Finally, Fall

...
What a difference a day makes. We hit 85 Sunday, we'll be lucky to make 75 this afternoon. A strong cold front is moving across the Mid-South today, with Northwest winds bringing in that cooler and dry air. Great weather this week, watch for rain by Friday, ANOTHER cold front!

Here's the way I reported the great weather early Monday morning:





Okay... so, here's hoping everyone takes advantage of the great weather, the Mid-South Fair is going strong at the DeSoto County Civic Center this year. MEMPHEST is going on at the "old" fairgrounds.

Thanks to all those that came out and supported the Ronald McDonald House at Autozone Park Saturday, it was the "Big Scoop!" The kids had a great time, see previous posts for ways you can help out.

End in sight?

...
We thought we had trouble with the rain, it all pales in comparison to the floods in Georgia, specifically north of Atlanta.

Rain appears to slowly be coming to an end here in the Mid-South, and that's a good thing.


Lots going on this weekend; beginning of the Mid-South Fair,
(which by the way is at the DeSoto County Civic Center
this year, near I-55 and Church road)




also, the "Big Scoop" Ice Cream event at Autozone Park, to Benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

We have been collecting "pop tops" from soda cans for months now, my family thought I was nuts, but here's why it works so well for RMH. It's called:

Take a moment to learn more about the "Big Scoop" and "pop tops"
and how these two come together for this Saturday.

Weekend is here

It's been a week of "Unsettled" weather all across the Mid-South. Daily downpours, flash flood watches and warnings. It's not looking that much better for the weekend.

I'm not looking at "Wash out" conditions, but enough rain to cause some concern for those that are dealing with the various "Walks" or "Festivals."


Good luck everyone.

Today's "Famous Birthday."

AND IF, you haven't had a chance to check out the
"Seen on Daybreak" page, I highly recommend it!




Pitfalls of being the worlds "Tallest Man." He's looking for love. Looks like he's off to a good start if nothing else.

There are a couple of "viewing opportunities" of the Int'l Space Station next week, IF the weather cooperates.

Little confused as to why Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert didn't pick up on this sooner.



For those of you in the news/broadcasting business, this picture is priceless. And you already know why.

What's this all about?

Well you need to
read the blog to

understand.

No break from the rain

We continue to deal with a pesky area of "low" pressure that lingers over northern Louisiana. This Low is bringing bands of rain across the Mid-South. An inch and half Monday!

You can get the radar from our website: WREG.COM

or if you are using a PDA, I would suggest here: RADAR

Be sure to bookmark those for future reference! AND if, you have an iPhone, be sure to hit the App store and search for WREG. It's free, and it's really cool, easy way to look at news, sports and especially weather.

I met Patrick Swayze many years ago. I was on a press tour for the movie Ghost. (1990) He couldn't have been nicer. Very "un-Hollywood" like. Giving of his time and answers, honest.

When it first came out, I thought the movie was okay, it didn't knock my socks off, but ended up doing "gangbuster" business at the box office. I had a problem with that "Ditto" line for some reason!

His passing is sad, but not un-expected, pancreatic cancer is just nasty. It's been less than 2 years since he was diagnosed. I don't know of anyone who has fought a harder battle, to try and "will" this disease out of his body. He and his wife were true role models for love and relationships. He continued to lead by example, and work and work until his body wouldn't let him anymore.

What Demi had to say.
What Jennifer had to say.
Oh, btw, "Dirty Dancing" was 22 years ago.

"He fought the bravest battle and sadly lost. My heart goes out to his wonderful Lisa, his wife and soulmate for 34 years," Barbara Walters, via ABC News.

Anchoring

 


 


 

 

Demers Half Way House for Wayward Animals

Click on this image to make it bigger

Not only do we have a mama kitty that is about to make us grand parents,

this chocolate lab has shown up. Skinny and friendly, we will fatten him back up and see if we can find its owner.

Coming Home

...
The Space Shuttle Discovery is on its way home today.

Landing is scheduled for KSC at 6:05 this evening, weather permitting.

What path will the orbiter take on its way home? Here are the Landing Tracks.

Mid Week 09/09/09

...
I was taking a moment to reflect on a recent trip to the Northwest. You know, you can take dozens if not hundreds of pictures, and hope that a handful comeback worthy of printing.

This was taken in Victoria, specifically Victoria Harbor, on an evening where about 50 thousand folks showed up for a "Sunset Symphony" like event in front of the Parliment Building. Did I tell you the symphony was on a barge in the harbor? Anyway, no clue as to who this nice person was that didn't seem to object to me taking a picture. The focus for me at the time was on the busy harbor, and the thousands of folks sitting in front of the building, looking down into the harbor. Now, as I take a moment to look at this photo, what a contrast, between this uncrowded, one person, enjoying a drink and the ambience, with the huge crowd off in the distance!

My "Rockies" blog has over a hundred pictures in its slide show, there are 10 that I love, and maybe 5 that I will "8 by 10" and hang one day. Here's the site: http://www.toddintherockies.blogspot.com

As dusk approached, the lights came on for the parliment building, you can better see the crowd that was enjoying the incredible weather, nice music and just overall friendly atmosphere. Victoria, and Victoria Harbor are on the Eastern most tip of Vancouver Island.

The girls

Stevie set this one up at Autozone Park during the Redbirds game.

Labor Day

Hi gang, it's Monday, usually a slow day for most, rather busy here at the plant. I'm at work where we record a newscast for playback on News Channel 3 Anytime, then I'm going to go and do a couple of "cut-ins" with my buddy Tim Simpson who is hosting the MDA telethon. After that, back to record another 1/2 show... and then, as long as no nasty weather pops up, I'll be off to grill in the back yard.

I think we're doing hot dogs today. Not just "any" hotdogs though, these bad boys from Sam's are the best. All beef, need 2 buns to hold them. Haven't found anyone yet who doesn't "love 'em."

Thanks to all those that responded to my request for information about the passing of a dear friend, (see previous post) I'm still seeking additional information, specifically, the address to his home in Spain as to where to send a card to his family.

There are many great links, just to your left, I urge you to check them out.

Especially the "Seen on Daybreak" page. I work hard on that.

Okay folks... off to make the donuts. Be well, hug your babies.

In Passing

Do you remember any of your "grade school" teachers? Anyone stick out? For me, there's just one. The one that stayed after school to teach spanish to anyone who wanted to stay after school to learn it. The one who wrote and directed plays that allowed his students to "get involved" and produce several SRO sold out performances (not bad for 7th graders.) The one who went on to write several books and become a mentor, friend and world class teacher at Emory University in Atlanta. There's so much more to him. His teaching in Iran, being headmaster at a school in Mallorca Spain. I'm sure there's a lot of holes to fill in for me, as I just re-connected with him a few years back. A brief phone call, several emails. our shared love for Neil Diamond music.

What a shock this morning, when I heard of the passing of this friend, mentor and teacher. His name: Manuel Francisco Pajares. Doubt you know him, maybe you read one of his many books. He was big on adolescent education. And big on this guy, on this guy as well. This is "deep" stuff, but Mr. Pajares knew them well. His website was a wealth of information, I had wondered why it hadn't changed in some time. I was able to find a page from a former student (Thanks, Ellen) that includes his "Philosophy." Worthy read.

(Calvin and Hobbs were his favorite)

Love, patience, humor. (my words)

Here's a great article from just a couple of years back. And this, said to be one of his last interviews, (the link is easy) Since it had been a year since I last communicated with him, I am a bit confused about his request "not to discuss" his passing. There is a "remembrance" page on Facebook. I am hoping to learn more about him, through those that knew him even better than I. Here is another example, of someone using their blog, as I am to express their grief.

Here's hoping he passed peacefully, with his family at his side.

Here's hoping there was a huge "celebration" of his life and what he brought to our world.

Here's hoping there's understanding, that I am sharing his life, rather than discussing his death.

A brief synopsis from his school, Emory:

Professor Frank Pajares

Frank Pajares is Winship Distinguished Research Professor of educational psychology at EmoryUniversity in Atlanta, USA. A native of Spain, he worked as a teacher and school headmaster in the United States, Iran, and Spain before receiving his doctorate from the University of Florida. In 1998 he received the Richard E. Snow Award for Early Contributions to Educational Psychology from the American Psychological Association, Division 15, as well as a National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Fellowship Award. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1999 from the Center for Teaching and Curriculum at Emory University, and he has on four occasions been recognised for excellence in undergraduate teaching by the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Professor Pajares' service on Editorial Boards includes the Journal of Educational Psychology, Contemporary Educational Psychology, the Educational Psychologist, the American Educational Research Journal, and the Journal of Experimental Education. He is coeditor of the book series Adolescence and Education. He is forthcoming Associate Editor of the Journal of Educational Psychology. His research focuses on self‑efficacy beliefs in academic settings, self‑concept beliefs, academic motivation, teachers' beliefs, and William James's contribution to education and psychology.