To Old Long Ago…

When December 31 rolls around every year, I’m usually a little wistful and prone to gaze through the navel.  I tend to look more toward the coming year than the one that’s passed though. 

I’m reminded how time is marching due to my oldest kid’s birthday being the day after New Year’s.  Can’t help but think of New Year’s Eve 1991 when I was two days away from delivering, Mr. Smiff was on “Nashville Now” with The Osborne Brothers.  I had big time contractions early that morning and thought the Smiff heir was going to bust on through.  Sonny Osborne had an early model cell phone and live on the air, had it ring as a joke, to make people think that was “THE CALL” from me saying “It’s time”.

Lotta changes in 2008.  Lots.  Not easy changes to make at all and I honestly, last New Year’s, had no idea that by the time the next Holiday Season rolled around I would have a different residence and a different life.  It was in my thoughts but it seemed unattainable at that point. 

2008 brought moments of extreme sadness, lotsa tears, euphoria, a number of things I never experienced before on a lotta different levels: surprises (some pleasant others not-so-much), a life-changing friendship, grief, eye opening moments, humility, joy, frustration, laughter…not unlike anybody elses life. 

2009 is a milestone chronological year that doesn’t freak me out a bit. Next month, I will be 40 years old. I’m kinda pumped about turning 40.  Very excited to see what new stuff I’m going to experience in 2009. 

Brang it….

I can’t really begin to say thanks to all of you that have brought me so much encouragement with your emails and comments. I find it funny that anybody wants to read my pontifications. This little spot has brought me some wonderful friends and helped to renew old friendships.

Happy New Year, Y’all.

Yuck Sweet Yuck

Me and #2 have had a lovely lil’ evening. We went to the Cracker Barrel before going to see Bedtime Stories (LOVE IT).

Ran into old friends the Peasalls and their rather large brood of offspring, which now includes a son in law!  (Thing #232 this week that has made me feel elderly.  Sheesh. I was at Mike & Sally’s wedding!)

Upon checking out, I remembered I needed to get me one of those car air freshener thingies that Yankee Candle makes.  I washed the ‘Stang today (dang, that’s a purty car) and wanted some smelly-good stuff for it.

Usually, I get the Clean Cotton air freshener or the one that smells like Leather cause neither one is very overpowering.  I like smelly good stuff but I don’t like it to knock me prostrate when I catch a whiff of it, ya know?

What in the name of fresh air made me decide to get the “Home Sweet Home” scent?  I’ve had that candle before and it smells ok, however, the car air freshener?  Not so much.

The ‘Stang is all shiny and purty and looking oh-so-good, but the inside smells like cough syrup. 

When we left the movie, I still had my “medium” drink (which was about the size of a jug of milk) and every sip tasted like Creomulsion for Children because of that dang air freshener.  Makes me gag just thinking about it. 

It don’t smell like any home I’ve ever lived in, unless you count when we’d get sick when we were little.  Mom gave us the different colored Triaminic.  If memory serves, the orange Triaminic was not so bad, but the YELLOW?  I can taste that stuff now.  Ew. If I were to smell that stuff now, I’d go running for my life.

The smell of Vicks Vapo Rub, to this day, makes me want to gag and be scared all at the same time.  Because of that, I never used that stuff on my kids when they’d get sick. 

I remember being reeeeallly little, being sick and that old vaporizer we had that was LOUD running, and that Vicks crap all over me.   And that Creomulsion cough syrup bottle that had those two, happy looking kids on the bottle??  Obviously, they weren’t sickly and hadn’t had that crap forced down their mouths or they wouldn’t have been so happy looking!

Never Ending Shiz

Hate, hate, hate to hear that Delaney Bramlett died in LA yesterday.  I just happened to see his daughter Bekka on tv the other day, singing her ass off.  Good lord, Delaney, Bonnie and their youngun are the epitome of Blue Eyed Soul.

I was hoping You Tube would have a live video of Delaney and Bonnie singing my favorite song of theirs, Never Ending Song of Love,  however, I was not so fortunate to find a clip of them singing it.

Don’t fret kids….I did find this version from the Lawrence Welk Show featuring The Aldridge Sisters and the Otwell Twins though!  This had to have been Delaney’s favorite version of this song.

Ok…now that we’ve all had a good laugh…watch Delaney and Bonnie on this way cool clip of them with Eric Clapton doing Poor Elijah.

C-O Double Ollie

Messing around with the Blog name.  You’ll get used to it. It’s a bit of a hat tip to my padre.  His radio show in Los Angeles was called “Collie’s Corner.”

I got an email the other day from a gentleman in Colorado.  Read:

I’m sure you have hundreds of stories like mine. My name is Don  and I’m 75 years old. In the early 1960’s I had a country music radio station in Pueblo, Colorado. Your father was pioneering the idea of syndicated radio shows while he was at KFOX. He was taping his shows and interested in making them available.

I was an early believer in radio station automation so we got together. He flew out to Denver one weekend and we became instant friends. I really knew nothing about country music but it was the right position for my station so that’s what I did. Biff took me under his arm. We went off to Nashville in 1965 for the Grand Old Opry birthday celebration and he introduced me to EVERYBODY in country music because he knew them all.

This was the early days of the Country Music Association and he was on the Board. Gene Autry was the first president. Biff and I shared a motel room and he took me to all the “in” events. At the BMI Dinner we sat next to this well dressed woman named Sarah Cannon who I learned, to my surprise, was Minnie Pearl. He took me to Audrey William’s house full of Hank Williams memorabilia including the Cadillac that Hank Sr. had died in. There was also a 14 year old boy named Randal Hank who was more interested in finding civil war gun shot in nearby battlefields than anything else. His mother later turned him into Hank Williams Jr.

I’ve often told the story of going to a party there with your father where he introduced me to this song writer named Willie Nelson and how cordial that entire event was. Biff came to Pueblo many times. He turned me into a country music promoter and mc’d shows he helped me put together. When I sold the station and moved into other activities we drifted apart.  I last saw him in Nashville after he had moved there and it was shortly after he had put his radio station on the air. I recorded a couple of commercials for him for old time’s sake. I met your mother briefly. I had known about her after they became involved in Los Angeles with the record store. He told me about his illness which was under control at the time. I was very sad when I learned of his death.
 
A quick Walter Brennan story. Biff once told me that the stupidest question he had ever asked in an interview was of Walter Brennan. As you may know Brennan was born in Massachusetts and his normal speaking accent was very New Englandish. Biff asked him how he was able to play a role like Grandpa McCoy in the Real McCoys with an accent like that. Brennan paused, gave him a condescending look and said, “I’m an actor.” Biff said he never felt so stupid in his life.
 
Your father was a rare and beautiful person whose friendship I treasure if not at the top of my list certainly in the top five over my life. He was great to me, my radio station staff and my family. My daughter made no bones about the fact that she planned to marry Biff. The fact that she was five or six at the time and he was in his thirties made no difference. She was not pleased when he married your mother.

Buried in my attic are some great pictures from his visits to Pueblo and the country acts that came through there at the time. At some point I’ll try and dig them out and get copies to you . . . but don’t hold your breath. As I began, there are hundreds of stories about “This is your big, bad, bellowing boy Biff – BI double F – Biff, CO double l, – Collie like a dog.” I’m grateful mine is one of them.    
 
Don ….

Don’s email was a real gift.  I LOVE stuff like that.  This here blog has allowed me a number of “Wow” moments like that.  Thank you, Don.

I’ve been throwing around the idea of a podcast with a pal o’ mine. Stay tuned…(It may happen, it may not)

Jud Collins

Nashville’s first anchorman,who was known in town as “Mister Television” for many years,  Jud Collins has passed away.

Cold, Cold Heart

We made it through Christmas and now it’s on to a week of not knowing what day of the week it is.  (I always lose track of what day it is during the holidays) 

I slept til 10:00 today, which reminds me of why I don’t like to sleep late: It leaves me feeling hungover for the rest of the day. 

So, with that thought in mind, and since it’s Feel Good Friday (It IS Friday, isn’t it?) let’s all be hungover with someone who certainly knew what it was like to be hungover…Hank Williams, Sr.

Keep in mind while watching this, that Hank, Sr. was only 28 years old when it was filmed in 1952 and that by the time New Year’s Day of 1953 rolled around, he was gone. Unbelievable. 

Also unbelievable in this clip was the vocal ability of 19 year old Anita Carter…sheesh. Also pretty cool to see Roy Acuff in his late 40’s.

The All American Family Celebrates Christmas

Christmas morning has been good.  I was a little worried about the kids and how everything would be for them beings this is the first Christmas Post-Transition.  It has been lovely, actually.  The Three Kids spent last evening and night with me.  Their Dad came this morning to watch the Santa-Palooza and then I fixed breakfast. 

We were sitting down to eat and Tara started singing “Do You Hear What I Hear” and #2 echoed her with “Tara- would-you- shut- up?”   HAHAHAHHAHAHA

More pictures over there on the Flickr of the Smiffs putting the FUN in “DysFUNCtional Family Christmas. 

Hope that wherever you are, Christmas is lovely.

I would kinda like to be here right now.  How fun would it be to go iceskating in Central Park on Christmas Day? 

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

 

Merry Christmas….

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Anniversary

It occurs to me that not only is it Christmas Eve, but, on this date in 1890 my great-grandparents united in marriage, for better or worse (mostly worse) creating a whole wad of descendants and a bunch of colorful, interesting, twisted people.

They look thrilled, don’t they?  My great-grandpa Collie looks like he coulda been part of the Jesse James Gang and he probably was!  He was an ornery and mean little cuss.  Totally the Black Sheep of his family, he woulda never been nominated for Father of the Year, even so….

Winfrey left Lena in later years.  In spite of the horrible abuse he put her and their children through, she loved him until the day she died.  His children….not so much.  When he died in 1948, none of his children went to his funeral.  His burial was handled by the woman he was living with at the time.

Because I tend to play Devil’s Advocate and have the tendency to analyze, even though my great grandfater was mean and hurtful to his wife and his kids and I have no way of relating to the trauma of what he put them through, I’ve seen some of the same traits he displayed in his descendants.  From my limited, layperson point of view, I think he was bipolar.  

I like to think that somewhere in the meanness were some positive traits.  Good grief, my oldest son bears a physical resemblance, as do lots of us in the family.  He came from a good family (one of his brothers was a dentist) but he was loaded down with demons. 

I went to Spring Hill Cemetery about 5 times in the last year and a half trying to find Winfrey’s grave.  I knew what section it was in, but, couldn’t find it.  I went in October and literally, stumbled on it. I had been in that same spot I don’t know how many times and I realized his grave was covered in weeds and had finally been mowed. 

 I would give lotsa money to be able to sit down and talk to him.

One Wish To Make

#2 has been tracking Santa all morning and he is pumped!

As for me, I’m helping Santa get stuff done and still trying to figure this Christmas thing out.  So far, so good.

I love this song and this singer so much. The album makes me think of my late, sweet friend Kent and others…

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas…

I don’t know what I was thinking this evening when I had this thought:

“I think I’ll just run into Wal Mart.”

It was when I walked into the Rivergate Wal Mart on Christmas Eve Eve that I was reminded of a couple things:

I really have been a little “detached” from Christmas shopping this year. I’ve done some but not like I’ve done in years past.  That’s one of the pluses about the kids being older.  Teens have more expensive wishes, but, as a rule, it requires much less “put-togetherness”. 

Had I not been so detached from the Shoppingpalooza, I would have thought better than to go into Wal Mart at 7:00 on the 23rd of December.  Baaaaad choice.

The Rivergate Wal Mart IS the Armpit and Groin Lent of Nashville-Never in my life have I smelt as strong an odor of cigarette smoke and seen more women in DIRE need of root touchups, poor grammar, baggy britches….it’s good in ‘da hood, boys and girls.

This whole holiday season has been a plethora of visiting with old friends.  I got to visit a little bit today with my good friend from 3rd and 4th grade, Kelly and loved seeing her and her kids.

Look at her beautiful, blue eyes, y’all.  I had forgotten how blue her eyes were.   (Note to self…scan photos of Dance Recital in 1978 in which Kelly and I both wore heinous costumes to give readers a REALLY good belly laugh)

Kelly gave me this Woodstock Christmas ornament in 1979 and it has hung on my Christmas tree every year since.  It’s made of some sort of ceramic and I’m really surprised it hasn’t broken in all these years.  One of my favorite ornaments. 

Stuff like getting to visit with Kelly today are the things I love most about Christmas.  Forget the standing in line at Wal Mart and busting your bank account….for me, besides the whole Jesus’ Birthday thing, it’s about getting to visit with the Kelly’s in our lives and remembering.

I went out to Cool Springs tonight for a gathering of people who went to Brentwood and Franklin High Schools (thank you for organizing, Paige!) courtesy of Facebook. 

I ran into a kid I have not seen since probably 6th grade. 

 Donald and I were in Elementary school together all the way through, but, I remember him being in my  5th grade class, especially.   I told him that one of my most warmest, fuzziest memories of childhood, (back when life was good, before the dreaded Puberty Monster hit, before cancer, car accidents came and I got hip to realities of life ) was at Christmas that year, our entire class went to Donald’s house and then went caroling. 

 Donald’s mom was one of these just fabulous, June Cleaver kinda moms, and that evening is one of those things I’ve always remembered and often wished I could escape back into.  He had no recollection of the event at all, but,  I told him to be sure and tell his Mama I’ve always remembered being in her home at Christmastime. 

THAT is the kinda feeling I’ve always tried to create at Christmas with my own family.  Just like what was in my home, especially those last few days before Christmas.   Warm, fuzzy, magical…the lights all seem to have a different glow. 

I’m praying that my kids, even though this Christmas has found our lives rearranged and different…I hope there is still some of that element for them.

Been Said Many Times, Many Ways…

I don’t have anything to say about how stressed I am about Christmas shopping and how much wrapping I have to do and all that….I’m not into that part of Christmas this year at all.  This is why I’m posting stuff like this….cause it’s good.

Mel Torme singing his classic composition with a little help from Judy. Never mind that she says “to see if rainbows really know how to fly.” Poor Judy…you can overlook that because Mel starts throwing in the perfect harmony…good stuff.

Goodness and Light

It’s cold outside but it feels like Christmas.  Nothing that makes me crankier than a balmy Christmas time. I don’t mind cold as long as there’s a little sunshine to go with it. I’d take some snow but since that only happens whenever I leave town at Christmas, I might as well forget that idea.

This feels like Christmas too…some of my favorite people singing a pretty song. I always get a lump in my froat when I hear these kids sing. Watched them grow from little bitty kidlings into fantastic young adults. Their mamas, grandpa and Dad aren’t so bad neither.

Random TV Thoughts

Funniest quote heard on TVLand today…

Mr. Roper to Jack Tripper as they prepare for an impromptu singalong:

“I sing you know. Do you know ‘The Road to Mandalay?'”

Mrs. Roper: “If you do, now’s the time to take it.”

Heh.

Oh and Cindy Brady to the little boy in the Santa Claus line:
“Hi. My nameth Thindy. Whath yourth?”

Little Boy: “I hate gurrrrls.”

How hysterical is Otis the Drunk as the Santa??    And Santa Otis promising Thindy that her mom will get her voith back by Chrithmuth and Mither Brady getting pithed off that Thanta Otith promithed her and having a little dithucuththun about Mithuth Bradyth voith but of courth, Thanta came through cuth heth Thanta Clauth!

I know.  I need help.

Speaking of good television..The Homecoming.  It don’t get no better than whiter-than-white John Boy in the Black Church on Christmas Eve with Cleavon Little, now does it? And having some of the Baldwin Sisters “Recipe”. Them Baldwin Sisters were some kinda funny.

Useless trivia….the Baldwin Sisters were based on the wacky sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace.

I remember watching The Homecoming as a little bitty kid and being confused as to why the Walton’s Mama and Daddy looked different.  Instead of explaining to me that different actors played John and Olivia in the pilot, I was told “They were younger then.”  I never bought that cause Patricia Neal and Andrew Duggan looked WAY older than Michael Learned and Ralph White and I knew the difference betwixt Edgar Bergen and Will Geer. 

I swear though…this is one of the funniest things ever on tv in the last coupla decades….

An 80’s Christmas

This video will make you feel elderly. The good part is all these people in this video have ALSO aged. 24 years ago??? No. Way.

Remember when this thing came out in Christmas of ’84? How it played CONSTANTLY…but it was cool then and I think it’s cool now. Plus, Bob Geldof started a trend here with groups of music people gathering to raise money for various causes that is STILL going today.

Somebody tell me…how…in this mix of British pop/rock stars, did Kool and the Gang get in this mix? It just seems odd.

And I STILL think Boy George is a fabulous singer and I wish he would come back around some.