akbJtGxRzlNo98hQ8OpOnZ3qN35m1mUDKmGVAXoDcZckYhIr4mVpXu07_LEiR_0vtDrnek_15o7EncDQk9yoXCdlGvmgC/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this in a stream bed. I assume it's a bullet<br />
but I've never seen one like it. Ideas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The surroundings could not have been more lovely and silent. The patterns of the water beneath the melting ice were like visual melodies. I tried to sing along.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEBGAtExs-mcQ1hPmsPwhRBWida_oHQ6fnWcf2jtz0MieVOU7oWeuq36dHeexZoKCFlaXd-NL1m1J1nwBRtA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvbAkQsE46lEq7AIuDxTB8MwYHAek4wsP_B5rR2JsYte-IUbmhJxCxqoSEW7sVMK09qOboI-NLzTaQHeMLeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One rainy afternoon, Ruth called desperate to go somewhere,
so I offered up a yard near my house that I’d been given permission to explore.
The back was filled with clad pennies and a lot of gravel – not fun. But the
front was more interesting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5cp-66LxsBmjhv5UYQNDqNqY2nMlmVm_JdaLCRJ1yHV3ThgNWE9PiXFj-MGdWLQvUSi5Lmr6ewH2Hgvw-7oHQsw5dFMIwHWpfp51zgEZNyJ2wcE_LiDcAsi7CUmZ7qidgZFRT3zA9fxG/s1600/photo-146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5cp-66LxsBmjhv5UYQNDqNqY2nMlmVm_JdaLCRJ1yHV3ThgNWE9PiXFj-MGdWLQvUSi5Lmr6ewH2Hgvw-7oHQsw5dFMIwHWpfp51zgEZNyJ2wcE_LiDcAsi7CUmZ7qidgZFRT3zA9fxG/s1600/photo-146.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like an Enfield, which signals Confederate soldier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJyLGrh3fPSd28ipE-96RdjMjVPo1UT6viLr1NbHDQMOUBc7KItWSvCLI9ZBO7bvYhERYWNrqrUnXKqbydUzVjuvDwuBtMGnnmQziB3GL-DEKzhsW0kVsy7DT28-jO9CGeRaXYv55RjVi/s1600/photo-145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJyLGrh3fPSd28ipE-96RdjMjVPo1UT6viLr1NbHDQMOUBc7KItWSvCLI9ZBO7bvYhERYWNrqrUnXKqbydUzVjuvDwuBtMGnnmQziB3GL-DEKzhsW0kVsy7DT28-jO9CGeRaXYv55RjVi/s1600/photo-145.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool. Now I just have to learn to play the darn thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheryl and I went back the next day and she pulled out a
Williams cleaner. So, as far as I can guess, there were both Union and
Confederate soldiers marching through the area at various times. I’ve never
heard of any actual fighting or skirmishes in Inglewood, but who knows… I’m
sure not every hostile encounter was chronicled in the Official Records of the
Civil War. And soldiers could totally have been camped around here, not fighting, necessarily, but dropping stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Found this just a foot away from the Enfield and my heart skipped when I saw the eagle but instead, I find I am a member of Captain Midnight's Secret Squadron. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEaKmU2PVRQPF2vfbp07_weLWJdKQlPvTIet4ChxDK8HEuWgtzKx8NSpqm-Bt43xRfCliv1tIzfRjWZk9fE0KbF_3aRJy4NETo0Y8ZMjZPy3_yzFdXgbQBrnyez_DVmYTOK04aozCmKVY/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEaKmU2PVRQPF2vfbp07_weLWJdKQlPvTIet4ChxDK8HEuWgtzKx8NSpqm-Bt43xRfCliv1tIzfRjWZk9fE0KbF_3aRJy4NETo0Y8ZMjZPy3_yzFdXgbQBrnyez_DVmYTOK04aozCmKVY/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop in the name of the law.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thought this was a battery until I got home and cleaned it up...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeOZGZxAZSgDT8fFinsUfosNe_TBbTrkTtqXSNkKei_oungKuVXdCKFhsfAUOnClq-Zk4C8F8sPYerTHo0DjQQXwuczORQ2rkx3sRUVLil6JP8gwJGbKWFi-0aDjAeqz-yZYtpMkd66vp/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeOZGZxAZSgDT8fFinsUfosNe_TBbTrkTtqXSNkKei_oungKuVXdCKFhsfAUOnClq-Zk4C8F8sPYerTHo0DjQQXwuczORQ2rkx3sRUVLil6JP8gwJGbKWFi-0aDjAeqz-yZYtpMkd66vp/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loudest whistle I have ever heard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that about sums up my recent digging. BUT. There is much
else to tell you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dirt Girl has a new obsession: electrolysis. Nope, not hair
removal (though I will admit to having had my eyebrows waxed on several
occasions.) We’re talking rust removal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d known about this technique for a couple of years, but it
just seemed totally out of my league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(SCIENCE! ELECTRICITY! DANGEROUS CURRENTS!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But last month, I determined to make use of those bitter,
cold days and do something productive with the giant pile of rusted crap outside
my back door that screams, “Hoarder lady lives here!” <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Disclaimer: I am not a
hoarder, but do have a problem with organization…)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBnA14Q_LKvSRBNV89qAmlObmWHSWCWVmQBA-3-bSGw1SXR2sViVC2dd4ciQBtBJeogRteQI4fOkv3NsZGpRRONv51oeEP90_rm1OZtULtKXwo-GgpmhZdzXPriUz_UIkPE1t7FLBtwym/s1600/photo-146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBnA14Q_LKvSRBNV89qAmlObmWHSWCWVmQBA-3-bSGw1SXR2sViVC2dd4ciQBtBJeogRteQI4fOkv3NsZGpRRONv51oeEP90_rm1OZtULtKXwo-GgpmhZdzXPriUz_UIkPE1t7FLBtwym/s1600/photo-146.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We must! We must! We must collect the rust!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, for nigh onto
three years, now, I’ve been augmenting my collection of bullets, buckles,
coins, rose tags, dog tags, toy cars, rings, keys, cigarette lighters, locks,
gun parts and suspender clips with big, honking pieces of heavily rusted iron
that I just can’t seem to leave behind in the fields and woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re talking axe heads, log splitters, chains, horse shoes,
mule shoes, hoe pieces, stove legs and hundreds of what I call “round things.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway… I decided to build my own electrolysis rig: a
plastic tub, wire, rebar, water, washing soda and a battery charger. I read many articles and viewed many
youtube videos and made many trips to Home Depot where the guy in the
electricity aisle looked at me with many inscrutable expressions as I tried to
describe what I was doing and what I needed. And you know what? I did it. I,
DIRT GIRL, BUILT AN ELECTROLYSIS SYSTEM WHILE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPyvqAoON4onFtoVotGinMPCVnKwsE0GPIXz2O3CeKIVDLob8WHdFJ-uNDqbYVyecVeuVaoZH9x79Rrj0xWleKkhIc_bgakiVhmFeGcGwX2v1G0ATE-z4FRQtXXK59sYIgKU6wyQQNAdZ/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPyvqAoON4onFtoVotGinMPCVnKwsE0GPIXz2O3CeKIVDLob8WHdFJ-uNDqbYVyecVeuVaoZH9x79Rrj0xWleKkhIc_bgakiVhmFeGcGwX2v1G0ATE-z4FRQtXXK59sYIgKU6wyQQNAdZ/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all attached to a manual battery charger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_fJu-lwHyj-0mmPaSJZgTNLFCJw8cQ0pybtI60ueq06IW7Bcy6GScG6HfmmfPdYn3-I_uc8F0l96J7S3i0_AKhuaTslFIHRfJyMEU5a6rVo0nOKvcikLjoZCIqfnAwCSPYeEJkgW4HAw/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_fJu-lwHyj-0mmPaSJZgTNLFCJw8cQ0pybtI60ueq06IW7Bcy6GScG6HfmmfPdYn3-I_uc8F0l96J7S3i0_AKhuaTslFIHRfJyMEU5a6rVo0nOKvcikLjoZCIqfnAwCSPYeEJkgW4HAw/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyR7DmOHpRcfR1JzT3uG_GjL9QfYU2rsXH6yEJgzndQk3doxNcq6DdUKGdLPOg-gU3dsAlL5wnwk-E3ZvnA7v1Tfv9I9bM3sRJPuZDDSnhM1__Gmrzpoc2yJihzJOPKtF3VaX0rKdAucU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyR7DmOHpRcfR1JzT3uG_GjL9QfYU2rsXH6yEJgzndQk3doxNcq6DdUKGdLPOg-gU3dsAlL5wnwk-E3ZvnA7v1Tfv9I9bM3sRJPuZDDSnhM1__Gmrzpoc2yJihzJOPKtF3VaX0rKdAucU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. Did that too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it’s working great. It’s extremely fun and satisfying to
turn nasty, crusty, flaking ancient iron things into clean, beautiful works of
– dare I say it? – art.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-WOphao2Sh_-sWc2C0HqJdNIL3NC5vEicbzZSQ5hR9f1no_R_equcZD8ibeQ_Ma52mCf15z0WvU9eHrRxFJJG3o07lragUd-TQM7NszFi3xCwN4euhKyKz48ppAl0gFSbupVBflNoUfT/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-WOphao2Sh_-sWc2C0HqJdNIL3NC5vEicbzZSQ5hR9f1no_R_equcZD8ibeQ_Ma52mCf15z0WvU9eHrRxFJJG3o07lragUd-TQM7NszFi3xCwN4euhKyKz48ppAl0gFSbupVBflNoUfT/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a rusty mess. Turns out it's Colonial era, used<br />
to suspend pots over a fire. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve pretty much always got something “cooking” in the back
bathroom. On warm days, I dip the derusted pieces in lacquer and dry them
outside on some rocks. I’ve been giving away some of the finished pieces and so
far, people seem to really love and appreciate them. I can tell because they immediately become rather distant and leave the house in a hurry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaoX1O7tRZ8xzJYVTdhROh7r-vMU2WMrbb9_cToKYvGwp05I_BwDc4nWGbRsF96Q6D4GrkOnqRftPj85vSrDl9OsRl0ESDcWZmqnd3ema_YWUYIRLHYLGGb50JNbuiYSCFvJQIti4wBIT/s1600/photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaoX1O7tRZ8xzJYVTdhROh7r-vMU2WMrbb9_cToKYvGwp05I_BwDc4nWGbRsF96Q6D4GrkOnqRftPj85vSrDl9OsRl0ESDcWZmqnd3ema_YWUYIRLHYLGGb50JNbuiYSCFvJQIti4wBIT/s1600/photo+5.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top left: horse shoe, buckle, two parts of a horse bit<br />
some kind of clip (?), part of a grating, two handles<br />
artillery hammer (?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear reader, can you imagine ANY WAY I could make a living
doing electrolysis? I do so want to! Ever so much! (Too much Downton Abbey is
being watched in this house.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In other news, I’m working hard on another project: a record
of metal detecting songs. The ones I have written so far are:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I Dug it Up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Triune<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can Slaw<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aluminum… Foiled Again (co-written with Butch Holcomb,
publisher of American Digger Magazine)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pull Tab Ring<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Sword<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few more and I’ll be ready to do some serious recording,
so stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing: your very own Dirt Girl will be the featured
guest on <a href="http://relicroundup.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Relic Roundup</a> -- an online radio show sponsored by American Digger magazine -- on Monday, February 24. I’m not sure what we’ll be
talking about, but my guess is metal and music. The shows are archived and you can listen in whenever you want!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, this from Cheryl:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One night recently, she was driving in her car when her
cellphone rang. It was Doug!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, BUDDY!” Doug crowed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Doug!” said Cheryl. “How are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I feel wonderful! I can’t believe how good I feel!” said
Doug Drake, from beyond the veil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that was it. Cheryl woke up. When she told me this
story, we laughed and cried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We do miss our buddy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-26817165657992718342014-01-17T19:15:00.000-08:002014-01-18T19:22:30.711-08:00Oh, Doug Drake... We Will Miss You So.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew it was coming but… damn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Sunday (January 12, 2014), Cheryl and I went to visit
Doug in the hospital. After about a year of increased breathlessness and
weakness, a quintuple bypass that never quite accomplished anything, a spot of
lung cancer and a boatload of radiation, Doug decided he’d had enough of
hospitals and went the hospice route. They were fine-tuning his oxygen levels
before sending him home to his cozy and comfortable house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We didn’t know what to expect when we walked in his room. He
was lying in bed, staring at the clock on the wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sick as he was, Doug lit up when he saw us and we talked and
talked. I think he must have known this would be our last visit and he wanted
to be sure we knew of every site he had stocked away in his massive mental
archive of Sites to Dig. Names, roads, towns, stories… Cheryl took notes
furiously. We wracked our minds trying to remember the questions we had for
him. It was wonderful to see him so engaged and so much himself: lucid,
opinionated, funny, acerbic, generous. He told us, laughing, that the oxygen he
was on sometimes made him dream he was flying a fighter jet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I showed him a shiny, lacquered horseshoe – my first
experiment with electrolysis – and when he said it looked great, I was so
proud. Somehow, as old and Cheryl and I are, we felt like kids around him and basked
in his approval and excitement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As best we can recollect, Cheryl and I first met Doug Drake
in November of 2011. Novice detectorists, the two of us had been heading out
together nearly every weekend not really knowing what we were doing or where
the good spots were. We spent a lot of money on gas in order to dig a lot of
junk, but it sure was fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The full story of our first meeting is described in an early
Dirt Girl post, “Triune”. But the short version is that Cheryl and I had arrived at a site we’d heard about, staring at a huge NO TRESPASSING sign, when a big, brown Crown Victoria pulled up
beside us and a tall, 70-something guy in overalls got out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIFWJ6yOrxp2vCrMO2qhccAtETOkkoC8uqKFVEtk8czGXm7T16NkT460DWZv86bSYEBsFD3F3xJOI6kBRpo0Z5A7njgrq8_t0sbKpU-ROO8ZGRoy2e3f0kzm0aplwvWC0Oun2plAHYbAZ/s1600/ResizedImage951389975733579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIFWJ6yOrxp2vCrMO2qhccAtETOkkoC8uqKFVEtk8czGXm7T16NkT460DWZv86bSYEBsFD3F3xJOI6kBRpo0Z5A7njgrq8_t0sbKpU-ROO8ZGRoy2e3f0kzm0aplwvWC0Oun2plAHYbAZ/s1600/ResizedImage951389975733579.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug. Overalls. Ball cap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He had the twinkliest eyes ever, made even twinklier (I like to
think now, looking back) at the sight of two disappointed middle-aged ladies
with detectors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doug Drake to the rescue. He told us to follow him and we
did. About ¼ mile away, he rolled down his window and pointed to a dirt road;
then he sped off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a great site and I found my first (and only) truly
valuable (not to mention amazing) Civil War relic. About a week later, I went
over to Doug’s house to show him my finds from the past nine months. He looked
them over carefully, then looked up at me and grinned and said, “I want to go
metal detecting with YOU!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I was a lucky charm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From then on, we were a three-man detecting team. Because
Doug was retired and Cheryl between jobs, they went digging several times a
week, while I joined them on the weekends. We learned so much from him. So many
times, when I dug an unidentifiable item, I’d think, “I’ll show it to Doug;
he’ll know.” And he usually did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But sometimes he’d turn the item over and over in his hands,
so studiously, then look up and pronounce, “Hmm. It’s just one of them there thangs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twinkle, twinkle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Born in 1936, Doug was a member of the fifth generation of
Drakes who had settled the Madison area in the 1700s. He was a born historian,
a man with an intense and coursing curiosity, and not quite of this era. Today,
at the visitation, his sister told me that he used to sit out in the field
behind their house, just sit there, staring at the land, ignoring his mother as
she called for him. As a boy, he hunted for arrowheads, then became fascinated
with caves. He began using a metal detector 50 years ago and had an
encyclopedic understanding of the history of middle Tennessee. On our dozens of
road trips in that swaying brown Crown Victoria, (with me battling motion
sickness), he pointed out hundreds of sites he’d dug years ago. Cheryl and I
tried to remember them all, but it was just too much. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He and his wife, the gentle, lovely Brenda, whom he married in the early 1980s,
explored farmers’ fields and deep woods and – on their own – discovered the locations
of several pioneer forts then shared the information so the sites could be
properly documented by archaeologists. Doug donated hundreds of items he dug to
local museums and historical societies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a year ago, we noticed that Doug was having to stop
digging and sit down a lot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7jQIJi00rwPJALIm2LeG-i_w1AGjcAWLH_4teM_19cZpk9xleH9HjiFDIF_wJJSwhJM8PLkMF7FK-a5r7c1DQxevfPWylCR3PtVog-yqUzNtEd2Q6Eme3MMp9x7tSaPNgGXYGXzIKfCz/s1600/photo-144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7jQIJi00rwPJALIm2LeG-i_w1AGjcAWLH_4teM_19cZpk9xleH9HjiFDIF_wJJSwhJM8PLkMF7FK-a5r7c1DQxevfPWylCR3PtVog-yqUzNtEd2Q6Eme3MMp9x7tSaPNgGXYGXzIKfCz/s1600/photo-144.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The long hikes back to our cars really seemed to
take it out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t like him
at all; we tried not to worry but as the year progressed, he came digging with
us less and less frequently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day, though, he felt better and he and Cheryl met up south of town. After a few hours of fruitless digging, she came upon Doug leaning against a tree, grinning from ear to ear, with a rare Confederate button he'd just dug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In April, my dear friend, Terri Sarris, a film and video
artist at the University of Michigan, came down to Nashville to shoot footage
for a short film about me and my metal detecting life. It hasn’t been edited
yet, but I have a strong feeling that a lengthy interview with Doug, seated in
the doorway of an ancient smokehouse, in a Tennessee holler, will be a
highlight of the finished piece.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaRm_D6gZgN0WOdaq4Z-k5vuCNdO3e9v8EHWEJly2CUH0Wfx2O_auzkh9YillqPp7zo8n2s8zG_Ri7m_785t1Bx9XPLisqbjkCPDTgyQzWBnhR3QKKevdY7YVs6PC0TZaR2cFUKADT0DW/s1600/photo-141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaRm_D6gZgN0WOdaq4Z-k5vuCNdO3e9v8EHWEJly2CUH0Wfx2O_auzkh9YillqPp7zo8n2s8zG_Ri7m_785t1Bx9XPLisqbjkCPDTgyQzWBnhR3QKKevdY7YVs6PC0TZaR2cFUKADT0DW/s1600/photo-141.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Pahl, Terri Sarris, Doug Drake during filming<br />
in Doug's incredible Basement Lair of Antiquity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<o:p> </o:p>Doug's bypass took place over the summer and he never really recovered from it. Then an xray revealed the spot on his lung. To me and Cheryl, at least, he seemed quite unsentimental about it all. Sometimes, he came to a site with us and just set up a stool and watched us dig, his oxygen tank in the grass beside him. As the weather turned cool, he began selling and giving away his finds, his detectors, his bottles, his books, his maps. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-haqryO8e6j0f425H3kBwLyun5F7V4M79w4OUlFgRjQLZQGSfED4WFcYAl2qZAvZwlHhYZ21CxtPtfUao8egEo5g3IouvWDba3kKIZttqErSn8Ab0Wks9oSAD_gb6jTGoT54jOcnbGIZ/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-haqryO8e6j0f425H3kBwLyun5F7V4M79w4OUlFgRjQLZQGSfED4WFcYAl2qZAvZwlHhYZ21CxtPtfUao8egEo5g3IouvWDba3kKIZttqErSn8Ab0Wks9oSAD_gb6jTGoT54jOcnbGIZ/s1600/photo+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early December. Dealer Chase Pipes inspects<br />
Doug's collections of bottles, books and ... stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyvn-DPDYc5C8_U_x6BprCkQTiDugnPWa3C1Luqxp9c0gDuDKyEXw0g1K-lJRJ4SI47K-B23nhdyqNZGrJ7cQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
(In the video above, Doug takes a break from selling his bottles to recall an amazing site...)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about an hour, we could tell Doug was getting tired so
we wrapped up the visit. I patted his arm, but Cheryl said, “Doug, I know you
don't like to be hugged but I’m going to hug you anyway.” And she did. We
really thought we’d be able to visit again once he got home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday, an ambulance brought Doug home and set him up
comfortably in his chair. The hospice nurse left. Brenda puttered around for a
bit, then checked on Doug. He was gone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the midst of life… yup. Sigh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The visitation this morning at the Madison Funeral Home was
filled with folks from throughout Doug’s life, laughing and talking and crying
and thinking. Then, we went outside into the cold, January gray, we got in our
cars, turned on our flashers, and headed downtown with a full police escort. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d never driven in a funeral procession before. Here in the
south, it means that all traffic stops as you pass by. Police cars speed past
you to block the intersections as you sail through red lights. It was pretty
impressive and I felt strangely proud that all these strangers were stopping to
honor my digging buddy without even knowing who he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Some of these Southern rituals – like
children saying “Thank you, ma’am; I enjoyed it” when they leave the dinner table,
and stopping traffic to honor the dead – are worthy and good.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We drove to the Nashville City Cemetery where the Drake
family plot was purchased in the 1830s by Doug’s great- great-grandfather,
Henry Hollingsworth, who was then the mayor of Nashville. The line of cars
drove slowly between the ancient stones and past huge, old trees. We stood,
shivering, under a small canopy, where the casket lay draped in an American
flag. (Doug served his country in the Tennessee National Guard and in the United
States Air Force as a young man.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young soldier stood
some distance away, under a tree, and played taps, so sweetly. (That’ll make
you weep for a tough old digger any time.) Two other soldiers folded the flag
and presented it to Brenda. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sang
Amazing Grace. A minister said a few words. The pallbearers placed their
corsages on the coffin, then Arthur, another of Doug’s digging pals, added a
bullet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it was over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheryl and I went to a meat ‘n’ three, because funerals make
me hungry like nothing else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The part that’s so hard to grasp – and it’s hard to grasp
every, single time – is that he was just here. And now he’s not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just one of them thangs...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMnBBb-JUZIcUfYJnEWm9sShC20pfsVRUAUOgg5QHMeI8Eboo7CEBaD2JLw3PLWPSVQpdhIuF2iNhCZyfW7hWfdgiWjfGD6LePZCzOlUp_PwwmaI39LQ75WoAMLsk3tGUkM1UsH9babl4/s1600/ResizedImage951390012867099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMnBBb-JUZIcUfYJnEWm9sShC20pfsVRUAUOgg5QHMeI8Eboo7CEBaD2JLw3PLWPSVQpdhIuF2iNhCZyfW7hWfdgiWjfGD6LePZCzOlUp_PwwmaI39LQ75WoAMLsk3tGUkM1UsH9babl4/s1600/ResizedImage951390012867099.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-5710886077355246742014-01-03T07:05:00.000-08:002014-01-03T20:34:37.171-08:00Thorns<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I’m not alone in celebrating the passing of 2013. It
was a rough year, as careful readers of Dirt Girl know. Let’s recap:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My daughter’s illness last January.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The death of my beautiful Rottie girl,
Chloe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The passing of the great John Stoecker – a
terrible loss to my circle of friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Losing my longtime job (they immediately rehired
me as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“temp” with no benefits. Classy.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Giant August storm = four feet of water in the
basement. Again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Al’s emergency gallbladder surgery – a bill our
new, crappy health insurance is disputing because we went to the “wrong
hospital.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My detecting skills seem to have crawled under a
rock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just not finding anything lately. I tried SO HARD to dig something memorable or
at least vaguely interesting so as to have a scintillating end-of-year Dirt
Girl recap for ya.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But no.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The past few weekends, Cheryl and I have been trolling construction sites as more and more ancient farmland south of town is carved
into curlicued streets dotted with vaguely chateau-like houses for the moneyed many and their granite countertops.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our favorite blue-eyed foreman had told us about a barn
they’d recently torn down and we set out to find it. After a massive
directional misunderstanding sent us nearly to the Florida panhandle – on foot
– we turned around and found the barn, right next to our cars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And not far from the barn, in deep woods, after crossing a
sweet little stream, I came upon this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ-ap_9B5bK6FXvdM9s7HOBkQqAWyjQVYV08CGR-WybXSBGkSnbDNLUxov-uaBfy7kFHj-9Fy7jQOed0POSTJkgbarnp7SwySHnRhOg42axw7yHOCvdtzRAFJWIuCqvfQslSVeIGgojnj/s1600/photo-137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ-ap_9B5bK6FXvdM9s7HOBkQqAWyjQVYV08CGR-WybXSBGkSnbDNLUxov-uaBfy7kFHj-9Fy7jQOed0POSTJkgbarnp7SwySHnRhOg42axw7yHOCvdtzRAFJWIuCqvfQslSVeIGgojnj/s320/photo-137.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who lived here? It's not on my 1878 map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I yelled to Cheryl and we got to work. Our own secret home site!!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve spent three days there and don’t have a lot to show
for it. Part of the problem is the EVIL THORNS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was one point where three thorns were stuck into the
tender back of my left hand, pulling the skin into pointy little
pyramids. “Oh,” a part of my brain thought, “I should get a picture of this,
since I’m certainly not digging anything worth photographing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then, the pain was too great and I abandoned the plan.
Also, a large amount of my hair was being pulled out by other thorns. Instead, here's a vid of the site. Note the beautiful fireplace. Bulldozers were just on the other side of a piece of plastic. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVHic7rMk6lZ42dQ6bLzJQ1IwUj8dzTMZB0Fd6VR7zJUArDgpNi6SuNWYgQcqWsD3wifk5tPgw3dklo5KZjA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOBqSjINDrQVFLFKPKaMCjiRBcTaqqYHRUD8XLaF9r-Sfe0F9xfBmiX0oev__tykGazAPYyFLTPHc9bk_rMw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We did come across a tiny, old cemetery, abandoned, its
stones toppled and broken. (We plan to go back and do some clean up and try to get all the names.) It's a bit of a mystery. The cemetery is very close to the remains of the house. As in <i>too</i> close.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XFtjwAFYu_6BsfIBKW_Ut5Qer6O-WQio1IjW59oe4qx9NqtBogM763IUvIdCWxbDvlqM7qORqbSulnfXrp829rBK8a_w4kvO5RFDyIWcsUKzS8mtpYvQEOl9VpeD7IgHDPpv4hN4HXt3/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XFtjwAFYu_6BsfIBKW_Ut5Qer6O-WQio1IjW59oe4qx9NqtBogM763IUvIdCWxbDvlqM7qORqbSulnfXrp829rBK8a_w4kvO5RFDyIWcsUKzS8mtpYvQEOl9VpeD7IgHDPpv4hN4HXt3/s320/photo+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Holland was born August 3rd, 1800.<br />
I can't find him. Can you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some of our finds. Not very impressive. Lots of
iron, lots of junk. Lots of thorns.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzaJ_JGV5ji19vMINo9x6qE518PUW7z1X0XVlfkun_R_H3LgdY445iBk99KEQ-4egHaayV6QRkLPTI7ZlgyxJ_NBHUlYmMm6WTyJ5VIPr32gkZTeqBTHTciAg-3x5EcYezZiJ_ipKj6yx/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzaJ_JGV5ji19vMINo9x6qE518PUW7z1X0XVlfkun_R_H3LgdY445iBk99KEQ-4egHaayV6QRkLPTI7ZlgyxJ_NBHUlYmMm6WTyJ5VIPr32gkZTeqBTHTciAg-3x5EcYezZiJ_ipKj6yx/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. Round things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpKc2aiBUyizmos6Ea3fdKsLGw7_iktavTPKLS6z1OZgJEztdxRxHEWDs23zEJmJb6IVVpBCxdLR71zrddwg_Gg61yzgfhWCt-5XXYgnFmQxvmIDlJbA1WfODDXCxXFk_ki_PFkqBz0TX/s1600/photo-140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpKc2aiBUyizmos6Ea3fdKsLGw7_iktavTPKLS6z1OZgJEztdxRxHEWDs23zEJmJb6IVVpBCxdLR71zrddwg_Gg61yzgfhWCt-5XXYgnFmQxvmIDlJbA1WfODDXCxXFk_ki_PFkqBz0TX/s320/photo-140.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suspender clip. Only nice thing I found.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKGQQlNk-xLOMGGaDUNPvrZ5-ieStLv-j1z8gZzUmKvcUSTZH7pjwrX9IlUu-keWPuHu4PGvCbrJPhlPkZuq04uMYNLdc41vUVsSkAOgnrxD4zzhztEMCWGW0o6ztBParRm7KmhEI2LPp/s1600/photo-136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKGQQlNk-xLOMGGaDUNPvrZ5-ieStLv-j1z8gZzUmKvcUSTZH7pjwrX9IlUu-keWPuHu4PGvCbrJPhlPkZuq04uMYNLdc41vUVsSkAOgnrxD4zzhztEMCWGW0o6ztBParRm7KmhEI2LPp/s320/photo-136.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is sweet too. Coin silver plate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYVGW9VWK4dr1d__10jEvhQcMLMDaKb86A2HmR7Xfa888o5DwlYvprrpozXlW6vZ2_3mwaq0LQeVmm_RjDoYWZpRmOoDBIBtj_3dqw41NtGzc5lpJWocAYlSx2WNFxWCSfIx8fd17lv5X/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYVGW9VWK4dr1d__10jEvhQcMLMDaKb86A2HmR7Xfa888o5DwlYvprrpozXlW6vZ2_3mwaq0LQeVmm_RjDoYWZpRmOoDBIBtj_3dqw41NtGzc5lpJWocAYlSx2WNFxWCSfIx8fd17lv5X/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl's haul. I need to copy her settings, clearly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5bRYpvYIjrwpRB0dQvwIu2qH6-3k9aVZZV8xcgCOpGzrTjCpfz2yaqOjATkkGNN5nXNRuZ-QP_yLVYEMoSAa-_uGNfecJBh99FjCDXJOC59U0jMXtwmb-xK_xu0i1gF7BLT6GEIgg9bK/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5bRYpvYIjrwpRB0dQvwIu2qH6-3k9aVZZV8xcgCOpGzrTjCpfz2yaqOjATkkGNN5nXNRuZ-QP_yLVYEMoSAa-_uGNfecJBh99FjCDXJOC59U0jMXtwmb-xK_xu0i1gF7BLT6GEIgg9bK/s320/photo+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pbtZIiqFwDp0ZQShgeb_552j2E9DI4uurfWUFc_1sgMl0pYm9PcckMABeU8W5h1iPzzanF9JkoA9OqNomml28BjhBQU86ydT8Z8AnZIyOmN9-zF3716Os6Na3_Mhz4IK50ROAHgOCGQP/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pbtZIiqFwDp0ZQShgeb_552j2E9DI4uurfWUFc_1sgMl0pYm9PcckMABeU8W5h1iPzzanF9JkoA9OqNomml28BjhBQU86ydT8Z8AnZIyOmN9-zF3716Os6Na3_Mhz4IK50ROAHgOCGQP/s320/photo+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random item I found near my house.<br />
What is it?????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh! I almost forgot! My buddy, Tom, from the Middle
Tennessee Metal Detecting Club, very kindly took one of my old ax heads and did
electrolysis on it! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMQcV6fUdGCHkTB5ozUgjT_55ei9JB8Vc2NkvypCgUsY7Pl9acDXHDe02flcc-ME0uyvz_wNqWWdnqRjjzWBdVZv5T_vWDyfClPL2RzmGwqGF2ObAIauOQGA-EDlWfCXgsaRgG27w_aWP/s1600/photo-139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMQcV6fUdGCHkTB5ozUgjT_55ei9JB8Vc2NkvypCgUsY7Pl9acDXHDe02flcc-ME0uyvz_wNqWWdnqRjjzWBdVZv5T_vWDyfClPL2RzmGwqGF2ObAIauOQGA-EDlWfCXgsaRgG27w_aWP/s320/photo-139.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THANKS, Tom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By "electrolysis,", I do not mean that Tom removed unwanted hair from
the ax head. This is an example of a really unfortunate synonym. In MD
parlance, “electrolysis” is a process involving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a battery charger, baking soda, water and various wires to remove rust
from nasty, crusty items. Tom did a swell job and I am in the process of
learning how to do it myself. I have almost everything ready to start,
including an embarrassingly large pile of rusty nonsense outside my back door. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
A few days ago, thoroughly grumpy due to my bad luck of late, I spent a cold and lonely day driving all over the Nashville metro area looking for places to dig. Al had given me a new Garrett pinpointer to replace the one I lost last Christmas and I needed to practice not losing it. Found a house being renovated and the guy in charge said I could dig. Here's the result:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l-Xf7pktCg6E-z5rslx3zWlv1ZoDUjNhAp_uNQq1V3asB7lgQh1P5HzyMitRqN1CKHIPlV2E3eOuIoyCOlAG-XfTYrLHLgwWoFOoaNUhytJHFmDnpVaH7nQY8BVrb7Us1U6drmvUBInz/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l-Xf7pktCg6E-z5rslx3zWlv1ZoDUjNhAp_uNQq1V3asB7lgQh1P5HzyMitRqN1CKHIPlV2E3eOuIoyCOlAG-XfTYrLHLgwWoFOoaNUhytJHFmDnpVaH7nQY8BVrb7Us1U6drmvUBInz/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeLbai_T_iwv6ZJK7Zi_IVrsq9_idZoI481xPM7kd7bUjTQlIksVLN0eBWWgDdADo9CJ1OEgzfTj7BoGwq1nu14s4bFj5N8chDfZq2UTxV64XqqJaY1ed2MmJI8BVoE8ZRB7M4cBTtwMV/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeLbai_T_iwv6ZJK7Zi_IVrsq9_idZoI481xPM7kd7bUjTQlIksVLN0eBWWgDdADo9CJ1OEgzfTj7BoGwq1nu14s4bFj5N8chDfZq2UTxV64XqqJaY1ed2MmJI8BVoE8ZRB7M4cBTtwMV/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after. Hey, it's better than nothing.<br />
<br />
Right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, the first day of 2014, was sunny and warm. Cheryl
and I decided to take a break from wilderness. We headed to a park on the other
side of town. A few months ago, I’d found a Civil War button right by the street.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's my take from the park:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy8TfMlYOA9EeWVf1zDg76kM7A66UuZ7YE4slcpauHzA5C7YQE2elyRkwRtVEckd4SD9O7FAWrWPw3BPN-XiRrwPd3ouqzmTFm2dbnKSdTqQeS__3qoTntS2Y9IYmEFpyScI0-lzSH_Nj/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy8TfMlYOA9EeWVf1zDg76kM7A66UuZ7YE4slcpauHzA5C7YQE2elyRkwRtVEckd4SD9O7FAWrWPw3BPN-XiRrwPd3ouqzmTFm2dbnKSdTqQeS__3qoTntS2Y9IYmEFpyScI0-lzSH_Nj/s320/photo+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, the glamour, the glory of it all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MpZlb8P3fYY66PUrVHV9y-bC_4opbHh1OhoNVP8v6qWB2zg9RJcjPqmGFlPOhuu1tFKPaBRxvOoiSamlM2SUzBx288Q7nAe1vZM0fdsu0BOlk3R0blaFC_c0Hg0AM_3Hz0GA6ZodRkif/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MpZlb8P3fYY66PUrVHV9y-bC_4opbHh1OhoNVP8v6qWB2zg9RJcjPqmGFlPOhuu1tFKPaBRxvOoiSamlM2SUzBx288Q7nAe1vZM0fdsu0BOlk3R0blaFC_c0Hg0AM_3Hz0GA6ZodRkif/s320/photo+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even I cannot imagine an art project that<br />
could make use of these.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaelcS8dX1x92MSsGSyz-7TlA5R9TcNeg2TjGsNcFP3hZF7ADTkFV8KqEYBLwx70E2o0ZuSWztwvwHRruG2DrMpxickhODv6AK1QszmN85cw-zLzBbvIMQnH32goJs7U80zNDcA-pIfTAB/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaelcS8dX1x92MSsGSyz-7TlA5R9TcNeg2TjGsNcFP3hZF7ADTkFV8KqEYBLwx70E2o0ZuSWztwvwHRruG2DrMpxickhODv6AK1QszmN85cw-zLzBbvIMQnH32goJs7U80zNDcA-pIfTAB/s320/photo+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These, however, look strangely lovely, don't you think?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA3rlHFe47-whg0n06ahUBbC77DxYDTAKKqJCkh4TYJdbIVkKQTtTF3sd8TMQFdOh1XAFCibfx1gxV9mahJsawcUedLq8UC7GGt7dHNLLXEk4wgjVFukc9bYa8ki_e3KKaVCiGjCTMKtE/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA3rlHFe47-whg0n06ahUBbC77DxYDTAKKqJCkh4TYJdbIVkKQTtTF3sd8TMQFdOh1XAFCibfx1gxV9mahJsawcUedLq8UC7GGt7dHNLLXEk4wgjVFukc9bYa8ki_e3KKaVCiGjCTMKtE/s320/photo+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">83 cents. I think. Who cares.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCblY3GIdW-i7CgZsHy4QkvWJIZRH_GA1S8-hGwzFKMzB4pJRed2kwICPRCskqBO_8l29-mM-MgJf8jV-eY4rYVAcegY3y3uIN2hQuxdsgbeWiQdtt-jXrBVukU_QXP7flPil13xXGetZj/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCblY3GIdW-i7CgZsHy4QkvWJIZRH_GA1S8-hGwzFKMzB4pJRed2kwICPRCskqBO_8l29-mM-MgJf8jV-eY4rYVAcegY3y3uIN2hQuxdsgbeWiQdtt-jXrBVukU_QXP7flPil13xXGetZj/s320/photo+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery ring (I've dug these before and<br />
have no idea what they are), strange tags<br />
and a token for a free car wash that I may<br />
try to redeem, as my car is filthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_o-KirsA3nOWBnIcUk4Kg2TIthXYvVl-BTQfr2XJ-ip4Gn9R_Q4DLyL5Bl2Po6LGF0wlig_c8Nshn8Nlawj4Zb9V6DO_Z4Rjk0pyU-Xjx8XwZp0Jy0UoMZ4AUow9bYuNzXh7pYJfQrfR/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_o-KirsA3nOWBnIcUk4Kg2TIthXYvVl-BTQfr2XJ-ip4Gn9R_Q4DLyL5Bl2Po6LGF0wlig_c8Nshn8Nlawj4Zb9V6DO_Z4Rjk0pyU-Xjx8XwZp0Jy0UoMZ4AUow9bYuNzXh7pYJfQrfR/s320/photo+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This quickened the old pulse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIDdf2ZrQaHBvkWTQydd1Zudw19c_Q5BxF8GizrozQCnDCCosgznq9hhgi6VM2k7_VQzXJX5Jv052J_IGI9Z1HykOjA9gXUpcqSVRscB-lczwmu1sQSGusOvF_kR4qYa2ZuKBghRSSlPt/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIDdf2ZrQaHBvkWTQydd1Zudw19c_Q5BxF8GizrozQCnDCCosgznq9hhgi6VM2k7_VQzXJX5Jv052J_IGI9Z1HykOjA9gXUpcqSVRscB-lczwmu1sQSGusOvF_kR4qYa2ZuKBghRSSlPt/s320/photo+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Til I turned it over. Nice. Thanks, 2013.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later, I
was nosing around the edge of a nearby schoolyard when a man approached. Would
I like to detect his back yard? Why, yes! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that was how Cheryl and I ended the first day of the new
year: digging with some adorable children (one named WHIT!) in a really cool
old neighborhood. Hopefully, this contact will lead to more permissions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcHSw66dqaQBLpDlggmMXlTdX7G2A9wRfOsBfoB4LNEhci4VXKUEIHzuAy8IbM8bNPzl_buwkzGKb3gs-zDAEezCWsSdaSBIsmBm0ulrDDaKXhIXM267rg7olee7m_-EtlPDt_vebhMyA/s1600/photo+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcHSw66dqaQBLpDlggmMXlTdX7G2A9wRfOsBfoB4LNEhci4VXKUEIHzuAy8IbM8bNPzl_buwkzGKb3gs-zDAEezCWsSdaSBIsmBm0ulrDDaKXhIXM267rg7olee7m_-EtlPDt_vebhMyA/s320/photo+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detectorist-in-training, rockin' the Fisher F 75.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQh7UAAZR0CTjvtMaIY3kqizCuZl7ogdi-C9SL1fx6Ge3DUk9NWiZgA1PswtOGc1zxFvdN1FG7Ob0PNgULgZ0Rf870zGTb2iXyUliEXg_jvNctTBsWbmpJ0tCtUneigbk9pK56nlWA6AF/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQh7UAAZR0CTjvtMaIY3kqizCuZl7ogdi-C9SL1fx6Ge3DUk9NWiZgA1PswtOGc1zxFvdN1FG7Ob0PNgULgZ0Rf870zGTb2iXyUliEXg_jvNctTBsWbmpJ0tCtUneigbk9pK56nlWA6AF/s320/photo+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew that a Garrett pinpointer could<br />
elicit such unbridled delight?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8OBiNAXyplhydEtAyaSPzs82AXRoWcx06WH4DQlW9v-Brh3-V926DPdb0wplELNVh8IxWYcRJRXI-ITqYr8IvQsc0uXjITpeEfOOriwK1WGFqt2ARazEQKqSVOTPTuC7ZygFV26vtf6_/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8OBiNAXyplhydEtAyaSPzs82AXRoWcx06WH4DQlW9v-Brh3-V926DPdb0wplELNVh8IxWYcRJRXI-ITqYr8IvQsc0uXjITpeEfOOriwK1WGFqt2ARazEQKqSVOTPTuC7ZygFV26vtf6_/s320/photo+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolest find of the day! WHAT IS IT?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnsA1ECaMtkU2lIWofHwbudvi6tw9_470eSXZNWyWsf6cjnFoihEe2X6VhkkrGxYhSGKbzHmj6DOqYzXpg-AZz-lulQPnIL-c84e1GHK3USwXuLY-7kX2-V-Cqf07MSGhvTYJp5Sxoaf_/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnsA1ECaMtkU2lIWofHwbudvi6tw9_470eSXZNWyWsf6cjnFoihEe2X6VhkkrGxYhSGKbzHmj6DOqYzXpg-AZz-lulQPnIL-c84e1GHK3USwXuLY-7kX2-V-Cqf07MSGhvTYJp5Sxoaf_/s320/photo+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also cool. Part of a locket???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here we are at the start of a new year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last one was challenging, but loveliness emerged from it too. My daughter is fine and strong. I had a houseful of family
for Christmas. Chloe is flying free, safe in the arms of eternity; neighbor
she attacked greets us cheerfully and says he rarely thinks about what happened. My job? Well, I haven’t
made peace with that. We’re going to wall off the basement doors so it never floods
again. Al’s all healed up, and the songs of John Stoecker remind his friends to
“Enjoy the Ride.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Speaking of songs, I'm working on a record of metal detecting songs. Here's one. I dug it up.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/127646766&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe>whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-26475001770105923402013-11-08T21:07:00.000-08:002013-11-08T21:07:38.336-08:00I'll Never Be Hungry Again...
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s full-on fall here in Tennessee. The ticks and snakes
have retreated into their wretched, little lairs and Cheryl and I are free to
dive into deepest, darkest, seemingly virgin woods to dig up crushed Budweiser
cans, 12 inches down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which we do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since my epic skunking of the last post, we’ve returned to
our construction site (we’ll dub it Double Buckle) quite a few times and have
even gotten to know the weekend crew of Latin American construction
professionals. One hot day, they disappeared and came back with ice-cold
bottles of juice for us. In their broken English, they told us about the
ancient broken pottery they’ve unearthed in their home lands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I, who am scared of anything large and loud, have even
become comfortable with the massive bulldozer and dump trucks that we share the
site with. When one heads our way, I just saunter out of the way. Sounds
obvious, but it’s been a bit of a breakthrough for me and I am rather proud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s me in my headphones and ball cap, covered in
construction site mud, looking and feeling pretty bad-ass if I do say so
myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthqosPXn5eEwchIXWtpIZSMaG7OW_rsUuD0D7WkIhOeytp-I71Bk8gF7AhsnaoLv4WTlYzuB3C61dEs9s_mALW_N7sN0qJDtZB1QelKQrD2yiqyg7dOdMsrr9wBnkvmaqmCQ4KQ2XnQLB/s1600/photo-96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthqosPXn5eEwchIXWtpIZSMaG7OW_rsUuD0D7WkIhOeytp-I71Bk8gF7AhsnaoLv4WTlYzuB3C61dEs9s_mALW_N7sN0qJDtZB1QelKQrD2yiqyg7dOdMsrr9wBnkvmaqmCQ4KQ2XnQLB/s320/photo-96.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't f**k with the dance major.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No. I didn’t find a buckle, though I surely tried. I did
manage to dig some very nice buttons and a few other cool odds and ends. Here’s
a visual recap:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK0C0vW6lGgcOuLqXKJ9p-HRCeLAlDZFTmaVDkIU6dtAFbHV3a4NPz9VPKIw_TQKYxgl5NBJ1JzcH9qWROTYlX6pPpR3Fxsd5CzJK0GRv5gHSk_r3aXf9_h9cKprB51J7y55bY59n-5l4/s1600/photo-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK0C0vW6lGgcOuLqXKJ9p-HRCeLAlDZFTmaVDkIU6dtAFbHV3a4NPz9VPKIw_TQKYxgl5NBJ1JzcH9qWROTYlX6pPpR3Fxsd5CzJK0GRv5gHSk_r3aXf9_h9cKprB51J7y55bY59n-5l4/s320/photo-95.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This button makes my heart sing a radiant song.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyJjCHR4fTpbuvx-UZYM2_5GVm2redMOqrsEh7LeY8GrLfrNqsmpgSUqhNjmZVHak_KqeW1FHbuIrjQ-yH1yy8JzZa3lFHW0ifmyoPty5Al5xfsjsvyYZXxCeAk-Tv6DWonhyphenhyphenpQzEI1sA/s1600/photo-118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyJjCHR4fTpbuvx-UZYM2_5GVm2redMOqrsEh7LeY8GrLfrNqsmpgSUqhNjmZVHak_KqeW1FHbuIrjQ-yH1yy8JzZa3lFHW0ifmyoPty5Al5xfsjsvyYZXxCeAk-Tv6DWonhyphenhyphenpQzEI1sA/s320/photo-118.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, this site was generous with the<br />buttons. Cheryl, too, found some<br />beautiful ones. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzFCCBSVWf1U_QFv8VR1AJfMCqag7gL1m-WcNwRP65LEkNUhEp1P0KbolMtJX1hHJKcv0wyQp4yw16aVkWcveqPr3wekLDd-uYGmJXoUb4st2uLTa6v7JRHOxfq6rYefD3KtvCzvnebRL/s1600/photo-104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzFCCBSVWf1U_QFv8VR1AJfMCqag7gL1m-WcNwRP65LEkNUhEp1P0KbolMtJX1hHJKcv0wyQp4yw16aVkWcveqPr3wekLDd-uYGmJXoUb4st2uLTa6v7JRHOxfq6rYefD3KtvCzvnebRL/s320/photo-104.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew you wanted to see this "dragoon"<br />button up close. Lots of gold left on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwLN4xL2ICva8L8x8NQ-EnPsnYTNaSzQgBx7tYGj3gt_PKz-w6LzksrTlNjtPRWeMO0-ekHisr5iG4muRetgBJ7HQVNLQ2_7m67D2DUwdm4xW2wOJ6nzmcj1S2wfI6DsghjElTx7OoW22/s1600/photo-119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwLN4xL2ICva8L8x8NQ-EnPsnYTNaSzQgBx7tYGj3gt_PKz-w6LzksrTlNjtPRWeMO0-ekHisr5iG4muRetgBJ7HQVNLQ2_7m67D2DUwdm4xW2wOJ6nzmcj1S2wfI6DsghjElTx7OoW22/s320/photo-119.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: harmonica reed, clock or watch guts<br />suspender clip that looks like a tiny valise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day, we ventured into the woods that border the site
(you remember? the woods with the murderous branch that nearly brained me?… ).
We didn't find much in there but I took the biggest outdoor pee of my life and if
that is too graphic for you, then your sensibilities are too delicate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what I found in the woods.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr2A5mfmOu_xZkn6Z2fIWM-dMwhLaQpdyXF3FXkkomlig5JhZ6yn084_NuVtvigq6SSLGsj39Is4b2QXRJkDev7YU9UFt6HAc2tBk7o4ZuHEkvZsJEuSd0r2Y1ZqEuDuKZY0HUanpbBxD/s1600/photo-116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr2A5mfmOu_xZkn6Z2fIWM-dMwhLaQpdyXF3FXkkomlig5JhZ6yn084_NuVtvigq6SSLGsj39Is4b2QXRJkDev7YU9UFt6HAc2tBk7o4ZuHEkvZsJEuSd0r2Y1ZqEuDuKZY0HUanpbBxD/s320/photo-116.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right. It's a rare and valuable<br />Civil War elephant. I understand<br />your feelings of envy, but you must<br />learn to deal with them. And don't<br />go telling me it's a bent and broken <br />hoe handle. That's ridiculous.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last weekend, with nothing else on the docket, we headed
back to Double Buckle to see if the bulldozers might have flipped over a good
spot. It’s sad to see the natural topography of this land get all flattened out
and readied for the $500K houses. (You may insert something about
“progress” here, if you like; I can't.) We got busy and dug for a couple of hours,
dodging 'dozers. The ground was mostly orange clay by this time, but there were a
few areas of black dirt that looked interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are a couple of things I found.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXwWYjsdnglHzm5dEdai9zSUSzU_kN3oh7rq__6l-JB2Q-p2xsiBL1gnj24JkfrYuFEuF42VeX1Z7vF4qmip0tVwkO8yImV5nsL24XzEr7LMnFXLgCtyHf5moTDXVPi554xQcPHo1hpEZ/s1600/photo-129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXwWYjsdnglHzm5dEdai9zSUSzU_kN3oh7rq__6l-JB2Q-p2xsiBL1gnj24JkfrYuFEuF42VeX1Z7vF4qmip0tVwkO8yImV5nsL24XzEr7LMnFXLgCtyHf5moTDXVPi554xQcPHo1hpEZ/s320/photo-129.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looked promising.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjdVBUC0zmgjfYFmLuFkU8s0QselnnNDCvJcZaHGtNPGPb1nNP3bcIFZzM1ISdI7mgPktXv2BGe6dE20GnnJG0kXpZ265go61kfAm-dKuhgx-CS2MAPuQ6Gr4lqvifRwnApNMzdl1rDPN/s1600/photo-131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjdVBUC0zmgjfYFmLuFkU8s0QselnnNDCvJcZaHGtNPGPb1nNP3bcIFZzM1ISdI7mgPktXv2BGe6dE20GnnJG0kXpZ265go61kfAm-dKuhgx-CS2MAPuQ6Gr4lqvifRwnApNMzdl1rDPN/s320/photo-131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is, cleaned up.<br />Still not sure what it is. Any ideas? Jakson<br />insisted on being part of the display. He liked<br />the textural dissonance of metal and fur and I<br />have to say, I do too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI07nRelKphNSFE37BLe3GM9UEesGIZPERa6LtP13cfLxyrLueHCpvCn6AQzBIUEvx8XCHNIaFSLwS9wq0E7jDFwC-UYjmPYViqf9JyJMYV2nsk3LkAq8z05IakpA2VJ81Ftm3OXRUqwD/s1600/photo-130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI07nRelKphNSFE37BLe3GM9UEesGIZPERa6LtP13cfLxyrLueHCpvCn6AQzBIUEvx8XCHNIaFSLwS9wq0E7jDFwC-UYjmPYViqf9JyJMYV2nsk3LkAq8z05IakpA2VJ81Ftm3OXRUqwD/s320/photo-130.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl and I found these within minutes<br />of each other, but far apart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 3, Cheryl and I were taking a break, when a massive white truck
pulled up and the man inside began talking to the workers. Now, I don’t cotton
to this type of interference. It can only be bad. So I began my fervent prayer,
PLEASE DON’T COME OVER HERE AND ASK ME IF I’M METAL DETECTING PLEASE DON’T
PLEASE DON’T PLEASE DON’T.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The truck pulled up next to me. “You gals metal detecting?”
said the man, who had the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. The kind of eyes that
report metal detectorists to the authorities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“UM, well? Not right now! I, uh, mean, we WERE, or might
have been? But as you can see, we are merely eating sandwiches!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve never flourished in these situations. (See page 38 in
my book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Not+About+Madonna" target="_blank">Not About Madonna</a>,</i> for
another example of this).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, the man said, leaning out his truck window and staring
at the Fisher F75 detectors in our hands. “Over on Cracked Stump Road, the fire
department just burned down a 100-year-old house. You can hunt the whole
property. You can’t miss it – it’s still smoldering.” The man – head of a huge
construction company handling a bunch of local sites – gave us his card and
permission to hunt all we want.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that’s how, at the end of the day, Cheryl and I found
ourselves in a huge field next to a seriously burning house. We walked around
in amazement. Two barns burned in the far corners of the property. Two matching
chimneys stood stark against the darkening sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was hissing, crackling. A flaming branch fell off a tree I was standing
under and nearly set me on fire. Of course.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMIxSZ1im4vpbbqKBoVv3EyDFjP-j96Tw7qsGtAeatAAWK3jdOh3afGtWcGS2wOdPXoic1pVz4KUCfrfQ23hZs37198-7cBAabDVqW7jNugXyP3mFJdty_CHG0JER2dC0l-Ey0vG96dRf/s1600/photo-128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMIxSZ1im4vpbbqKBoVv3EyDFjP-j96Tw7qsGtAeatAAWK3jdOh3afGtWcGS2wOdPXoic1pVz4KUCfrfQ23hZs37198-7cBAabDVqW7jNugXyP3mFJdty_CHG0JER2dC0l-Ey0vG96dRf/s320/photo-128.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then Cheryl had to leave and I found myself alone at the burning
Southern house at sunset. I fought the urge to drop to my knees, scrabble in
the dirt for a parsnip and sob, “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry
again!” because that would not have been cinematically accurate because Tara
did not burn, (though Twelve Oaks did) and this house, though old, was not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> old as evidenced by the satellite
dish in the front yard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kept saying (out loud, to no one): “How did I end up here?”
There was something a little buzzards-circling-the-carcass-y about my presence on
this property, even with permission. Was I “profiting” from someone’s
misfortune by digging here? Then I remembered that whoever had just sold this
property to the developer was probably a millionaire now AND I was about to
unearth cool clues to the people who’d lived here for the past 100 years. And
that, my friend, is just a teensy bit sacred. When the bulldozers arrive, it’ll
all be lost forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnpjV2i-zejpx4BqlK-vzkLmCNeArnWuEcAD4kJEyz28b6DR0NwDjeizOlcZBVKQ-a12vTcKFfGWHWQs85mg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took a breath and got to digging. Here’s what I found.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxST5DTdOpyGoMqvvUdC_-EfUMP_nbikZSns-Q2LqGTVF5U4_pyof9lv9ECJUBxxlrg7vtIcM0O-K3dsdC0j3G_zN8bFEjs5ctmRdKtZKg2JwH_9qDSLaCcVaO-D7oTMi-P6ChTUnTzJeJ/s1600/photo-121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxST5DTdOpyGoMqvvUdC_-EfUMP_nbikZSns-Q2LqGTVF5U4_pyof9lv9ECJUBxxlrg7vtIcM0O-K3dsdC0j3G_zN8bFEjs5ctmRdKtZKg2JwH_9qDSLaCcVaO-D7oTMi-P6ChTUnTzJeJ/s320/photo-121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were together, clearly from the same harmonica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM8TF12Ng2SDmijzIeSqmhXdYcA8_g_7ttcR4fMsgB3otaTX2gbD8mp2sFyGWSIBQPWCuLQOoyAzKwJgQGtOkaNcDZVBjDPyUiJ0rdZdllCbgLaqFHKP6vdM1hH_oclnrBQUTsK6IvF4C/s1600/photo-126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM8TF12Ng2SDmijzIeSqmhXdYcA8_g_7ttcR4fMsgB3otaTX2gbD8mp2sFyGWSIBQPWCuLQOoyAzKwJgQGtOkaNcDZVBjDPyUiJ0rdZdllCbgLaqFHKP6vdM1hH_oclnrBQUTsK6IvF4C/s320/photo-126.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe from a desk? So pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKlmsZxjRVVC5hOip39b9QPhyphenhyphenAvP_-TxW4H1tUfGuS9F8mlRUD5wgrG6hlE33awHDqhVlPZBjJsusK4F4P1VzKo25qqafIrKlTDfi13MdwwVnvkhKJvQgaOxBBENmxM6OFEja6m3Y8Zoz/s1600/photo-135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKlmsZxjRVVC5hOip39b9QPhyphenhyphenAvP_-TxW4H1tUfGuS9F8mlRUD5wgrG6hlE33awHDqhVlPZBjJsusK4F4P1VzKo25qqafIrKlTDfi13MdwwVnvkhKJvQgaOxBBENmxM6OFEja6m3Y8Zoz/s320/photo-135.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1920 -- my grandfather had arrived from<br />Armenia only a year or two earlier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day, Cheryl and I checked out a wooded area in a brand-new
subdivision that the construction guy had told us about. Just a year or two
ago, this had been a remote site on a dirt road with a 200-year-old log cabin
on it and a real, live spring house. Now, the cabin was gone, but the spring
house remained, tucked into some woods, next to a neat and tidy cul-de-sac. We
didn’t dig anything fun but the spring house was pretty sweet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwD_dqOk5_Wq4w8peOo0S91DzATewC4vX_kxkYgyeKEWQlPkl-nghfZNlfDpHS88aY5vuoNe6krvj0I61vFSQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So then we went back to the burn-out for round two but
didn’t stay long because Dirt Girl had signed up for a food writing workshop in
Nashville. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here are a few more things we found.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaHu0KA6jXnxtAomnSxcmNEq31lKeFhmV0PDzaq3HYWJ19PEMnNPWiACPqIVquqrI-OWAEWaB3thQE6Z3KsQCXysIq23tEUdDElvBaQD4GKxfnQeN9mDL6zwxU4iPKHm2SUojc3rRQ84M/s1600/photo-132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaHu0KA6jXnxtAomnSxcmNEq31lKeFhmV0PDzaq3HYWJ19PEMnNPWiACPqIVquqrI-OWAEWaB3thQE6Z3KsQCXysIq23tEUdDElvBaQD4GKxfnQeN9mDL6zwxU4iPKHm2SUojc3rRQ84M/s320/photo-132.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama's coat button.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudIuJMrGkqEvsATCe6Yip8Uy3ZKEmd2Sxf7WG23OJz7xPHdDQ78U5-HrNtqc8GktdHI6apXjNxBfSNp_L2GBWfFfKGvaqvCvQdTGWd_TNQ8J40GtpAJQ82EWBoBpcjRqE2l2T-iLkiNWH/s1600/photo-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudIuJMrGkqEvsATCe6Yip8Uy3ZKEmd2Sxf7WG23OJz7xPHdDQ78U5-HrNtqc8GktdHI6apXjNxBfSNp_L2GBWfFfKGvaqvCvQdTGWd_TNQ8J40GtpAJQ82EWBoBpcjRqE2l2T-iLkiNWH/s320/photo-134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This this is huge! I'm guessing the fin off an old car?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf6AoXkqH169dFLSohehsIPDnEDvk7iQ9myZFeAdGF327VWX6B_ML_IaZUILOgh7w8TtvRO05UIEjU4Zbe8htKOKk3i_HVf-ZYX7bh1n1KHCNRQHCCz8XLRlvl2GYQuO6vU_RtDakBEXK/s1600/photo-125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf6AoXkqH169dFLSohehsIPDnEDvk7iQ9myZFeAdGF327VWX6B_ML_IaZUILOgh7w8TtvRO05UIEjU4Zbe8htKOKk3i_HVf-ZYX7bh1n1KHCNRQHCCz8XLRlvl2GYQuO6vU_RtDakBEXK/s320/photo-125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a little teapot. (This was a pin.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, yeah. Fall. I’ve been thinking about the burning house
all week long. My van still smells like smoke. I can’t help but wonder about
the 100 previous falls that fell there. How there’d been a house, nothing
fancy. No columns. Just a house. Grannies. Babies. Well water. Turkey dinners.
Folks sitting out on the front porch, staring at a particular sky. A man looking
out the screen door, saying, “Whoo-boy, feel that chill, darlin’? Let’s have a
fire tonight, after I get home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-89497023190067471492013-09-15T20:26:00.000-07:002013-09-15T20:27:49.967-07:00Dear Cheryl...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 15, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Cheryl,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m just going to come right out and admit it. You skunked
me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shall even hazard to say that this weekend’s skunking of
me, your friend Whitley, may herefore be referred to as the Skunking of the
Ages, a skunking by which all other future skunkings will be measured.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(As this isn't, of course, actually a letter, but a blog
post, I’ll recap a bit for the clamoring public.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, this weekend was the most beautiful in many weeks,
with morning temperatures in the 50s and reasonable highs. Overhead: the bluest
of skies, dotted with wispy wisps. Cool breezes. It was prime for digging and,
Cheryl, you know as well as I do how badly we both needed this weekend. Our MD
mentor, The Aptly Named Doug, had scouted out a construction site in the small
town of “Borgnorf”, a few miles northsouthwest of Nashville. Between a
marshmallow factory and a pelican ranch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Sorry, folks: Cheryl and I will never tell you where.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was going to be so FUN.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, suddenly, I could not go digging on Saturday, as I
had to teach dance to underprivileged children. Hungry, underprivileged
children. (Disclaimer: the children I taught were neither hungry nor
underprivileged but I still had to teach them. On a flawless Saturday, wrought
by God for metal detecting.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I left the studio, Cheryl, you called me with excitement
in your voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’d found your first US buckle. You texted me a photo of
it and it’s indeed a beauty! I was so happy for you! I really was. Later, I
told a friend how cool it is that when one of us finds something, the other one
is really, truly happy. There is never jealousy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will say, however, that your buckle did quicken my pulse.
Sunday could not come soon enough. Saturday evening, I became so desperate that
I visited a neighbor’s yard and quickly pulled out these nifty 1950s-era house
numbers. Pretty cool, huh, Cheryl?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LjEscT9PW9slPPvV8ethp7-02tHrFQXUdisfAxeUc4ZS2uTdz9WQ8d1H6nSYUBlsATZxJEpo8LmldPSH1XzUVs9WrYBmXla7DQ2r9dK6ExSAoAnP6KfdRxwKtpt8XiIoCXDZVVADlsHp/s1600/photo-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LjEscT9PW9slPPvV8ethp7-02tHrFQXUdisfAxeUc4ZS2uTdz9WQ8d1H6nSYUBlsATZxJEpo8LmldPSH1XzUVs9WrYBmXla7DQ2r9dK6ExSAoAnP6KfdRxwKtpt8XiIoCXDZVVADlsHp/s320/photo-93.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings us to this morning, Sunday. We met at the site
in Borgnorf. You were right, Cheryl: it’s HUGE. A massive, unfenced, unposted,
drool-worthy construction site in a rugged and ancient area that will soon be
peppered with subdivisions named “Briar Mount” or “Craggy Landing.” We pulled
in and got started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was hard going. The bulldozers had turned the gentle
fields and forests into the surface of the moon. We immediately split up and
started swinging our twin Fisher F75s. I instinctively headed for the edge of
the site – it was bordered by thick woods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the first thing I found:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(It’s brass or copper with a nice, green patina, so I was
pretty excited.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCknkGPH9bC2yZR5WvufIQMNtMQyGQ_l25zyTISbZodc6sZOOLCCuAqALPnJQswmFRNocyV_ZHR94ViExu0uIFSO1kGU_3RRW-Ss6-MKYRmH3fu2nvjKIkGaLK3hveaKrczQtH29BVm2Ce/s1600/photo-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCknkGPH9bC2yZR5WvufIQMNtMQyGQ_l25zyTISbZodc6sZOOLCCuAqALPnJQswmFRNocyV_ZHR94ViExu0uIFSO1kGU_3RRW-Ss6-MKYRmH3fu2nvjKIkGaLK3hveaKrczQtH29BVm2Ce/s320/photo-101.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had high hopes for this, but it's just a lid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also this: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQkE1hTUMIH2W7vUdIeOlMopi-dl2AHqn6sU7F5qWsbyP8PPOfX-eGVhrL31siFhwCeASI1ETCUUqKwkKQ_dPv0b4O9-cker3FKxIvRTfnV_WOa19kPXjX9myzdtspmjIwYCbKEM48vHL/s1600/photo-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQkE1hTUMIH2W7vUdIeOlMopi-dl2AHqn6sU7F5qWsbyP8PPOfX-eGVhrL31siFhwCeASI1ETCUUqKwkKQ_dPv0b4O9-cker3FKxIvRTfnV_WOa19kPXjX9myzdtspmjIwYCbKEM48vHL/s320/photo-93.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, a buckle, but not really what I had in<br />
mind. Still, nice.<br />
I guess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were hundreds of pieces of porcelain and pottery that
spoke “old home site” loud and clear </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WWtcwirmrYVcGWyW8BBuccJ5MaCjvhCkqp7KNNbzigTgv5b5r1nHog2az7-n-cfw6YesYu2N6htJQKcaHX06MRnSPsQywTU7gPsQNsgt5jWULCMAhzEGCkFHgxVbHDm2xX09aGk1u_vf/s1600/photo-98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WWtcwirmrYVcGWyW8BBuccJ5MaCjvhCkqp7KNNbzigTgv5b5r1nHog2az7-n-cfw6YesYu2N6htJQKcaHX06MRnSPsQywTU7gPsQNsgt5jWULCMAhzEGCkFHgxVbHDm2xX09aGk1u_vf/s320/photo-98.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
but there were also tons of beer cans that spoke “assholes who litter.” I didn’t find anything else for a
long time. I fell down twice. Found a harmonica reed just lying on top of the ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCTbzsuin9AsleD61dr5w_fUMELf5thAVxAZJ_1OFE5mrIfq2XybkGgxsfYq4slPUChQoEBe6a0IiVe-ffCckWK5N74U6BzQTZul7G6LzZaI5no3TRkWRB1krEUb0gMRhmKXANoAbSIp-/s1600/photo-99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCTbzsuin9AsleD61dr5w_fUMELf5thAVxAZJ_1OFE5mrIfq2XybkGgxsfYq4slPUChQoEBe6a0IiVe-ffCckWK5N74U6BzQTZul7G6LzZaI5no3TRkWRB1krEUb0gMRhmKXANoAbSIp-/s320/photo-99.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who played a love song on this, so far from home?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kept looking at the woods. They were very enticing. I
noticed one tree in particular that stood tall above the rest. An old timer
that had surely sheltered soldiers in their camp…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And here, Cheryl, is where I must thank you for saving my
life… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for when I pointed out that tree
and told you I was going into the woods to check it out, you told me NOT to
because rattlesnakes are at an all-time high in September and I believed you.
And then, not THREE minutes later, we heard a huge, earth-shaking noise and a
massive branch from that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very same tree</i>
came crashing to the earth. For no reason.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right where I would have been standing had you not warned
me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So thank you, Cheryl. Your kind warning makes what happened
later a little easier to bear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For you, Cheryl, had to go and turn up the skunk. First: a
beautiful rosette that totally surpassed my – let’s-face-it – old <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lid</i> of something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KszoFO4RmZyEhWoCS8ajifzYvcQZ8cKihn60QQNJVB1a3z6tF4qaWby33bMRSGJf2gxJiq9SW12cSbOR7WfcaIubPMUuV-vl_nB28CnYUTEfh1Xnr2HNc5oj5BJAqSw4HhH0ZrbfhNA3/s1600/photo-97.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KszoFO4RmZyEhWoCS8ajifzYvcQZ8cKihn60QQNJVB1a3z6tF4qaWby33bMRSGJf2gxJiq9SW12cSbOR7WfcaIubPMUuV-vl_nB28CnYUTEfh1Xnr2HNc5oj5BJAqSw4HhH0ZrbfhNA3/s320/photo-97.JPG" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am kind of in love with this item.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then you found another buckle. This time, with an eagle on
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjCZ3cwwMrku6oX4nDvXb2Qet6-WVKzGF8lwKtKQlwiYD59omYyD_DLo9h5M89tnJ9bi_F-0JRkxz-kFh3m-ajVdCyhgTf5JFHKNDcAxbmdk1CEnqfRpuNpLq1VcHjzVhM0OyABbY_t6J/s1600/photo-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjCZ3cwwMrku6oX4nDvXb2Qet6-WVKzGF8lwKtKQlwiYD59omYyD_DLo9h5M89tnJ9bi_F-0JRkxz-kFh3m-ajVdCyhgTf5JFHKNDcAxbmdk1CEnqfRpuNpLq1VcHjzVhM0OyABbY_t6J/s320/photo-94.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice. If you like that kind of thing...<br />
(Interesting to note: despite the fact that<br />
troops were obviously here, neither of us<br />
found any bullets. Not one. Very strange.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh. Oh, Cheryl, Cheryl, Cheryl…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have every right to dig multiple Civil War buckles. I
support you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this was a little much, don’t you think? Two in one
weekend? Really?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I became frenzied. I dug my little heart out. I wanted a
buckle – or ANYTHING – so bad. I did manage to dig one plain, little flat
button. I showed it to you, triumphant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then you showed me the numerous highly decorated flat
buttons and military buttons you’d been digging all afternoon without fanfare and a little part of
me died. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, you were ready to call it quits. I agreed – it was
so hot – But I found I could not give up! I got a weird signal and – zowee! –
dug an ancient spoon. The scales were tipping.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, I got a GREAT signal and dropped to my knees, scrabbling
in the dirt like a crab. You watched, pityingly, from your car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go home!” I yelled across the acres of
bulldozed earth, but you would not leave me there alone. Instead, you joined me
and helped me dig. And when I pulled it out and screamed, “FUCK it’s a GAS
CAP!” you turned it over and showed me that it was actually an old oil lamp and
assured me that it was cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWrWLo8QwvtZmxO8bNfUOdoPXn3CPiRlwRUhcYnIW9tKZLNj_wVKnyPyfUgnTe05_uuOFCi19WDc5SVIhRbQbdCaIIfOoNxw6rGMbTmfqi9jrRGajcJxqNgNiiJaz6tcz-5AJxv71uRfR/s1600/photo-96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWrWLo8QwvtZmxO8bNfUOdoPXn3CPiRlwRUhcYnIW9tKZLNj_wVKnyPyfUgnTe05_uuOFCi19WDc5SVIhRbQbdCaIIfOoNxw6rGMbTmfqi9jrRGajcJxqNgNiiJaz6tcz-5AJxv71uRfR/s320/photo-96.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate oil lamp parts. They just don't<br />
make things like they used to.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are a good friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so, I am happy for you and your buckles. You deserve
them. And, after I find some of my own, I hope you find many more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are my finds of the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWUpHAy3d4yX9u6smi4SgnxAYhKf-NIVMsAM2iu3cVedfKhEei9rxh-AExsX4USRREz1mc7vhhuvqNwxkUHF-eOinZtInnrPWBJp5-HgnzMOfCFg2V8_dOI-0xSFaLMK9f12sTKLts2c-/s1600/photo-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWUpHAy3d4yX9u6smi4SgnxAYhKf-NIVMsAM2iu3cVedfKhEei9rxh-AExsX4USRREz1mc7vhhuvqNwxkUHF-eOinZtInnrPWBJp5-HgnzMOfCFg2V8_dOI-0xSFaLMK9f12sTKLts2c-/s320/photo-95.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top left: ancient spoon, round thing surrounding<br />
smaller round things (possibly clock parts), <br />
the Lid Thing, buckle that is not even close to being <br />
the kind of buckle I want, harmonica reed, <br />
cool spikey thing surrounding porcelain bit<br />
and flat button, round spool thing (actually kind of cool).<br />
Center: oil lamp parts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I broke the spoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-20529378127603171542013-08-29T23:15:00.002-07:002013-08-30T07:49:43.076-07:00I'm Sorry, Did You Say "Tinkling Cones"?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
don’t think your Dirt Girl has ever been so excited to tell you about her finds
of late. It will be a somewhat complicated story and to tell the truth, I’m a
little cowed at the prospect...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
many of you know, I have strong ties to the Great Lakes State. After I
graduated from the University of Michigan, I pretty much stayed in Ann Arbor
until 2008, when Al and I moved to Nashville. (You see, I’d been psychically
summoned here by country music, undiscovered Civil War relics, and a whole slew
of tiny children desperate to learn to point their feet.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’ve
never regretted the move but I get back Up North as often as I can. I love
Michigan: brainy, sparkling Ann Arbor; sad, scrappy Detroit, the small towns, the
beautiful rivers and oh, Lake Michigan, I love you soooo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">From
1997-2007, Al’s family gathered on the shores of Lake Michigan for two weeks of
lovely togetherness. After this difficult past year (Chloe, and a whole lotta
other stuff) I felt I deserved to stare at water for a week or so, not quite sure
how I’d pay for it, I booked a cabin for a week. (Thanks, Dad.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
took me two days to drive up there, but with Jakson (black dog, a model
citizen, quite capable of driving if only he had thumbs) at my side, it was
pleasant enough. We stayed in Ann Arbor overnight and were at our destination
by Thursday mid-afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">First
stop was a different rental, where a healthy dose of Hills was already gathered.
My kids (honorary Hills) were there too, which was great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
wasted no time in getting down to the beach and swinging the Fisher F75 in and
out of the shallow water where the waves meet the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pretty
quickly, I found this, deep in the wet sand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZrGnI9K8N097hVn3PDooOa7VpVu1otA0OGH9WOI4j4FYPFvPK9z_Poz6Stis7Jjb-z3YzjphCWWlBeAan_lItUgcJzCid_6HiGS6I92XZro1h9pdMhIzdwL2TTuoMWM46dNRWfdPX1cq/s1600/item.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZrGnI9K8N097hVn3PDooOa7VpVu1otA0OGH9WOI4j4FYPFvPK9z_Poz6Stis7Jjb-z3YzjphCWWlBeAan_lItUgcJzCid_6HiGS6I92XZro1h9pdMhIzdwL2TTuoMWM46dNRWfdPX1cq/s320/item.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know. You are jealous. You need to<br />
deal with your feelings. Yes, I'm pretty<br />
sure it is not a Tonka steering wheel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;">I
really, really like it. More on this later.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Two
days later, the Hills headed home and my kids and I moved into “our” cabin, a
couple of miles north.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
place was old and teeny: one room, with a loft sleeping area, a wee kitchen and
a bathroom. Massive, stone fireplace. Deck. Lake Michigan. Coziness, beer,
whiskey, love, food, woodsmoke, dog, water, sand, stars. At our max, we were six people,
but we didn’t care. A zillion rounds of Balderdash were played, to riotous
effect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XEQ-ufvuB8_G6IOp944kDx2bI1a2u8Pmax2XNo_6C_MkupitSviolqa9RttMBK3z3eNOTJ7MGOG1LYXHizPYAYbpBp0zcsVOZfW1bsWDnnqtwL6Wh_qlV9Fo0jINf8Glf_rTp5CB91S4/s1600/photo-92.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XEQ-ufvuB8_G6IOp944kDx2bI1a2u8Pmax2XNo_6C_MkupitSviolqa9RttMBK3z3eNOTJ7MGOG1LYXHizPYAYbpBp0zcsVOZfW1bsWDnnqtwL6Wh_qlV9Fo0jINf8Glf_rTp5CB91S4/s320/photo-92.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jak, waiting for Balderdash to begin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;">Months
before, I’d asked the homeowners about MDing around the cabin and they said
sure. So, since it was, ultimately </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;">
vacation, I felt little or no guilt about abandoning my family that first day
and heading out into the gentle, sandy woods for a little look-see. The sun
sprinkled through the tall trees. The ground was soft and loamy. No mosquitos.
Yum.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s
what I expected to find: tin cans, old Matchbox cars from long-ago vacationers,
pulltabs. Maybe, if I was lucky, some wheat pennies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s
not quite how it worked out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
headed off down a path that ran parallel to a small bluff overlooking the
water. Signals were by no means constant, but they were there. I started
digging, pulling out old scraps of metal, none of it very deep. Looked greenish, like copper, but I wasn’t
sure. Also funny little rings, like old washers. Figured it was all just junk and
stuck it in the fanny pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Later
on, we got locked out of the cabin and the owner, John, came down to help us
out (turned out he’d left us the wrong key). I told him I’d been metal
detecting, but hadn’t found much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">John’s
grandfather had built the cabin nearly 100 years ago and he’d spent much of his
boyhood in there playing in those woods. “We used to find tinkling cones in the
woods all the time,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tinkling
cones?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes,
he explained. The Native people would trade with the French and English
soldiers and traders – silver trinkets and scraps of metal (old copper pots, etc.) in return for beaver
pelts. The Native people would sometimes form the scraps of metal into little
“cones” that they’d dangle from their clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hmmm.
Cones like this? I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJHyugQfsuHXT8SNqhqV60HQalNmR5y3vg3WEZ6SzAXmur18n2o9mTNhDBW59n_iC5CIuFdQ0MeYn_bXZrPg9C3KZh8SCIIVuhsx2Qi8_TRDk3jWagb1ieSaTzublL_bUJXYyTdDDp9Ry/s1600/photo-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJHyugQfsuHXT8SNqhqV60HQalNmR5y3vg3WEZ6SzAXmur18n2o9mTNhDBW59n_iC5CIuFdQ0MeYn_bXZrPg9C3KZh8SCIIVuhsx2Qi8_TRDk3jWagb1ieSaTzublL_bUJXYyTdDDp9Ry/s320/photo-72.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 2 inches and 1 inch. Yes, they tinkle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;">Yes,
said John, excitedly, those are tinkling cones.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Inspired,
I spent part of each day happily exploring these gentle woods. The little bit of
contemporary trash I found (a couple of tin cans, one or two bottle caps, a
tube of hair cream or something) was nothing compared to remarkable evidence of
the indigenous people who used to live here on this lake, their rich culture in
simple harmony with the earth. And evidence of their early contact with the
Europeans who, as we all know, changed everything for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Here's a sampling:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojyn54ImuNcASAoZSkO5rr6YdJQaVXW2X_mhHKMOunjP8-2IwfpgwUb1_0kEVlKWOyKkVp714VEcXFMR93t5Y57BykEW6sPU4HDR_l9Ws7C1xxUm6Vnc4TLGf8tAT9zQNz5yos9v2gkOo/s1600/photo-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojyn54ImuNcASAoZSkO5rr6YdJQaVXW2X_mhHKMOunjP8-2IwfpgwUb1_0kEVlKWOyKkVp714VEcXFMR93t5Y57BykEW6sPU4HDR_l9Ws7C1xxUm6Vnc4TLGf8tAT9zQNz5yos9v2gkOo/s320/photo-78.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was initially very confused<br />
by these, but they are trade<br />
silver trinkets, I believe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBXxKyvHxkphXM8Ba-BhgQdarfm1hJZelodUpcQbHz5k0KPdtZRMeDbBki_XG8W2VBgPFkhgE4NH8mFhvh0jhIJR9HRV4odX8SEzxKTH3kxEQmEG1k_wlABqr0IpMucLXr2YOKl3zJPSK/s1600/photo-70.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBXxKyvHxkphXM8Ba-BhgQdarfm1hJZelodUpcQbHz5k0KPdtZRMeDbBki_XG8W2VBgPFkhgE4NH8mFhvh0jhIJR9HRV4odX8SEzxKTH3kxEQmEG1k_wlABqr0IpMucLXr2YOKl3zJPSK/s320/photo-70.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYxPT52gn_Y7xT42fwk5R7hXRmNQc8Dl2JUEAkZ3UMCfoFQwAwO0I9-6H-CxasI9-H-bQ0UHr5DQLGdkBbF3JzgHaHT64nN2W7pe1rAztbOA7M_kyKQXqnSYdMOsh-NkKrp-cgGOgCV4-/s1600/photo-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYxPT52gn_Y7xT42fwk5R7hXRmNQc8Dl2JUEAkZ3UMCfoFQwAwO0I9-6H-CxasI9-H-bQ0UHr5DQLGdkBbF3JzgHaHT64nN2W7pe1rAztbOA7M_kyKQXqnSYdMOsh-NkKrp-cgGOgCV4-/s320/photo-71.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musket balls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZN5r_Sq9b9wzDEZedo5P1cCE_z72NczrEzsetGPrnpDeeC1vr6uVlA562l4kwO3ALo9VNrTYQ8o-3GALXJbCttYfOSMpudaPKmVoIv25mGsFUesIxaZi_-2FAXTkIIGbGCp2YvOmiVCmG/s1600/photo-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZN5r_Sq9b9wzDEZedo5P1cCE_z72NczrEzsetGPrnpDeeC1vr6uVlA562l4kwO3ALo9VNrTYQ8o-3GALXJbCttYfOSMpudaPKmVoIv25mGsFUesIxaZi_-2FAXTkIIGbGCp2YvOmiVCmG/s320/photo-73.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, no idea. <br />
Tiny Viking headdress?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj50X1bKuGKwyzlNjq1Z0LZ6eelc-uEKenhg-G63ZjaRzmHjlPVR_zDqoUfrPhD6vGVO4Ru0FBZaZ_qOIjWWJjovhbxG4_Dnw8wtNWjK_EZotWlKz0yxAb6jWDt1gNfiVgIhyphenhyphenRKu70d72/s1600/photo-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj50X1bKuGKwyzlNjq1Z0LZ6eelc-uEKenhg-G63ZjaRzmHjlPVR_zDqoUfrPhD6vGVO4Ru0FBZaZ_qOIjWWJjovhbxG4_Dnw8wtNWjK_EZotWlKz0yxAb6jWDt1gNfiVgIhyphenhyphenRKu70d72/s320/photo-75.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE it. I think it is<br />
part of a hawk bell.<br />
Note the "No"... not sure what it means.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo3l0Lrnorgf3cS6gxHC8h4fbSNUIyroOrSSqUwG-r_KfD7ej93-oy0KRso9bxVBUHReBpRWU6x5Kk-6SjbPzyXgUEwcR5WnZKOhCWuMsT96i34s2aoWRbteG1yoYBUERblT0Au8fx2vP/s1600/photo-77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo3l0Lrnorgf3cS6gxHC8h4fbSNUIyroOrSSqUwG-r_KfD7ej93-oy0KRso9bxVBUHReBpRWU6x5Kk-6SjbPzyXgUEwcR5WnZKOhCWuMsT96i34s2aoWRbteG1yoYBUERblT0Au8fx2vP/s320/photo-77.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonial era coat buttons.<br />
Note cool pattern on the larger one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF60j8lO-_894-hQWYVwNv5kOxyVzL4VbZQVeBPJyffoXcP3QrKrMB3og9QR9FCYISAixZoOl4ho2jxrSKO8vySYVKPGDxWfef01u-ydN7zEc0nMHUjUrVuLytxUC_vf3KM6oQiO4yq3M/s1600/photo-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF60j8lO-_894-hQWYVwNv5kOxyVzL4VbZQVeBPJyffoXcP3QrKrMB3og9QR9FCYISAixZoOl4ho2jxrSKO8vySYVKPGDxWfef01u-ydN7zEc0nMHUjUrVuLytxUC_vf3KM6oQiO4yq3M/s320/photo-76.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the larger button.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Several
times, I got some monster signals – real honkers – and dug fairly deep to pull
out large pieces of old copper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f8B537CbhRGYiWJnZYrR1n7-870Bb6NqikDiLkVnlDo2JVJrXze7Jh-08PIG4dFtp1fCV0a-mlUJ7MY7ACcYk4L8UBuD5YeylqbJZ7Zer6okefRaeAy3i77D4Df3acLHNrDqoWp8H86K/s1600/photo-81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f8B537CbhRGYiWJnZYrR1n7-870Bb6NqikDiLkVnlDo2JVJrXze7Jh-08PIG4dFtp1fCV0a-mlUJ7MY7ACcYk4L8UBuD5YeylqbJZ7Zer6okefRaeAy3i77D4Df3acLHNrDqoWp8H86K/s320/photo-81.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 9x4 inches.<br />
This is OLD. It's kind of a bundle<br />
of scraps, pressed together.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezqRFHPD6zfftDOVT03LfSVME0H15W4RQW59OT-FfO1eZ3YpBWwwkoJVVEGz5b1bmbU7rbb0eoS8jJ3VMKFczTutb5xzmOs67KS56xrzUwiqFv9PxtrV1Lze02KCCGvXWMwd6UzfPLSZ4/s1600/photo-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezqRFHPD6zfftDOVT03LfSVME0H15W4RQW59OT-FfO1eZ3YpBWwwkoJVVEGz5b1bmbU7rbb0eoS8jJ3VMKFczTutb5xzmOs67KS56xrzUwiqFv9PxtrV1Lze02KCCGvXWMwd6UzfPLSZ4/s320/photo-80.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgda4niMDhVHeWjIoNzKW7qS5o7nCh5Pv5AyGnl9WuM1TJKFkcWxV0TFJGOfkWTUj22JJRa4n_2vIBZMTl8N0g_E8gYohvZGNSqaQVMijAofCthbtJ-LaHRssQS31DSzU1St6UF4w5rTxxs/s1600/photo-84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgda4niMDhVHeWjIoNzKW7qS5o7nCh5Pv5AyGnl9WuM1TJKFkcWxV0TFJGOfkWTUj22JJRa4n_2vIBZMTl8N0g_E8gYohvZGNSqaQVMijAofCthbtJ-LaHRssQS31DSzU1St6UF4w5rTxxs/s320/photo-84.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miscellaneous copper strips.<br />
Ones at top are about 12 inches long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM776hRifGiOMAxToP7YH7ieh5lJtTld-nATlMVipYaDkB52lgf7tkMy4R44ScHn-D6tB2y8K6Rd5qYHq79bm_VzhwMsiEMmhXJOUNrenEz81G5K5AjPIeseWm-0A4dm7wJ74EDl0eHsp/s1600/photo-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM776hRifGiOMAxToP7YH7ieh5lJtTld-nATlMVipYaDkB52lgf7tkMy4R44ScHn-D6tB2y8K6Rd5qYHq79bm_VzhwMsiEMmhXJOUNrenEz81G5K5AjPIeseWm-0A4dm7wJ74EDl0eHsp/s320/photo-82.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't handle it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Needless
to say, there were some pretty serious history rushes coursing thru the old
bod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After
a couple of days, I visited John’s wife, Debbie, in her realty office. Debbie loves to MD too and was curious to see what I’d found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Whit,
what kind of metal detector do you HAVE???” she said when I took the items out
of the bag. An artist with a degree in anthropology, Debbie had worked as an
interpreter at a local museum and was well aware of the issues that so often
pit archaeologists against metal detectorists. Still, she enjoyed detecting
from time to time and, like me, was open to hunting areas where no archaeologist
was ever likely to go. We talked a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I mentioned that virtually everything I found was
within, say, 50 feet of the bluff overlooking the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The further I got from the lake, the less I
found (as in swinging the machine for 15 minutes without a sound.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Debbie made the point that for the Native Americans living here, the
lake was the road; there was little point in settling or even going much inland
(though I know that there were settlements around large inland lakes). I began to better understand the richness of the land: water, meat, fish, wood in seemingly
endless supply, right on the lake. It was all kind of Eden-ish, except for those blasted winters. I
learned that many tribes thought of northern Michigan as a place to go in the
summers – like their later fudge-purchasing, Rayban-wearing counterparts. They
would travel south for the harsher months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’ve
never felt much connection to Native American cultures. I’ve never wanted to
wear the jewelry, nor collect the blankets. A psychic once told me I had been a
Native American midwife in a previous life and I almost busted out laughing –
not because of the midwife part, that I could believe – but because of my
lifelong lack of connection to anything remotely Native. I admired, respected
and was moderately interested in Native culture, but didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i> it the way so many people do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But after my week by the lake, discovering, cleaning and holding items they made, held, wore
and valued… now I feel it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Still,
the question loomed: what should I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i>
with these items? Donate them to a museum? Make assemblages? Give to my card-carrying NA friends whose ancestors lived near
this place not so long ago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
I got home, I took a big chance and wrote to an archaeologist, attaching this photo of the thing I found in the surf.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY5ogtEo6sFCdW6eDcJuXUcBdBBDMREfxr9wMj1KQlOqTsprHaKe_UsywHlfP5G_gSWx6Ob01OLSfM5OipQHhJrTHcsGybCrjNSxE1pNXCHhiYWqnZ4KDEg5VJScVxvze60ji8QCto7Th/s1600/photo-85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY5ogtEo6sFCdW6eDcJuXUcBdBBDMREfxr9wMj1KQlOqTsprHaKe_UsywHlfP5G_gSWx6Ob01OLSfM5OipQHhJrTHcsGybCrjNSxE1pNXCHhiYWqnZ4KDEg5VJScVxvze60ji8QCto7Th/s320/photo-85.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gulp. Here is
our exchange:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hello, Dr. XXX<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I found your email
address online and hope it's ok to ask you a quick question. I was recently
metal detecting in the surf of Lake Michigan. </i>[I told her the name of the
town.]<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I found an item in the
water I'm very curious about and was wondering if you might be able to identify
it. I've attached a photo. It's about the size of a quarter. Any leads much
appreciated.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s
her response:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That is certainly
interesting – of course it is hard to ID things from just a photo, but it
certainly looks like trade silver and perhaps a piece of some kind of Jesuit
ring/pin/other personal ornamentation – trade silver was common in Jesuit
relations with tribal communities in the Great Lakes – so I would say this is
an item from the early historic period, French interaction with Michigan
tribes, between ca. 1610 and 1740ish (French and Indian War)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a very nice item --
I must add as an archaeologist that once an artifact is out of context, it
loses a lot of its meaning, it is very important to us to find things in situ
and for sites to remain as intact as possible. The items themselves are
only one part of the story, the main part of the story is the association of
items with each other, with buildings, with living surfaces, and so on. I would
also add that tribal communities are still very present and active in Northern
Michigan today and they are working hard to protect their cultural heritage –
you might consider giving this item to them or to a local museum.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
wrote back immediately:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I'm excited to hear your
take on the item. I immediately thought about donating it, but wanted to check
with you — or someone — to be sure it wasn't a steering wheel off an old toy
car, or some 1970s hippie jewelry.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I do understand about
the "in situ" issue — and the differing views of archaeologists and
metal detectorists. This item was found IN the water (right where the waves
were lapping up) so I would imagine the in situ issue is moot, right? It must
have been moved around quite a bit over the centuries.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The part that confuses
me is the ethics of metal detecting in an area where clearly no archaeologist
is ever going to go. In addition to the item I found in the surf, I did find a
few clearly historical items in the woods right next to the cabin we were
renting (with permission of homeowner).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Isn't it better to
at least know that an area might be worth looking at closer? Isn't it better to
find some items and donate them rather than just have them be lost forever, or
be bulldozed during a home building?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Is an ethical metal
detectorist who locates a potential site and perhaps contacts an archaeologist
better than leaving a site undiscovered? </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sorry… lots of
questions! I'm genuinely trying to understand the issue better and do
appreciate your wisdom. Thank you!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">She
never wrote back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I probably over-gushed. Maybe she thought my questions were
challenging in some way. I did appreciate her initial response, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Back
home, I’ve been learning more about “trade silver” – the items brought over
from Europe specifically for trade with indigenous folks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
what I’ve learned has made me look closer at some of the items I found and
initially disregarded. For example, these:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOKEtkXWK7XUgPDB3XM0GxPXuiIeKvey2e4BU_yNodlNrc2dwF5-NxoRJ9GRa9uIfuV-2EFdZ7ivya1LH126nSKRpcScayBeYCavApI95hTd20Fi0Tfh4mO5kOd614UM6byS9PgIxDfF-/s1600/items.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOKEtkXWK7XUgPDB3XM0GxPXuiIeKvey2e4BU_yNodlNrc2dwF5-NxoRJ9GRa9uIfuV-2EFdZ7ivya1LH126nSKRpcScayBeYCavApI95hTd20Fi0Tfh4mO5kOd614UM6byS9PgIxDfF-/s320/items.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, of course I thought the long item was<br />
a 1970s hair barrette. Wouldn't you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
also disregarded the smaller piece until I got home and found two tiny letters on the cut end…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1wNbRDwuEnHbYWVHkzEAqtklSauz4d_OEIA5v0E8jFl67mZ-Nd2WWt_G7hcyHCzwcrPCxDjAr8O1nRWGlL2sWBPYGVZ_4H30bWZlABmPDUo7DXb8W8Dy1DPK9stzQ9oaVzkwBTVf7dl4/s1600/small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1wNbRDwuEnHbYWVHkzEAqtklSauz4d_OEIA5v0E8jFl67mZ-Nd2WWt_G7hcyHCzwcrPCxDjAr8O1nRWGlL2sWBPYGVZ_4H30bWZlABmPDUo7DXb8W8Dy1DPK9stzQ9oaVzkwBTVf7dl4/s320/small.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't quite make it out; can you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px;">But
online I found photos of nearly identical pieces in a website on Native
American trade silver. So I guess that’s what they are. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Which
brings me back to my original question: what do I do with this stuff? I
certainly didn’t rob a grave. These were items that were dropped or discarded by
both Native people and Europeans who were in the midst of living their lives.
It’s not like this is ancient history and we have no idea what happened there.
We know. This particular collision of cultures -- Lake Michigan tribes and European traders and missionaries -- has been studied and written about by all
kinds of scholars. In every way, it is a terrible story of hubris and violence
and subjugation. But it is not a mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Is
it inherently disrespectful of me to remove these items from the ground? Could
it be that they want to be found?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
about the tin cans, bottle caps and the pulltabs? Should I remove those? After
all, they are the artifacts of the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Everything
in the ground tells a story. Everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m just listening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And with that, I will leave you with the sound of the waves, an incoming rainstorm and a joyous, gamboling dog. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymlqu1702W70mis2GSKDqwkaggwY-SbRlqLteAv5Xw1snMFjoWLgpJ9JCNBMHlWeKUDGlHlS0kKVFRkAon3Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-1692888534132923292013-08-18T22:29:00.001-07:002013-08-18T22:29:14.650-07:00Joe Was Here.<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m better. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Still sad and tender. I miss my nutty girl but am resigned to her
loss and feel like we did what we had to do. My neighbors are healing and we
have had some lovely talks. We can walk dogs with them now. Gittel and Jakson
just trot on down the road side by side. Unconcerned. Normal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think about her mostly at night, when Al’s on the road. I
crawl into bed and let myself fall into feeling. I let my hand recall her big,
bony head under my hand, and the way she trusted us – yeah, that’s when I cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For a few weeks after Chloe died, I didn’t want to metal
detect or anything. But when Cheryl got permission to explore a 50-acre tract
of land just south of town in a decidedly historic area, I pulled myself
together. We spent several weekends there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Without getting too specific, I’ll say that for well over
100 years, this place has been a home to children who have no parents. I was
very aware of this every time we drove into the beautiful, casually landscaped
property. We knew there had been an old home or two on the property – now long
gone. There’s a tiny cemetery where a man and his wife rest under a tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The digging was fun. Nothing truly amazing, but a LOT of
stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here’s one day’s haul, all spread out and minus the obvious trash.
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoCi1eDom31DmV9fz5MUy5DVzbRjhBP1nqNJ-GfD_W0_xkcdz28_del3FglnK3l47_u9r9HPRnLMRP3WfIg9xL60q4SKQ1XDZql9c_S0CkI1RRAJ9rzvoMGq9PJSoFLhOxIqRfRj-J5ml/s1600/photo-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoCi1eDom31DmV9fz5MUy5DVzbRjhBP1nqNJ-GfD_W0_xkcdz28_del3FglnK3l47_u9r9HPRnLMRP3WfIg9xL60q4SKQ1XDZql9c_S0CkI1RRAJ9rzvoMGq9PJSoFLhOxIqRfRj-J5ml/s320/photo-25.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Themes emerged. I’ve never found a lock before but found
three in short order.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ocn8r6OkgGvLsbMjSrbFBotH-LsJuAz4lmY6r4g3D2gcYF1pj8co5ixI9HrsWrVnSemJJK4m6EBYWx-Uoht6Z7bbsc3UFd-EtALAUbJDOlqjb59wax-a2Ri2Ea3UcYrd_64C52F4Qsrr/s1600/photo-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ocn8r6OkgGvLsbMjSrbFBotH-LsJuAz4lmY6r4g3D2gcYF1pj8co5ixI9HrsWrVnSemJJK4m6EBYWx-Uoht6Z7bbsc3UFd-EtALAUbJDOlqjb59wax-a2Ri2Ea3UcYrd_64C52F4Qsrr/s320/photo-29.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also, pocket watches abounded, as did old spigots, tops to
salt shakers and cheap jewelry. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPhSq8bKrTT8ZOYHGD-QP6GYhs4SFNurtmReoRgH3_l70iBipEL6Y3c8RjOQVsYK-FjBwLb4lqjmy9wRv8P7ul7t7lEnPXt9FZ_RTrvFfxz-i60fstxzWYjQgtGMIlkD862jQ-jUsvayP/s1600/photo-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPhSq8bKrTT8ZOYHGD-QP6GYhs4SFNurtmReoRgH3_l70iBipEL6Y3c8RjOQVsYK-FjBwLb4lqjmy9wRv8P7ul7t7lEnPXt9FZ_RTrvFfxz-i60fstxzWYjQgtGMIlkD862jQ-jUsvayP/s320/photo-27.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLOnqRz-35ZUJMSD071Orn2J0DdX2NGvqYVChPgcGuqAsV1ahPnRicKdelhn4y0tgAOmEXCNdpBf1QjO5u-jd0xKCWBmhDau1xxC5YB0xbasYkA8OJHrujFu1BkZ8voiZME0AvEEDRK6F/s1600/photo-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLOnqRz-35ZUJMSD071Orn2J0DdX2NGvqYVChPgcGuqAsV1ahPnRicKdelhn4y0tgAOmEXCNdpBf1QjO5u-jd0xKCWBmhDau1xxC5YB0xbasYkA8OJHrujFu1BkZ8voiZME0AvEEDRK6F/s320/photo-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCXTNTChkDPNQoDsuDP4NIi1ayRtVZC2cinG7T716rrET2NpOxEyT4s1T9AMwM5Cz6srimnNYwng-TgTjg98YdMKTLXUsGT3l3tFeNv1UHrRhRuCQPr2X2tnr_JTV83aQNQPDUaKAJD05/s1600/photo-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCXTNTChkDPNQoDsuDP4NIi1ayRtVZC2cinG7T716rrET2NpOxEyT4s1T9AMwM5Cz6srimnNYwng-TgTjg98YdMKTLXUsGT3l3tFeNv1UHrRhRuCQPr2X2tnr_JTV83aQNQPDUaKAJD05/s320/photo-30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdjMUPJ-CA0jyg5I5NIeAyknhv0Kh2rFEoR5lQb07TgY9SztxjwPNMcBDxFdOk_rrEVajWEI51zRia1Jh0XozePl8IrDzKWKcF4ihohZyDReJ9uYV5Jx6HweC0mQ25xsSojrHOYNhipW_/s1600/photo-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdjMUPJ-CA0jyg5I5NIeAyknhv0Kh2rFEoR5lQb07TgY9SztxjwPNMcBDxFdOk_rrEVajWEI51zRia1Jh0XozePl8IrDzKWKcF4ihohZyDReJ9uYV5Jx6HweC0mQ25xsSojrHOYNhipW_/s320/photo-31.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And toys. The toys made me think a lot about the hundreds of children
who lived there.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJJciBOk9vbGI8N4TViWCjI4zCUl03iIRwLy_vr-QaOfQshX4qFEcgiV2sBi-8zMa7_BNOttFPopPfeUzJno9o1o1iyhM0XyrKGRsZp5BjhwZQNfVwsKjaMZRYxhPDar_Wj4-hJFz0c1t/s1600/photo-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJJciBOk9vbGI8N4TViWCjI4zCUl03iIRwLy_vr-QaOfQshX4qFEcgiV2sBi-8zMa7_BNOttFPopPfeUzJno9o1o1iyhM0XyrKGRsZp5BjhwZQNfVwsKjaMZRYxhPDar_Wj4-hJFz0c1t/s320/photo-25.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUEc1VBcQam4OfNwMFXsGKAmtbHkMYDmTcsCbS3VADQJeZoolmMU6desW4pZ_-S1lHk-qZxlheCibvdO_HAqH7xIoo70GTw8gikMizhyYS9JR0ozM9gm0KYPjH1x7VQxcTh-1B38BUapw/s1600/photo-28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUEc1VBcQam4OfNwMFXsGKAmtbHkMYDmTcsCbS3VADQJeZoolmMU6desW4pZ_-S1lHk-qZxlheCibvdO_HAqH7xIoo70GTw8gikMizhyYS9JR0ozM9gm0KYPjH1x7VQxcTh-1B38BUapw/s320/photo-28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On a rise, close to the road, I found this old log splitter.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBkc-Rcuc7x15y6M9JnFm9G4ezy6xOUkW3YXTpunc2awwzY3oNDZoTT7CystNr8A1kYBRIMwyYMP9_lc7C8zmhK4rP6wxbZ052eupGPIr0CThuk21IcV7PuEJf5tLn6tAlHY3APm8H0Pq/s1600/photo-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBkc-Rcuc7x15y6M9JnFm9G4ezy6xOUkW3YXTpunc2awwzY3oNDZoTT7CystNr8A1kYBRIMwyYMP9_lc7C8zmhK4rP6wxbZ052eupGPIr0CThuk21IcV7PuEJf5tLn6tAlHY3APm8H0Pq/s320/photo-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jakson wanted to display it for you, so I let him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I found several things with stuff written on them, like
these 1940s-era earphone parts. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuc5huNzP3ekuec1EfmhYd-oLsQFIoeTZw_y-YmJHW7IMx76_J8ihhWlY3Q8ZgWgxauR_RHAU8jhlKe_NWLvk_SFFSnkXOYV83DM54TcTzBsTdoQMvL12o-6kXmVFSGsqfpBBL-LY5XrW/s1600/photo-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuc5huNzP3ekuec1EfmhYd-oLsQFIoeTZw_y-YmJHW7IMx76_J8ihhWlY3Q8ZgWgxauR_RHAU8jhlKe_NWLvk_SFFSnkXOYV83DM54TcTzBsTdoQMvL12o-6kXmVFSGsqfpBBL-LY5XrW/s320/photo-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What were these things doing there?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But some things were written by hand.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjdptVC8DCgl9FluAZ7tc2JMeuCCtXMfMDuKlHFF9XLtGr6arwfbLEhsfTUVzgvGkCTXkjDgT6Ej6WYSNAHQepAXnMqvQMoI8TNMlH48SlTsjZMa1av-ni0sBn6cKD8bwelXAkKAKK8pP/s1600/photo-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjdptVC8DCgl9FluAZ7tc2JMeuCCtXMfMDuKlHFF9XLtGr6arwfbLEhsfTUVzgvGkCTXkjDgT6Ej6WYSNAHQepAXnMqvQMoI8TNMlH48SlTsjZMa1av-ni0sBn6cKD8bwelXAkKAKK8pP/s320/photo-25.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't read it. But someone wrote it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N2kfFfTZiv2RflVnHa6Gdb6sztPrHhD-N8R2blTXUzXvCWKPUdSbzpUv_EBSZwD7ttp0Yt25Nv_5XYgC1vHlqZQ4PhADEbsMX_bFpn4xek33ABr5kh-jLjH6r4Rg25iSBN967qHt_e2K/s1600/photo-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N2kfFfTZiv2RflVnHa6Gdb6sztPrHhD-N8R2blTXUzXvCWKPUdSbzpUv_EBSZwD7ttp0Yt25Nv_5XYgC1vHlqZQ4PhADEbsMX_bFpn4xek33ABr5kh-jLjH6r4Rg25iSBN967qHt_e2K/s320/photo-32.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is part of an old cigarette lighter. I guess<br />"Irene" wanted everyone to know it was hers.<br />When I found this, and saw the name, I was<br />suddenly aware that children with no parents<br />might really need to claim things, to write their<br />names on things. I mean, everyone likes to<br />do that, but it might be extra important to a<br />an adolescent girl named Irene who's pretty<br />much alone in the world and who smokes<br />secretly behind the cafeteria, waiting for the<br />day she turns 18.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I remember that the second day we were to dig there, I had
woken up thinking about my grandfather, Joe Whitley. I often think of him when
I go metal detecting because he would have loved it so much and I know that the weird gene that makes me want to dig in the dirt comes from him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Joe Whitley (his
grandkids called him Jody) <i>loved</i> finding things. He loved sneaking up on you
and surprising you with a pecan in his hand, or a flower. He was not an
eloquent man – a high fever had left him with a mild aphasia – but he was smart
and funny and he knew how to love people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyway, I’d been thinking about the
blessing he always said before every meal: <i>“Forgive us of our sins, O Lord…
accept our thanks, for Christ’s sake, Amen.”</i> And I’d started to work on a song
called Jody’s Grace.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfSpyFGcn8DCRN7gVg5n0UJE6OddhxZVDO83qGeLW1qhZgFgVQOFY0z2hzf60Wi4pOULwC-esP3lc6h4XrGahiHxaKVX0GaGI3a0Akr6cUxPVIcdd8cymY494UKpwFEm-BU6gCebJ_M-B/s1600/img084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfSpyFGcn8DCRN7gVg5n0UJE6OddhxZVDO83qGeLW1qhZgFgVQOFY0z2hzf60Wi4pOULwC-esP3lc6h4XrGahiHxaKVX0GaGI3a0Akr6cUxPVIcdd8cymY494UKpwFEm-BU6gCebJ_M-B/s320/img084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Joe Whitley with a couple of great-grands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That day, after about five hours of frenzied digging, Cheryl and I were
heading back to the cars and I was idly swinging my machine as I walked, when I
got a signal and hurriedly dug it. It was an old ID bracelet! We looked at it up close, but, alas, there was no name on it. Still, cool find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I got it home and put it on the table and kind of forgot
about it. But much later, I decided to look at it under my most powerful
magnifier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was a name after all. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5spvmPjOPvq_iAKih5NS571sfQzOCo1z9pzfeUs5LZt9liSrTrDIUa6rmzluRJ6anl2y7abJVBv7FrR79T5XaRhaGk9EWYSpJdj84KcGEN-kdwb0-WHyyBeYB1Z2ZCA5KNpHP5i0EkHTE/s1600/photo-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5spvmPjOPvq_iAKih5NS571sfQzOCo1z9pzfeUs5LZt9liSrTrDIUa6rmzluRJ6anl2y7abJVBv7FrR79T5XaRhaGk9EWYSpJdj84KcGEN-kdwb0-WHyyBeYB1Z2ZCA5KNpHP5i0EkHTE/s320/photo-69.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-40251650659366380332013-06-26T17:44:00.001-07:002013-11-12T20:58:40.235-08:00Chloe<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Note: I said some of these posts might be about dogs. This one is. Not a lot of MD, but I'll make an effort to tie it in.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These days, my brain doesn’t gently rise into wakefulness,
it grinds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I roll over into Day # I-no-longer-know and my brain turns
over like an old car starting on a sub-zero morning, metal on metal, replaying
the horrible events of the past few days, revisiting alternate scenarios, getting
good ideas that might have made a difference, remembering good ideas I had but
never acted upon…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good things I did? They are waiting somewhere in back
closet, covered up by old coats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The house is so quiet. Al’s back on the road and I’m so glad
he’s not here to experience my breath – the breath born of a diet of Ativan,
Valium and few actual calories, but for those in Mad Housewife white zin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, the house is quiet. We’re down to one dog. Chloe is
gone. I knew she was nervous and noisy – panting and pacing, shaking the house
when she ran with Jakson to the window to register her displeasure with the UPS
man. But damn, what a vacuum in her absence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOHmKlwQ3kmPUXkWDZY9tIDs9yW2c9EvXW0gYeLBXqqZuB7fOxbpVPqxkuDnLQBpThm1bVtW6P7y0a6npRq4VxQXQmfjPKS12Ja1boJ4x1isXF-RjYcWvkwmea6pzl6_sxTQ75-gOE4mZ/s1600/photo-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOHmKlwQ3kmPUXkWDZY9tIDs9yW2c9EvXW0gYeLBXqqZuB7fOxbpVPqxkuDnLQBpThm1bVtW6P7y0a6npRq4VxQXQmfjPKS12Ja1boJ4x1isXF-RjYcWvkwmea6pzl6_sxTQ75-gOE4mZ/s320/photo-36.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll get right to it: last Friday, Chloe attacked a neighbor
and his dog. They were injured but will heal in time. As soon as we could, we
had a vet come to the house and put her down. She died with rabbit stew in her
mouth, and her family’s hands touching her. She loved and was deeply loved. She
was dangerous. How strange that those can go together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Dinah, our beloved Rott-mutt, died in August of 2009, Al
and I obsessively trolled Rott rescues and Petfinder. We found Chloe in the
Clarksville TN animal shelter. She was magnificent. A huge, healthy, pure-bred
Rottie girl who, when we put our fingers through the cage, wagged her nub to a
blur and licked our hands. She had been dumped at the shelter in the middle of
the night with a note saying her name was Chloe and she was a year old. She was
spayed. We put her in the play yard with another beautiful, but very sad Rottie
girl. Chloe tried and tried to get her to play, but the sad Rottie just sat at
the gate looking for her owners. So many times, I’ve wondered how it all would
have played out if we’d taken the sad, loyal girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we took the happy, goofy one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a feeling of falling backwards off a cliff – of believing
that it all would work out. Like when Al and I decided to get married. Like
when we got Dinah. Like the first moments of all the most beautiful things in
my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfAz-Gh7jzTUuL8gshMlgxjwh98tGhu1l09wE9g0qP0froH9mk95bUo5_n06YhYC_q4U-ffDcP-CKtVVLSNliwOG3j6AiJnU4FUzYnx2P0iWvWd6svSAUKgWgMFrfcBN0xRlBfzy35W0D/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfAz-Gh7jzTUuL8gshMlgxjwh98tGhu1l09wE9g0qP0froH9mk95bUo5_n06YhYC_q4U-ffDcP-CKtVVLSNliwOG3j6AiJnU4FUzYnx2P0iWvWd6svSAUKgWgMFrfcBN0xRlBfzy35W0D/s320/photo.PNG" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then next day, which was Halloween, I had to teach and Al
got the van and drove back out there, trying to beat a Rottie rescue group who
was also on their way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chloe hopped right in the van. Al called me from the road.
Guess who I have sitting right here beside me, he asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Last night, I dreamed about a tiny, Rottie puppy, just so
new, but with big, all-seeing eyes. I held it in my arms. In the dream, Al had
brought this puppy home with him, but it wasn’t for me, it was for “Carl” (as
in “Good Dog, Carl”?) but all that was incidental. What was powerful was
looking deeply into this puppy’s eyes. I hope this means that Chloe has found
her way back down to the planet. Or that she is now all-seeing. She was so
beautiful.)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGFYyahmNUvIA15dsDXJ_c7OQX1dWGkIHeGIdg0u62mUuAkHMUmugc4u0AJxP7EDwA7y08BONZ0W6Bn1mzEWwOCaGBnEiHQ-Hw2vdV-vkwvosvoH2XJ2bNOXt98TFhfcnSOSEekTv6G6Z/s1600/CIMG1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGFYyahmNUvIA15dsDXJ_c7OQX1dWGkIHeGIdg0u62mUuAkHMUmugc4u0AJxP7EDwA7y08BONZ0W6Bn1mzEWwOCaGBnEiHQ-Hw2vdV-vkwvosvoH2XJ2bNOXt98TFhfcnSOSEekTv6G6Z/s320/CIMG1248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not everyone finds the Rottie to be beautiful, but we do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as we got Chloe home, we fenced in our back yard,
though the way our house was configured, we couldn’t just open a door and let
out dogs. At the time, we were fostering an East Nashville street mutt named
Jakson but didn’t plan to keep him. Chloe and Jakson got along great. Loud, but
great. They ran and ran and ran. Big circles, crazy wrestling, then stillness,
pounding play-bows, then off into the circles again. Jak yodeled like a soprano
throughout. Buddies. We decided to keep the Jak-Man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVUrwre9-8ZYwCAIIy7uMvVr-KzZvBq0AOpls6bZCk8ocvCfQEGTQva4wkNbkr63HhhNJ4rnl8zaQSqniyy1VBZpi9o6qj7zMDjODtDIWxcS3O3g4xdza6FPmvehCzhJ2zVmRc1jgL1Wn/s1600/CIMG1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVUrwre9-8ZYwCAIIy7uMvVr-KzZvBq0AOpls6bZCk8ocvCfQEGTQva4wkNbkr63HhhNJ4rnl8zaQSqniyy1VBZpi9o6qj7zMDjODtDIWxcS3O3g4xdza6FPmvehCzhJ2zVmRc1jgL1Wn/s320/CIMG1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon after the fence guys left, I watched as Chloe flattened
her body to about 3 inches – think Rottweiler, post steamroller – and slithered
underneath the chain link fence. And thus began a career of impulse and escapism
that 1. Explained her surrender to the shelter and 2. Resulted in the terrible
events that led in her death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fence guys came back and made it all slither-proof, but
Chloe, though she sported a dumb-as-a-post affect, had a singular brilliance, a
fine-tuned awareness of any opportunity to get loose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we got her, Chloe knew nothing. NOTHING. Besides being
housebroken, she’d clearly had no training of any kind, except for how to lick
people. The licking was … well, it was really something. The girl had a tongue.
But in short order, I taught her sit, down, shake, catch food, basic recall –
the foundations. She was waaay smarter than she looked and loved using her big
fat brain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRexSdNI5JgZAcR519GIWqs41nXj5iEpCo6K5mfwpZQsunp7S3O4BDbqEa1xny2WKXFTLF6Ckp7jp7v1Kzpy56OE8_Rct5VGYfmNphcqC6NdzKiWxOyq4H9NEVtZBal8xfwStDpk_FaimQ/s1600/CIMG1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRexSdNI5JgZAcR519GIWqs41nXj5iEpCo6K5mfwpZQsunp7S3O4BDbqEa1xny2WKXFTLF6Ckp7jp7v1Kzpy56OE8_Rct5VGYfmNphcqC6NdzKiWxOyq4H9NEVtZBal8xfwStDpk_FaimQ/s320/CIMG1073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously. The tongue was like an alien being.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But she was nervous. She panted. She paced. It was as if she
was plugged into a socket that gave her too much energy, or maybe the wrong
kind of energy. She ran and ran in the back yard. We took her on long, long
walks and, in those early days, to the dog park, where she mostly ignored the
dogs and did NOT run, just sniffed and stood around aimlessly like Ferdinand
the Bull. But given the slightest provocation – a loud noise, getting fed,
someone at the door, a sudden movement – she panted, paced, spun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jakson taught her to bark and the two of them
raised holy hell in harmony.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I enrolled her in obedience at Nashville Dog Training Club.
As I recall, she did two levels of obedience and seemed totally happy and
unconcerned around other dogs. She did one level of agility. It was during the
second level – an absolutely huge class of dogs – that she began to fixate on a
Weimaraner for reasons I could never understand. It made people nervous. We were
banished to a corner of the room and eventually stopped going. No one likes the
staring Rottie. I guess I can understand but I was hurt that the instructors
did not reach out to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, in a move so “first-world” it makes me cringe, I
enrolled her in a class for nervous dogs. I’ll say it here: if you want to make
your nervous dog more nervous, put her in a small room full of nervous dogs and
make her do “exercises.” What a crock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8ATd9Cj8L3PCYq8cAjnljXgKmGBDADH1x-hYzjlgmGcwbO0_VHRknYzwDUyOGGM1G0XpnVTtzIwQuu8GeqzlhrMQC_ZI5qk7D4D8MkhYNwAQahq1HFi1uDOh6kDVuLR3F56bq22UTLhm/s1600/CIMG1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8ATd9Cj8L3PCYq8cAjnljXgKmGBDADH1x-hYzjlgmGcwbO0_VHRknYzwDUyOGGM1G0XpnVTtzIwQuu8GeqzlhrMQC_ZI5qk7D4D8MkhYNwAQahq1HFi1uDOh6kDVuLR3F56bq22UTLhm/s320/CIMG1670.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She had her relaxed moments.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>On our daily walks, Chloe began lunging at passing dogs. I
remembered that bratty behavior from Dinah’s teenage years and made it clear
that it was not to be tolerated. She had some tantrums. We won.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A year or two in, I spotted a litter of puppies in a yard
near our house. The mama dog was tied up on a short line. As the puppies grew
older, they ventured closer and closer to the street. I called EastCAN, a local
rescue, and worked with them to get the owners to relinquish the pups and we
eventually placed them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A girlfriend
from NYC took one. Another went to my neighbors, David and Cassie, across the
street. I remember the day Cassie brought Gittel over to our house to meet my
crew. Chloe got very excited and Gittel kept jumping up into Cassie’s arms. I
could certainly understand. Ninety pounds vs. twenty pounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEFJ7XuxOdI-waPhKJ1VdJdYlD98vRlJ-HBkYt5HvrUPLJ3JgdATbQE8pXTzS4LU2u4K9OhJ0eJny9AQm4ToJ0Rvgdm_n-wiJyrb8tUtwfhhDabGU1c3LpQHs710gGTpa7v_iXGbc9EVA/s1600/CIMG1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEFJ7XuxOdI-waPhKJ1VdJdYlD98vRlJ-HBkYt5HvrUPLJ3JgdATbQE8pXTzS4LU2u4K9OhJ0eJny9AQm4ToJ0Rvgdm_n-wiJyrb8tUtwfhhDabGU1c3LpQHs710gGTpa7v_iXGbc9EVA/s320/CIMG1241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassie with Gittel. Note G's eyeliner, freshly applied.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish we’d kept up those visits. Instead, without talking
about it, we just kept them apart. Over the years, Chloe became more and more
agitated seeing Gittel in the street.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trainers? We hired trainers and followed all kinds of
advice. We sat at the entrance to Shelby Bottoms with a handful of hotdogs and
let Chloe watch dogs as they walked past. We went with other dogs and owners on
walks through parks and urban areas. We took her to Florida where she swam in the ocean at the dog park, we had
people over and made her practice sitting while they came in. We had dinner parties where she lay in the middle of the floor and farted. 99% of the time, she was pretty good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The issue was with dogs on OUR street. And containment, for
whenever we let down our guard for a second – or we had a party, or I went out
the basement doors to water the plants and forgot to close the basement stairs
– she and her sidekick were GONE, flying down the street shouting so long suckahhhhs….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two years ago, we went up north and left the dogs in the
care of a substitute dog sitter. I could not have been more emphatic about the
importance of containment, shutting the gate fully, etc. But in a moment of
supreme f-up, the girl left the gate slightly ajar and Chloe jumped at the
chance to run. Out in the street, she saw Cassie and Gittel coming out for a
walk. She ran over, jumped up on Cassie’s shoulders, scaring her, then went
after Gittel, growling and dominating her. Thankfully, there were no bites but
both were terrified. She had upped the ante in a big way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmm8JXPNz0VEFlDbL7BjUgHxYS4VPX7YLBpb5a0gVKjA2UoH26KRA7ydhemwZrIhP3mtQdtO5tXwfw8TjbDeW7K9iQ_NTt0Y42K30jpO6um0Drc_-oQNH9m_dF8uNwasbHhm62BVL12HH/s1600/CIMG1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmm8JXPNz0VEFlDbL7BjUgHxYS4VPX7YLBpb5a0gVKjA2UoH26KRA7ydhemwZrIhP3mtQdtO5tXwfw8TjbDeW7K9iQ_NTt0Y42K30jpO6um0Drc_-oQNH9m_dF8uNwasbHhm62BVL12HH/s320/CIMG1626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously? Why would you do that. You idiot. (Yes,<br />
sometimes I found myself wanting to have words with her.<br />
At the same time, I knew it was up to us.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We immediately rebuilt the back wall of our house to create
a door that would go directly into the back yard. That helped. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chloe also exhibited something called “redirected aggression”
which is sort of like when you have a bad day at work and take it out on your
husband but in Chloe’s world meant you get excited about some stimulus (other
dog) then jump on Jakson and beat him up a little. Jakson was surprisingly
forgiving about these brief but noisy exchanges, but it didn’t seem fair. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me at least, this meant we needed to walk the dogs
separately. With Al on the road many weeks of the year, that was double the
walking for me. Our lives were now revolving more and more around Chloe’s
increasing issues but we remained committed to helping her be the best dog she
could be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And yet so much was beyond our control. There are so many
dogs that just run free in our neighborhood. One day, a loose Jack Russell
Terrier ran up to us. Al had Jak. I had Chloe. It all happened so fast. The JRT
ran up to me and Chloe. I opted to keep the leash loose and let them sniff, as
that often worked in these situations. But Chloe picked up the dog and shook
it. She dropped the dog, which ran off. We located the owners and the dog was
ultimately ok, but it was alarming and instructive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a brief and expensive foray with yet another trainer,
we hired Nikki, a behaviorist who specialized in anxious dogs and in
understanding their language. She impressed us in the first five minutes. “Let
her lick me,” she said, when we described Chloe’s obsessive licking. Chloe
slobbered happily all over her arms and neck. Suddenly, Nikki let out a short,
piercing “EEEK” and pulled her arms in toward her body. Chloe did the classic
double take, took a few steps back and stared at her. She circled around and
stared again. From that point on, her licking was dramatically reduced. We
taught the technique to every new person who came in the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nikki taught us that we had to let Chloe think for herself.
She taught us fun “thinking” games to play with the dogs and I played with them
for hours. It was fascinating. Did it improve Chloe’s self-esteem? More
important: WAS THIS A CONFIDENCE ISSUE OR WERE POWERFUL GENETIC IMPULSES AT
PLAY, RIPENING IN HER BRAIN AS SHE GREW INTO ADULTHOOD? I was never sure about
that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ6eIJ-d8FhF0f5Pq5kXl9PZ9Yls2EbRZD5aBcKgyMysXdtS2W60XJ1FAUNmff1kF1DTph1aWE-GBUvPdLzbFFLjV-HjoAnBwije38DeQwmo7OZvjjhLgDbSB01qMQcF5p3Zqr086eoK8/s1600/photo-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ6eIJ-d8FhF0f5Pq5kXl9PZ9Yls2EbRZD5aBcKgyMysXdtS2W60XJ1FAUNmff1kF1DTph1aWE-GBUvPdLzbFFLjV-HjoAnBwije38DeQwmo7OZvjjhLgDbSB01qMQcF5p3Zqr086eoK8/s320/photo-34.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twice, Nikki brought other dogs with her and we were able to
practice on our street. These were by far the most helpful and effective
sessions we ever had with any trainer. I wish we could have done it every day
but at $175/hour, that wasn’t possible. Chloe caught on quickly that her
tantrums and rage toward the other dogs would get her nowhere and soon we were
walking up and down the street – our street – past these strange dogs. It gave
us great hope. David and Gittel volunteered to participate in the next session
but Nikki cancelled. She had to cancel several more times after that and
somehow life and travel and schedules and not being rich intruded and we didn’t
work with her again, though we used her techniques.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As she’d recommended, we went several times to a spot near
the dog park so Chloe could practice being around other dogs. It was hard work,
for both of us. She did it, but she seemed so miserable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6HN-z_bsMopzO83VZygagOOo_s0ZCcFAXu5K56v8ePkyJJAvb0MpvhsLkZA2HBlHX8BTH8DOBWV-KlWuYaiYvuJoHJMlK98J4iIAweEBP_xKgxfhqvObQ85c-jJ9P_qdTdC_i-ptbk5p/s1600/photo-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6HN-z_bsMopzO83VZygagOOo_s0ZCcFAXu5K56v8ePkyJJAvb0MpvhsLkZA2HBlHX8BTH8DOBWV-KlWuYaiYvuJoHJMlK98J4iIAweEBP_xKgxfhqvObQ85c-jJ9P_qdTdC_i-ptbk5p/s320/photo-32.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken thing. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(I think she was a little broken.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Al stepped up. He loved walking Chloe on her new “shortie” –
a 12-inch lead recommended by Nikki that gave him total control, even when she
was being an ass for no reason. They developed a new bond. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. Stage, set.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Friday, Al had Chloe tied up in the front yard while he
mowed the yard. David and Gittel came down their driveway. Chloe went from
relaxed grass-lounging to running at full-speed. The line snapped. There was a
fierce melee, a scramble of men and dogs. David and Gittel, both bitten and bloody, were
driven off to their respective hospitals and Al made one miserable call to me,
up in Michigan where I was at an outdoor concert under a beautiful evening sky.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Al flew up to Michigan Saturday morning, leaving the dogs
with our housemate, Pru. I played the most surreal gig of my career, hugging
dozens of friends, pretending to be normal, happy and excited. Sunday morning,
we drove back to Tennessee and were met at the door by the usual spinning,
gleeful puppy antics. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday was spent trying to find a vet to come the house to
put Chloe down, dealing with Animal Control (an utterly bizarre and confounding
exchange) and reaching out to our neighbors. Monday night was very sad. Below, Al gets some face time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZK2eAD3A-NBRsOb6rFd2EyAiZnCLWFv_Nq3C00f8Y9brjVbHsKpmJlMvqtzdFFyj4mNM4RiaO6_35tRmbfA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday, we kept things as normal as possible. Our neighbor, Steve, came over to say goodbye. Chloe absolutely adored him and I love this video (below). For some reason, it gives me great comfort.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsP5EGAhypsbPIXmjvyXw2GzAkuwd1D7EeRFPXWq7ihOse2nCRbz-NwQ3S4_yza7elmJDyVXy8L_Jn3J_7vw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We played in the backyard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSMc7VVHrzMGhmDJsjzrIU0LE5jfu-O2lSIsrCw4NjrZJgFP6bpgk36L6OrxUBBI5o6xGKZukl8PdD49KSZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 4, a vet
came by, a friendly woman named Jennifer. She gave Chloe a sedative and went
outside for some final photos. The Big C began to get woozy and we led her back
inside where she lay down on a blue blanket that has been very popular at our
house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I fed her some rabbit stew. She was happy about that and
seemed completely unconcerned with the deft work the vet was doing. Jak watched
and seemed equally unconcerned. Soon, she slipped away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtGM0SDmL0D1wV7hst7Rh05koQnGg4o_hZQl-XA_AMm1YwIqa-RmR_kdptih0Ua0rF0hKn9iYaY1fvMwBf8Y7pNRliFQXYcQNP59xg6TZbZ3YY5EeXIDO7VoXh4bc1Krcf0h_XN-RFJuF/s1600/photo-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtGM0SDmL0D1wV7hst7Rh05koQnGg4o_hZQl-XA_AMm1YwIqa-RmR_kdptih0Ua0rF0hKn9iYaY1fvMwBf8Y7pNRliFQXYcQNP59xg6TZbZ3YY5EeXIDO7VoXh4bc1Krcf0h_XN-RFJuF/s320/photo-23.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry if this is morbid. Mostly, though,<br />
I'm just sorry.<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vet left. A little while later, the cremation folks showed up. And that was that. That night, I made a little candle shrine for Chloe out next
to our mailbox and sat in the street staring at it. Brought Jak out hoping he’d
effect a reverential attitude, but no. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxe_dpv3zaE48Vy5mTVYCkU5eOkClrhkDFiwxIdgW-60L0uxhHi7v7jBx04bdsOlt9a4XA02rn-i8ja-8nKZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cassie and I hugged and spoke in the
glow of the streetlight. It was both a good and painful conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly, Al had to leave early the next morning for a tour
with Bettye. That has been a struggle. The grief – but mostly the thought that
my dog had hurt someone – brought me to my knees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A day or two after Chloe died, I ventured across the street
to visit with David and Gittel and was so relieved to find them healing and in
good and forgiving moods. I sat on the floor in their living room and hand-fed
Gittel sliced turkey and sobbed on and off. David and I had the kind of open
conversation that felt blessed. What everyone seems to agree on is that it
could have been so much worse. For instance, it could have been a child.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I emailed a letter to the people I know on my street,
acknowledging what happened, filling in the details. I got some nice responses.
I posted about Chloe’s death on Facebook, but this will be the full account,
for those who want to know it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suspect there are people who think I shouldn’t post or
blog in a loving way about a dog that bit a neighbor. Or that because we fucked
up – which we did, by not containing her properly – that we don’t deserve the
luxury of public regret and explanation. I suspect that there were people who
were afraid of her, and who thought we were irresponsible owners. I know there
were plenty who loved her and knew how hard we worked with her, that she wasn’t
a monster, that it wasn’t her fault.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of fault, I want to talk about blame.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I want to blame someone. Someone besides us. Just for a
little while. Bear with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to blame the backyard breeder who brought her into
the world. The selfish, uneducated idiot who put two good-looking Rottweilers
together to make some money. In fact, I want to blame backyard breeders
everywhere, and the people who buy dogs from them, perpetuating a cycle of
overpopulation, neglect and disaster that dog rescuers just can’t keep up with.
For when those cute puppies are sold – often weeks before the critical
eight-week threshold – they are often brought home by equally selfish,
uneducated idiots who stick them in the back yard and don’t train them. Then,
they end up in shelters where hopeful, educated idiots like me take a chance
that good care, discipline, training and consistency might overpower the giant
roulette game that is their genetic destiny.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it ends up like this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been several days since I started this too-long account
and my brain is starting to calm down. Jakson seems somewhat stunned. He sleeps
a lot. In July, we’ll be spending a week on Lake Michigan where he can clamber
across the rocks and swim in the water. Chloe, I hope, will be nearby, a bird,
a fish, a sudden shadow on the sand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD1XNljfDRRaUkhBVxxxCtwFH1yxTqnMm5ZDSNo_t3dZG46OpWTxcc_rLZ9ClXWZJBWvCUlrfuxLN4_-DhcC1xwnLPT-q7pt9oeRaTP4h97NpfK4pEAhJeKEjmr6zZjV7tgWPCbthJas-/s1600/photo-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD1XNljfDRRaUkhBVxxxCtwFH1yxTqnMm5ZDSNo_t3dZG46OpWTxcc_rLZ9ClXWZJBWvCUlrfuxLN4_-DhcC1xwnLPT-q7pt9oeRaTP4h97NpfK4pEAhJeKEjmr6zZjV7tgWPCbthJas-/s320/photo-24.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-29535589515302864692013-05-20T00:27:00.000-07:002013-05-20T07:11:40.292-07:00Failure, Cinema, Soldier Yoga Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Are you judging me? No?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, I am fairly sure that some of my friends and
family are judging me, or at least rolling their eyes just a wee bit. I've always been eccentric but this MD stuff, together with the current extreme length of my hair has got to be alarming. But I am
of an age and mindset when so little of that matters to me any more. With the
kids all mature and whatnot, I am free to do whatever I want, and so, within
limits, I do. If I want to spend 16 hours of every weekend “diggin’ like a
mole” (as The Aptly Named Doug once described me), then dig I shall. With long tresses. I don’t
care anymore. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That said, I judge myself. Just a tad. Maybe “judge” is too
strong a word. But I got pretty frustrated a month or so back, during a
wretched spell where I couldn’t dig a worm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started at the Club Hunt. We’d received permission to
return to the Blissful Meadows of Bounty (as I shall refer to them, so that
you’ll have no way to track them and pillage them further) where we hunted last
June when it was 100 degrees. Cheryl had skunked me good that day (heel plate)
and I was determined to return the favor on this gorgeous, cool, sunny day. There
were about 40 of us out there swinging away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oddly, in a copse of trees, I came across a “lost” sculpture
by 20<sup>th</sup> Century French cubist Georges Braque, obviously wrought
during his farm implement period. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ihip86D7uYo5pGJU8u5aWbvUnVEzaTJqbpjC8zbwpiaFxuKycuDm5OvorvPCt0uC10syhhEj3KcEF3XY2CMys7h9gBHHrbta-qnyYOqID-Mrh736dDLwsbFzxHkeEU_30qRwbCSMStSR/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ihip86D7uYo5pGJU8u5aWbvUnVEzaTJqbpjC8zbwpiaFxuKycuDm5OvorvPCt0uC10syhhEj3KcEF3XY2CMys7h9gBHHrbta-qnyYOqID-Mrh736dDLwsbFzxHkeEU_30qRwbCSMStSR/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I didn’t find much in the ground except for horseshoes
and assorted rusted iron crap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s my inner conversation when I realize that the signal
I’ve been digging is only going to yield a square piece of rusted iron that
possibly was once a hoe:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh. Piss and
moan. SIGH. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I should just leave
this here, rebury it… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope. Put it in
your fanny pack and bring it home. Or throw it out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: It won’t fit in the fanny pack. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: You can’t leave it here. How about an art project! This
would make an excellent mobile!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: Are you kidding me? I have no skills. OK. I’ll take it
home and put it on the volcano-sized pile of rusted iron by the back door.
Perhaps I can learn some craft techniques.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I dug nothing good that day, but soothed my disappointment
by finding some old glass insulators just sitting under some trees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6Ir-WzHXk3uVoTL4oqxq-0J0MnrOki7uPDPq6o6oR1sGNOFmeCJKFU89R72kjG3aoRMO3n1KhHMPXLpgYPW89z2ADKhoUWB8UtiCobhBs1_zTPiARQQYZsdNDL1zVF2GJlptwGXGw-ut/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6Ir-WzHXk3uVoTL4oqxq-0J0MnrOki7uPDPq6o6oR1sGNOFmeCJKFU89R72kjG3aoRMO3n1KhHMPXLpgYPW89z2ADKhoUWB8UtiCobhBs1_zTPiARQQYZsdNDL1zVF2GJlptwGXGw-ut/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay. Insulators. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the clear winners of the day. Sadly, neither of the hands shown are mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao88-9rHgmHQm9jlh7MXm8cLC9tkWjXOCxSu06KQ-B3jpj4F6Bi9wstnDI5ffHkRmik2EAQJw6w4yGU7NHQ4p49gXX0vJu2MsFyJpR_JO1tfBJ9ost4yUC1GJYY0DMNuI5mSdf8hVRc4C/s1600/photo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao88-9rHgmHQm9jlh7MXm8cLC9tkWjXOCxSu06KQ-B3jpj4F6Bi9wstnDI5ffHkRmik2EAQJw6w4yGU7NHQ4p49gXX0vJu2MsFyJpR_JO1tfBJ9ost4yUC1GJYY0DMNuI5mSdf8hVRc4C/s320/photo-10.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQu6V2xl_puR16_iPOQC9nMJqY4gFgFGCI_m4M3bsswgF2uBsQEo2cMebn3TpSxxrX6I0e54fjRzS5udIiiFzXW6FjcrpIG_vDxcN8HVrbSKAAHf6baavxE8mnMjyM1dmW546jrLSCgxs/s1600/photo-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQu6V2xl_puR16_iPOQC9nMJqY4gFgFGCI_m4M3bsswgF2uBsQEo2cMebn3TpSxxrX6I0e54fjRzS5udIiiFzXW6FjcrpIG_vDxcN8HVrbSKAAHf6baavxE8mnMjyM1dmW546jrLSCgxs/s320/photo-13.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Made a quick trip up to Ann Arbor for some gigs and to
celebrate my kids’ birthdays and brought along a couple of machines. Sadly, my
fallow spell continued. Some friends invited me out into the country for fun
hunt at an old school site, Peter dug part of an old practice typewriter
keyboard! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYReKWomtNl05xR6CykqxqZUirHdiFFgTz7MvxjjiCFp8lpgz3NEdZz3CjfCe4m6bGxegyQhdqqBC4H5W_ge9l96H6p3sEzXKdeUws1JsASfnTPFfX62oSWGrkDbBQwvPXlItH_rEpgpXw/s1600/photo-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYReKWomtNl05xR6CykqxqZUirHdiFFgTz7MvxjjiCFp8lpgz3NEdZz3CjfCe4m6bGxegyQhdqqBC4H5W_ge9l96H6p3sEzXKdeUws1JsASfnTPFfX62oSWGrkDbBQwvPXlItH_rEpgpXw/s320/photo-18.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Linda dug a gorgeous, old door handle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMZKMlifrXzZ3C3Ly4656FxfAZATUDVWS3OJY3TjUL-29QNiaaklsX-S3KKSyEHmecctLNs1VDYfbR0GwhI3znNKvgyjnPhgfXn88kj1Aa72BTo_OvQn9TRDnTULiLU-imLvrVGsQ8JH-/s1600/photo-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMZKMlifrXzZ3C3Ly4656FxfAZATUDVWS3OJY3TjUL-29QNiaaklsX-S3KKSyEHmecctLNs1VDYfbR0GwhI3znNKvgyjnPhgfXn88kj1Aa72BTo_OvQn9TRDnTULiLU-imLvrVGsQ8JH-/s320/photo-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Score two
for the Bounty Hunter. I, however, with the pricey machine, dug part of some
old whisker clippers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkynTFfA_NpOj5QaEIk9DH2Tj0Uut_ZIJCgq3lIxJ973W_FHzXzWRKxlOTXBwgqxggSPftyoFF0ALiPNHm-LLtZA2BBqfWYArSfTyxIc5wPH1IH8c89xjVUloIqGIbe8I5DbTJnLtfkm-h/s1600/photo-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkynTFfA_NpOj5QaEIk9DH2Tj0Uut_ZIJCgq3lIxJ973W_FHzXzWRKxlOTXBwgqxggSPftyoFF0ALiPNHm-LLtZA2BBqfWYArSfTyxIc5wPH1IH8c89xjVUloIqGIbe8I5DbTJnLtfkm-h/s320/photo-18.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Eww. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spent a transcendent hour at County Farm Park. Expected tons
of trash, but the land was strangely “virgin” – hardly a signal, and with the tall
trees just starting to leaf out, it was like being in northern Michigan, so
peaceful, even with cars and trucks so close by. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d had my eye on a small park where there had once been an
old fraternity and sauntered over there one day to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are my finds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kkXk8k_4-GkH6kY9nwlUVXTfSHB113yVWoO2ebS1fC_WeFAG6owLcb9cnVKPd57mc73Lpwzi3jZSivPu4R65VmNg9eOIAgYOo7bFrhyphenhyphen5vE6iP95L9mZQtSbkngmsBPBdKy8SOESaW8gf/s1600/photo-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kkXk8k_4-GkH6kY9nwlUVXTfSHB113yVWoO2ebS1fC_WeFAG6owLcb9cnVKPd57mc73Lpwzi3jZSivPu4R65VmNg9eOIAgYOo7bFrhyphenhyphen5vE6iP95L9mZQtSbkngmsBPBdKy8SOESaW8gf/s320/photo-16.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Cadillac dashboard thingie that caused<br />
quite a stir on Facebook, gigantic coin, 1907<br />
Indian head penny, green light from mower (I<br />
actually am just making that up.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please take note of that gigantic coin. Do you know how excited
I was to find that? I’d been thirsting to find the fabled Large Cent but never
had found one. Could this be one??? Alas, no. When I
got it home and cleaned it off, it revealed itself to be a “Maui Trade Dollar”
– some kind of token put out by the Maui Chamber of Commerce in 1995. THANKS, rich, entitled U-M student who went to Hawaii on Spring Break and flung your Maui Trade Dollar in the dirt in some brewski-fueled rage. I was so disappointed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was
an Indian head penny, though, so I tried to focus on that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in Nashville, my luck began to change in fits and
starts. When we moved down here, I joined Big Brothers Big Sisters and was
paired with an adorable kid named Hayley. Now she’s practically a teenager and
way cooler than me, but she still agrees to hang out with me, particularly if I
take her horseback riding. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day I picked her up and took her out to a beautiful,
rugged, old farm. While Hayley rode with her teacher, I asked the farm owner if
I could check out his property with my detector. He said sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This place is really something. The original house, built in
the 1700s, burned down 100 years ago and the little Victorian farmhouse that
was built in its place is being renovated. There’s a barn, an old smokehouse,
a creek, pastures, and a fairly sizeable cemetery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within 30 minutes, I’d found all this and was seriously
crushing on this property that we will now call The Farm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0AKVLxf0fZD1D3t7yQvjh_ARmCA9BNMRQEuaga_KGDHcy53h2Ute7UsJQL7nh6FKMN6hM9LjLW-14hy_lfOrAnYWE5Wb9upkbcWOAHw4WYBpmkKlKPcLNprc6RTt7uvXbbJmdt-Evkq3/s1600/photo-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0AKVLxf0fZD1D3t7yQvjh_ARmCA9BNMRQEuaga_KGDHcy53h2Ute7UsJQL7nh6FKMN6hM9LjLW-14hy_lfOrAnYWE5Wb9upkbcWOAHw4WYBpmkKlKPcLNprc6RTt7uvXbbJmdt-Evkq3/s320/photo-18.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham, I<br />
love this site. From top left: brass heel plate<br />
toy gun, toy sheriff badge, round saddle thing,<br />
mushroom-shaped MYSTERY item that is <br />
very old. Any ideas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>I was particularly excited because my friend, filmmaker Terri Sarris, was coming down to TN to shoot a documentary about me and my
metal detecting buddies, Cheryl and Doug. And we needed LOCATIONS!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Terri and her partner, Frank Pahl, arrived a week or
two later, I had it all figured out. We’d shoot Saturday at The Farm, and
Sunday at another Nashville site where Cheryl and I had found four CW bullets
fairly quickly. We’ll call that site The Agency. We were SET!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lights! Camera! Action!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pull Tabs! Can Slaw! Foil!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheryl, Doug, Brenda (Doug’s wife), Terri, Frank and I
arrived at The Farm on a beautiful, cloudy Saturday morning. I mean, you could
film The Hobbit at this place. It’s that magical. Cheryl immediately pulled out
a gorgeous Winged Mercury hood ornament off an old Ford (?) but after that it
was a little disappointing, find-wise. Terri and Frank were very encouraging.
They watched us swing our machines, they came in close to see what we pulled
from the ground, they asked us what it all meant to us. They interviewed Doug
as he sat in the doorway of the old smokehouse. We had “lunch” (popcorn and Gatorade) at a gas
station, then came back for another hour or two until we were exhausted. I
tried not to be goal-oriented and to trust the process.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday morning, we went over to Doug's to film him there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1IgGc1TXKCf67G8B52F_0741j-cvEDqFcpfmo63HCfS8ceXTz-i2UIk3xbhV72uc1G05B0ckt2V-sjS-J-1S3U1J75xq1eLJhZ-4UGyPiCqb5mgZgaBUMSoD5hPPrLw9RFvAi4TPjRiP/s1600/photo-19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1IgGc1TXKCf67G8B52F_0741j-cvEDqFcpfmo63HCfS8ceXTz-i2UIk3xbhV72uc1G05B0ckt2V-sjS-J-1S3U1J75xq1eLJhZ-4UGyPiCqb5mgZgaBUMSoD5hPPrLw9RFvAi4TPjRiP/s320/photo-19.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then off to The Agency and again, Mother Earth got all
shy and blushy and reticent. Didn’t dig hardly anything fun! CRAP! So we all
piled in our cars and followed Doug and Brenda to Franklin to a huge
construction site that seemed promising. Again, no kind of mother lode…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will be interesting to see the final cut. I trust Terri to make something wondrous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings us to this weekend. Last Friday morning, I
received the sad news that my sister-in-law had died suddenly, in her home in
Muskegon. Lauren Hill was married to Al’s brother, Tony, and though they’d been
divorced for years, Lauren was still a member of the Hill family. Her kids,
Andrea and Zephyr, are two of the coolest people ever. Lauren was kind,
ebullient, strong, funny, and had a laugh that I’ll never forget. She was beside me on that day in 1997 when we all gathered around Al's dad, Donald Hill, as he took his
last breath. Lauren gave great hugs, and fun socks for Christmas presents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, it was sobering news and by the end of my work day,
I knew I had to get away from the computer and out into nature. I drove to The
Farm for a little digging and life-pondering. I don’t know if was the absence of a film crew or the
silence of the late afternoon, or the recent rain or what, but the dirt was generous and I did a lot better.
Dug my first official Large Cent…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIv0dwl-DgbNJoYcPQDQ04GwPZq5paRBf1VVkkoagMvvZio8L75AYkvXqFir_9RFDn2DtkTJEU_oOIySGObGZvVCTLRcg8eX0xVuSPgEnoOvLkscYNKxEqcoMa00GPdkSXEsOG0r2EE4N/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIv0dwl-DgbNJoYcPQDQ04GwPZq5paRBf1VVkkoagMvvZio8L75AYkvXqFir_9RFDn2DtkTJEU_oOIySGObGZvVCTLRcg8eX0xVuSPgEnoOvLkscYNKxEqcoMa00GPdkSXEsOG0r2EE4N/s320/photo-4.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was NOT issued by the Maui<br />
Chamber of Commerce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's a summary of my recent finds at The Farm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IqbWRTZYUyqgK8GpZKc6zw-KgyxierKV9bV32Vlw4p4u8hfCJGC722xFaIgmQdHoW3KeDWODV86cchKFqMk9VK6y8xbutSmHQCR8miGY-Ab2q0CY9x5lrEBCAtyty8xiYVEBawS9J_TU/s1600/photo-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IqbWRTZYUyqgK8GpZKc6zw-KgyxierKV9bV32Vlw4p4u8hfCJGC722xFaIgmQdHoW3KeDWODV86cchKFqMk9VK6y8xbutSmHQCR8miGY-Ab2q0CY9x5lrEBCAtyty8xiYVEBawS9J_TU/s320/photo-14.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top: old carpenter's level,<br />
three clumps of lead, 1962 rabies tag, four<br />
wheat pennies, I have no idea, oil lamp parts,<br />
flat button. Center from top: token, large<br />
cent (same one as above), Mercury dime.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> Token sidebar: I found three cool tokens at The Farm. Here they are up close:</o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhrfmM0vgz1GEG1CTDVnBKsfMqgalQT3IzwQKfONFnrlEUNz28abdg5OfIRuPJfXIJpILeazlfqePFCoTJmBcOlOgYBE7XeDcm4nM9oq6hixPgar9FoMguzVWDBIeRYWpWrzNAqChw48P/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhrfmM0vgz1GEG1CTDVnBKsfMqgalQT3IzwQKfONFnrlEUNz28abdg5OfIRuPJfXIJpILeazlfqePFCoTJmBcOlOgYBE7XeDcm4nM9oq6hixPgar9FoMguzVWDBIeRYWpWrzNAqChw48P/s320/photo-2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is from Earthman's Mercantile, a long<br />
gone store in White's Creek, TN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HtmgSMuyp1DJrBVaSqrzr8NY51KOYc8nq3bIHL-joP8qie-kZqUKR1XCnNgI4ZAU3TYbZCBaUrCd40dn0vAZSLwDJ7aoNR7jp8mArl_Q_ohVh2nKjP9f7aw7ZdYK_FNkgWQamdoH4lDK/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HtmgSMuyp1DJrBVaSqrzr8NY51KOYc8nq3bIHL-joP8qie-kZqUKR1XCnNgI4ZAU3TYbZCBaUrCd40dn0vAZSLwDJ7aoNR7jp8mArl_Q_ohVh2nKjP9f7aw7ZdYK_FNkgWQamdoH4lDK/s320/photo-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Goose Shoes: Half the Fun of Having Feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLCJJdGhAF6MY5GTjKd-bUa0jBfGuqCJabH20li324rSc0h7VwycoSrPMaMl3TNb1haC4Sk_ZWWmeMejrbMBE6bWRVCySDfuGOzV8mvzbtoYiyaw8JOFm_iWOG9dNj51cgOvsAr1wt6kf/s1600/photo-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLCJJdGhAF6MY5GTjKd-bUa0jBfGuqCJabH20li324rSc0h7VwycoSrPMaMl3TNb1haC4Sk_ZWWmeMejrbMBE6bWRVCySDfuGOzV8mvzbtoYiyaw8JOFm_iWOG9dNj51cgOvsAr1wt6kf/s320/photo-13.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascaret's Laxative Candy (Best for the Bowels!)<br />
See, in the '20s and '30s, people were obsessed<br />
with pooping and would give their kids<br />
laxative candy. Oh, the things you learn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHDp1HIQHfmtEHsnIXbJ-0wiT2r53C4jeMJh-KyjKUKLwl5mUGuDR6FyFqZ_PE9fLvzIWOQyKBeLXdEKypbnJEr3jnIuZMvwMBabwlCt-ZBs70c0RBdWa3DNH4aGiRr-nrLpv1S80C5Lm/s1600/photo-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHDp1HIQHfmtEHsnIXbJ-0wiT2r53C4jeMJh-KyjKUKLwl5mUGuDR6FyFqZ_PE9fLvzIWOQyKBeLXdEKypbnJEr3jnIuZMvwMBabwlCt-ZBs70c0RBdWa3DNH4aGiRr-nrLpv1S80C5Lm/s320/photo-12.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawer pull, pocket knife, barrel spigot (I<br />
think this is very old), two beautiful buckles, <br />
round thing.<br />
We dug a lot of round things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the weekend delivered too. Doug, Cheryl and I returned to The Agency for another go-round. Here's my current stash from that site.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSaOUa1usfcchLWyySNp4cquDv6DLcn5LI4H_8mTHEwLAzlCGHeDnbGD1N4biPIqbnhfBnspSpfFy2n-Nn-vfe0JD9J_ZeueDBNEVcjCOtyyogC-X7l0HVZJ2D6VVzcea5-Jwoawtqszr/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSaOUa1usfcchLWyySNp4cquDv6DLcn5LI4H_8mTHEwLAzlCGHeDnbGD1N4biPIqbnhfBnspSpfFy2n-Nn-vfe0JD9J_ZeueDBNEVcjCOtyyogC-X7l0HVZJ2D6VVzcea5-Jwoawtqszr/s320/photo-8.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heel plate, two tent eyelets, rose tag, part of<br />
watch, button face (?), floral thing that has<br />
the word "Coro" on the back, 1887 Seated<br />
Liberty dime, pretty bottle top, cool hook.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What? You want to see that 1887 Seated Liberty dime up close? Of course you do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VafqeCn6OYZGNiDVyau5_XJXtZr9vuwbXvDj5c9LQ3Ya6vHB_y-Dy-cJL-jWz7IDBfc6yKH5P6nY0ZFZeR6YWltRIrRogl96ZPX-mOhuGZRLR6rz9HKD4cOWJVDW3Mx_HYWt7uIeZbmC/s1600/photo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VafqeCn6OYZGNiDVyau5_XJXtZr9vuwbXvDj5c9LQ3Ya6vHB_y-Dy-cJL-jWz7IDBfc6yKH5P6nY0ZFZeR6YWltRIrRogl96ZPX-mOhuGZRLR6rz9HKD4cOWJVDW3Mx_HYWt7uIeZbmC/s320/photo-10.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty thang...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this evening I hit a lawn near my house that I’ve had my
eye on for some time. A lovely family lives there and they were so welcoming.
They actually have a fascinating piece of property for reasons that I will get
into at another time. Let’s just say that humans – and maybe even pre-humans –
have been coming to that particular spot on the planet for at least 300 years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s buzzing with energy and history.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was just getting ready to go, when I got a good signal and
dug this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-QiLupCKq2KDOjEJsOD4TDBFEThZyjuD1p168jGISMinhPi5euGLcUhcy7AYR0xfyuBSPrrCiAiKKyL8s1El6wRXCksV6G3_00gb_eK-s4Ucm5iZf6NDBmnJgP-NhFdS7o45gClZS4RI/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-QiLupCKq2KDOjEJsOD4TDBFEThZyjuD1p168jGISMinhPi5euGLcUhcy7AYR0xfyuBSPrrCiAiKKyL8s1El6wRXCksV6G3_00gb_eK-s4Ucm5iZf6NDBmnJgP-NhFdS7o45gClZS4RI/s320/photo-4.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pompeii, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here it is cleaned up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dLFMGeuuVwLOFSwOpx373elwVN1S_cZeLvwAzRvR7Wz_P29vYJRwYojxHlCugpT9s6n_U6bPQ0i5F_7AWfHzoYqP5BDvakyDOFZPRwOe3j2ltNyctSsDzhVCcoMEcqlOeBTDdgf7YAU4/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dLFMGeuuVwLOFSwOpx373elwVN1S_cZeLvwAzRvR7Wz_P29vYJRwYojxHlCugpT9s6n_U6bPQ0i5F_7AWfHzoYqP5BDvakyDOFZPRwOe3j2ltNyctSsDzhVCcoMEcqlOeBTDdgf7YAU4/s320/photo-7.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldier doing warrior pose, but not very well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. Yeah. Dry spell officially over.<br />
<br />
Love, Whit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-4079506136227953602013-03-26T16:45:00.000-07:002013-03-29T11:11:13.205-07:00Bourbon<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s not often – well, it’s
never – that I post twice in one week but I got something to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">About a dog I never knew.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
Thanks to some generous, tolerant and perhaps slightly curious neighbors, I now
have permission to explore two more beautiful Brush Hill lawns. A couple of
days ago, after work, I took advantage of the sweetly lengthening days to mosey
on over and get the lay of the land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lawn number one is massive,
dotted with the ubiquitous hackberry trees and an oak that the homeowner
reckons to be about 135 years old. On the other side of the house is a bluff
high over the Cumberland. The homeowner is as geeked as I am about finding the
Lost Village of Haysborough. He’s way too busy to do the actual hunting, but
I’m hoping he can help with contacts and access.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After wandering rather
aimlessly around for an hour, I pulled out an old dog tag (for dog, not soldier). Couldn’t read it, but I’m always happy to dig dog tags. I kind of
feel the dog nearby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then, not far from there, I
pulled out a really large coin. Very excited. Large coins are usually OLD and
since I was in an area where I’ve dug quite a few colonial-era items, I was
pretty sure that was what I had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Back home, though, it
revealed itself to be a 1940 English penny. OK. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJunVqKG6ag-Cq2Yi1WOREcZ644Yws9zzWUlLhDpEOQgO4V20Fv-TfZ6q8RDcrny81xu9pDlFA9sZVAzhG0ZSKU0_6d-x9VTG560ZGMgajWu4lteAGtBP0srI7IeyOTZxNzN8O_P5a9eZX/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJunVqKG6ag-Cq2Yi1WOREcZ644Yws9zzWUlLhDpEOQgO4V20Fv-TfZ6q8RDcrny81xu9pDlFA9sZVAzhG0ZSKU0_6d-x9VTG560ZGMgajWu4lteAGtBP0srI7IeyOTZxNzN8O_P5a9eZX/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the 1940 Leonardo DaVinci token<br />
from last week with the 1940 King George<br />
penny from yesterday, artfully arranged atop<br />
a postcard of the Sago Motel in Ontario. I<br />
have very much enjoyed my week of being<br />
bracketed by the year 1940.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My attention turned to the
dog tag. I cleaned it off and there, in my hand, was a man and his dog.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuCTFLY5N8JYKntNti1ep6qQ7hvoOHswFRIRHKy1W059pAQ_t0hxtcI1rAkSdTfHE7mySaOGNq1TvTisapaIvIMbLJct72VIqDFscvtZ6NUH7WhKF4WsTX-gGPb3D9YuPz45eNlv1zQKV/s1600/photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuCTFLY5N8JYKntNti1ep6qQ7hvoOHswFRIRHKy1W059pAQ_t0hxtcI1rAkSdTfHE7mySaOGNq1TvTisapaIvIMbLJct72VIqDFscvtZ6NUH7WhKF4WsTX-gGPb3D9YuPz45eNlv1zQKV/s320/photo-7.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Bourbon. Hi Bourbon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It didn’t take long to track
down William E. Donlon, who, sadly, died in 2009. I found his obit online and
soon learned he had a daughter, Mary Lee, in Brentwood. I tracked down her
email and shot her a message. I had Bourbon’s dog tag. Would she like it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now, from my experience with
“Babe,” (see Babe post from last year), I learned that not everyone shares my
thrumming thrill of dog tag recovery but Mary Lee did. Within an hour, I
received this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Whit: Thank you SO much for the email. Bourbon was our
Boxer when we grew up on Brush Hill Road. We lived there from 1952-1979. Wm E
Donlon was my dad. I would really love to have the dog tag as a memento. My
husband does metal detecting all the time & also tries to return things
that he can to their owners. I really appreciate your taking the time to
contact me. My family will be thrilled! Thank you again!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Well, that made me feel good. Mary Lee contacted her
siblings who were equally excited. They started looking for photos of Bourbon. (As soon as they send them, I will post.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“My parents owned a large utility construction company,” continued
Mary Lee. “They installed all of the sewer/water lines for the Early Times
Distillery in KY. The owners of Early Times raised boxers & gave our family
a puppy; hence the name 'Bourbon' after Early Times!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We made plans to meet on Brush Hill Road on Saturday
afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After a fun mid-day gig at Antique Archaeology (the
American Pickers store, here in Nashville), I scurried home and deglammed
myself (because your Dirt Girl becomes glamorous when she performs, or at least
wears eye liner.) Then I headed out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mary Lee and her husband, Milton, were just lovely,
lovely, lovely. We had a good visit. They’d brought their Schnauzer, Buddy.
Turns out, Milton has been an avid MDer since the mid-1970s and he brought his
amazing button collection to show me. Wow.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65R3CHF9I-w_Cl7AH3P-Tsd4xl5ihoC2B1OZuoJIoO7dvYUU_pweW5e4eQFhNzV-7pX8vjxplBwlIGL0B8oTF0PwS57gif0wbNAZr_8JT84rmWw_KoHj9WPqazMMcGSlfCQ5Z80G2YxUH/s1600/photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65R3CHF9I-w_Cl7AH3P-Tsd4xl5ihoC2B1OZuoJIoO7dvYUU_pweW5e4eQFhNzV-7pX8vjxplBwlIGL0B8oTF0PwS57gif0wbNAZr_8JT84rmWw_KoHj9WPqazMMcGSlfCQ5Z80G2YxUH/s320/photo-6.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqCpIRaZkLhXviaxUpXD1zF_sBfZcHfWYQSwHKiYHvOD5WWs5HPTyK_-3XTqqK_f756xLZj3qSsE-VuXtJuOClh1OuEg_Cv3T1yQebLGdxbPctVFLLRYXF3VZiRpeBq58q7tf2N-8MwbI/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqCpIRaZkLhXviaxUpXD1zF_sBfZcHfWYQSwHKiYHvOD5WWs5HPTyK_-3XTqqK_f756xLZj3qSsE-VuXtJuOClh1OuEg_Cv3T1yQebLGdxbPctVFLLRYXF3VZiRpeBq58q7tf2N-8MwbI/s320/photo-5.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHMykz6fKCuHAMoWKcx9LUrGkcHmufdsxhEE7900t-Pqp93jNlew6za7IpF22FwsfZkvTka7VdR1_VxT1hqDpz9a3P_K5WmL2ZExedWscZUYITuZWAD-0NrEhLGc9_Nqv5TDolS-PVkzO/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHMykz6fKCuHAMoWKcx9LUrGkcHmufdsxhEE7900t-Pqp93jNlew6za7IpF22FwsfZkvTka7VdR1_VxT1hqDpz9a3P_K5WmL2ZExedWscZUYITuZWAD-0NrEhLGc9_Nqv5TDolS-PVkzO/s320/photo-2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I learned more about Bourbon. Everyone in the neighborhood
had dogs back then, Mary Lee explained, and they all ran free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“And there probably wasn’t any fighting, right?” I asked,
assuming that back when dogs were allowed to be dogs and run around and sniff
things and interact with other dogs, peace reigned throughout the land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But it wasn’t quite like that. Once, Mary Lee told me,
Bourbon got into a terrible fight with a neighbor’s German shepherd. No one
could break it up. Then, Mary Lee’s big brother came up and punched the
shepherd in the head. When it was all over, Bourbon was fine, the German
shepherd was dead (“He must have hit him in just the right place and it killed
him,” she said, still disbelieving after 50 years) – and her brother’s arm was
broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But was he a good dog? I asked. Oh yes, Bourbon was a wonderful
dog, she said. He lived a long life, from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We stood on the side of the road for about 30 minutes,
talking about dogs and kids and growing up. Mary Lee had never heard of the
Lost Village of Haysborough, much less come across it during her childhood
ramblings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">They gave me a bottle of wine, which was totally
unnecessary but much appreciated. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsTx-8Q0Ls0JGa1R_gPO1WO3ppYMOlZufC0EBog3A8-zGyZe1AbUBg8jdeU0gaXg2JYMFSiJhUf5HjsfWXA66GpzpjSPY8PxizbLguyzonJAMet_bf97R4SDJSA9_5Y8lXHR9hBtUFMnS/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsTx-8Q0Ls0JGa1R_gPO1WO3ppYMOlZufC0EBog3A8-zGyZe1AbUBg8jdeU0gaXg2JYMFSiJhUf5HjsfWXA66GpzpjSPY8PxizbLguyzonJAMet_bf97R4SDJSA9_5Y8lXHR9hBtUFMnS/s320/photo-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I do notice that I'm wearing an AARP<br />
fanny pack. No need to point that out. They<br />
make excellent fanny packs, is all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
Soon after, my new friends drove away. I went back to work and
quickly found three rabies tags from 1963, 1964 and 1971.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA2LMQybYaSv3mewRR8LaAwArHmXV3SPAamjD5vCHi8zlDkrDEDspBhb6jLm-J2LtJ1aRjGzQvuI-8SxpslD51OQRNFJNvSp0jlUjcQ0UGwWhn70r-NHqIFIJ42NvRk_XsRR519SYezzh/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA2LMQybYaSv3mewRR8LaAwArHmXV3SPAamjD5vCHi8zlDkrDEDspBhb6jLm-J2LtJ1aRjGzQvuI-8SxpslD51OQRNFJNvSp0jlUjcQ0UGwWhn70r-NHqIFIJ42NvRk_XsRR519SYezzh/s320/photo-8.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
It was as if the long-gone
pack had been called together for one last romp on the bluff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM89DpYYqNQSamEpDyzqoXxvmYld6MOzI7V9FpQK05kZ3GcgggY7noHdPVZpfSFt9rx2GED-BQpbF4M9pP6ruUYVOr98YMk-CfsI4Wf4CRbIXxyew8HuBnjVBAuQPpIZz8fMZc7lDcjO-Z/s1600/IMG_5089-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM89DpYYqNQSamEpDyzqoXxvmYld6MOzI7V9FpQK05kZ3GcgggY7noHdPVZpfSFt9rx2GED-BQpbF4M9pP6ruUYVOr98YMk-CfsI4Wf4CRbIXxyew8HuBnjVBAuQPpIZz8fMZc7lDcjO-Z/s320/IMG_5089-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Good boy, Bourbon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-29246084407006654812013-03-17T11:29:00.001-07:002013-03-17T11:40:35.386-07:00A Scary Detour, Followed by Frenzied Excavations<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in January, a few days after I published the last post,
my daughter, Maya, called me up from Ann Arbor. She thought she had a stomach
virus plus a fever, on and off. She felt bad but not dreadful. I asked her if
she had pain in her lower right side, but she said it was more all over pain –
the way you feel after a day of throwing up. She didn’t seem too concerned. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a couple of days with no real improvement and baffling
on-and-off symptoms, she went to our longtime family doctor who sent her
immediately to the ER where she was admitted to the hospital with a perforated
appendix. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I flew up the next day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Insert frightening, exhausting, all-consuming,
TWO-MONTH-LONG (so far) medical adventure here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXryK5UL2FP-p4CApcpvruqXQp5vHY7FXah2gD5_vEDzQJELO5pkxy8AAr5PthRUMDGC6bgPqesBUcj97NSdsLw3v5TDgSkXn6fa27cl20dMROvZp9RFpl3uvPbfWO3rXW3DROc_ljOtd/s1600/maya+stretching.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXryK5UL2FP-p4CApcpvruqXQp5vHY7FXah2gD5_vEDzQJELO5pkxy8AAr5PthRUMDGC6bgPqesBUcj97NSdsLw3v5TDgSkXn6fa27cl20dMROvZp9RFpl3uvPbfWO3rXW3DROc_ljOtd/s320/maya+stretching.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Maya stretching and breathing on one<br />
of many "loops" around the 8th floor. Walking<br />
and breathing were critical due to fluid in the lungs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started to write up a more detailed description of Maya’s
ordeal (and my perspective) thus far but I find I need to get a little more
distance. (Also, Dirt Girl Unleashed is my safe place and I need to feel only
happy here, not remember my little girl being stuck with many needles and
other, more graphic horrors.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, the short version: my firstborn, my sweet, smart,
beautiful and kind daughter, was in the hospital for a total of 17 days, over one month, then home on IV antibiotics and home nursing care for two weeks. She
was a real trooper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her boyfriend,
Michael, was amazing throughout: upbeat, calm, loving. The support of friends
and family was humbling. St. Joe’s was terrific. She is weak, but much better
and working part time. She’ll have her appendix out sometime in the next month
or two, now that the infection is under control.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, it all put a serious dent in my metal
detecting and since returning from my THIRD trip to Michigan in two months, I
have been MDing like a crazed weasel every weekend and I have the vintage pull tabs
and can slaw to prove it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do have a few choice morsels to show you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First: marbles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the February MTMDC meeting, Bill Siesser gave an impressive
talk on marbles. Here are some pics of his collection. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfEhvfLbqkXf-1vzSGRaUNsdlSo8SFNrNxwiNGkJqp2xm4W2CQVYNx6acir7dOpeLLOht0F5tsK36JXWiAFA99qJ3sCzrIpfZbMRREtVw9Nflzz7KvdbDdPQcvYObP0QyTAJBEjboKU7W/s1600/marbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfEhvfLbqkXf-1vzSGRaUNsdlSo8SFNrNxwiNGkJqp2xm4W2CQVYNx6acir7dOpeLLOht0F5tsK36JXWiAFA99qJ3sCzrIpfZbMRREtVw9Nflzz7KvdbDdPQcvYObP0QyTAJBEjboKU7W/s320/marbles.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3DaZQ6G2RzAV0QF05uRn84WDKbb3m9CymtEmjAFJ8T-QlcIzZ2bHHXxPntc_7IGYn_brvB4Lg_fbZWxr6GMH_ckesYaEFfvjHupLS8VFoEKkgr52lmMFdic4AwRm2xwMD2n3nHqftoQ9/s1600/photo-31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3DaZQ6G2RzAV0QF05uRn84WDKbb3m9CymtEmjAFJ8T-QlcIzZ2bHHXxPntc_7IGYn_brvB4Lg_fbZWxr6GMH_ckesYaEFfvjHupLS8VFoEKkgr52lmMFdic4AwRm2xwMD2n3nHqftoQ9/s320/photo-31.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are made of clay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the next few days, I found
two of my own, just sitting there on the top of the ground. You just have
to keep your eyes open. Thanks, Bill!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheryl and I have a new digging buddy we’ll call Dr. Karen.
We met her at the Club meeting and have been planning an all-girl hunt. A few
weekends ago, she invited us over to her side of town to (plunder) her very
historic home. We didn’t find much but had a great time. Then we went over to a
construction site and chatted up a worker who said we could poke around, so we
did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a couple of bullets and the
usual junk. Went down into an old stream bed. It was really pretty in there,
but Oh, Lord the trash. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7VBYMG8hgcly0ZprHZ97wW-huyx_k3J_Z4VNEPUk1eCG67y3gBZ2RFzMb2OVRbVn7uZj7M-B7Di1xTbUJTg2tw9KGvKer39lfnJoghVHoFdgY9jrQY1U4u6czn6OZ2lDqcHWrQFg3Tb4/s1600/crayons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7VBYMG8hgcly0ZprHZ97wW-huyx_k3J_Z4VNEPUk1eCG67y3gBZ2RFzMb2OVRbVn7uZj7M-B7Di1xTbUJTg2tw9KGvKer39lfnJoghVHoFdgY9jrQY1U4u6czn6OZ2lDqcHWrQFg3Tb4/s320/crayons.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cans, bottles, plastic bags... and crayons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then Karen took us to a friend’s huge yard for a late afternoon
dig. By the end of the day, I was covered in mud. As in, my hair too. I sort of
remembered that I was supposed to go to a very fancy gala party that night, but
when you are MDing, your concept of time is altered and so by the time I left
the last site, it was almost dark and I had about 20 minutes to drive home,
remove my mud via shower, dress in appropriately glittery clothing and drive to
the fancy gala. I was very late, but no one seemed to mind. As I often do, I
brought one of my finds to the party.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwV9QikI4SiXvRfgN_VO2oR7xikZIKe0Y0Y7XZUEsgrigkwuPlLRyVAGJhMM6F7_CMRLPG1W-eOJ2Tg7H7aDKQMtnFNDnLuBizivkZsvAwAT3yGOLrUiHjXJEHUoVTtK4dcQBXJkobnGX/s1600/photo-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwV9QikI4SiXvRfgN_VO2oR7xikZIKe0Y0Y7XZUEsgrigkwuPlLRyVAGJhMM6F7_CMRLPG1W-eOJ2Tg7H7aDKQMtnFNDnLuBizivkZsvAwAT3yGOLrUiHjXJEHUoVTtK4dcQBXJkobnGX/s320/photo-28.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">69 bullet thinking, "Ah. Wine, music, pretty<br />
girls, local celebrities."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s my take from two weekends’ worth of digging around
there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoH-p7U9wLYVGDBOEFssDXmObVF2QxGYbNky489LwZ9EigfOSIEuTO58y3Q23OuBzqnozb1iIez_VkvZgl20LPVlZo2Dct2kW8rWMpxZ6iIPFQMEriKhRiKnHk2qdtAFDflPdTLIZT07T/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoH-p7U9wLYVGDBOEFssDXmObVF2QxGYbNky489LwZ9EigfOSIEuTO58y3Q23OuBzqnozb1iIez_VkvZgl20LPVlZo2Dct2kW8rWMpxZ6iIPFQMEriKhRiKnHk2qdtAFDflPdTLIZT07T/s320/photo-8.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top: two- and three-ringers, latch plate<br />
hood of toy car, hinge, lipstick, thing, handle<br />
oil lamp wick winder, 1913 penny, marble.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVGtDNSHvr5Cqb16oYTpUnytjCxpEUiS2an-L5yeTIb2dmrrA2fPY97OqeWjrxDrx3wzCtwb5nY9VO4_0hJ1J7oWhJZYE3cgDkCVnEy9-OdffXWQ1nV8lC1cGbLEEIV08c1qfZiSnB3Ss/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVGtDNSHvr5Cqb16oYTpUnytjCxpEUiS2an-L5yeTIb2dmrrA2fPY97OqeWjrxDrx3wzCtwb5nY9VO4_0hJ1J7oWhJZYE3cgDkCVnEy9-OdffXWQ1nV8lC1cGbLEEIV08c1qfZiSnB3Ss/s320/photo-11.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top: thimble that almost says "Whit"<br />
but really says "White," awesome, very old<br />
mystery brass thing (any ideas?), watch part,<br />
beautifully folded hose end, lens from tele-<br />
scope (?), same hinge from other pic, thing,<br />
item, same oil lamp thing from above (sorry),<br />
small thingie, pennies, part of something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I particularly love the old pocket watch part. Here it is up close.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQXQbmO14whL0xRCzZetFzOhBHVgZMrYAhCRRHsCWcFVfiHuas4aovBJfDjWINnmOGUq7Tfd6z3vaN1A9BfXga3vNn4EH8IRe6SokCyZtq-EYALjd4o2ki15121x5KjRR-9VWYCoL3lHi/s1600/photo-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQXQbmO14whL0xRCzZetFzOhBHVgZMrYAhCRRHsCWcFVfiHuas4aovBJfDjWINnmOGUq7Tfd6z3vaN1A9BfXga3vNn4EH8IRe6SokCyZtq-EYALjd4o2ki15121x5KjRR-9VWYCoL3lHi/s320/photo-29.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right outta the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi1KZpOJb-OCOSgw8IwKT_cVoadA5YAjeBxB_XJa8rDKro8KdSTxmK-aDjSuwzf_a4U5pLySATUwzqVM49rBZdRrWkD-mWfR-4yJOeKYhRxA1Kzvr0u8EmejXghi9eDtxKESqxGLINNaQ/s1600/photo-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi1KZpOJb-OCOSgw8IwKT_cVoadA5YAjeBxB_XJa8rDKro8KdSTxmK-aDjSuwzf_a4U5pLySATUwzqVM49rBZdRrWkD-mWfR-4yJOeKYhRxA1Kzvr0u8EmejXghi9eDtxKESqxGLINNaQ/s320/photo-27.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After warm bath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also: the mystery item. I mean, it looks like something from a Celtic tomb! Or 1960s sculpture...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICUAsyMKzeTHHGSb5-4Y0QJl75OBDaTYwHwQijKtTJKMRSe0W7AmPYWWN5MVpUhOgtZ31aM5NnaF6xqTXAS25teJlWrR2bAI9_CTZDOleAZFb0Er3fCLOZ_OTnGXDHM_N2QPgLRwhTqbk/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICUAsyMKzeTHHGSb5-4Y0QJl75OBDaTYwHwQijKtTJKMRSe0W7AmPYWWN5MVpUhOgtZ31aM5NnaF6xqTXAS25teJlWrR2bAI9_CTZDOleAZFb0Er3fCLOZ_OTnGXDHM_N2QPgLRwhTqbk/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously... any ideas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was positive that Cheryl had found part of a cannonball, but Doug said
no. Here is Doug telling us no.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k7b2utriADTDFbx6fhoZKWPuXT95VmRNud0geBF4emUH8aWQHJAa8ispL0bKnp5czlTQDLgKMaZSy_oqv6xk6aIUax-lPKskXokE5CIrchxdoIEUDHQCs-AUNJ6Z2ZQyK0vNFD1BTHMI/s1600/photo-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k7b2utriADTDFbx6fhoZKWPuXT95VmRNud0geBF4emUH8aWQHJAa8ispL0bKnp5czlTQDLgKMaZSy_oqv6xk6aIUax-lPKskXokE5CIrchxdoIEUDHQCs-AUNJ6Z2ZQyK0vNFD1BTHMI/s320/photo-26.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We admire Doug and seek his approval in all things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Cheryl did find this, tho.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHYMku3rVBX4J9WqYpcSnE4MYkEHqID4kKh2lf64bPNeTYHeavceb7FinoOg0Sj_JdUZalcAPKAKrSUhdc8KWrQMFOeWe0DIGtGv38uGndCUQK64bpRbKAMFqD5MlU4zKcuqpOoKFQGJ/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHYMku3rVBX4J9WqYpcSnE4MYkEHqID4kKh2lf64bPNeTYHeavceb7FinoOg0Sj_JdUZalcAPKAKrSUhdc8KWrQMFOeWe0DIGtGv38uGndCUQK64bpRbKAMFqD5MlU4zKcuqpOoKFQGJ/s320/photo-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It calls to me with its siren song.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the midst of all this MD frenzy, I did play the Bluebird
Café in early March with my buddies, Kathy Hussey, Dan Schaefer and W.T.
Davidson. We call ourselves the Variety Pack. Because of the variety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is visual proof that Dirt Girl does
things besides dig in dirt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlClyYh7P86zqgkdzWs5Fxlu1aBdzL5-wk8eyEqHHU4GASKEcDdp_oCQ2BbuYRgSff9K_FZOIv2NMcGYSNezwR8PBPoiMFyMoSKUtKymhGEt0vlSAGu4_orxZLXFgeSeOjRy3UX9BvHQeK/s1600/photo-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlClyYh7P86zqgkdzWs5Fxlu1aBdzL5-wk8eyEqHHU4GASKEcDdp_oCQ2BbuYRgSff9K_FZOIv2NMcGYSNezwR8PBPoiMFyMoSKUtKymhGEt0vlSAGu4_orxZLXFgeSeOjRy3UX9BvHQeK/s320/photo-15.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are the days going byyyyy....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK, enough of that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Sunday, I met a new friend over on the other side of
town to check out her lawn. She was immediately hooked and we found this
wonderful old dog tag. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgJUHNpLW7LCwrXe62LLCZmFwq4JJbWLIVgp2buQU0eMKsvJ8wDuSpOPv9RzGqUSbvu5IOPpAkxuL5bxTRI5SNNEgB7mkWTIbZhy9eTk7x5ejYGA1XAJj4mM34U0ryUg-lAm1S_krHhB_/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgJUHNpLW7LCwrXe62LLCZmFwq4JJbWLIVgp2buQU0eMKsvJ8wDuSpOPv9RzGqUSbvu5IOPpAkxuL5bxTRI5SNNEgB7mkWTIbZhy9eTk7x5ejYGA1XAJj4mM34U0ryUg-lAm1S_krHhB_/s320/photo-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Skipper. Where are you now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here she is, helpless in the thrall of MD.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxnJ9UbvVcLR9w4B7olrNSWfaCfeiKf54t-Dp68Uq7hmQ01_X8CW11lBRKDfPpI7HMUsGm7OigHJrjRsztUcFuMPjzjVsorI7nwd5Gy92lXBO9HpocriR7UJ7FpbN5-F271ztWXTSxD4m/s1600/photo-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxnJ9UbvVcLR9w4B7olrNSWfaCfeiKf54t-Dp68Uq7hmQ01_X8CW11lBRKDfPpI7HMUsGm7OigHJrjRsztUcFuMPjzjVsorI7nwd5Gy92lXBO9HpocriR7UJ7FpbN5-F271ztWXTSxD4m/s320/photo-30.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K.L.! We must do it again soon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>After a couple of hours there, on the way to meet Cheryl, I drove past a very busy corner
(right smack dab in the center of prime Battle of Nashville real estate) where
a bulldozer had just torn down an old house. It was a pretty sweet looking lot
so I grabbed Cheryl and we headed back there, praying for access.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Sometimes, I read back over what I’ve just written – like
the previous paragraph –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and think,
“Hmm. What has happened to me? What has happened to the Whitley I used to be?”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyciTmC7Sqn1kXkp5z_xAxIn7QHY9FC8K-b3xTndYsNBJKjFeuC8tURgchFR0CYa9EnQtjYVPzVBoZwV-emWGXjkrqpJzI82rh73geEx6Soow7w1WLMVr-LEJKZhFlaYJaCb_OXaMzSLk/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyciTmC7Sqn1kXkp5z_xAxIn7QHY9FC8K-b3xTndYsNBJKjFeuC8tURgchFR0CYa9EnQtjYVPzVBoZwV-emWGXjkrqpJzI82rh73geEx6Soow7w1WLMVr-LEJKZhFlaYJaCb_OXaMzSLk/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirt Girl, vaguely concerned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, we pulled into the driveway. We needed permission. (See
Po-Po post from last year).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a man with a pickup truck, choosing huge pieces of
fieldstone that he was going to make into a wall. Yes, he worked for the
builder and it was totally fine for us to look around. SCORE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got busy. This was a huge double lot, pretty decimated by
the bulldozer that now sat idle near the road. In the middle of the
rubble-filled yard, was what was left of the basement: a big, stony hole. The
owner of the torn down house had been a woman who died recently, at the age of
102. Two huge houses were going to be built on the site. I need to find out her
name.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We dug there all day and it couldn’t have been more fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some high points:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9o0e1DqboYxyxeUXzwysrgUOPsoeZ3h49sjEdMMVia8Pxjrrbf9bWTB52DASLT1sxZhzqSivBtmblHXSkfQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WQDAO1S2Wn2nuZpi-MuZ20cqr3Qp56kmaSSPgykFUDWoSgVWPC_rGIRMkp0YcIjjrLUWSsJVeY1e-EOGY177gpZyhDXMcXeRfGX5ehpTkA2tUGgLCBRmQ6Iw8aALyJAkZrtk8lHMEWq4/s1600/photo-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WQDAO1S2Wn2nuZpi-MuZ20cqr3Qp56kmaSSPgykFUDWoSgVWPC_rGIRMkp0YcIjjrLUWSsJVeY1e-EOGY177gpZyhDXMcXeRfGX5ehpTkA2tUGgLCBRmQ6Iw8aALyJAkZrtk8lHMEWq4/s320/photo-17.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1903 Barber quarter. Signal jumped all over<br />
and I almost gave up on it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFrdmsXhm8ADWC10xLd_9vfKW4MQFsjenAB-auhphJGglCTF7vv91DWYGXzuUlJLq8uT0djsNoHPHBuAx2YX9h7U0fLSW-Nuyp6qpe__m6TAt__KklZYPG2UAYkRThqhFS6svNNay87-m/s1600/photo-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFrdmsXhm8ADWC10xLd_9vfKW4MQFsjenAB-auhphJGglCTF7vv91DWYGXzuUlJLq8uT0djsNoHPHBuAx2YX9h7U0fLSW-Nuyp6qpe__m6TAt__KklZYPG2UAYkRThqhFS6svNNay87-m/s320/photo-20.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At left is a regular three-ringer. At right is<br />
a three-ringer someone (bored soldier?) has<br />
hammered flat. There is also some speculation<br />
that soldiers actually chewed the bullets for fun.<br />
Anyway, this is one of my favorite finds of<br />
all time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s more of my take. I was very happy about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmA8hG5pw4RlNCn6s2CLq0AFgJ8hym45-HRfZQ_UI7uhRBl2WIOjSt_XIeR4OhmOCelzGg5oyVBrmcuz7AnxLd6yw6dFHwuQyzQkdfFxdEa9nMmS1r1iu2DENvTPRiMFUseK8EQ__xhMp/s1600/photo-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmA8hG5pw4RlNCn6s2CLq0AFgJ8hym45-HRfZQ_UI7uhRBl2WIOjSt_XIeR4OhmOCelzGg5oyVBrmcuz7AnxLd6yw6dFHwuQyzQkdfFxdEa9nMmS1r1iu2DENvTPRiMFUseK8EQ__xhMp/s320/photo-19.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'50s ish kitchen cabinet handles on ends.<br />
Top row: yankee minie balls.<br />
Middle row: musket ball, Enfield (Confederate)<br />
bullet (my first!) and wheat penny. (Smashed<br />
Enfield under penny).<br />
Bottom row: Barber quarter, pistol bullet and<br />
awesome fossil I just happened to find, there to<br />
remind us that life is a huge sea of time we<br />
are all swimming around in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YE96lTMqrVSVVC7zKwMvaC6UGG48PMOgNQYJvj2GYJGb-pvhfmnWpZSRX53gFIIahWB-W061D6FwJXDPWR2OnEaNL6KvgsTHtJW6BJcviVRuSPxEpfloA0aRnG7ypR_Dh8hMt7GvZOhyphenhyphen/s1600/photo-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YE96lTMqrVSVVC7zKwMvaC6UGG48PMOgNQYJvj2GYJGb-pvhfmnWpZSRX53gFIIahWB-W061D6FwJXDPWR2OnEaNL6KvgsTHtJW6BJcviVRuSPxEpfloA0aRnG7ypR_Dh8hMt7GvZOhyphenhyphen/s320/photo-21.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor Swift with old items.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings us to today, which was beautiful and toasty
warm. Cheryl and I met over on the other side of town at a particular middle
school, and started driving around looking for a place to go, but struck out. So
we went back to last week’s (102-year-old lady) site and were just getting
started when a guy pulled into the driveway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I, personally, never really like it when someone pulls
in, even when you sort of have permission, which we sort of did. But this guy
was not gesticulating angrily; in fact, he was smiling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you really… do this?” he asked? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Metal detecting? Yes!” I said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We exchanged pleasantries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His name was Jay. He lived a couple of miles away in a hilly
neighborhood that was in the thick of a whole bunch CW action. He’d always
wanted to have his yard checked out. Would we like to come by? Why yes. Yes, we
would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ten minutes later, we pulled into his property, which was
undergoing a huge renovation. Stayed about an hour and covered it pretty well
but surprisingly didn’t find anything of interest which was really unexpected.
Then, just as we were thinking about packing it in for the day…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb7TzLReKwVoJM5mSybCFTWpgXUmmmv4HAzyLB9A-uH37FvWtLpkJQ1_jn3Art1Tav6aH8-AOZtobglZ88vsm4PywcbbClGwRcIr7zkPoQrQYCpexiNejvJ_fWt-0T6KTuyE4aSl9lvjt/s1600/Leonardo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb7TzLReKwVoJM5mSybCFTWpgXUmmmv4HAzyLB9A-uH37FvWtLpkJQ1_jn3Art1Tav6aH8-AOZtobglZ88vsm4PywcbbClGwRcIr7zkPoQrQYCpexiNejvJ_fWt-0T6KTuyE4aSl9lvjt/s320/Leonardo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In situ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfjoo_qBBTEr1cxNlJb9Tw2TUZpWbV1-dXmlWZG4YjIorMOtoSckippMkUITRHFl9-v2YFzTsmgsehJ6bdLpinTTfpmHuDXQ_B5xSJUN5Owd9hcSSdMh19qMuxTZ_283EHRkWIw1vHBPI/s1600/photo-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfjoo_qBBTEr1cxNlJb9Tw2TUZpWbV1-dXmlWZG4YjIorMOtoSckippMkUITRHFl9-v2YFzTsmgsehJ6bdLpinTTfpmHuDXQ_B5xSJUN5Owd9hcSSdMh19qMuxTZ_283EHRkWIw1vHBPI/s320/photo-23.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leonardo da Vinci</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy0QQ8264V4wLGJZBwzE8hgrvcffwZMajBmzJWvIujv7Q9nVlBH4c50O-dgHqLrhGWxa_jzSKDbEDok82i8hoCW3heByR6S9pcoLKaqp5lZWaNcVcpaQt1i03DO0ALRKoNaS7j3hDzaUP/s1600/photo-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy0QQ8264V4wLGJZBwzE8hgrvcffwZMajBmzJWvIujv7Q9nVlBH4c50O-dgHqLrhGWxa_jzSKDbEDok82i8hoCW3heByR6S9pcoLKaqp5lZWaNcVcpaQt1i03DO0ALRKoNaS7j3hDzaUP/s320/photo-25.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, this exhibition took place at the<br />
Museum of Science and Industry in NYC's <br />
Rockefeller Center in 1940. My dentist's<br />
office was in Rockefeller Center, as are the<br />
studios of Saturday Night Live today. So:<br />
cool find, on several levels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like to bring these posts full circle somehow but I can't figure a way to tie Leonardo da Vinci to my daughter’s illness, (though da
Vinci was one of the first to accurately sketch the appendix, and other
organs).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh. It doesn't matter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m just so grateful she’s OK. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh... one other thing: when I got home last night, I ran across the street and took a swing on an empty lot I've explored dozens of times. (Some bushes had been removed and I had to see what was under there.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QZVt5CYlAjgu1wocyz5i124TtBfLYJQjJyNBaEEIpwcR8_iRDn2CVVcOn_nDzlNjA_BWzsOPbEy2WF5cBsCVLwLhZvcfWE1A7b7VbRsv3fKw3FvuMfuXWBYmk1O3o7niiVIPWEkWoQOY/s1600/fork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QZVt5CYlAjgu1wocyz5i124TtBfLYJQjJyNBaEEIpwcR8_iRDn2CVVcOn_nDzlNjA_BWzsOPbEy2WF5cBsCVLwLhZvcfWE1A7b7VbRsv3fKw3FvuMfuXWBYmk1O3o7niiVIPWEkWoQOY/s320/fork.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And there we go: fork you, appendix.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324367038678231948.post-10018545354264341402013-01-13T23:50:00.000-08:002013-01-13T23:50:38.640-08:00Winter's Bounty<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all the national meanderings of the fall, your Dirt
Girl decided to stay put throughout the holiday season and build herself a
fluffy, little nest of vintage pull tabs. But in the process, she got lost in
the woods, covered with mud, impaled on thorny branches, froze her fingers and
toes and found a veritable boatload of interesting items. She did not encounter
one mosquito and had a very merry Christmas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dirt Girl will now stop referring to herself in the third
person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Winter is prime time for MDers here in middle Tennessee.
It’s cold, but the ground rarely freezes. The snakes are snoozing and the bugs
are, I don’t know… larval or something. The only downside is the sunlight,
which in Nashville gets shut off at about 4:15 p.m. Due to my
dayjob-for-which-I-am-thankful, that leaves only weekends for serious digging
but I had the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s off and made good
use of it. Here are the highlights. I’ll never remember it all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, an update: Some time in November, in the back of a
house on Fatherland Street, I dug a really old button, but didn’t know what it
was. It reads “WG” plus some words on the back that are pretty hard to read. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFUkQhHw-8W0ESpi4AuBkeimyPeNhDoPriJzgTgy-KmzzlT1VOnJQACXtz1IABdObuD9mq5R9iwZOjHoTNr_oPer-HRTykj61E9-H5DKoqkfa2OEmUjFSvjKhLD4o4zsnLdoAaZZ01GUx/s1600/photo-55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFUkQhHw-8W0ESpi4AuBkeimyPeNhDoPriJzgTgy-KmzzlT1VOnJQACXtz1IABdObuD9mq5R9iwZOjHoTNr_oPer-HRTykj61E9-H5DKoqkfa2OEmUjFSvjKhLD4o4zsnLdoAaZZ01GUx/s320/photo-55.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vaseline makes it look much prettier than it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Showed it to The Aptly Named Doug, and he got out his button
book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here he is looking it up in his amazing basement lair of
antiquity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6KwtwLjApLk4eUJ6Q4qHzm-FYb5OzZRZgdr_p-lcIWr76ghqfDePGwgjwd5Yx6sQzM_6nqMmK09mbUC_ELFC6_xA50-nj5m48njdDHBVwRLbcCKsLM_rJ3RqC7Hknpj4nCslhzs7F6BB/s1600/photo-56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6KwtwLjApLk4eUJ6Q4qHzm-FYb5OzZRZgdr_p-lcIWr76ghqfDePGwgjwd5Yx6sQzM_6nqMmK09mbUC_ELFC6_xA50-nj5m48njdDHBVwRLbcCKsLM_rJ3RqC7Hknpj4nCslhzs7F6BB/s320/photo-56.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turns out it’s a Civil War button from a Philadelphia
company called the Washington Grays. The script on the back says
“Horstmann/Phila & New York”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s nothing quite as silent as our house on Christmas
morning, now that our kids are all grown to functional, friendly adults with
their own lives. It’s sad, a little, but not too bad. Al and I had a lovely
gift exchange. I got a GARRETT PINPOINTER!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made a frittata, then got that too-cheery tone to my voice
and said I’d be going out for a little bit. Headed over to a friend’s house
that backs up to some woods that kind of feed into Shelby Park. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spent several hours in very thick woods/brush on a steep
hill. Some trash, but not too bad and I’m really learning to trust the Fisher
F75 and not dig the junky sounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had this little overly dramatic moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxy7H3_cUWYElle7ZW6wDa1gMy84HNwILw7WxBVvkwHlTiFNrDdgxB4BhrkzFascjsrMhSEyJiaKjWyZAawzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(See, 'cause maybe it wasn't a soldier. Could have been anyone. But I'm thinking soldier. Playin' a sad song.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a few minutes later, I got a solid signal that read 95
over and over, every time I swung – no trashy sounds, no erratic numbers. Thought
for sure I’d hit my first CW-era buckle but dug this instead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UR2j-_CnZ51kYm2ObctGFKkjnZYNRQJmtTQhlkSwZg7WEoo7h1bN6VGGLQYbkWM0NSchDTgNG-nAlPoMywgYeAclhAfki2qoEA41N1cfv9hm2e0Bv8ecodF1cUdoxaR5LZwq5vdEaOv8/s1600/photo-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UR2j-_CnZ51kYm2ObctGFKkjnZYNRQJmtTQhlkSwZg7WEoo7h1bN6VGGLQYbkWM0NSchDTgNG-nAlPoMywgYeAclhAfki2qoEA41N1cfv9hm2e0Bv8ecodF1cUdoxaR5LZwq5vdEaOv8/s320/photo-29.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tick tock? Really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doug sez it’s part of a grandfather clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not convinced. Whatever it is, I like its
grace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the day’s take. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa6mJKk9GnGr0VVBPgXu42Oveh2oUtsfVRKKQjHsOVD6v4KljNQjsp-BameLan3Xjb-F1q6qc0WlUIKhCdZLhglDA2wCFmo03tI3Coai74fSBdTYe098jaYGXO4I0jbFXnNVR_yjnIvLC/s1600/photo-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa6mJKk9GnGr0VVBPgXu42Oveh2oUtsfVRKKQjHsOVD6v4KljNQjsp-BameLan3Xjb-F1q6qc0WlUIKhCdZLhglDA2wCFmo03tI3Coai74fSBdTYe098jaYGXO4I0jbFXnNVR_yjnIvLC/s320/photo-28.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top left: harmonica reed, some kind of clasp,<br />
a lead sinker, two pennies, round thingie, <br />
other thing (Doug thinks also part of clock<br />
face), part of clock face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was surprised to not find any
definitive CW stuff. I’m also really glad no one was there to see me get
completely immobilized by a large thorn bush. I’m not even sure my feet were on
the ground at one point. I had my IPhone, but there’s no app for that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the middle of the holiday break, I’d pretty much
exhausted my meager stash of permissions and was grumping around the house on a
bright and pretty morning wondering WHERE I was going to dig when I remembered
that my friend Woody lives in an old house in Franklin and he’s super nice and
ALWAYS on facebook. So, zip-zap… msged him and had permission to dig within
minutes. It was Meant To Be!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh it was fun. Just … so fun. Woody lives in an adorable
1930s-era bungalow pretty much in the thick of where the Battle of Franklin
took place. He showed me around and told me to have at it. I started in the
very back of the back yard, up against a fence and immediately dug a pristine,
dropped (as opposed to fired) 69 bullet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then came the nicest General Service button I’ve ever found.
Can’t believe how much gold is left on it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bwHuUNuPqHtWtrkwdAK9zj4AdxulMwCxSIIv_-Hm34-QQuRjDOqrTJYzIu_jhCSfqCeEZecow-aTVPrtyLhz53ey7G8IH-YBIlFPQ1hXt1mysy98jjrpvDfhv8Ke_Akszsxq8b17AITe/s1600/photo-51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bwHuUNuPqHtWtrkwdAK9zj4AdxulMwCxSIIv_-Hm34-QQuRjDOqrTJYzIu_jhCSfqCeEZecow-aTVPrtyLhz53ey7G8IH-YBIlFPQ1hXt1mysy98jjrpvDfhv8Ke_Akszsxq8b17AITe/s320/photo-51.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I moved into the center of the yard, the digging got
harder; it was full of bottle caps and what I think were the soft, silvery
metal tops of milk bottles. After a while, I got familiar enough with those
signals to just stop digging them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what I pulled
out over two days (Believe me: I went back the following weekend).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RBJqaL3EczjqOuWbh4YSQNDJ1Lr9dggqQGmd9FsYnQ09tlshh9HE6cuUMXlYWmyACPEx-C7OZBqF7z2ASmhf6qgCzSFYi4uNSN6xx8WP1SP5vBBBQgKBQcxH6Lq_2OPB6w-BBkUafF15/s1600/photo-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RBJqaL3EczjqOuWbh4YSQNDJ1Lr9dggqQGmd9FsYnQ09tlshh9HE6cuUMXlYWmyACPEx-C7OZBqF7z2ASmhf6qgCzSFYi4uNSN6xx8WP1SP5vBBBQgKBQcxH6Lq_2OPB6w-BBkUafF15/s320/photo-34.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From top left: part of a razor, possible tip of<br />
scabbard cover, tent thing, two fleur-de-lis<br />
mystery items (any ideas?), round piece of rusted<br />
junk that has no business being in this photo,<br />
hinge, uniform button, silver pinkie ring<br />
with green stone, 69 bullet, piece of watch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks, Woody!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Biggest coup of the winter thus far has been permission to
explore a very special yard on Brush Hill Road, near my home. There’s a reason
for my excitement: this property is probably very close to the lost town of
Haysborough, which was a thriving little village in the late 1700s into the
mid-1800s (?). It had a meeting house, a school, a store, etc. and was
considered a rival to Nashville (then called Nashboro). But the town died away
and – seriously – no one knows exactly where it stood. Doug has been obsessed
with it for years – and others too; I’m definitely late to the party. And who
am I to poking about in this past, anyway? I’ve only lived here five years, and I’m a
Yankee to boot (sort of; this is arguable, at some other time). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But getting permission to hunt this 2.5 acre lot high above
the Cumberland was a thrill. I packed my high hopes and set out one weekend afternoon.
As I always do, I brought along my extra machines and spades and it was
a good thing as there were some adorable, intelligent and very well-mannered
children there who wanted to play. I got them started and together we
immediately found a musket ball and some old pennies. (What a great way this is
to teach history to children.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, off by myself, on a little path that ran along the
bluff, I dug something that looked like the shiny, flat part of a pulltab – or
maybe a piece of play money. I tucked it in the pouch and didn’t think much of
it. Later, in another part of the field, I dug something entirely unexpected.
That was pretty much it, except for the usual junk. Here’s the day’s haul:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uUi5itethG6kp08wlm1bhcs3bxEczDYxemYrWxnpNd21csKI9vgd5mGxdcYJlPNHOqnxg6c6dpQmJJcVNYj5OLe_jS7ZDqocQT8gH_zTSUudRbbpnfJZ4FUE4DQrBPDuQZrK-ixb2d49/s1600/photo-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uUi5itethG6kp08wlm1bhcs3bxEczDYxemYrWxnpNd21csKI9vgd5mGxdcYJlPNHOqnxg6c6dpQmJJcVNYj5OLe_jS7ZDqocQT8gH_zTSUudRbbpnfJZ4FUE4DQrBPDuQZrK-ixb2d49/s320/photo-52.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right; a Swiss music box (probably<br />
1950s) and a Spanish real (probably late 1700s!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>My first Spanish Real!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reales were a fascinating form of currency that were minted and traded all over the world for many centuries. Here's a good article:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_real">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_real</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is the coin a sign of Old Haysborough? Who knows. I’ll explore this
property again. I suspect it’s been graded with a bulldozer at some point but
I’m not giving up yet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One random find: on a frigid weekday afternoon after a very
full day of writing for my job, I HAD to get outside and ambled down the street
my neighbor’s house where I dug the dog tag for “Babe” last year. Pulled this
out within a few minutes and went home, frozen but happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7EpOC6ydjm14kAnZX-3iHZNHsOv_xr2xVf3ik8s_KOO6hWdK96cs0ojmdz_0HMVGVDrt1T4H4rPnxGCauEEkoBK307soi4R4U8dML5LlyFBV-gsQlinQH-uOgQyHCRZ3nZmzCTFb99Lv/s1600/photo-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7EpOC6ydjm14kAnZX-3iHZNHsOv_xr2xVf3ik8s_KOO6hWdK96cs0ojmdz_0HMVGVDrt1T4H4rPnxGCauEEkoBK307soi4R4U8dML5LlyFBV-gsQlinQH-uOgQyHCRZ3nZmzCTFb99Lv/s320/photo-48.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am a watch fob.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDPQPqnAdFp-2lJ5DtV-SDsdQl5KCRQpbxetxca8RliluQSiLRJ97uCKmV-iCZMLNewJb-TSoDm0OxNIINlWPJWf6hzqkZE7YUeW1dyT_n0mAbBFPwwRyesuGTh4Gkcmf8Vrz-rLomt-s/s1600/photo-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDPQPqnAdFp-2lJ5DtV-SDsdQl5KCRQpbxetxca8RliluQSiLRJ97uCKmV-iCZMLNewJb-TSoDm0OxNIINlWPJWf6hzqkZE7YUeW1dyT_n0mAbBFPwwRyesuGTh4Gkcmf8Vrz-rLomt-s/s320/photo-49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am the other side of a watch fob, inconveniently oriented.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there was the day 18<sup>th</sup>-century China, a
Civil War soldier and a 1960s cowboy all collided on a gentle, wooded hillside
in Nashville. I won’t tell you where. But within 20 feet of each other I found
these.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBzEqUx0pi10Ddqm-L2QnIJo8gDUswv8rC96QmduJL_cCmJHehSTptPflwzMs1ypnJako75KbKQG0Rkp4E2msn14lFnL5V2WEFZARTN_7HpTLwb_oCOKrGqGFWp6GMuPHv-KWi35H4rLp/s1600/photo-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBzEqUx0pi10Ddqm-L2QnIJo8gDUswv8rC96QmduJL_cCmJHehSTptPflwzMs1ypnJako75KbKQG0Rkp4E2msn14lFnL5V2WEFZARTN_7HpTLwb_oCOKrGqGFWp6GMuPHv-KWi35H4rLp/s320/photo-33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Curious about the coin, I posted on CoinTalk – an excellent
resource.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what I learned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.cointalk.com/t220160/" target="_blank">http://www.cointalk.com/t220160/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love those guys!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The long thing? I posted it on FB and someone who collects
toys recognized it as half of a barrel from a 1964 Hubley cap gun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bullet is sliced perfectly in half. Why? I have no idea.
Doug says they did that sometimes. Just because they could.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, the scrambling of history. I don’t know why it’s so
moving to me. They’re things. Things don’t care. (I tell myself this, but I’m
not ever totally sure about it. Maybe “care” is the wrong word. I do think that
things can hold energy – heck, things ARE energy.) But more than that, I guess,
it’s the awareness of the people, and their hands, the hands that held these
things, then dropped them. Or buried them. And I love how I can dig them out of
the ground with my hands. I love how these sweet items arrive in my life, like random
people walking into a café, unaware of how beautiful they are and how one
informs the other, just by proximity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->whit hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233455672493987530noreply@blogger.com3