A Brisk Walk Today!

Despite it being a frigid 24 degrees today, I bundled up, braved the elements and got in a 2.7 mile walk this afternoon at the university -

I was so preoccupied when I first arrived, getting myself bundled up from the wind, that I failed to noticed these four ladies next to the pathway. By the time I got my gloves off and pulled my phone from my back pocket and unlocked it they were turning and runing off -

Displaying their namesake "white-tailed" tails as they pranced off, across the road and up the steep embankment towards the railroad tracks they went -

With all the open spaces and farmland available in this area, these girls seem to enjoy the city life of JC.

(Not) White Out Conditions!

So, Ms. Emma's pre-k class was delayed this morning here in East Tennessee because of the snow.

Hmmmm 🤔 -

I best run to the market ASAP before it gets worse and pick up the essentials, e.g. milk, eggs and bread.  Can't be too sure how long this will last. Fingers crossed 🤞 we don't lose power!

Oh, the humanity!

😂😂😂😂

Get Up Sleepy Heads

Rise and shine Tennessee!

Yesterday mornings 7:25AM sunrise, captured and enjoyed from the front porch!

Our New Mail Receptacle II

Here's an update on our new mailbox install -

First and before installing the post yesterday I did my research to make sure I was installing it to the USPS standard and recommendation, and I did just that -

I returned today to install the mailbox itself on the post I installed yesterday. The mounting block was first to be placed and secured -

Then the mailbox itself -

All securely fastened with 2" deck screws!  This dude ain't going anywhere -

Perhaps, it's me but our new mailbox most definitely improves the curb appeal and dresses up the area.  

Honestly, I was a tad nervous about inadvertently bumping into or some how disrupting the other two mailboxes there while installing ours. Other than the silver box lying on the ground, I'm not sure what was keeping each standing. 

Also, seems I need to call and speak to the Post Master at the Opie Anthony road post office in Limestone.  Need to get her approval to start receiving mail without our house being built yet, UGH!  Hoping she will be understanding, fingers crossed 🤞.

I'm Hooked

In keeping up with "living on the edge", also a previous posting, I took a chance the other afternoon on some Tennessee sushi - avocado and salmon -

It was fresh and tasty; quite good actually.  Well, except for the wasabi, it was really too hot for me.

The good news is it all stayed down! No ill effects and most importantly, no dysentery!

One Mile At A Time II

Back on December 9, 2025 I submitted a post titled, One Mile At A Time and in it was a pic I took of my odometer showing I'd hit the 65000 mile mark.

Well, here's an update with a new pic now showing 66666 miles on the ole odometer -

The above picture was taken on January 7, 2026.  So, in less than one month I've driven 1000 miles!  Of course the drive to Tennessee itself added most of these miles but driving from JC to Limestone and back is racking the miles up too, as are my "driveabouts"!

Our New Mail Receptacle!

Yeah, this happened today! 50s and sunny is perfect weather for an outdoor project here in East Tennessee - Git er done!

A stop off at Lowe's for supplies -

Let the posthole digging begin -

Plumb, square, level - all triangulation in order -

Mixing the special elixir - 

I added a little bling to the post -

Covered the hole with dirt -

I will return tomorrow to mount the new mailbox making it official, and dressing things up a bit in that area, geesh.

Calling Dr. Howard! Dr. Fine! Dr. Howard!

Congratulations to my niece Alyssa!

A HUGE milestone yesterday in her journey to becoming a veterinarian!

The Ross University White Coat Ceremony was held yesterday, where she received and donned her white coat!

You can watch the ceremony by clicking the link here - January 12, 2026 RUSVM White Coat Ceremony

Quite the accomplishment! I'm one super proud uncle!

A "Driveabout"!

I went on a "walkabout" yesterday.  Well, I guess technically it wasn't a true walkabout since I drove and because I'm not royalty (in the true sense) or a political figure (thank god). I didn't greet people (eww keep your distance) and I certainly didn't want to be seen by anyone (piss off).  So, lets go with, I went on a driveabout.

I set my GPS sights to Davy Crockett's birthplace state park, which is only about 3 miles from the Frye homestead. The park sits up against the Nolichucky river and is unfortunately still closed for safety reasons due to extensive damage from hurricane Helene in 2024 -

I also found Lover's Lane, see below - 

However, scenes from the movie Deliverance struck me so I kept driving -

Came across this unique house for sale with a lovely view, sitting on 1.73 acres in Chuckey - MLS#9986005 -

Memba, from an earlier post I made while driving from Massachusetts to Tennessee, where I said that I hadn't seen any cows along the drive until I hit Virginia?!  Well, the cows of Tennessee have made up for that. You'd be hard pressed to swing a dead cat (of which I've passed many on the roadway, alas) and not hit a cow.

Seems the breed of choice is the Black Angus but or course there are many others too.  Here are a few of the cow photos I stopped to take yesterday -

Driving the windy and curvy backroads of this area is SO much fun and relaxing. The open land, the old farms and barns, cattle, horses and more is something special for sure!

Scrumdiddlyumptious!

Since I was unable to do much on our homestead, I ran some errands then made my way to downtown Johnson City with the intention of stopping in at the Shamrock Beverage & Tobacco shop.

I now recall going to the drive thru many years ago, as a kid, with my Uncle Joe, where he would always order a peanut butter milkshake.  My cousins highly recommend it too, and honestly if a business lasts 80+ years it must be good!

A tiny place inside with the sweet smells of tobacco that hits you as soon as you step inside. I made my way over to the ice cream coolers to see what flavors were available. They also have a tempting food menu with plenty of options to chose from, and which I will be testing and tasting quite often -

I treated myself to a scrumdiddlyumptious mocha chip milkshake -

And I enjoyed that bad boy, guilt free, to the very last drop!

Oh Mister Water Meter!

Seems all the rain that fell here Friday and Saturday didn't dissuade the Greenville water company from showing up first thing this morning to install our new water meter!

I was told back on 12-22-2025 when I applied that they, the Greenville water company, was about 10-weeks scheduling wise for new meter installs! VERY pleased that was not the case and that this piece has been completed -

The rain has turned the dirt into mud. The tractor the water company used to install the meter left muddy tire tracks down Pritchard as they drove off.  They also made a mess of the entry way onto our property -

I was going to walk the approximate 900 feet up to where the house will be, and started the trek, however, I sank into the mud with each step!  It was super sticky too and clung to my boots, so I abandoned the walk and will try again once things dry out.  However, I worry these conditions will most definitely cause further delays - 

Progress is progress and I am very please with what we have accomplished to date!

More to come, stay tuned...

The Southern Coffle

Today's modern day "chain gang" perhaps.

I've noticed these Sheriff buses, with flashing blue lights, along route 11e the last few times I've driven to our farm.  Big bright signage, reading "roadside cleanup ahead", were placed in the breakdown lanes well before coming upon these crews -

The crew looks to be grouped in pairs, with several pairs on each side of the east bound side AND the west bound side -

Chain gangs originated in the south after the Civil war and was a form of penal (hehehe, I said "penal") labor.  Back in those days the prisoners' were chained together and forced into doing labor like road work or farming.

Due to controversies like historical ties to racial injustice, public humiliation, and potential for abuse this practice has been largely abolished today.  At least from a 'forced' perspective.  My assumption is the crews I saw were a part of some volunteer program that's offered - to the well behaved, non-violent prisoners'.  Honestly, I would jump at the change to get outside of the prison to do such chores.

I would NOT be opposed to see these programs reinstituted.  Why not have these criminals earn their keep for needing to be fed and housed and cared for, while helping towns and cities with chores and tasks, liking picking up unsightly roadside trash!

Kudos Tennessee!

Just “Kidding”…

Our Limestone neighbor sure does have an odd looking 👀 goat -

Welcome Friend

A BIG heart felt thank you to ETSU and Johnson City for such a warm welcoming! The signage is wonderful but you shouldn’t have. You all have been so friendly and kind, leaving me at a loss for words.

It would seem my missing tooth 🦷 has won you all over!

I won’t let you down.

TGIF

Pour Some Sugar On Me

I was greeted with the following sight as I pulled up to our house site yesterday!

The compaction testing of each of the (50) footer holes was performed first thing in the morning and all tests were successful!

The next step was to bring in the cement and to start filling holes -

Each hole was dug approximately 2’ deep -

The pouring had begun before I arrived with the majority already having been filled but I got there in time to watch them fill the last half dozen or so -

All the holes filled and we’re setting up nicely before I departed around 3:00ish -

Another milestone in the books!

While we wait for the home delivery to be scheduled, a 10-ton load of crushed stone will be delivered and spread around these footers (what will be under the house).

We’re getting closer!

Dig Baby Dig!

A milestone day yesterday at our farm! 

The crew was onsite to dig the house footers, all (50) of them.

They spent the morning preparing the house location. Measuring, driving in rebar states and marking footer locations with orange spray paint -

After lunch, with everything marked, they carefully started auger drilling each hole. Looked like a great big whack-a-mole board -

The plan was to get all (50) holes dug by end of day and ready for their compaction inspection in the morning Friday Once inspected and given the okay, they plan to pour and set all the concrete footers. They want to get these all in and completed today before the expected rain arrives tomorrow.

Another milestone is nearing completion! 

The next BIG milestone is to have the house delivered and installed, which should be right around the corner!

Oink 🐖 Oink 🐖 Oink

I’ve decided that I’m gonna live on the edge a bit, being new to the area and all, and try some of the smaller, out of the way, and perhaps a little sketchy looking, food places I come across.

Yesterday, while headed towards Greenville on E Andrew Johnson Hwy, I passed by a placed called Smokin Pig BBQ located in the town of Chuckey, see below -

So, I banged a u-turn and pulled into their parking lot. A tiny little obscure place sitting all alone that looked more questionable than inviting but I braved it anyway.

The young woman working behind the counter was very friendly and helpful, and recommended the pork sandwich, see below -

So, I went with her suggestion and chose the sweet barbecue sauce to go along with it. The pork was so tender, it melted in my mouth. A bit greasy but it was delicious 🤤

I will definitely stop in again and try something different next time. They had many options to choose from on their menu.

I give it a thumbs up 👍 

“Darn” It!

Seem Ms. Trixie got a little too excited with Emma’s visit last night and was playing, or showing off, a bit too rough with her jaguar chicken (I refer to all her plush toys as “chickens” and she knows them as such.) and we now have a casualty in our midst -

A severed rear leg! Oh the humanity!

It’s a darn shame is what it is. Darn it, I’m new to the area, so not sure if there’s a local seamstress who could darn this leg back in place, darn it!

Snip, Lop, Cut & Stack

I’ve spent a couple hours each of the last two days clearing and cleaning up a section of the fence line on our Limestone farm, see pics below -

This is area is where our contractor removed a bunch of trees blocking our view of the mountains off in the distance and also brush, briars and vines that had taken over.

We’ll need to repair the barbed wire fencing in this area, as it got damaged, which was unavoidable, in the process of the tree and brush removal.

I’ve added quite a bit to this growing burn 🔥 pile, see below -

Our contractor will eventually burn all this!

Making progress.