Sometimes I do not have the time or inclination to load up Big Dog in the car and travel to a park for our daily walk.  For such days we have carved out a local route.  It may not be the most picturesque or convenient, but it manages to provide the three miles and fifty minutes needed.  A bonus is that Big Dog needs no leash.  Today things started out not so good, which I guess is most appropriate for a Monday.  I searched but could not find the heavy duty leash.  And, I had forgotten to charge my mp3 player.  So, grumbling, I took off determined to get the walk completed.  Wanna come alone with a happy dog and an old grouch?

 First we walk around and behind the church I pastor.  This building was constructed in the 50's by volunteer help from the church.  I understand the wood was fresh-cut from nearby trees. 

 We walk through the parking lot and behind a cement factory next door.  These guys are good neighbors- well, as far as a cement factory can be a good neighbor- but they sure make a lot of noise!

 Behind the factory is a railroad track.  And, next to the track, is an acceptable trail for walking.  My hometown of Ft. Payne, Alabama, is traversed down the middle by a busy double railway.  Growing up I sometimes thought it would be a nice adventure to walk the track the fifty miles or so to Chattanooga.  Of course I never did it! 

 We decide to venture along a now abandoned track for a quarter mile or so.

 Graffiti along the track.  This is a locked box, probably containing switches or tools.  The graffiti, at least around here, appears tiresome and not very creative.  It mostly consists of fat, bloated letters spelling out the codes of the various ethnic gangs.  The businesses do a good job of quickly cleaning it up, while the railroads seem to ignore the stuff. 

 The clouds get dark and threatening in a hurry.  I guess I'm about to get soaked!

 As we are hurrying to try to get home before the flood, the drops of rain become more frequent and the wind is almost bending the trees.  We round the corner to be greeted by... a rainbow!  Wow.

 Rainbow over the church.

 Thought you might like to see the tent behind my house.  It's there in case my wife kicks me out.  But, mostly, it makes a fine playhouse for my granddaughter.  Well, we play together.

 Flower bed in front of the house.  They sat dormant, barely surviving, for much of the Summer.  In the last few weeks they have grown like crazy.

So, all-in-all a pretty good walk.  Starts out with grumbling.  Ends up with flowers and a rainbow!

---

posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (1:47 am)

Wow! Rainbow and flowers! Doesn't get too much better than that!
Nice to see you have a 'back-up plan' i.e. "the tent" ~ thought it might be your accomodations for visiting guests!

Ft Payne, AL ~ that is also the home of the musical group, "Alabama" ~ they are a favorite of mine! I suppose everyone from Ft Payne sings like they do, eh? Think it is something in the water? :)

Thanks for the stroll ... can't wait until next time

---

posted by: LadyG (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (2:42 am)

Nice walk, thanks for taking us along,
those flowers sure are pretty in front of the house.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (6:48 am)

Reply to: auntconi
You are always welcome to use my tent. Hey, if you're nice, we might even let you stay in the big house! And yes, Ft. Payne claims to be the hometown of the country music group Alabama. I believe, technically, they are from some of the surrounding communities like Rainsville and Sylvania. The city park has a set of big metal sculptures of the group. Over the years they have done some good things for the community, and performed the June Jam for decades.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (6:51 am)

Reply to: LadyG
Thanks. I know nothing about flowers. I planted the purple, red, and pink flowers. The green plants with the tiny white flowers pop up every year even though I thoroughly cultivate the soil and plant other things. They are nice, I guess, but not what I intend to grow!

---

posted by: LadyG (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (8:18 am)

Reply to: PastorDave,
Well they sure are pretty, I thought they were impatiens but on closer inspection, I believe that they are petunias.

---

posted by: barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (12:24 pm)

Nice post, enjoyed the pics immensely!!! See! you got blessed even though you started out a grouch...you didn't end like one!!

---

posted by: bawdy (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (12:38 pm)

How come the tag by the tracks suspiciously looks like it reads PD & Big Dog? Looks like a fine neighbourhood, minus the graffiti.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (12:50 pm)

Reply to: LadyG
They are petunias. They are being choked by the other flowers, whatever they may be. I've asked several people, and one said he thought them to be weeds. Another said no, they are some kind of perennial. The flowers are so small. But they sure are hardy.

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (12:51 pm)

Reply to: barnabus1
Yes. I like a day that ends up in such a way. Maybe that why, when we get into trouble with our spouses, some flowers and candy often do the trick?

---

posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 08.18.09 (12:54 pm)

Reply to: bawdy
Not much of a neighborhood left! Mine is the only house within about a quarter mile. At one time this was indeed a middle-class neighborhood, but everyone moved out and the businesses moved in, and it is now an industrial area. There's a patch of woods behind my house, and a long strip of woods along the railroad track, and those make for home to a variety of birds and wildlife. My house, being on a hill and a bit insulated from the traffic, is a pretty good home site. The kids grew up here and enjoyed it. Still, I think it would be advantageous to actually live in a neighborhood with kids around and dogs barking and all the other distractions of interest.

---

posted by: kurtmaddox (reply)
post date: 08.28.09 (5:24 am)

PD -- You have become such an effective blogger and you have achieved, in my humble opinion, what blogging can be for the average person -- a haven for self-expression; working out thoughts on various topics; sharing of yourself with friends, family and maybe a few dozen regular readers; and a rich history of your expression and thinking that is both a personal journal and a public record simultaneously.

For whatever reason, it pleases me that I've been around to witness this achievement since the very beginning and that in some way I'm a part of this blog's history.

Have a most excellent Friday, my good and honorable friend!!!

Your Name:


Your Comment: