Big happenings in celebration of recovery.

Cullman,   AL


April of 2011 will long be remembered for the path of destruction from tornadoes that ripped through the south.   It was the 2011 Super Outbreak that hit 216 towns, killed 348 people of which 248 lived in Alabama.   In Cullman the EF4 tornado of April 27, 2011 destroyed or damaged 867 residences, 94 businesses and took the lives of 6 people.   You can see the extensive damage by Googling Cullman Tornado 2011.

We came here to visit our son and family shortly after the tornado.   We saw the damage in town and along highway 278 that was in the path of the tornado.   There are still empty lots with steps leading up to where houses once stood.  Almost eerie.

One year after the tornado, the town held a celebration of recovery.  It was to be a one time event.  However, the celebration has expanded to the point that it has outgrown the original 15 acre site in town.

We travel back roads when we head to the south end of town.  Starting last week we noticed a large plot of ground was having roads laid on it.  Our first thought was a housing development.  Each time we went by we became more curious.  It no longer looked like houses were going there. A few days ago we saw this.

Rows and rows of Porta potties.   Yes, there were lots of workers in the area, but this many?

We also noticed a couple of semi's parked a few miles away that looked to be carrying scaffolding.  We found out they were to construct a stage.

Yesterday we saw large generators sitting in the field.  And electrical work being done.  What is going on?????

Well this morning my friend Stephanie was on Facebook talking about how fast the work is progressing up the road.  I asked her what was going on.   OKAY.... now it makes sense.   Welcome to ROCK THE SOUTH.

The 15 acres no longer can accommodate the crowd so starting this year it moves to this 140 acre field.

We went by the site this morning when taking our Biscuit to the vet for a much needed bath.

They are expecting over 65,000 people to the event next weekend.  (We will be in NJ).  The headliners this year are Kid Rock,  Brooks and Dunn and Florida Georgia Line.  Plus loads of other less well known names.  In past years they had Hank Williams Jr (who used to live in Cullman) and Alan Jackson to name only two.

As of last year the event has raised over $640,000 for local charities.  Want to go?  Can you afford it?

Parking   $50.  For two days of shows:    General admission  $109.00  .   Seating $159.00.   VIP $339. (Gets you closer to the stage).  Ultimate VIP $629,  (private entrance, cocktail server, priority parking)

Want to bring own accommodations?   RV parking $650.    Tent camping  ..... sorry sold out.

Or how about Glamping for 2 people.   $1,700.  (beds, linens, private tent with electric)

Next year if you want to go but want cheaper accommodations, let's talk.  Hey, we could use the cash.

Until next time.

He's changed our lives

Cullman,  AL


When we retired and hit the road to fulltime RV for 7 years, we sold our house in NJ to our daughter and husband.   Along with the house and property came our wonderful Labrador retriever Sparky.   He did not like coming in the house or the truck.   He was not suitable for traveling.   Terri and Steve took good care of him during his final years.  He lived to be 15.

Both Leonard and I agreed we would not have a dog while traveling but when we settled we might get a dog but it would not live it the house.

Something changed our lives!

Late on Easter, after our guests had left, I saw a dog laying on our front porch right up next to the door.   I walked out and he moved and wanted to be petted.   He appeared underfed and was full of ticks.  And he wasn't about to leave.  Except for short times when he would run the woods.

I immediately fell in love with him.  I bought dog food and Frontline.   It killed off the ticks.

 Len would not pet him or interact with him.   I sent pics to various family members.   Granddaughter Abby said his name should be Biscuit.

We found he is very low key and quiet.  EXCEPT the first few times the neighbors peacocks visited.  Howl.    And if he caught a scent of a rabbit.   He got one tapped in a hollow tree and tried for an hour to get it out.

We tried to find whom he might belong to.   We went to the local animal shelter.   They said no one had contacted them about a lost beagle.   I asked about getting him adopted.  They didn't sound promising and would not commit to how long he would be there before being euthanized.  No!

I called neighbors.   No leads there.   I put his picture out on local Facebook pages for missing animals.  Nothing.   Two people said they would take him.   We visited one man who has 4 other beagles.  We asked if he would keep him just while we visited family in the northeast starting next week.   This appeared to be a solution. He could stay there when we were gone.

We wanted to see if he was leash trained.   We got him a cheap halter.  Wasn't on him the next morning.   Got him a good halter.  Put the leash on but no walking.   We had to take him for a drag.  Tried several days. 

But all of a sudden I heard Leonard speaking about him in a different manner.  We took him to the Vet on Monday and had him scanned.   No chip.   So, Len said he needs shots.  Okay then.  He got his shots.  Doctor said he is about 3.   He had loaded up easily into the truck and laid on the back seat.   Yea, I did say that Len had said he could NEVER be in his truck

After the Vet, Len said let's get him a hammock type cover for the back seat.  So off to Pet Depot.  We got a sturdy reflective collar on which to hang his vaccination tags and a truck seat cover that protects him from falling off the seat to the floor.    As Len was paying, Biscuit and I went outside to wait (and him to do his business).   I was wondering what was taking Len so long in the store.   He came out with an ID tag with Biscuits name on it and on the other side LENS NAME AND PHONE NUMBER.    This from a man who wanted nothing to do with this dog.   Biscuit won him over big time.

It was then Len said Biscuit would be traveling with us.   And living in the house.

We gave him a bath last weekend. 

The next morning he was outside.  When he came up on the porch to me he stunk.  Was wet.  Had green gunk on him.   He had gone out to the pond and rolled in duck poop.  Geeze.

On Wednesday we had another appointment at the Vet.  He lost his manhood.  He stayed overnight and we picked him up Thursday.    We also bought a tie out cable as he will have to be tied up in campgrounds when we have him outside with us.   By Friday he had not peed nor pooed.  We called the vet.  They said to give him a tablespoon of pumpkin.    It worked.  Never heard of this before.

He now walks on a leash beautifully.   He knows to do his business outside.  One funny thing.  We go outside and he runs to the truck.  Puts his front legs on the running board.   He loves taking rides.

I had noticed he had what looked like a sore on his side.  This morning there was another and hair falling out around them.  Back to the Vet.  They are old sores where he was scraped.  So old the skin was flaking and hair falling out.   We have meds now to heal them.  Also, he's been licking a certain area since Wednesday.   So the solution.

Isn't that look pathetic?

He is unbelievably good.  Well mannered.  Smart. Calm.   (Unless he catches the scent of a rabbit)

So, we will travel.  I will get my exercise walking several times a day.  We will dote on our new family member.   He's changed our lives.   And also emptied our bank account. 

Until next time.

And everything shook

Cullman,   AL


Late this afternoon I was sitting on the porch watching the dark clouds roll in.   With me was Biscuit, the sweet beagle who thinks he lives here.  I suppose he does.

As we sat there it started to rain.  Hard.  Then lightning.  Then thunder.   Biscuit shook.  I petted and would calm him down then another Boom.  More shaking and shuttering.

He sat close to me as things started getting a bit hairy.   I was sitting in the red chair that you see in the picture above.

As the storm got heavier, I  walked inside to talk to Leonard.  He was stripped down and ready to get into the Jacuzzi.  (no pictures).   I told him that was not a good idea during a thunder storm.   I walked back out to the porch and Biscuit was gone.   Whenever it rains hard he goes under the back porch where he keeps dry.

I sat in the living room as the loudest clap I've ever heard roared, the whole house shook and a flash of light ripped across in front of me.   A picture flew off the wall where the flash entered.  I ran to check on Leonard, he was okay and not in the tub.     I went to the back porch and heard Biscuit crying under the porch.   Then he darted out from under the porch and ran off into the woods.   He's not back yet.  He will settle down and return.  I hope soon.

I went into my office.   No power in there.  Leonard checked the breakers and two had been shut off.  We turned on the TV in the living room.  It comes on but only searches for the satellite.  No signal. We tried the TV in the office.  Same thing.    We will call DirecTV on Monday.

I think now..... I am so glad I told Leonard not to get in the tub.  And I wondered what would have happened to me if I had still been in that chair on the porch where the lightning flashed through the house. 

It is now 4 hours later.  Raining again.   Biscuit still not back.    Tried to upload pictures on this blog.  Took a long time for just the one.  Gave up getting more. 

Happy Mothers Day dear women friends and family.

Until next time.