Potpourri and Updates, Volume 2

Early May found us back in Barbourville for the Union College commencement. Ashley Judd was the main speaker and received an honorary degree. My speech as Alumni Association president was well received, with applause in the middle of the speech as well as at the end.

Dr. Ashley and Dr. Joe

Naomi Judd and her husband, Larry Strickland (former backup singer with Elvis)

The day we went to Barbourville, I started having major eye problems and ended up going to 6 eye doctors in three cities in 14 days as we traveled on vacation. While they are better than they were, I am still having problems. I go back to the eye sturgeon in 2 days.

After leaving Barbourville we headed south to Columbia and Hilton Head, SC, and then to Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island, GA. We fell in love with Brunswick and St. Simons, and hope to relocate there one day. It was great to meet up there with Jane's brother and sister-in-law (Sam and Diane).

A bored Hilton Head resident

Jekyll Island Boardwalk

John Wesley's stomping grounds on St. Simons Island


Our Brunswick Bed and Breakfast, WatersHill

Sam and Diane at Brunswick's Lovers Oak

The Lady Jane is anchored at Brunswick

Downtown Brunswick
(Brunswick has several squares, similar to the ones in Savannah.)

Jane continues to work full time, and mostly from home. My hours at the hotel have been cut, but thankfully I still have a job, as many other positions have been eliminated. I am, however, looking for other employment to supplement my Opryland hours.

This past weekend it was back to Barbourville again for a special Alumni College weekend, which is a new project endorsed by the alumni association. We look forward to growing it significantly in the years ahead.

We continue to take care of the household critters and the horses, and are very slowly trying to get some painting and decorating done in the house.

Today I learned that I need a colonoscopy and EGD on the 24th for a year's worth of stomach and intestinal pain. My colonoscopy doc is pictured below, preparing for his next patient.

Tomorrow night we are going to a celebrity softball game at Greer Stadium (home of the Nashville Sounds) for Country Music Association week. Quite a few Titans players and country music stars are playing, including Dean Brody (managed by my oldest son).

---Joe