Sidney L. Houston 1943-2008

Rick's dad, Sidney, passed away yesterday afternoon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Rick with him, as were Rick's brother, Doug, Sid's brother, Larry, and Larry's daughter, Angie. Sid was 65.

After serving stints in Korea and Japan with the United States Army, Sid went to Vietnam in 1970-71. He left the service with the rank of captain in the early '70s and afterward became an accountant. In the picture above, that's the Houston men ... Doug, Sid, Jesse and Rick from left to right on the front row, and Richard is holding Adam on the back row.

The funeral will be held near Sid's home in Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., about 75 miles northwest of Nashville, and he will be buried in a family cemetary in Johnson City, Tenn. Dates and times have not been confirmed at this time.

Please ... no flowers. If you are so inclined, simply buy a book for a youngster close to you.

For Sid ...

How do you start a note like this?

Rick's dad, Sidney, is in critical condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, fighting what looks to be the last stages of lung cancer. He's been in the hospital since Sunday night, and took a turn for the worse yesterday. Rick left home and is with his dad now, along with Rick's brother, Doug, and Sid's brother, Larry.

I would very humbly ask for your prayers for Sid, who is 65 and a veteran of the United States Army.

First Day Of School!!!

Today is Adam and Jesse's first day of the second grade. Wasn't it just yesterday that we had the little pipsqueaks pose in front of the West Yadkin Elementary sign on their first day of three-year-old preschool?

Both were a little nervous, but went into their respective classrooms without a hitch. I just can't seem to get my arms around the fact that they will graduate high school in 2019. Good grief.

Below, Adam is just being Adam and Jesse is being Jesse ...Here I am with Adam, the social butterfly ...

Hearsay ... The Lost Picture

Somehow, this photo of Hearsay at New Hampshire Motor Speedway a couple of months ago got lost in the shuffle. So ... here it is. That little guy sure gets around, doesn't he?

Hearsay Is Where?!?

Hearsay continues on his adventures with our friend, Jennifer Estep. Here, he's shown with Rick's best friend since high school and Jen's brother, Joe Estep, at The Bunganut Pig Pub & Eatery in Franklin, Tenn., just outside Nashville.

What exactly is a bunganut pig? Good question. There IS an explanation, and it has something to do with a pig going to school at Oxford.

At any rate, Hearsay got to hang out with Joe and Jen, and even members of the band they went to see. There are a few rumors concerning where Hearsay will be next, so stay tuned.

Anita's Family Restaurant

I've known Anita Mastin for years, getting to know her best when she managed the cafeteria in the Wilkes County courthouse.

Anita is, as they say, just good people. We stopped by her place in Traphill, Anita's Family Restaurant, tonight. When I walked in, she introduced me on the spot to everybody there ... and it was a packed house. Forget politics. It's that kind of support that lets you know you've got friends.

Carol Bryant, who works part time with Anita, also handles domestic abuse cases in Wilkes County. That's Carol on the left in the photo below, along with me and Anita, and, of course, Adam and Jesse.

Alleghany County

We spent most of the afternoon at a GOP meet-the-candidates meeting in Sparta sponsored by Sarah Stevens, who is running for the 90th district seat in the state house of representatives. Like last week's event in Ashe, where I went to law school with the lead singer of one of the bands performing, I also went to law school with Sarah.

I'm always a little bit nervous speaking at an event like this. I can just imagine Rick's reaction when he sees this ... me? Nervous talking? Who woulda thunk it? Hey, at least I remembered to introduce him tonight.