Dolly Parton Quotes,....

 

Celebrities,... I don't usually care about. They think we care about their life style, political beliefs and even what products they endorse. Dolly did none of that. She also didn't forget where she came from. Even having cancer, she didn't announce to the world, hey look at me. Celebs passing away for the most part I just didn't care. Dolly was different. She was funny and had a great laugh. She could of course sing, write, act and still at the end of the day, be Dolly. She loved life and life loved her back. Dolly blessed countless children with books to read. She didn't have to do that. But she wanted to. Her passing will leave an empty spot in the world. Thank you Dolly. Here are some of her quotes that she shared over the years. 

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!”

“Its hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.”

“I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.”

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”

“It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen.”

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren't in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.”

“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap”

“I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb - and I'm not blonde either.”

“I always just thought if you see somebody without a smile, give'em yours!”

“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.”

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”

“I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out.”

There are tons more,... Google them. They are filled with wisdom and truth. All for a good laugh. 

Worst Eating Establishments In The Shoals,....

 

Well,... most people know I like to grill, smoke and bbq. Love me some bacon too. We'll save that for another blog post.

For the record, the picture above does not represent any food from the three places I'm about to mention. It would be an upgrade. 

Today I want to talk about three of the worst places to eat in the Shoals area. There are far more than three trust me so we'll save those for another time also. 

All of these places are graded on the same scale. Service, food quality and cleanliness. We all like convenience because we stay so busy. We don't have time to cook or we've just grown to lazy to do so. Most of the time though it is that we are too busy. 

I know for myself, being tired at the end of the day is a driving factor of what I cook or where we eat. I like eating out but I want it to be a good experience when I do. 

That said,... here is one of the worst places to eat in the Shoals.

Fiesta Mexicana on Avalon Av in Muscle Shoals. The food quality is lacking. It's Tex-Mex at its worst. We haven't been in a while due to poor service AND roach parts in the drinks. That's right, parts of cockroaches served in the drink. In plain view. So maybe the server thought this was the norm. For me, it shows a major problem. Kind of turns you off and you lose your appetite. Roaches also in the mens room,... some dead from someone squashing them, some alive waving hello. Not sure how the place stays open. Hardly any cars in the parking lot. I have my theories.

The next place is also a Tex-Mex place out on 2nd St in Muscle Shoals. Cozumel. When you see roaches in the dining area on the walls and behind pictures, you know they have a problem in the kitchen. Trust me, I used to do Cooks commercial route way back when. I've seen things. While we did go back the last time there, the food just wasn't good. The lack of meat (which might be a good thing) and the blandness of it just wasn't a good value for my money. I did see some wings that actually looked nasty. They looked boiled with sauce on them. Guess I'm too used to my cooking. 

The next place is in Sheffield. Stanfields. I don't really do salad but I do hear good things about the salad bar. For the most part, the compliments stop there. We've been a few times and the food is really bland. No seasoning that I could taste anyway. Steak was tough with no taste. For me it's a no no to use A1 on anything but it would actually improve this steak, taste wise. Service was good the times we were there. As a painter though, this has nothing to do with the dining experience, the shiplap in the booths were not primed. The knotholes showing through that look like water stains or nicotine is called tannin. It bothers me that the owners let this slip by. Maybe they didn't know to oversee construction as it happened. Anyway it's just one of those pet peeves of mine. It's a curse actually but like I said, no bearing on the dining experience,... for most. 

Pet Peeve About Our Flag,...

 People either just don't know or just don't care. Proper displaying of our American flag, affectionately know as Old Glory seems to have been lost. Go by a cemetery that displays the flag. Is it torn and raveled? Is it taken down at night and raised the next morning? If left to fly 24/7, is it illuminated at night? 

The post office in North Florence once was flying a flag that was worn out. It was like that for a while. A government agency flying our flag that way was a disgrace. This also includes flags mounted on residential housing. Is the flag illuminated at night? If not, take it down and put it back the next morning. I've driven by several cemeteries that display the flag. No lighting is to be found. 

It saddens me that people have died, shed blood for our Stars and Stripes and people are ignorant as to the proper displaying technics. 

There isn't a finer site than to see Old Glory waving in the wind. Knowing the history behind the red, white and blue. It just irks me to no end seeing people and places disrespecting the flag. 

 This is from the Veterans of Foreign Wars site,.... 

 The American flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nation's most iconic symbol of freedom. Whether you're looking for the historic details of how the U.S. flag came to be, or the rules and regulations that encompass her daily flight, we're here to ensure you can find the information you need.  

•  

  Displaying the Flag

  On Same Staff 
  U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag. 
  
  Grouped 
  U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. 
  
  Marching 
  U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left). 
  
  On Speaker's Platform
  When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right. 
  
  Decoration
  Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red. 
  
  Salute
  All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. 
  
  Over a Street Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street. 
  
  Half Staff
  On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised. 

  Special Rules
  Do not let the flag touch the ground. 
  Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency. 
  Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it. 
  Do not use the flag as clothing. 
  Do not store the flag where it can get dirty. 
  Do not use it as a cover. 
  Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free. 
  Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag. 

  Illumination Guidelines
  Per Federal Flag Code, Section 2, paragraph (a), it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

   

   

One Last Redo Before The Muscle Shoals Elections,...

 I've had a change of heart in the mayor's race due to just talking with people. Mike Lockhart has done a good job and needs to stay in place as mayor. 

Place 1., unopposed is Chris Hall. Good guy and one of the two council members that thought enough of my problem to actually provide a solution. 

Place 2., Beth Pirtle should replace Gina Clark as council person here. Clark did not respond to my email. So with that thinking, she does not deserve my vote. 

Place 3., Same thing with Willis Thompson. He didn't think enough of my email to respond or just didn't take the time to even read it. Either way, Scott Hunter needs to be voted in. Hunter gets the idea that communication with the public is important. 

Place 4., Ken Sockwell is another of those council members that either didn't read my email or didn't think it was important enough to respond. If you want Billy Underwood in the council seat, vote for his wife Jennifer. If you think that's funny, I've got some beach front property in Arizona for sale. Just say NO to those two. Daron Goodloe from what all I can gather is a good man with good intentions for the city of Muscle Shoals.

Place 5., All I can say here is Donnie Linley. He was the second council member to respond to my email and provide an answer to my problem. Muscle Shoals needs him and his wisdom and caring of the city. 

Here is the ballot that the city of Muscle Shoals provided. Be sure and go vote. 

Ballot Sheet

A Redo,... Muscle Shoals Municiple Elections,....

 

Since the last blog post on these elections, a little bit has changed. I've gotten some info on the mayors race,... While Mr. Lockhart has done an okay job,... my vote still goes to Mr. Hudson. 

Place 2. My vote still goes to Beth Pirtle. If Gina Clark had answered an email concerning a problem in my area, she might have gotten my vote. By not responding to my email, I'm not important enough so with that, she isn't important enough for my vote. I think Mrs. Pirtle will do a nice job. 

Place 3. Same thing here. Mr. Thompson didn't feel the need to respond to my email so I don't feel the need to vote for him. Scott Hunter is the only choice. 

Place 4. Again, same thing here. Mr. Sockwell didn't respond, so I won't either. No vote from me. If Muscle Shoals wants a convicted criminal on the council, vote for Ms. Underwood. You know Billy will be all up in her ear. My vote goes to Mr. Goodloe. 

Place 5. Donnie Lindley is the only choice here. He responded to my email and helped with my problem. He's got my vote. 

Place 1. Chris Hall has no one running against him but even if he did, he'd get my vote since he also responded to my email and was a big help also. 

Take note all candidates,... for those that do reply to calls, emails, texts, etc. Thank you. You are doing a service to those you represent. Make those you represent feel important just like Donnie Linley and Chris Hall did for me.   

On a side note,... People,... do not use Shoalanda Speaks as a go to for voter info. If she endorses a person, vote the opposite. Trust me on this.  

Muscle Shoals Municipal Elections,....* Updated*,... *Updated again*

 With August 26 fast approaching, citizens of Muscle Shoals can make some changes at city hall. 

One thing that is important to me is communication. To get any thing accomplished you have to communicate. As a voter being able to communicate with city council members is very important. When you email one of them and there isn't a response,... I feel they just don't care about my thoughts and I'm not important enough to matter to them. A voter shouldn't be made to feel that way. On the other hand when they do respond back, it makes that voter feel like they do care about the concerns of the voter. 

That said I personally emailed all five council members about a problem on my street. Chris Hall, Place 1 and Donnie Linley, Place 5 were the only two council members that replied back and kept me abreast of the situation. Their concerns were genuine and much appreciated. I would appreciate you considering voting for them. Both care about the city as evidenced by my dealings with them. 

The other three, Gina Clark, Place 2, Willis Thompson, Place 3 and Ken Sockwell, Place 4 didn't think my email was important enough to respond. So, they aren't important enough for me to vote for them. There are others that are more than qualified to serve on the council. 

Beth Pirtle, Scott Hunter both have my vote and good luck to them. Chris Hall is unopposed and has my vote. Donnie Linley certainly has my vote. Place four, I haven't decided between Daron Goodloe and Jennifer Underwood. Still doing my homework on them. *Update* Vote Daron Goodloe. After more homework and talking to people, Mr. Goodloe seems like the logical choice.  

Mayor,... nothing against Mike Lockhart but I think Billy Hudson can do a better job representing Muscle Shoals.  

FIZZ IZ BACK,....

Fizz has once again reopened to the enjoyment of this writer. I was very critical of the old style of doing things in this restaurant/bar. What the former manager and staff did was devastating to the business and it just didn't work. You have to have good service and product to be successful. 

They have that now. Nancy is back as manager and she and her staff are doing a great job. Service gets an A+ from us and the food is very good. Add live entertainment on the weekends and it is a win/win. Back performing are bands like the Midnighters, Dixie Mafia, Howell Sledge and others. We listened to a band, Carl and the Road Dawgs Friday night and their bluesy rock was great. Had not heard them before. Always good to hear new music. 

Oh I forgot to mention atmosphere. The great vibes this place gives off is back too. It had lost its mojo along the way but Nancy has brought that back too. Fizz iz lucky to have her back. Add comfortable seating along with the food, music, service and you have a recipe for a fun time at Fizz.