Kentucky Derby 2014

It was a beautiful day on the track at Church Hill Downs.  But for the lowly ones of infield crowd the track, horses, jockeys and roses are not what you will see.  It was a record crowd this year.  I had no idea since this was my first Derby.  I only know that it was chaos and crazy.  I tried to breach the security to get in the boxes of the lucky "golden ticket holders" for a quick shot or two.  That was not going to happen on this particular day.  But somehow I did find myself among the band and an opportunity opened for me.  I ventured tentatively and cautiously out on to the track at least for a breather and to see the races in real time.  What worlds apart exist within the Derby itself.  Each group had its part and role. But because of having been quarantined to an area of mayhem I could not explore as freely as I wished and the sea of people was unbearable at times.  Will I go back?  Only as the privileged or press.

Miss Kitty's

These wonderful neighborhood bars are few and far between.  Each time I pass Miss Kitty's the timing is off.  Finally on Easter Sunday around sunset the place was hopping as I was heading home.  It was old music, disco lights and fine clothes.  I was terribly under dressed but was accepted directly none the less.  It was old Nashville as it used to be.  Nostalgic and homey and I wish I could have bellied up to the bar for a long night of people watching.  

We are loosing out by letting things like this quaint joint disappear.  Years of lovin'.  The floor was worn through in the dance path and the wood at the bar was rubbed smooth.  Unique, colorful and raw.  Far from the pristine, sanitized predictable places we are having to succumb to now.  Give me real any day even if I don't bend an elbow anymore.  

Robin Hood Tires

Tires loose air pressure on a cold day

Around near Wytheville, VA

The Rack and Cue

Following the backroads from Birmingham I found myself finally in Cullman, AL.  I'd always wanted to go there to see what it was all about if you can believe that.  I just can't remember why I needed to go there.  Is it history or family that drew me in I haven't a clue?  Anyway, I saw the sign and took the turn onto Hwy 31. 

On a quiet sleepy, dreary Saturday morning my eye spied the Rack and Cue sitting inconspicuously on Main Street.  I am comfortable in a pool hall.  I've won my share of games.  I've gotten drunk around a few tables.  It was one of those pool halls dying.  It called to me even though I no longer frequently play as I once did.  Pool isn't "In" now as Dustin explained.  "After "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money" pool got big for a while, but not now."

Here I am in this pool hall talking to this "tall drink of water" of a man. And I mean tall.  He told me he was 6'5''.  I said, "was"?  He said, "last he measured a few 20 years ago he was".  Intrigued I was by his humor.  We were off into lots of stories.  Among pool stories and antiques we talked about the Civil War and his great grandmother, Holda Bone, a Cherokee Indian who stood up to the Union Troops.  They came to take her husband, a Confederate soldier who fought in the Chickamauga and Vicksburg Battles, but who had had enough.  While standing at the door holding her rifle at her hip, she told them as they approach the porch they were welcome to come up but she doubt they'd be leaving.  They left and without their renegade.

Grace

Black on black

Fox Hunt

Well not much finding of foxes or coyotes for that matter.  So I busied myself shooting landscapes.

Last of Friday Night High School Football

Pearl Cohn or Pearl as it was once called was the High School we dreaded playing.  As a child the players seemed bigger, meaner and always won.  This last Friday I joined a friend who teaches there and how the players, cheerleaders, band members all looked so sweet, precious and young.  Oh how age changes things.  I had a blast and was sorry to see they lost their game to Giles County.  It was a surprising finish for the best team of Nashville.  Pearl Cohn unfortunately has lost the chance to fight for state championship.  But they put up a good fight till their youthful inexperience got the best of them.  The band performed a mean half time show though.