Green Acres is the Place to Be

Between blogging and reading Country Magazine I read so many stories and see so many photos of life in the country, that I get antsy and reach for my camera. Having been raised in the country and having farmers for grandparents, I welcome any opportunity to get back out in the country.

Yesterday, Goody Two Shoes and myself took a little drive in the Pennsylvania countryside. Taking backroads we wound our way through Hyndman, Madly Hollow, Bedford, St. Clairsville, Baker's Summit, Roaring Spring, Holidaysburg, and finally, Altoona--where the Cracker Barrel was. We love eating at Cracker Barrel. Along the way, we found a dairy farm near St. Clairsville and I took these photos. It was just a beautiful day, the colors were beautiful. All-in-all, a perfect day.


The girls doing brunch. We'll call them: Ethel, Patty, Maxine, and Laverne.


What are you looking at?


Got milk? We do...sucker!


Kibble 'n bits, kibbles 'n bits.


Eating...it's what I do.


There were horses in the next pasture. After I'd worn out my welcome with the bovines I simply walked across the road.


This fella came galloping up through the field until he saw my camera. He then decided to graze where he was and ignore the silly man with the camera.


Going back to the other horses, I found them to be somewhat camera shy as well. Either that or they were simply content in the shade.


But sometimes a Camera Totin' Idiot gets lucky. This beauty, we'll call her Sadie, decided to come out and work on her tan.


'Do you like my profile?' she seems to be asking.


Goodbye, Sadie. I'll be back in a couple of weeks when the leaves change.

Yes, America, There are Still Heroes!

Where Were You?

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?


Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.

And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?...

Words by, Alan Jackson

My thoughts on 9-11...I have none. I'm still numb. I still remember that day. I remember where I was, what I was doing, and how helpless I felt when I heard the news. I've been to Shanksville and I still don't understand. So, instead of trying to compose something that would be appropriate and make sense I thought I'd let the words of our greatest president speak for me.

"Whence shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some transatlantic giant step the earth and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe and Asia could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio River, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we will live forever, or die by suicide.

Abraham Lincoln, 1838


God Bless America!