Michael in Nashville

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make me happy. Such as fresh, homemade chocolate chip cookies.

I got to have some tonight and man they were good.

Right after I had a BLT with fresh tomatoes.

That is my idea of great summer cuisine….

Before we had the Internet, how did we ever go, “I wonder what happened to _____” and then find out?

I’ve lost track of a several friends over the years, often wondering at times what they were up to, where life had taken them and how they were doing now. Thanks to the Internet and a couple of the social networking sites, I’ve been able to get back in contact with some old friends the past few weeks and months and find out. And it’s been a real treat to get to do so.

Of course, the other good thing about them is that it helps you keep up with new friends and family as well.

Sure, it shouldn’t ever take the place of having real world social interaction, but it’s still nice to be able to quickly and easily keep up with old friends, new friends and family via the Internet these days.

The Titans’ return to the field for a pre-season game and looked really good on both offense and defense.

It’s just too bad they couldn’t have played the Rams like this a decade ago in the Super Bowl.

Maybe we’ll get a chance to win a Super Bowl this year. Maybe it will be my dream Super Bowl of Redskins vs. Titans.

And the Redskins also won their pre-season game this evening….

It’s been a little over a year since The Rick and Bubba Show came back to the airwaves in Nashville. And the show still continues to make me smile on a daily basis. And to think and sometimes it’ll even make you cry.

I look forward to listening each morning.

It’s one of life’s simple pleasures. And one that makes me happy.

Back in the day when the Redskins were the best team in the NFC (the 80’s and early 90’s) one of the fixtures of the team was wide-receiver Art Monk.

Monk wasn’t the flashiest player and he was, generally, the third wide-receiver of a trio. But when you needed a clutch first down and team leadership, Art Monk was there. Monk went about his job with quiet professionalism and a grace that you don’t see in today’s receivers, many of whom aren’t worthy to carry Monk’s smelly sweat socks. (I’m looking at you Randy Moss)

The fact that it took so long after he retired for Monk to get in the Hall of Fame is a joke and a travesty.

But to see him get into the Hall of Fame this past weekend was a big thrill for me. One of my favorite players getting the accolades he so richly deserved. It made me smile.

And it didn’t hurt that another Redskin great of that era, Darryl Green, also got in as well. He got in on the first ballot…as Art Monk should have.

I visited my old Knoxville church home last Sunday morning. It’s always wonderful to walk in, see familiar faces and catch up with old friends for a few minutes.

But another part of my visit that makes me happy is that every time I go, I see new, fresh faces there as well.

It’s nice to see that while many things stay familiar, there is also change and growth going on at the church. It’s wonderful to see a church family that was very important to me during the time of my walk with them, continuing to have an impact for the kingdom on the community of Knoxville and the world.

This weekend was my annual family reunion, which is always a highlight of the year for me. It’s just nice to get to spend time catching up with family, enjoying each other’s company and eating lots and lots of really good food.

This year’s celebration was made even more special in the kick-off Friday evening. My great aunt and uncle are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year. And Friday evening we got to have a time of celebration with them.

I’m proud and honored to have been a part of it. And also to see their example to our family of a strong, solid Christian marriage. And to look around at the many members of my family there who are married as well. We also celebrated their grandson’s marriage and looking around at the rest of my family, I see many examples of long, solid marriages built on friendship, love and putting the right things first. It’s humbling, it’s inspiring and it’s something that makes me very happy and blessed to be a part of it.

Pre-season football begins this evening with a battle between the Redskins and the Colts.

I realize that the starters may only play one play, but who cares…it’s pre-season football between two of my favorite teams.

UT begins fall football practice this morning.

The greatest sport ever invented is getting closer. Can you feel the excitement?

Another thing that makes me happy–the fact that the Vols will have a good shot to knock off the number one team in the country, should things remain the way they are. Georgia is number one in one poll and given the fact that they couldn’t beat Tennessee the last two years and they’re 4-6 against the SEC East in the past two seasons, I think the Vols have a great chance to, once again, deny them a shot at a national title.

Of course, right now everyone is undefeated and in the race for the national title…well, except maybe Vanderbilt.

Last night was the final concert in the Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series and while I’m sad they’re over, I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s series.

I’m a recent convert to the bluegrass world and what I like about the series is that you get a mix of new and old styles, so you can hear where the music began and get a glimpse of where it is today and where it’s going. Last night’s show was a perfect example. The show began with a set by the Grascals, a more recent addition to the world of bluegrass and then concluded with Ralph Stanley, one of the pioneers in the genre. The highlight of Ralph’s show was a duet with Allison Krause, who I’ve wanted to hear in concert for a while now. (And by herself, not with Robert Plant…I must be the only person on the planet that didn’t think that CD was all that and a bag of chips)

Enjoying the great shows with my parents was nice and I look forward to them again next year.