Attacked by a Mockingbird

Wednesday afternoon I was being interviewed on camera by the Fifty Forward FLIP Program (Friends Learning in Pairs reading tutor) in which I participate with much enjoyment. See my FLIP page. Well, the videographer decided it would be outside for better light. At the Donelson 50 Forward we went to that little patio in front of the building with me sitting on a park bench for the interview,  unknown that I was sitting under a Mockingbird nest on the tree limb just above my head. No less than 5 or 6 times the mother Mockingbird dive-bombed into my head to scare me away. It finally worked! She never broke the skin, but it hurt when she hit me!

DISCLAIMER: This photo was not

made during the attach but earlier 

as McKendree Village, but my

attacker wasn't abiding by 

this speed limit.

Boyhood

Tuesday I saw Boyhood the movie at Belcourt Theatre, our Nashville Indie Films theater and it is one of the best I have ever seen! It touches your heart strings or something deep inside as well as being one of the most unique of films. The producer filmed the same boy and the same stage family every year for twelve years to get the most realistic growing up movie yet. The boy goes from 6 to 18 as well as his sister, parents, step-parents, grandparents, etc. all realistically aging and changing their lives too.

Filming the same actor for 12 years, Ages 6 to 18

Because it goes through so many stages of life it did somewhat remind me of my growing up, though more like Jason's, yet even a later generation than his. If you cry in movies, bring your Kleenex! It is so real and touching.

I'm sorry it is rated R for the language and a little teen sex and drug use. I would have put PG13 on it. Maybe that is why it is in art theaters instead of the main stream ones. But I predict it will make the big ones soon and is bound to have many academy award nominations and make lots of money. One of the best movies of the year so far to me.

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!