Summer in the city
Back of my neck gettin’ dirty and gritty
All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head
-- The Lovin’ Spoonful

Good gosh it is hot and nasty. Just smog hanging over the city, it’s enough to straighten my hair. Ugh. Lots going on over here, so sorry for lack of updates. While you’re waiting for the next dose of dabbsness, check out this article from CNN.

On a hot tin roof,

dabbs

But I've got friends that love me
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me and that's who I am
-- Jessica Andrews

Hi All!

Sorry for lack of updates! I just want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes, presents, cards, e-cards, hugs, etc. You all are far too kind! More updates are forthcoming...

dabbs

‘Cause momma I’m sure hard to handle now

-- The Black Crowes

So tomorrow there will be 27 on the cake. Yes, 27. You know, 26 was a hard one to handle, but I feel better about 27. Maybe it’s because 7 is my number. Who knows? Anyway, I hope everyone is doing great and keep the comments coming, y’all because ba da ba da da, I’m lovin’ it.

Ames

-- Ludacris (PG Version)

So, many of you know that I live in Atlanta and have to deal with its'
traffic everyday. I have been here long enough to get used to it...that
is most of the time. Between Ivan and now Dennis, Mother Nature has
wreaked havoc on the panhandle of Florida. So, many of its' residents
travel North to get out of harms way...right into Atlanta. This would
not be a problem if these fleeing people would abide by the unwritten
traffic rules. The most important, at least in my mind, is not to drive
as slow as Grandma in the leftmost lane. This is especially true if you
have decided to overload the bed of your pick-up truck with all of your
house belongings...couch, bed, dog, kids...yes, that's right, kids. I
saw it and my jaw hit my floorboard. But I digress. Most commuters in
Atlanta would agree, rush hour (and why is it called 'rush hour' when
you aren't rushing anywhere?) is a major headache...and slow drivers in
the fast lane are the worst. So, I had the privilege of coming up
behind one of the afore mentioned vehicles...with a lovely Florida
orange on the tag staring me in the face (as a UA grad, I tend to
despise orange of any shade). So, as a semi-aggressive driver, I decide
to play peak-a-boo in the driver's side mirror. Hello! Peak-A-BOO! I
know you see me...I saw you peak! I got nothing, no movement, nothing!
So, when it was clear, I pulled in the lane to our right and gunned my
little four-cylinder. And as you would guess it, they sped up just
enough so that I couldn't get around them. Furious, back behind them I
go again. And for those of you that are not that familiar with Atlanta
interstates, most in the metro area have four to six lanes to
choose...which makes slow drivers in the fast lane, well, basically
idiots! Anyway, I finally got around the house on wheels only to find
more oranges in the fast lane. It's amazing I still have hair! Now,
please don't get me wrong, I am very happy that Atlanta can be a safe
haven and am very sorry they are having to evacuate in the first place.
I am thankful I am not the one in their shoes, ummm flip flops, but for
all the commuters in Atlanta...MOVE, GET OUT OF THE WAY!

(Y'all show Jenny the love for stepping up to the plate as a guest ranter!)

Stuck in the middle with you
-- Stealer's Wheel (also a rollicking version by Keith Urban on iTunes, have I mentioned my obsession with Keith?)

A few weeks ago on an average lunch trip with Andrea and Lee Ann we were stopped by the police. Yes, the police – how is that helpful?

As the rule goes when 3 women get together we were all chit chatting and not necessarily paying attention to our surroundings. Ok, it was entirely my fault. We were at the corner and I noticed the red light and stepped into the crosswalk, Lee Ann and Andrea followed. Half way into the intersection the light changed and we had to run the rest of the way. After we safely land on the sidewalk Lee Ann says, “And yes, there’s a cop.” I began to walk off – just assuming it was over. If you know me, you know my luck – which is to say, if not for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.

The cop turns on his lights and beeps the siren and stops on the corner. Do you believe this? We escaped with only 3 brochures detailing the dangers of jay walking – the number one is the $130 ticket.

Who else but me? Now I am super paranoid – I no longer jay walk. So much for my thought that if you were in the crosswalk itself you were cool. So fellow walkers of the world beware.

And watch out for the freaking hurricane, too. Have a good weekend!

dabbs

I keep on calling her name
She’s somewhere in the Smoky Mountain rain
--Ronnie Milsap


I’m back from vacation. How sad. I had a great time and by the way, I love the mountains. I could spend hours by the Little River watching it rush over the rocks and wind it’s way through the Smokies.

A couple of things – it was with much disdain that I discovered my childhood favorites of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have been reduced to a series of Old Tyme Photo booths, cheap t-shirts and hot dog stands. Oh well, maybe it was always that way and I’m just older now. Nonetheless, I love the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and would move up there in a second. Of course, I’m not sure how I would earn a living. Anyway, I’m back and ready to rock your world with my wordsmithing, y’all.

dabbs