The new Jovita Moore mural has been completed, on the side of Bellwood Coffee's Grant Park location. Painted by the original artist. All those Jovita fans should now be rejoicing, and flocking to Bellwood to support the local business. Earlier Joel had met with Jovita's family, who didn't seem that thrilled about the mural being back in the spotlight.
Last night Ronald Acuna returned to the Braves lineup, after recovering from injury. Instead of his signature highlighter cleats, he wore cleats that were Mets blue. His lackadaisical play in right field allowed a run to score.
During one at bat Ronald fouled a ball off his ankle, and limped around in the batters box while the trainer came out to check on him. I started to wonder whether Acuna would make it 9 innings without getting hurt again. I was reminded of the character from MASH: Whiplash Hwang, who would throw himself in front of jeeps in an effort to be reimbursed by the Army.
My high school football coach is being inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame this year - quite the honor. I was able to have a brief chat with Coach Seward at our recent reunion, and he seemed to be doing well in retirement. A man of few words, Coach Seward always took time to check on how I was doing.
Construction on Mt Rushmore was completed in 1941. It portrays one president from the 1700's, two from the 1800's, two presidents from the 1800's, and one inaugurated in 1901.
What Georgia Tech quarterback deserves to be included in the Mt Rushmore of Tech football players? Hard to compare QB's across different eras, but we can compare their win/loss record and winning percentage.
Does a QB who averaged 7.5 wins and a 63.8 winning percentage worthy of inclusion? Are they really legendary? That's Joe Hamilton, whose record bested Haynes King.
If a player worthy of Mt Rushmore status if they never made first team All-America? If they couldn't lead the team to 8 wins every year?
Tech has a storied football history, with several All Americans and Heisman runner ups. But just because a recent player had a good run, that shouldn't place them ahead of a player from the 1950's who posted better results.
Of these seven GT QB's, which is most worthy?
WP%...W-L...bowl record
83.3 27-5-1 3-0 Wade Mitchell
65.6 21-10-1 0-2 Billy Lothridge
64.1 25-14 0-3 Josh Nesbitt
64.1 20-11-1 1-1 Kim King
63.8 30-17 3-0 Joe Hamilton
61.1 22-14 1-2 Haynes King
57.9 22-16 2-0 Justin Thomas
Haynes King finished 10th in the Heisman vote.
2023 7-6 Gasparilla Bowl (beat UCF)
2024 7-4 Birmingham Bowl (lost to Vandy)
2025 8-4 Pop Tarts Bowl (lost to BYU)
Total 22-14 winning percentage 61.1%, avg 7.3 wins & 4.7 losses
Billy Lothridge finished 2nd for the Heisman
1961 7-4 Gator Bowl (lost to Penn State)
1962 7-3-1 Bluebonnet Bowl (lost to Missouri)
1963 7-3 no bowl game
Total 21-10-1 winning percentage = 65.6%
Justin Thomas
2014 11-3 Orange Bowl (beat Mississippi State)
2015 3-9 no bowl game
2016 8-4 Taxslayer Bowl (beat Kentucky)
Total: 22-16 winning percentage = 57.9%
Joe Hamilton finished second in the Heisman vote.
1996 5-6 no bowl game
1997 7-5 CarQuest Bowl (beat West Virginia)
1998 10-2 Gator Bowl (beat Notre Dame)
1999 8-4 Gator Bowl (beat Virginia)
Total: 30-17 avg 7.5-4.25 winning percentage = 63.8%
Kim King
1965 7-3-1 Gator Bowl (beat Texas Tech)
1966 9-2 Orange Bowl (lost to Florida)
1967 4-6 no bowl game
Total: 20-11-1 winning percentage = 64.1%
Wade Mitchell was 3-0 vs UGA
1954 8-3 Cotton Bowl beat Arkansas
1955 9-1-1 Sugar Bowl beat Pitt
1956 10-1 Gator Bowl beat Pitt
Total: 27-5-1 winning percentage = 83.3%
Josh Nesbitt
2008 9-4 Peach lost to LSU
2009 10-3 Orange lost to Iowa
2010 6-7 Independence lost to Air Force
Total: 25-14 winning percentage = 64.1%
Friday: got the emissions tested in Ceil's car. Grabbed a free apple pie from McDonalds. Took my car for emissions, but the place closed early due to the downpour. Ate supper over at the Hall's house, to hear about the recent trip to Banff.
Saturday: went for a couple of walks. Hadn't seen the Brasfields in over a month. They stopped by to catch up. Lasagna for lunch. Took my car back for emissions. Grabbed a free Coke at RaceTrac, then a free milkshake at Dairy Queen. Dropped off giveaways at Goodwill. Didn't go in to shop. Then stopped by Dollar Tree on the way home.
The Chiles just returned from Europe. They're supposed to stop by this evening.
Over the past few months I have mentioned in several blog posts how I've been considering ending this blog, and noted some of the reasons. With this post I'm sharing these reasons all in one place.
This blog takes time. It doesn't just happen. Before I retired I sat at a desk all day. I'd email my friend, and most days before I left work I'd have those emails edited into that day's blog post. Now I'm retired, my friend is gone, and I have other things I want to do with my time. Simply put: I don't want to do this any more.
I want to get plenty of sleep. Spend plenty of time at the gym. Projects in the yard and house. De-clutter. My home office still isn't completely set up.
I want to spend time with Ceil, my kids and grandkids, and friends. More time than I'm spending now. Volunteer. Travel, on short trips and long vacations. Plan. Read. Golf. Hike. Serve. This blog is literally sucking up my time, that I should be using for these other things.
Right now all the writing, editing, and posting to this blog cuts into my afternoons and evenings, when there's other things I'd rather be doing. You can tell how some posts aren't as good as others - mostly due to lack of time. Every day in the back of my mind I know I've got to figure out when and what to post. It can be a chore.
I've been blogging for over 20 years. It's helped me develop as a writer, something that's still not easy. It's been a wonderful creative outlet, a place I can post my research on various topics that interest me. This blog serves as a family record, a timeline, a history. For that I am grateful. For sure I have shared way too much personal information. Now I want to do other things.
So many blogs peter out after a year or two - if they make it that long. Some don't make it past the first few posts. I think I've done okay. I've never much publicized my blog. Never been concerned with the amount of traffic it's received. That's because I've used this blog mostly for me, to help me figure out my own thoughts and viewpoints.
Thanks for reading.
Braves rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis has played well. I can't figure out if he is a Chad Powers situation.
Slow day. Went out for a walk. Ceil got her haircut. Lee stopped by to discuss some financial matters.
This afternoon the Halls returned from their Canada trip, and this evening the Chiles returned home from Europe.
Watched the Braves game, an afternoon affair.
Tuesday: Lee and Nancy brought Dawn & Myron by on their way to the airport. Later Brian stopped by. Finally got the grass cut. Busy day. Not the greatest.
Wednesday: Anna worked from our house, and brought Miller and Goose with her. Our friend Laura Ferguson stopped by - she and her husband Tommy are longtime friends of the Schaffers.
Pretty sure that it's finally time to bring this blog to a close. I've always done this as a creative effort for me. Time to spend the time on other pursuits. Might stretch it to the end of the month. We'll see.
Swiped a couple of photos of Pawleys Island.
MLB is running a Sweepstakes sending the winner to visit all 30 MLB ballparks. A sweet prize, but to make all those trips over the six month 2027 season would be a chore - like four or five trips every month. Try to combine the NYC, Chicago, and LA trips to make it like 26 trips, since Atlanta would be easy. Of the current stadiums, I've only been to seven of the 30.
Anahiem
Arizona
Atlanta: been there
Baltimore: been there
Boston: been there - top choice
Chicago Cubs: been there
Chicago White Sox: I haven't been to their "new" ballpark.
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Colorado - top choice
Detroit
Houston: been there
Kansas City
LA Dodgers - top choice
Miami
Milwaukee - top choice
Minnesota
New York Mets: not yet to the new ballpark
New York Yankees: top choice
Philadelphia:
Pittsburgh - top choice
Sacramento
San Diego - top choice
San Francisco: been there - top choice
Seattle - top choice
St Louis - top choice
Tampa Bay: been to a game before the Trop was wrecked
Texas: not to the new ballpark - top choice
Toronto - top choice
Washington: not to the new ballpark - top choice
Ceil's brother Rusty was in town today for business, so we met him up at Avalon in Alpharetta for supper. I'd never been to the famous NFA Burger. It wasn't busy, so we gave it a try. The single burger was plenty for me, but I bet the double burger would be tastier. The tater tots were nice and crispy, not overdone and much better than had they been undercooked. Free refills on Cokes, Diet Cokes, and Sprites. Very good, and I was filled up.
Earlier Matthew stopped by the house to visit. He's working on a new dessert item for Kimball House. Nancy and Dawn drove over to spend time with Ceil.
I'm not a big fan of white spikes on MLB players, except for the Athletics. Would rather see my Braves players wearing black cleats. Tonight the Padres are rocking brown tops and tan pants. The white cleats on the Padres players don't look too bad. Depends on whether the player is wearing the long tan pants, or high brown socks.
Shivonne and Millie are enjoying riding in the new minivan.
Sunday morning I woke up with a bad crick in my neck, a rare occurrence. Was in pain most of the day. Hasn't been quite as bad today, but I let Ceil drive so I wouldn't have to crane my neck around.
Whenever we stop somewhere, we can't get back on the road until Ceil has seen the latest videos from the kiddos.
The Broadwells visited this weekend. Nancy and Lee picked them up at the airport. Saturday night we went over to the Earharts to eat with them.
After Sunday lunch we drove the Broadwells over to visit with A&C.
Later both the Earharts and W&MC brought supper over to our house. Lee has become quite the selfie taker.
Matthew's roommate takes in foster dogs. This week they're hosting a big boy.
We re-upped for Netflix. The new season of Quarterback is on, with Joe Flacco, Cam Ward, Baker Mayfield, and the Washington QB. Not sure what C thinks about it. Several other shows I want to watch, including the Will Ferrell as a golfer show. Might re-watch Man on the Inside. That octopus movie with Sally Field. Ceil started watching the new rendition of Little House on the Prarie, and it's not bad. Need to make a list.
I wrote this several months ago. Saw a ranking of top fast food places. So many are bad due to the poor service. High prices. Slow service. Fake, frozen, ultra-processed food. Literally leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But I can't stay away. I'm always looking out for a deal.
Five Guys. Good burger. High prices. Milkshakes are just okay.
Dairy Queen. High prices. Not crazy about their brazier burgers. Shakes are good but overpriced. Like most, it's institutional processed frozen food.
Subway is okay if you have a coupon.
Firehouse Subs: better than Subway.
Jersey Mikes: better than Firehouse.
McDonalds: sometimes you can get a decent deal on the app, or using the BOGO on the receipt. But the food just isn't that good.
Wendys: best of the burger places. Some relatively cheap options, plus some deals in the app. The Frosty is the best milkshake value around.
Burger King will sometimes have deals. The Whopper is literally half the size it used to be.
Taco Bell: portions are small, whether from the value menu or the premium items.
Moes: better than Chipotle or Willys, though they're all pretty close.
Chickfila: the sandwich has shrunk over the years while the price continues to rise. But the speed of service and quality are tops in the industry.
Popeyes: not sure when I last ate at Popeyes. Supposed to be good. Supposed to have large portions. Not cheap.
Hardees: some tasty menu options, and some deals in the app. But oftentimes the service is extra bad.
Whataburger: the burger is big but not as tasty as Wendys. Decent deals through the app, receipt, and coupons.
Freddys: tasty but expensive.
Culvers: see Freddys.
Steak & Shake: good food and milkshakes.
Checkers: few cheap options but there are deals in the app. But the quality of food is low low low.
Arbys: decent food, and sometimes you can get a deal in the app.
Cookout: lots of menu options. Not sure I trust the BBQ. Dozens of milkshake options, though they're all just vanilla with a chemically concocted syrup added in (like Burger King and others). Overall, the food just isn't that good.
CiCi's: a good deal for the price.
RaceTrac: right out of the oven, the pizza tastes good. Nothing special about the hot dogs and other roller grill items.
Costco: can't beat the $1.50 hot dog and Coke - a loss leader. Like RaceTrac, the pizza is good when its hot. The other items look tasty, but look prepackaged, frozen, and unhealthy.
Truth to tell, it seems like my appetite is changing, and my fast food days may finally be coming to an end - for the most part. Good riddance.
SINow.com recently re-ranked the top 50 college football players in the sport's 150+ year history. I'd say they did a decent job. Hard to believe I've seen all but 4 or 5 of these players in action.
50. Bubba Smith, Michigan State DE 1964-1966
49. Joe Montana, Notre Dame QB 1974-1978
48. Ozzie Newsome, Alabama TE 1974-1977
47. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech QB 1998-2000
46. Joe Greene, North Texas DE 1966-1968
45. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M QB 2011-2013
44. Derrick Thomas, Alabama LB 1985-1988
43. Dave Rimington, Nebraska C 1979-1982
42. Marcus Allen, USC RB 1978-1981
41. Walter Payton, Jackson State RB 1971-1974
40. Sammy Baugh, TCU QB S 1934-1936
39. Travis Hunter WR CB Jackson St 2022 Colorado 2023-2024
38. Billy Sims, Oklahoma RB 1975-1979
37. Paul Hornung, Notre Dame QB RB S K P 1954-1956
36. Doc Blanchard RB LB K P UNC 1942, Army 1944-1946
35. Steve McNair, Alcorn State QB 1991-1994
34. Tommie Frazier, Nebraska QB 1992-1995
33. Matt Leinart, USC QB 2001-2005
32. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska DT 2005-2009
31. Peyton Manning, Tennessee QB 1994-1997
30. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt WR 2002-2003
29. Bronko Nagurski, Minnesota RB DT 1927-1929
28. DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR 2017-2020
27. Ed Reed, Miami S 1997-2001
26. Lamar Jackson, Louisville QB 2015-2017
25. Baker Mayfield QB Texas Tech 2013, Oklahoma 2014-2017
24. OJ Simpson, USC RB 1967-1968
23. Reggie White, Tennessee DL 1980-1983
22. Jerry Rice, Miss Valley State WR 1981-1984
21. Archie Griffin, Ohio State RB 1972-1975
20. Ricky Williams, Texas RB 1995-1998
19. Vince Young, Texas QB 2002-2005
18. Charles Woods on, Michigan CB WR 1995-1997
17. Tony Dorsett, Pitt RB 1973-1976
16. Roger Staubach, Navy QB 1961-1964
15. Reggie Bush, USC RB 2003-2005
14. Deion Sanders, FSU CB 1985-1988
13. Joe Burrow QB Ohio State 2015-2017, LSU 2018-2019
12. Hugh Green, Pitt DE 1977-1980
11. Earl Campbell, Texas RB 1974-1977
10. Orlando Pace, Ohio State OT 1994-1996
9. Red Grange, Illinois RB DB 1923-1925
8. Tim Tebow, Florida QB 2006-2009
7. Dick Butkus, Illinois LB C 1962-1964
6. Bo Jackson, Auburn RB 1982-1985
5. Cam Newton QB Florida 2007-2008, Auburn 2010
4. Jim Thorpe, Carlisle RB DB K P 1907-1908 1911-1912
3. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State RB 1986-1988
2. Herschel Walker, Georgia RB 1980-1982
1. Jim Brown, Syracuse RB DB K 1954-1956
Later Matthew stopped by to borrow the lawnmower.
Jim and Karen Key stopped by to visit. I was showing Jim our backyard, and he spotted a deer across the creek. Later we FaceTimed with Will, Shiv, & Millie.
Cool article about the making of the movie Bull Durham.
https://x.com/fayobserver/status/2077317393659892005?s=46
Anthony Flanagan was a sports legend at SW Dekalb, the first black quarterback at UGA, and the first to play both football and basketball at UGA in years and years. Passed away from complications from diabetes in his early 40’s.
https://www.ghsfhf.com/hall-of-fame-classes/2023-class/anthony-flanagan
