Two More State Parks

After biking my 16 miles on the greenway with Indigo Buntings, I drove south of Nashville to photograph two more state parks in my quest to visit & photograph them all. Today was Tims Ford and Henry Horton.

Tims Ford Lake is one of largest in the state.

Neat Bicycle Bridge at Tims Ford

Duck River at Henry Horton State Park

Tennessee Coneflowers at Henry Horton State Park

My Friend Joe Dies

Last night between 9:00 and 10:00 one of my first friends here at McKendree died as one by one his bodily systems have been shutting down over the last few weeks with the latest being a kink in his small intestine and water in the lungs. I sat with Nancy and the body until midnight last night until the funeral home finally picked up Joe's body. Today I took Nancy to the funeral home to make the arrangements complicated by the fact that Joe's son in in Pennsylvania and has all power of attorneys. But with phone and email they got it all worked out for his cremation and a memorial service probably on August 2 here at McKendree.

Today I wrote a poem and put it in one of my photo cards which I will put under Nancy's door in the morning on my way to church:

Remembering Joe

Soon after moving, I met Joe,
A kindred spirit, ready to go!
He soon showed me that he cared,
Likenesses of my Dad he shared.

I loved to hear his real war stories,
Never focused on his glories.
We laughed and talked of life,
While always avoiding strife.

Then along came that girl Nancy,
Their relationship not too fancy.
Both brought memories and love,
Descending on them like a dove.

Truer love like I’ve never seen,
From Nancy’s caring we do glean.
System by system, Joe shuts down
While Nancy’s care deserves a crown.

Day and night, Nancy was faithful,
And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Joe’s now flying above a plane,
And knowing him was my gain!

Charlie Doggett
July 19, 2014

The Obituary in The Tennessean newspaper:

Click to Enlarge

Video Athlete Again Today

At the last minute the fitness director asked me to come to the fitness room to work out on different equipment while the videographer taped her giving three of us various instructions for our exercises - staged but glad to help again. Also spent time with Joe and Nancy. This evening Joe was moved to long-term nursing here at McKendree. There is not much else they can do at the hospital and he is now in palliative care or hospice care. The hospice nurse doesn't think he will last through the weekend, but I do. He is a fighter. Nancy is sticking close and staying in the room with him constantly and intends to until he dies or gets well. I'm concerned for her health. She can't be getting much if any sleep and is exhausted. 

Bike Rider on Video

McKendree is collecting video of the campus for use on their revised website that does need help! They shot me riding my bike and Jane Schnelle made this still of me riding out of my garage onto Asbury Ct., photographed with her tablet!

July 4, 2014

I turn 74 today. Here I am at our McKendree cookout with the Uncle Sam hat Jane Schnelle placed on my head! Thanks to Jane for her phone photo here.

If that was not enough, last night the waitresses in the Dining Hall gave me chocolate cake with a candle and sang "Happy Birthday" to me - and I might receive another phone photo of that event later. Plus lots of cards from the folks here at McKendree and a call from my sister Bonnie and a lovely card from her. Then this morning Kevin & Robbie stopped by on their way to Kentucky for family to bring a fresh-baked blueberry cobbler by Robbie which I will be enjoying tonight and for several more days. Yum!