For the past year or so, I’ve had the pleasure of leading our church’s communications committee. I’ve always enjoyed writing and creative projects, and this role brings them together in so many ways—from preparing bulletins and coordinating holiday mailouts to launching a brand-new website and organizing a special fundraising campaign featuring lobster dinners, with lobsters flown in just for the occasion.

Recently, I’ve been dealing with a medical issue that affects my writing and, most of all, makes it harder to organize my thoughts. It’s been frustrating, and I’ve worried that I’ve let our team down. Last month, I announced that I was stepping down from my leadership role, and honestly, I’ve felt terrible about it. Then today, completely out of the blue, the leader of all events and activities called to tell me how much she appreciated my leadership and to remind me that I shouldn’t feel I’ve let the church down. She also said there will always be opportunities to lend a hand. Her words made me feel so much better—you know, that’s what good friends are for.

Every morning, I try to think of a thought or scripture to guide me in my daily activities. Today’s devotional focus was on the fact that no trial is beyond help. Every day, I think of the challenges I face as I grow older every minute. It seems that I have every doctor’s phone number on speed dial. I wonder what lies ahead and how I will manage change. This morning I happened to see this image online; it immediately resonated with me and everyone who thinks similarly. Enjoy the day, my friends.

I remember the card system so well. When I was a kid, my mom took me to our city library in San Francisco, about 2 blocks away from our house. I loved those trips and, while I was too little to use them, she would look through the cards for what she wanted for me. Flash forward decades to when I saw a card rack in our local church library. It was probably at least 40 years old; when I opened it, I found handwritten entries just like the ones I saw as a kid. What a wonderful flashback.

Everything in the restaurant sparkled beautifully, and the view was simply breathtaking. My favorite spot was a cozy little area in the side called ‘Cellar in the Sky,’ which felt like a special secret only a few could enjoy. It was such a treat—reserved for about 40 guests, creating an intimate, exclusive atmosphere. When I booked my table, they didn’t reveal the menu or the wine list, adding a sense of mystery and anticipation. You paid in advance, which made everything feel even more special. I had several wonderful meals there, in the ‘Cellar,” and those moments are truly unforgettable.

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, we heard the incredible sound of chimes in the middle of a lovely pasture. The chimes are inside the Tower of Voices, a visual and audible reminder of Flight 93’s crash in 2018. The structure is unlike any other; air flows through the tower walls to reach the inner chimes.

On the day we visited, we were the only two people for miles around. Just as we walked toward the tower’s base, the wind picked up, and we heard the faint sounds of the 40 individual wind chimes. Suddenly, they all began to chime; we were surrounded by the most peaceful melody I had ever heard. It is incredible. It’s something you will never forget. I am forever thankful we shared the beauty of remarkable surroundings on that hallowed day..

I wrote this before Dolly’s untimely death. While the world mourns her, we who live 25 miles away from her birthplace share her family’s profound loss. We will miss you, dear friend.

Dolly, you are fantastic; you have lived your life perfectly. I’d like to be more like you, for sure. Visiting Dollywood is like looking in a mirror of everything that reflects you. I visited there with my daughter recently, and it was a delight in every way.

I happen to live about 25 miles from where Dolly was born and raised; she is genuinely our local, living heroine. She’s a part of the fabric of Eastern Tennessee, starting her career on a local radio show and achieving global fame and recognition for doing the right thing.

Long before her super-stardom, a local Knoxville grocer named Cas Walker sponsored a radio show; in 1956, at the age of 10, Dolly began her remarkable career in singing and songwriting. She’ll surely never, ever, give up being wonderful.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Sonic’s cheeseburgers and limeade. Even my wonderful dog Chelsey enjoyed a burger from time to time. I am sad to say I’m done with Sonic forever. Every aspect of my experience today was terrible; I made it through 50% of my cheeseburger and about the same with the limeade before I gave up. Rest in peace, Sonic.

Every day, everyone is subject to images that they may like or dislike. I live in a community that was pivotal to ending the Second World War. There are hundreds of veterans who live here, and believe me, they are outraged over this AI image. It’s far too easy to use AI for questionable placements.

Yesterday I was reading about the movie “Song of the South”. When I was about 4 years old, my mom took my sister and me to the Alhambra Theater when the movie was released. It was an incredible Walt Disney movie, with music, laughter, and memorable characters. It was based on Uncle Remus stories, brought to life. When I was reading the article, I could hear the song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” in my head.

Our family lived in San Francisco when we watched the movie. While I loved everything about the movie, I was a city kid grappling with life in fictional Atlanta, Georgia. I couldn’t imagine people living like that; I had no clue where Georgia was. As a young man, I subsequently visited the South countless times and have lived in the area for more than 25 years. It’s rare to find a copy of the film; however, there must be one somewhere for my great-granddaughter and me.

In 1952, PanAm Clipper Endeavor crashed in Puerto Rico, killing 58 people. The remains of the passengers and the frame of the aircraft have lain on the bottom of the ocean, undisturbed. Recently, a photo vessel located the plane on the bottom. When the photos were processed and viewed, it was clear it was the PanAm plane. Apart from the photos that were released to the public, the group that arranged it advised that there won’t be any further exploration or a plan to raise the aircraft or any of the remains of the passengers. That seems to be a fitting resting place.