Bob Walley

Winter Arrives

2011-12-13T08:24:00.001-05:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Winter of 2011 has arrived along with the dark skies and rainey days. The temps have been down in the 20's on some cool mornings and the beautiful colors of the mountains has changed to the black and white pictures I used to make when I was a boy with my Polaroid camera.

I'm into doing some courthouse researches now and I have found it to be a challenge to say the least. I enjoy being there but there is a learning curve. Did I mention how much I dislike learning curves?

I'm off to Maryville today but don't dare say it like that up here. It's kind of like the Gautier and Saucier that we had in south Mississippi. It's pronounced Mur-vul to the locals.

I'm doing mortgage research today and should stop this and get on the move. Catch you on the flip side.

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

Fall 2011, I'm back...

2011-10-26T08:12:00.001-04:00

I met with the Knoxville Area Photography Meet up group for the first time this past weekend. We met at Cosby, Tennessee which is just at the foot of the Smokey Mountains. It was a very nice day and the weather was better than anyone could have hoped for. The scenery was perfect and the people were friendly and helpful.

Claudia was home with a broken Wrisk but a friend of mine from work, Ed Mackin, was along for the ride and we very much enjoyed the day and the photography. I am looking forward to more outings with this group in the future.

The days are getting shorter and cooler now and we're looking forward to it after the heat we have had this summer. It won't be long now until the fire is burning in the fireplace and we are turning up the thermostat to get warmer.

Ed Mackin

I have recently redone my websites and updating them for some of the activities that has been going on. This is the picture that I'm using on them.

Bob Walley

I think I will change all of my pictures to this one. I like just showing one half of my face thus lessoning the blow of the total impact of seeing me all at once. I have on my serious face which I wear sometimes when I'm busy doing something that deserves my attention :)

I will make an effort to blog more often and keep everyone up to date on what I am doing and the progress of Claudia's arm etc. We are planning a trip down south after Christmas to see my daughter and family and some very close friends.

Almost there...

2010-12-18T06:44:00.000-05:00

Only 2 small pounds from my ultimate weight gold this morning and I'm very proud to be here. Started this adventure in July 2010 when I was told that I was a diabetic (funny, they don't tell people who have cancer that they are cancerous).

After doing a little reading I saw that one of the most important things to do, for a man, was to lose any excess weight, especially around the middle. I had let myself go after 2003 when I fought depression after Hurricane Ivan destroyed our Town Home in Gulf Breeze, FL and the insurance company didn't pay for three years and then only after we took them to court. When in a state of depression, as I was, doing something that is enjoyable is welcomed with both arms. For me it was a good meal and so I began to gain weight. I knew that was bad but I just didn't have the will to fight it.

When the doctor told me that I was a diabetic we discussed a plan. She sent me to a dietitian and a diabetic nurse who laid the ground work for my way back to a controlled and healthy diabetic. We decided that for my height and build that 185 would be a good weight for me. I almost laughter out loud. I was then 227. We're talking 42 pounds. I had trouble loosing 5 pounds.

It wasn't the weight I had to lose. It was a new lifestyle I needed to adopt. I had to change what I had been living and begin living another way. It wasn't an option it was my very life. When you are faced with changing or dying it's not much of a battle to change.

I am blessed to have only two people in my home now. Just me and my wonderful wife Claudia who decided that a healthier way of life would be good for both of us. The difference is this between myself and some of you reading this. I don't see that having that piece of chocolate is an option. I could have it if I really wanted it but I just don't. I don't eat those wonderful bread sticks at the Olive Garden or snack all day when I'm not really hungry. I count everything I put in my mouth without exception. It's so easy to eat three or four bread sticks that are at least 200 Calories each and the wrong kind of carb. So now I would have eaten 800 calories and not even started on the meal. Go figure. No wonder why so many of us are here.

I weighted in this morning at 187, only 2 pounds shy of where I'm going. I know that I can never stop counting those things I put in my mouth and I have to weigh myself daily to keep it under control. My lifestyle has changed and different from all the fad diets where you lose then gain back all the weight plus some. If it's a diet you're on then to quote an unknown "Results will never bring about change, but change will bring about results.". Stop dieting and change what got you there in the first place. Then and only then will you be the person you want to be. Changing on the outside without the change on the inside will only lead you down the same road again. You can do it if you want to bad enough.

Another Season begins

2010-08-10T21:00:00.000-04:00

Another season is about to begin in Tennessee. Along with that season will come football season which really makes me happy. I'm not sure what the Vols will do this year they have had three coaches in three years so it's time to see what Dooley can do with the team.

I'm sure that everybody has their favorite team(s) and Claudia and I are no different. We like both of the Payton kids and we're not sure at this time if Brett Farve will play or retire. I would like to see him retire before hurting himself and not being able to enjoy his retirement.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Roberts Rd,Skaggston,United States

Life Moves On

2010-08-08T09:36:00.001-04:00

Well I have competed my first week of being a diabetic. I will see a diabetic nurse on Monday which will give me some good information on what to do and when. I have been doing a lot of reading on the subject and have started a diet and am proud to say that I loss 3.5 pounds last week. I have started an exercise plan, one of the hardest things I do, and am falling into some sort of routine. I won't to live long enough to see my youngest granddaughter, Madison, graduate from college. That would be another twenty years or so. LOL so if she decides not to go to college I guess I'll live forever...

I have had no fear of anything for I know that eventually everyone will die and I have no fear in whom I have placed my trust and what my God has done for me.

I've never wanted to die a painful death because I just don't like pain that much. I would rather die in my sleep.

Well this has been a little on the morbid side but I am just sharing a few thoughts on the subject.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

Take me out to the ballgame

2010-07-31T22:28:00.000-04:00

Tonight Claudia got to take in a Smokies ballgame. They are a minor league team and their sister team in the majors is the Chicago Cubs. It was a good game that the Smokies won. We were the guess of Claudia's boss Mike and his wife Michelle. They bought our tickets and gave us $15 each to buy dinner. It was a great time and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

Remembered, finally.

2010-07-23T08:09:00.001-04:00

Monday of this week I had my first VA Clinic appointment. It took about three months to be approved and after I was approved it was another couple of months till my first appointment which was Monday.

I was very impressed with the quality of care I was given. Everyone I met was super kind to me and everyone thanked me for my service to our Country. It was the first time ever that anyone thanked me for my service.

I served during the Vietnam (Conflict) War. The guys coming back from the service were not welcomed as the returning heros. We were known as "baby killers" and some other nice terms. What was so bad was we didn't want to go to start with. Those that had political pull were admitted to join the National Guard or some other reserve unit that would not see any chance of action. Today it is the Guard that goes, so times have changed.

I find myself at odds, sometimes, with people my age over political matters and the first thing that crosses my mind is, "Did you serve in the military?" because if you didn't don't lecture me about all of your rights.

None of us wanted to go and my room mate in Junior College even faked his hearing test to fail and not be drafted. I legitimately had a bad ear and was told that "Uncle Sam only wants you to have one good ear, son".

I went, I served and I came home again. I was one of the lucky ones. The average age of those killed in Vietnam was 18 years old. At that time we couldn't drink if we wanted to and we couldn't even vote. At that time the voting and drinking age was 21. In other words we were considered to be children.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

A Special Day

2010-07-20T14:30:00.000-04:00

My best Navy Buddy Tom Connelly

Yesterday was a very special day for me. It was my first trip to the VA Clinic in Knoxville. I was totally taken back at the new center and the friendly people at the clinic. Everyone thanked me for serving my country. That was something that no one had ever done before. The vets of Vietnam were not the returning Heroes of the day. We were the baby killers and the war mongers of the time. Most of us didn't join because we wanted to go to the other side of the world and fight and lose our lives. We went because we were drafted or about to be drafted and joined something else instead. Anyway the "Thank You" yesterday was well received.

A tour in the service in 1967 was a unusual thing. Being on a ship with a bunch of kids your own age was an adventure in it's self. Not before nor afterwards have I experienced the closeness of friend and work partners. I should have stayed in until retirement but it's way too late to second guess that one.

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We were young once

2010-07-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

We were young once and stupid. We didn't even know why we were being drafted and sent off to a war that even the government refused to call a war. They had the nerve to call it a "conflict" to keep the congress from having any say about it at all. We watched the TV at night to see how many of our youth, my classmates, were killed that day and they reported the number of them that were killed and I ask you if you had just learned that your son had been killed would you care how many of them were killed and who won the battle?

It wasn't like today when you volunteer for the service. Today you join and hope you are accepted. Then at the ripe old age of 18 you head out to rid the world of all bad guys. Good luck with that one. You don't have to leave the country to find bad guys.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:3 Points Rd,Skaggston,United States

What's Up Front?

2010-07-16T08:51:00.000-04:00

I know you've heard the statement "One step at a time" and I so have I from the time I was a little boy riding my broom stick horse. I always thought that was kind of a dumb statement because I didn't know another way to do it.

Well turns out that statement referred to faith. Martin Luther King said " You don't have to see the entire staircase to take the first step." I also heard from a Bible teacher I respected that "if you can see a process from beginning to end then it doesn't include faith and God isn't a part of it."

What's around the next curve is a mystery and I sometimes wonder if I knew what was there would I have taken that turn. The simple answer is "no" but there is more to it than that.

Everything that you are now is based on every decision you've ever made. Even what looked to be bad ones at first glance have all worked together for, in some cases, wonderful results.

If I look at my first marriage when I was so young and the fear of serving in the military during the Vietnam War, excuse me, conflict, it looks to be a mistake of great proportion. But now some forty years later I see God's plan so clearly.

A daughter was born and from that daughter came three wonderful grandchildren and a good wife for a great son-in-law. And all of their children to come. So I ask myself was my first marriage a mistake? The answer I have come to is "No". Where would the world be without them?

So when you look back on your life give yourself just a little break because you were always making the best decision that you could based on the information you had at the time.

You can't see that next step on the staircase but trust that it's there anyway and take the step.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

Things to be grateful for today

2010-07-15T08:46:00.000-04:00

Leslie and Denise

When I begin to think of all the things I'm thankful for my mind runs wild with the overload. So many times we think of all the things we wish were different that we forget to think of the good.

The first thing I'm thankful for is my best friend and wife Claudia. I am such an off the wall person that I have often, in my life, thought that no one would be able to even like me if I were myself. Well I have been myself always with her. I had come to the point in my life where if someone didn't like me for who I am the I didn't want to be friends with them any way. We dated for almost 5 years and this July 25th we will celebrate our 12th anniversary. So when you add that up it's almost 17 years.

The second thing I am grateful for is getting to know my daughter. Things that separated me from her for most of our life have been resolved and now, finally, I'm able to have a wonderful visit with her from time to time and she has shared her children with Claudia and I which has been the joy of the last couple of years. I simply love it when my oldest granddaughter, Leslie, refers to me as "her grandfather". I love you Leslie.

The third thing that I am thankful for is being found by my best friend from my Navy days, Tom Connelly. Tom came along in my life when friendship was important. When we in the Navy making log trips to the Med there wasn't a way to communicate home other than letters which took weeks to come and go. Many marriages were lost during that time of which I was one. Friendships are not so easy to come by when you are older. We have lived in Tennessee for 3 years and don't have the first person we call friends. It's really very lonely.

Fourth would being reunited with an old friend, Linnie Lyle. We were separated for some years but now we talk on occasion and email often. It's good to be back in touch with Linnie.

Enough for now I hope all of you have a wonder day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

What we don't know counts

2010-07-12T12:31:00.000-04:00

One of the many things on my mind this Monday morning is the person in the world that knows it all. I'm sure you too have found this guy or gal as you've travel through your years. This is the person that know everything about everything.

I had a college professor that called me over one day and drew a small circle on a piece of paper. He said let's just suppose that everything you know is inside this circle and everything you don't know is on the outside of the circle.

As you grow in knowledge your circle becomes larger and as it grows the circumference around the circle grows and it touches more places and more things that you don't know. So the truth is that the more you know the more you know you don't know. Those who claim to know it all have a very small circle and actually knows very little. Expand your mind and discover new truths acknowledge what you don't know and seek to know. Be a person who continues to learn and grow each day. Be slow to be critical of others for they could be right.

That knowledge is the knowledge that will open you up to great possibilities of understanding.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

How far we have come...

2010-07-11T09:18:00.000-04:00

How far we have come in technology today just simply blows my mind. Today is the future that I dreamed about when I was a kid. I use to carry a Christmas tree light around when I was very young and pretend that when I held it between my fingers and placed my thumb on the back that it world throw fire from the end. It wasn't until years and years later that the Bic lighter came on the market with the touch of a button you could have instant fire.

What got me started today about all of this was reading the newspaper USA Today on my iPad for free. Checking my email, looking at Facebook and searching crags list. Apple has already contracted with several companies that do text books to get them for the iPad. Claudia and I have been buying our books in the form of ebooks now for a couple of years and reducing the number of trees that are killed on out behalf each year.

Can you imagine going to college or even high school now and caring one little device with all your books and writing stuff in it instead of the load of stuff in the book bag?

Satellite radio, cell phones I use to dream about not to speak of the many out patient surgeries that are possible today. It truly amazes me what I have seen come about in lifetime. I'm blogging now and ten years ago we both would have wondered what the heck that was.

Life progresses at lighten speed and you either embrace the change or you get left behind.

So ends the wisdom of today and I wish for each of you a wonderful day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

A Saturday in July

2010-07-10T23:28:00.001-04:00

Claudia and I had a great Saturday but then we always do. Even going to the grocery store together is fun when we do it together. I just want to tell you that's it really is nice being married to your best friend.

We rented some movies and watched a couple of them today and because we had a free one today we got four.

Claudia is going to St Louis next weekend so it will be just me and the fur people (Gretchen and Heidi).

I hope all of you are having a great weekend too and a wonderful week next week as well.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Summer is here

2010-07-08T18:03:00.000-04:00

So far this has been the hottest summer since we've been in Tennessee. ThE temps today has been in the 90's but cooler weather is on the way tomorrow. I am doing this blog today on my new iPad which I love. Dinner time Now so I guess I go

Summer Time

2010-06-18T22:12:00.000-04:00

How nice it was to see my Daughter Denise and her beautiful family this week. This is the only picture that we have with Claudia and I with all the Porter children. From left to right we have Luke, Bob, Leslie, Claudia and Madison.

Usually I'm the one with the camera but Denise's husband Jared took this with my phone. I love the picture and hope you will enjoy it also.

We are truly blessed.

The First Week

2010-06-11T12:56:00.000-04:00

SendOutCards has truly been the most fun thing I have ever presented. I have called on businesses all over Knoxville this week and ran across one person who had heard of us before. As a matter of fact if you took all the SendOutCards distributors in the World and brought them to the United States and distributed them among the cities of the country you would only have 4 distributors per city and some of those cities are over a million people.

If you want to have fun, make some extra money and receive residual income for retirement check us out at www.BobWalley.com

WOW! Send Out Cards is the Greatest Thing Ever

2010-06-05T08:25:00.000-04:00

I have always been primed for this work and wish I would have know about it sooner. I am a big believer in staying in touch with people that I know and love. I have always enjoyed sending cards to people but have limited myself to Birthdays and special occasions because of the hassle and cost of doing it.

It usually involved a trip to the Hallmark store or to Walmart depending on which one was closer, spending at least 15 to 20 minutes picking out the card, going home and signing my name and addressing the card which meant looking up the address. Then of course I would be out of stamps so it was off to the Post Office to buy a book of stamps.

The card would probably run around $3.95 to $4.95, the trip to the post office would be at leaste a gallon of gas for around $2.75 and the stamp would be $0.44. So by the time I did all of this plus the time involved it was a pretty healthy chunk of money to send this card. Let's see it was around $7.00 a card. WOW! No wonder I didn't send any more that what I was sending.

Now all I do is pick out the card I want to send from the 15,000 cards available now, or I can make my own picture card, select the address of my friend or love one from the contact manager, say what I want to on the card, add a gift if I like to go with it, I can even set up my birthday cards to be send when I want them to be sent. The card cost is $0.62 and the Real Stamp is $0.44 so I trade the hassle and fuss of the $7.00 for about $1.06. Now that's better.

Check it out at www.BobWalley.com and email me if you want to send a card for free and I'll give you the logon and password to set up your FREE account.

Until Next time.

Spring Time in East Tennessee

2010-04-27T21:30:00.001-04:00

Volunteer Landing

New work from home took a turn today and was very positive. I put an add on Craigs List and got seven responses. It’s really a great little thing to do for those of us who would like to stay at home and work on our computers.

You can check it out at http://www.bobwalley.com to see if you would like to work from home as well.

Toyota Dealership in West Knoxville.

2010-04-21T08:55:00.000-04:00

Spending the morning in the Toyota dealership getting service for our car. It has a special coating put on it every so often to keep it looking new and I'm getting an oil change and the bulter job. Should be clean and ready to make the quick trip to Mississippi this weekend.

Claudia and I are headed to our Granddaughter's performance of Grease this weekend. We will leave Knoxville early on Saturday and come back on Sunday. Round trip should be around 1,100 miles. Hopefully we'll see the whole family for breakfast before we leave on Sunday.

I have become a "Preferred Customer" of Melaleuca. It's a shop from home program that allows me to purchase products that are enviromentally save, safe for my home and adds a healthy aspect to it as well.

I'm treating it as a business to contact as many as I can and introduce them to the products as well. There is nothing to sell or buy and all I do is work from home to help others get signed up. Melaleuca sells to them direct from the factory. Most products in the grocery stores have an extra 62% tacked on them for advertising and grocery store mark-up. Melaleuca gives that money to those of us referring others to their company. The first 8 people I refer to the company will net me a $120 a month and I get a "Thank You" check for 10% of what I buy each month.

There is no presure to sign up. I set people up to see an online "Overview" of the company and then they decide what they would like to do. It's great for filling in the gaps of Social Security or Stay-at-home moms.

If anyone is interested in seeing the Overview let me know and I'll set you up. I just now received 6 leads from my mentor to call and set up overviews for now.

Have a great day.

Grandfather's Store

2010-04-15T07:12:00.000-04:00

In my childhood days of long ago my mother would visit her family out from Ellisville, Mississippi. The only way to describe where they lived was the Rainey Community.

The picture above is the old store that flourished in the "Great Depression" where workers from my Grandfather's sawmill across the road would spend their wages on food and other needs. There is a Log Home to the right of the store that has been restored by my cousin Michael Lowry that is still in excellent condition.

When the family gathered for a reunion or other special day there was always a meal involved. Unlike today where the children came first it wasn't so at Grandaddy Lowry's. The children waited until after the adults had eaten and then what was left over they could have. We didn't think anything about it at the time. It was just the way it was.

Two big swings were on the big front porch and we would swing to our heart's content. Or we would play down by Snow's Creek and if you were lucky you might get to go swimming in the coldest water anywhere.

There were lots of cousins to play with that we hadn't seen in a while and we always had a really good time. On Christmas we brought our favorite toys with us when we came.

Life was simpler then and a big part of our heritage has been lost in the balance.

Just flashing back...

Dogwood Arts Festival 2010

2010-04-12T07:12:00.000-04:00

We went for a drive yesterday on the featured trail of Dogwoods. The trail started in the community of Fountain City which is also known as North Knoxville. It was a beautiful day and the dogwoods were in bloom along with many other trees and flowers.

Last year, our friend, Tom Connelly was visting when we went on this tour and we missed him this year. Maybe he can get down to see us soon.

April is my birthday month and has always been very special to me. It is also my sister's birthday month as well. We were born 7 years and 7 days apart.

Claudia and I will be on our way to Mississippi on the 24th to see our Granddaughter Leslie, in the school play "Grease". She plays the part of Frenchie. We will go down on Saturday, see the play on Saturday night and return on Sunday. It will be a fast but worthwhile trip. "Break a leg" Leslie.

I hope all of you have a great day and a great week.

A New Look at the World...

2010-04-11T12:32:00.000-04:00

Have you taken a close look at a flower this Spring? Have you seen it with a passing glimpse? I suggest that the next flower you see in your busy mind that you take the time to examine it closely. Block all other thoughts that are rattling around in your head and concentrate on the beauty that God has given us to enjoy. Smell and let your eyes and mind take in all that it has to offer. Look at the detail of each leaf and even watch the bees as they gather their nectar for their work. Be single mindful of it and completely enjoy.

Claudia and I are going to see all the glory of one of the Dogwood Trails here in Knoxville today. It is always such a pleasure to see the white and pink blooms all around us. Experience the present moment. It's all you have.

The Power of NOW.

2010-04-10T08:55:00.000-04:00

I have run across the concept a few times in my life by various books and articles I have read but I've been really surprised by the book "The Power of NOW". The overall concept of the book is very simple and one that you, the reader, will say to yourself "That's right."

Most of us (99.9%) live our lives in the past or in the future. We are continually looking back at what happened to us, who wronged us and what happened or we are looking to some point in the future where everything is going to be different. Not necessary a goal that we have but a place or time when all of our problems of today and yesterday will vanish into a wonderful time or place.

Many of us have been driving our cars and trucks down the road and end up at our destination with no idea how we arrived and what went on during the trip. That's because our minds were somewhere else the entire time. Thinking about a problem, a person or a thing either that took place in the past or in the future. All you really have and in reality all you will ever have is the NOW. What's happening now? We wash our hands and we never feel the water that runs over our skin or we read a page in a book and at the end of the page we have no idea what we have read. We are not in the present and we are not living in the NOW.

The longest journey can only be achieved by taking ONE step at a time. There is no guarantee of a next step or an end of the journey until the end of the journey is in the NOW.

We are all missing out on our lives and the wonderful present by letting our minds sore into the future which at this point is only an illusion of our minds. Our minds love to run the show and keep us busy with things of the past and future when the NOW goes by unnoticed and un-experienced. What a waste of our lives.

The Bible points to this concept many times and even as we read it our "ego" reads something else. "Be still and know that I am God" The way to experience God is by being present with yourself.

So you might ask, what is being present? Close your eyes and watch for the next thought to come into your mind. Watch for it as a fox would watch a chicken. Do that now.

As you watch in your mind for that next thought to come in, you are very much experiencing the presents of being. Fully awake and in the moment. Not thinking about anything else whatsoever.

Today spend as much time with yourself as possible. Don't miss out on your life NOW because you are caught up in the past, which is something you can't change, or the future which is only an illusion of what your mind thinks it will be.

Have a wonderful NOW.

Spring 2010

2010-04-08T22:32:00.000-04:00

It's Spring here in East Tennessee and I can tell you in all honestly that I'm glad that winter has passed. I look forward to the people in Market Square, the green grasses of Tennessee and all the lovely pictures just waiting to be taken.

While the economy has virtually sucked big ones, when I look back on the year it has been one of the better years of my life. Times have been hard, jobs have been few and we've have had more beans on the table than steak.

The most important thing that has happened in my life is a sense of fulfillment. My long separation from my biological Daughter has ended and we've friends now for over a year. I missed her growing up and I truly feel like I would have been a good farther. And even though I can't go back and be that I have another chance at being a father once removed. A Grandfather... I have three wonderful Grand Children. Leslie, Luke and Madison and a son-in-law that anyone would be proud of.

The biggest surprise and joy for me is my oldest Grand Daughter Leslie. We communicate by text and email and facebook and she brings me into her world and makes me feel at home. It's been a long time but I found that little girl to love and the best part of all of it is that I don't have to discipline her :-)

I pray we always stay close.

Photo of the week...

2010-04-01T08:12:00.000-04:00

This young man was in Market Square on March 31, 2010. It was such a nice subject that I asked his mother's permission to take some photos. I think she would be proud of how they turned out.

A Winter's Day Walk

2010-02-15T22:42:00.000-05:00

I went for a two mile walk late this afternoon to cool off. When I returned home I had accomplished that gold. The roads were clearing from the morning snow, the wind was a little brisk and the walk was fine. What more could you want. I've already seen more snow this year than I have seen my whole life. Things they be a changing.

Snowing again...

2010-02-10T18:08:00.000-05:00

It has been snowing here all day. Some stuck at the beginning of the day but most of the snow now disappears when it hits the ground. It's still cold out there and I'm already ready for Spring.

I hope all is well with all of you.

Back to my roots...

2010-01-19T20:08:00.000-05:00

Old City

Well this friday I'm off to Mississippi the place of my roots. My daughter has had another birthday today and I'm going home to take her and her family out to dinner. From there I will go to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to spend the night with my sister. I don't get to see either as often as I would like to.

I'm still looking for part-time work for this year and Claudia is working her way into her new job with State Farm in Morristown. All is well with the fur-people.

Preparing for my Mississippi Trip

2010-01-18T07:29:00.000-05:00

I'm getting ready this week to visit my daughter in Mississippi for her Birthday Dinner. It's the first of this sort of thing and it also covers my Grandson's birthday as well. It will be a fast trip that will involve two stops, the first in Ellisville, Mississippi and the second in Gulfport to see my sister and brother-in-law.

I hope that all of you have a great week.

Living with the past...

2010-01-13T08:47:00.000-05:00

I'll be glad when the cold goes away and so will my feathered friend above who had to confine her morning swim to a small hole in the ice. I guess life could always be better when looking at what is happening to other creatures.

Another subject. Advertising! When I was a boy the government pasted a law that required that advertising on TV be truthful. It happened when an instant cake icing company was using shaving cream to spread on the cake instead of the real stuff. That law was shot down later. Why? Why would it be so bad to advertise only truthful things about your product. I've seen so many maps of AT&T and Verizon and I know that neither is truthful. I don't believe the 36-24-36 lady advertising the weight machine ever needed it or that the exercise classes are full of good looking, well shaped babes. I don't believe the Sub sandwich is packed that full with meat or that the loose weight meal fills a plate and looks that good. Just tell me what the product does and what it doesn't do and let me make the choice.

Okay, I'm done for now. And by the way, I don't need an accountant I just need Turbo Tax and I'm good to go.

Returning to the past

2010-01-12T07:31:00.000-05:00

Well it's the dead of winter and it's past time to gather up our nuts and store them away for later. Returning to the things we know like an old shirt that we love to wear. I looked forward to winter to get out there and take some winter pictures. Then when it truly arrived it was too cold to get out there. So here I sit watching the tube, drinking coffee and wondering how I can get to those frozen waterfalls without having to get out in the cold. Hmmm... Let me see. How to do that?

I'm headed to Mississippi to take my daughter out to eat for her birthday. It's another first for me. I have never had the opportunity to take her out for her birthday before. It wouldn't be such a story if she weren't turning 39. I guess I'm a little over due.

We're suppose to be warming up tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the 40's weather that the people who are in the know are telling me about.

I cancelled my commercial website for my photography and went back and re-did my old site that I had built some time ago. No, it's not as fancy but it's not bad. I haven't finished yet but you can take a look at it if you like. http://www.TBobPhotography.com

I wish all of you a good day....

Cold continues...

2010-01-08T07:42:00.000-05:00

Cold weather continues here in East Tennessee. I went down town yesterday to deliver another 144 postcards to Mast General Store who re-stocked all of my cards and the General Manager told me he would like to cut back on the other "Big" company and use more of mine. He also said that he was going to move my cards to a counter rack to themselves. That was quite a complement for me. I need to make some more and give them a bigger variety.

I made some pictures of downtown yesterday just before it started to show. It was cold out and I managed to hurt my knee somehow. I'm going to try and let it rest today and hope it gets better soon.
Here's a fountain that had frozen over downtown. The people taking down the ice ring this year are having to break up the ice with sledge hammers because it's too cold to melt.

Frozen fountain in Market Square

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-05T08:04:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all of you who follow my blog and thanks for being such good friends this past year.

The new year has brough cold weather to the Walley home here in Knoxville, Tennessee. It's time to start the heat and set back and wait on Spring. The job at Radio Shack is over and I'm looking for something else for the future. Claudia is in training this month for her new job at a State Farm Office in Morristown, TN. The new office will open February 1st.

I'm planning a trip to Mississippi about the middle of the month to see my daughter and family and I'm looking forward to that visit. Claudia will not be able to go this time but I am planning another trip in June.

I wish all of you well today and this year.

A different prospective...

2009-12-29T07:59:00.000-05:00

The new year is approaching and it's time to look at life from a different prospective. It's time to step back and see where you have been and weigh the conclusions of what you have done. I'm not big on New Year Resolutions mainly because very few people really do keep them and they turn out to be just a wish list for the upcoming year. That being said, what am I wishing for next year?

I am wishing for...

Good health for me and my family (Fur-People included)

A weight loss by better diet and portions

An exercise program

A decent part-time job that I enjoy that also gives me time for photography

A better understanding of Photography

An further opportunity to make money with my Photography

A closer walk with my daughter and her family

and lastly but not least I'm wishing for the well-being and good will to all my friends.

Merry New Year...

2009-12-27T10:18:00.000-05:00

We come to that time of the year whcn Christmas is passed and New Year is coming and is commonly refered to as the "Holiday Season". In that case, for me, April is the "Birthday Season". I did manage to expand it over to May last year with the "Birthday Dinner" but was really pushing my luck.

I want to get out more in the days to come with the camera and see what I can find to make pictures of up here. It's such a photogenic place and with the digital part I don't have to worry about having enough film for the camera.

I hope all of you have a very good New Year coming up and that it's the best ever. I also hope that for us as well :-)

Court house south side. Knoxville, Tennessee

After the Day...

2009-12-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

It was a wonderful day at our home yesterday. Claudia and I spent the day together and went to see Sherlock Homes at the movies. When we returned we put on the Ham and then had a wonderful dinner of Ham, potato salad, green bean casserole and rolls. The livingroom is still a mess from where the fur-people opened their present and Gretchen de-stuffed hers right away.

Claudia and I made a trip to downtown Knoxville right before Christmas and made this from the top of the parking garage we were parked in. Enjoy Knoxville at dark...

Knoxville, Tennessee Sun Sphere

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone.
Claudia and I are up with presents opened and making plans for the day. It was suppose to rain all day but the sun is out and shinning and again the weather people missed the mark.

It is a very special Christmas day for me. I received my first ever gift from my daughter and it was a very special one with a special card that I will keep the rest of my life. We got great gifts from our friends in Florida, Tanya, Dave, Conner and Austin as well as gifts from my sister-in-law Sandy in Houston.

We have our health and Claudia has a new job starting Monday and life is off to a good start for 2010.

I hope the Love of God will go with each of you the whole year through and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Merry Christmas from the Walleys Bob, Claudia, Gretchen and Heidi.

Looking around...

2009-12-24T08:15:00.000-05:00

This time of year always brings reflections in my life. Looking back at the year in hind-sight and seeing all that took place and hoping for things to happen in the future. That being said I would like to say a few things about last year...

First of all I am thankful for my wife Claudia. She is my best friend and I never tire of her. I know that she, over the past 15 or so years has made me a better person. I am more likely to take the "High Road" than not this day in time. Secondly, the work in progress with my daughter Denise and her family. Getting to know them has been a delight and a long wait in coming. Thirdly, the return of old friends to my life like Tom Connelly, Pat Campbell and all of those who I have found or who have found me on facebook. Forth, new friends I have met on Photography websites like Hard Hat and Min and Vickey from the UK and those in this country as well. And all those on Creative Exposure as well.

Claudia and I have had some tough times this year but I have a tendency to remember the good. We're looking for a wonderful 2010. I hope you are too...

Looking at the world through a Christmas Ball...

Christmas in Knoxville

2009-12-23T08:55:00.000-05:00

Claudia and I spent yesterday afternoon in downtown Knoxville just seeing the sights and making pictures. It was the first time this winter that I have been able to get out and do that. We had a very pleasant day and met lots of people and made lots of pictures that I will share with you over the days to come.

Below is a street performer name James who works with crack children and helping them. He plays his flute on Gay Street in Knoxville for hand-outs to help him with his undertaking. He was a joy to talk to and I asked him to pose for one of my pictures. May God bless him along his way and with his work.

James

Christmas is upon us...

2009-12-22T09:23:00.000-05:00

Well Christmas and the New Year is upon us once again. The job at Radio Shack has come to a close and Claudia is waiting for all the background stuff to clear before she goes to work for State Farm insurance in Morristown, TN

This is a special Christmas for me because it is the first Christmas EVER I have been in touch with my daughter Denise, her husband Jared and Grands Leslie, Luke and Madison. I'm also looking forward to January and my trip south to see all of them.

Granddaughter Madison August 2009

Seasonal Job

2009-12-21T19:02:00.000-05:00

Well the Christmas job ran out and I see a problem with what is wrong with the economy. Radio Shack exceeded all goals place on it by corporate and still they are not going to hire any of the seasonal help and have reduced the hours of regular employees to 32 a week. Companies seem to be doing better but not hiring. I don't get it. Could be it's just over my head.

NO SNOW

2009-12-19T08:11:00.000-05:00

Well the forecasters were wrong last night and Knoxville got no snow what-so-ever. I underdtand that my Nephew Christ Walley in Johnson City, TN got about 5 or 6 inches.

It should be a busy day at Radio Shack today. I go in at 11am til 4pm. I was originally scheduled from 7am til 4pm but got that reduced. Right now it looks like I work everyday next week.

I hope all of you have your shopping done and are prepared for the big day.

SIX INCHES!

2009-12-18T08:39:00.000-05:00

The forecast for this weekend here in East Tennessee is for SNOW and not just a little they are telling us up 6 to 10 inches. I've never been in that much snow EVER.

This morning my heart goes out to the "homeless" all across the country. When Hurricane Ivan took our home in 2004 and the insurance company decided they wouldn't pay we truly found out how fast you can go from being okay to homeless. There by the Grace of God go I.

Put a dollar in the pocket of a homeless person this weekend for what ever bring him/her comfort. Give away an old coat or a pair of shoes you don't like anymore. Remember the Salvation Army ringing the bells and know they are also having a tough year.

Remember the homeless this Christmas.

The day after...

2009-12-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

Claudia and I had a wonderful day for her birthday yesterday. We started the morning with breakfast at the Waffle House. Then we were off to Severeville to the outlet mall close to Gatlinburg. We just walked around and went into any store we wanted to go in. We left there and went to Kohls and then to the middle town mall. We came home to rest up for a couple of hours before headed out to the birthday dinner. We enjoyed ribeye steaks, salads and baked potatoes.

It's been a wonderful and tough year all at the same time. I was blessed with the return of people to my life. First, I have been getting to know my daughter Denise, who live with her family, Jared her husband, Leslie, Luke and Madison. Second with my best friend from my Navy days, Tom Connelly, who I hadn't heard from in 39 years.

Living in Tennessee has brought its share of problems. We were no longer able to continue the business we had developed in Florida and finding the right jobs has been a challenge. The weekly checks we were getting from our business in Florida were discontinued after the second year. I begin to draw Social Security and Claudia is starting a new job at a new State Farm office opening in Morristown, TN. I took a seasonal job at Radio Shack that I have enjoyed more than I expected. I love to meet the people coming in and make them laugh and smile. Making friends fast has been the biggest gift that God has given me. I'm always surprised when the young people who work there call me awsom and I'm referred to as "a sweetie" by the young ladies there it makes me feel good when I can still relate to those in their 20s. So, all I have to say for 2010 is......

... try to keep my head up.

Taking a Good Look...

2009-12-15T07:07:00.000-05:00

I was wrong yesterday when I wrote that I didn't have a day off until Christmas Day. I have Wednesday off and I'm so glad. It's Claudia's Birthday. Today is Tanya Wiley's Birthday so Happy Birthday Tanya I love you and thank you for all of the smiles you have put on my face. Have a good Tuesday everyone and look at the world in a different way today...

Sometimes you have to look at life in a different way. It's easy to get caught up in the daily routine that life throws at all of us. You have to widen your horizons and stretch to see where others are coming from and where they have been. Look through a mirror that doesn't see color, religion, status or party. Look at the hearts of people.

What to Consider?

2009-12-14T07:23:00.000-05:00

No off day until Christmas Day for me. It's not the customers that are irritated it's the people I work with. As a new guy there are things that occasionally come up that I have a question about. Finding someone to ask without irritating them is tough. Mostly I try to stick to the people who need and want help in finding something. I also have the "No Brain-er" job of going out into the mall passing out fliers to those who pass by me. I really hate that. Only 5 hours today from 9am to 2pm and that's everyday to Friday. But here's the other consideration...

I look at the sadness in the eyes of this homeless person and consider my faith. I'm lucky to have a job and working when so many would love to have one this Christmas. I photograph a number of these lonely people without anyone, any home or any job. The sadness speaks so loudly I can barely hear myself think. What are you thankful for the Christmas?

Wrong word

2009-12-13T09:26:00.002-05:00

Re-read the word Cannons to be Canons. :-)

History is always History...

2009-12-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

I managed another 10 hour day yesterday by my option. I told my boss that I would give him another hour yesterday for an hour off earlier today. We were changing prices and it looked like the team needed some help. I got my hour off today. I work from 11am to 6pm today. My three days off went away. he needs me from 9am to 2pm every morning this week so my next off day is Christmas Day. I will only stay on, if offered, if I can work ONLY my 20 hours a week and NOT every weekend. I want to spend some time with Claudia.

History never changes they say but it can be altered. The two cannons that set in front of the court house were moved there from another location. I was glad to hear that because they are pointed at downtown Knoxville. For some of you who don't know, East Tennessee sided mostly with the North in the Civil War. Very interesting.....

Those who came before...

2009-12-12T05:54:00.000-05:00

Nothing I have done before in my life has prepared me for the 9 and 10 hour days I have had to stand on my feet as I am having to do now. I have worked 10 and 12 hour days before but I now realize that I wasn't on a concrete floor standing and walking and only sitting the 20 minutes I actually sit for lunch or dinner. Okay, moving on. Christmas is coming and all the signs of lights and trees are being seen as I travel to and from work. Shopper in the Mall are coming and going, buying this and that and in our home Claudia is busy getting packages in the mail for all parts of the country. It usually is my favorite time of the year.

When Claudia and I were on one of our hikes this last summer on the Little River Trail we came across the ruins of this old home. It took me back to who lived there and how was there life, what did they do and what were the times they lived through. Whoever they were they have moved on now and left this life, I'm sure, but the signs of their being still remain for me to wonder about. What will I leave behind for others to see and wonder? What will you?

Signs of Yesterday

Things gone by...

2009-12-11T08:22:00.000-05:00

Brrrr... It's 18 degrees this morning in East Tennessee. The sun is shining but it doesn't seem to help the temps. I work from 12 til 9:30pm today so I have another long day to look forward to.

Claudia has two job offers on the table as of this time. They will both begin the first of the year which is okay. She may try to make a trip to St. Louis around new years day if it works out. I'll probably be working and stay home with the fur-people.

Settled on a date to go to Mississippi and see Denise, Jared and grans for her birthday. It will be a fast trip. Drive down on Friday, take her family out to eat on Saturday and drive back on Sunday. Claudia may or may not get to go depending on work and training.

Picture of the day.... When I was just a kid every time you headed toward the mountains you saw all the signs on barns and things about "See Rock City" etc. The Lady Bird Johnson launched her clean up America campaign and had all of them removed. A few still remain and everytime I see one it takes me on a mental trip back to my childhood. Where does it take you?

"See Beautiful Rock City Today"

Clouds are part of the job.

2009-12-10T07:31:00.000-05:00

When Obama won the race for President of the United States I know he must have seen the hard times ahead although not fully until after the election. I wonder if anyone could have fully seen the future if they would have still wanted the job.

I caught this shot in downtown Knoxville shortly after election and the reflection in the window of the car is very appropriate.

Clouds in the future.

Old Things

2009-12-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

The sun is shinning in East Tennessee today and I'm off today. Yea! Claudia and I are going to put up the Christmas Tree and try to finish up all the shopping and get stuff on its way.

Photography, for me, should tell a story. What is the photographer trying to say with this picture. The one I have chosen today reminds me of when two people find each other early and grow old together. What do you think?

A winter looking day

2009-12-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go. To coin a phrase. Well I got a call from my boss yesterday that said he really could use my help today. So I'm going in today from 10:00 to 2:00 and maybe Thursday also. Claudia and I are going to try to make a trip to Mississippi in January to see my daughter, Denise. Have a good day everyone.

Looking out my back door.

Knoxville Snow

2009-12-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

It's a little on the cool side today but not snowing. My seasonal job at "The Shack" Radio Shack is going well and I'm off for the next three days. It's a nice break. Claudia has another interview today and is still looking forward to hearing from the one on Thursday of last week.

My 2003 Toyota Tundra covered with snow

First Snow of 2009

2009-12-06T10:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had our first Snow. Started in the south and drove northward headed for Virginia and on. I worked and the sun came out in the afternoon and most disappeared. It's a cool 34 degrees this morning and I go into work at 2pm.

Looking out my front door December 5th, 2009

Fall and Winter 2009

2009-12-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

Down in the 20's tonight with Snow to follow in the next few days. The mountains take on an entirely different look in the winter months. Short walks around the area are always nice.

Trout Drive, Mascot, Tennessee

Friday December 4th 2009

2009-12-04T08:56:00.000-05:00

Back to work after my little break today. My hours have gone down this week and I'm glad to see that. I would like to work about 20 hours a week. I hope all of you are enjoying your Holiday Season.

Hen Wallar Falls

Holiday Season

2009-12-02T08:41:00.002-05:00

Well I survived "Black Friday" or "Shack Friday" as we call it at Radio Shack "The Shack". I have enjoyed working and seeing and meeting new people. I am working with a lot of good guys and gals and get along good with them.

I hope all of you are enjoying the Holiday Season and getting that Christmas Shopping done as well as baking all the goodies.

New Updates

2009-11-23T17:34:00.001-05:00

I have just added new pictures under the "Art" Gallery. Check it out.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from U.S. Cellular

Sunday schedule

2009-11-22T00:02:00.001-05:00

I will be working from 12 to 6 Sunday.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from U.S. Cellular

Saturday November 21, 2009

2009-11-21T23:48:00.001-05:00

I spent the entire day at Radio Shack my new Seasonal job. I will be working part-time until the first of the year. Come by the Center Mall in Knoxville, Tennessee and pay me a visit. I look forward to seeing you.

Bob