Bekah v. Screen Doors

So, I had been home for less than 12 hours yesterday when I came in the house just before noon after grabbing lunch with my boss and friend. And on my way through the front door, arms full of stuff, the screen door decides to slam thus eating the back of my left foot taking a large chunk of skin a good portion of my mobility with it.

Dear Mr. Screen Door,

My foot is attached, it is mine, I grew it myself. Stay away from it. Good day sir!

Thanks,
Management

Bekah v. Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

So last night was the big Christmas Party for the Youth Ministry at my church, and as a small group leader I got to sign up to bring a dish of my choice for "Christmas Dinner." After running through what items I have in my kitchen as far as pots, pans, utensils and such go and what my wallet could reasonably handle I chose the ever popular mashed potatoes and gravy option. So on Saturday I drove my happy, school-is-finished-self to Wal-mart and picked up a box (the big one) of Betty Crocker Potato Buds and 6 packs of brown gravy -- and yes, I did get extremely weird looks from the people in line with me and a comment or two from the cashier, but whatever.

So yesterday, around 5 PM, I decided that it was time to prepare the mashed potato and gravy awesomeness so I headed to the kitchen grabbed my ingredients and went to town. I should have taken the hint that this was not going to go well when my pot, which was my largest one, only had an inch from the top left of room after I put all the required items, sans Potato Buds of course. I did not take that hint and hilarity ensued.

Long story short, I used an electric mixer (pictured above) to mix the potatoes and gravy and there were mashed potatoes and gravy all over my kitchen, as well as all. over. me.

Bekah v. Shopping While Thirsty

When I moved to college and my parents were imparting wisdom to me, I remember them telling me to never grocery shop while hungry because you'll buy more than you need. They never told me to not shop while thirsty. Which is precisely why I left Wal-Mart this evening with:

• 2 liter of Coke


• 12-pack of Coke


• 6-pack of IBC Root Beer


• 1 Gallon of milk


• 20 pack of water

In my defense, I do have to make a crap ton of mashed potatoes and gravy tomorrow so I needed extra milk, and I do have a long trip on Wednesday that I will need refreshment for. But still. That is way too much beverage for one person to carry out of Wal-mart on an intended quick trip to Wal-Mart. Quick trip to Wal-Mart....ha, I'm hilarious, do those even exist?

So, finals are over and subsequently the Fall semester of 2007 is also over. Thank God! I don't think I've ever been so ready for a semester to be over ever. I think I was ready to be done the day it started. This semester has just been so rough, probably the roughest I've had thus far. But with only one more semester to go, I'm totally pumped for Spring semester 2008. Bring on the cap and gown, baby!

I went to graduation this morning to watch three awesome people, Paul, Alex and Jeff, graduate from WKU. I haven't been to a college graduation yet, and while 2 hours is an extremely long time to sit there and listen to names, 99% of which I don't know, being listed off I still couldn't help but think that in less than 6 months, that will be me.

*small fit of joy*

I can't wait to graduate. Although, I'll admit I'm a little apprehensive to finding a job. I'm ready to close this chapter of my life and open a new one, but finding a job...well not really a job, but starting my career, is only slightly (or majorly) intimidating. Over the last 3 1/2 years I've learned what my job does and how I interact with media, clients, superiors, etc., but no one over the last 3 1/2 years has told me how to exactly to go about finding a job. What do I say? When do I send my resume? Is this appropriate? Is that OK? Is this the best way to present myself? I. just. don't. know. However, I do still have time to figure it out. I know I'm going to focus on my portfolio and doing some research about some PR and Ad agencies over the next few days while I'm sitting around the house waiting to leave on Wednesday. So I have a solid three days to really sit down, focus, and get a start on things. Granted, I don't think I'll figure everything out by 6 AM on Wednesday morning when I leave for Chicago, but I think I'll have a much better idea and that I'll at least be able to calm my nerves a bit. And that alone will help me enjoy my break better.

Wednesday morning I leave for Chicago which should put me there around 1 PM so long as I don't get stuck in traffic or in bad weather. Jake should land around 230, and he and I should be on our way by 330. Can I just take a minute to express how completely excited I am to see Jake? I haven't seen him since June, when he decided to go better himself by learning Arabic and if that weren't enough he just had to go off and be brilliant at Oxford. And to top it all off he's currently on the backpacking trip that I've always dreamed of. To say I'm jealous would be a stark understatement. But that's all right. He's promised to tell me all about it. And until I'm able to follow in his globe-trotting footsteps, I'm just going to live vicariously through him.

Well, it's time to start preparing for Sunday School tomorrow morning. This week's topic: Why faith is important.

Bekah v. End of Semester Blues

So, I've sat here for approximately 4 1/2 hours attempting to write this paper and it's just not working for me.  When it comes right now to it, I just don't care about the U.S.-Australian Free Trade Agreement.  I just cannot find it anywhere in me to care about it.  I know what it is, I know what we get out of it and I just. don't. care.

There are 5 days of class left in this semester...and let me tell ya, they are certainly giving me a run for my money.  I have four projects due by Friday and thus I should be a whole lot more motivated than I really am.  But I am not driven at all to do any of it.  And with less than a week left to get my marbles together, this is not a good sign.

The odd thing?  I still have to power through finals week and I'm not worried about those at all.  Finals--bring 'em on.  This week--you can leave, I'd be all right if I didn't have to put up with you.  I suppose you can say that I am completely and totally zonked.  This semester has truly run me ragged, I've got close to nothing left.  And what I do have left, I need to save for finals and my 12 hour drive home.

However, in just over 2 weeks I will be headed to Chicago to pick up Jake, my neighbor from home and one of my favorite people ever, and we will begin the trek back to our families in good ol' Bellevue, Nebraska.  Christmas Break, take me fast and take me hard...ready?  GO!

Bekah v. Death

Death...I don't deal with it well, mostly because I've never really had to deal with it at all. In August of 2004, the summer after my senior year in high school, my grandfather died, and as crass as this sounds it didn't affect me much. He had had a stroke several months earlier and had been in a nursing home since then, and it was expected and I never quite got too close to him.

Two weeks after that, Uncle D died and that hit me pretty hard. He was one of my best friend's, Mary Beth uncles. I met Mary Beth, and thus Uncle D, in Virginia and we all became pretty close, he and his wife, the appropriately monikered Aunt B, became like transplanted grandparents who were always at church prepared with hugs and smiles for everyone to have at least 3 of each and were never afraid to remind you just how much they loved you.

Today, I found out that Aunt B died. I was on the phone with my friend Jay when Josh IMed me with the news. It didn't hit me, I mean, it was all so out of nowhere, I haven't seen Aunt B in 2 years. Then I found the obituary and it began to hit me a little bit more. Then I went to dinner with Daniel which kind of distracted me from the situation at hand. And then I got home and it hit me. It hit me good.

Aunt B was one of the kindest, most loving, self-less, God-fearing people I've ever known. Putting her needs second to all others and ready and willing to love anyone she ever saw. I love and miss you Aunt B, but I know I'll see you again.

Barbara McAllister Denson
HAMPTON - Barbara McAllister Denson, 66, joined her husband, Donald, in the presence of their Lord and Savior on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, as she slept peacefully in her home. Born Oct. 23, 1941, Barbara grew up in Dinwiddie County, spent her adult years in Hopewell, Va., until moving to Hampton, Va., upon retirement in 2000. Barbara retired with 26 years of dedicated Civil Service at Fort Lee, Va., in various office management, clerical, and computer positions. A 1960 graduate of Dinwiddie High School, Barbara earned letters for her participation on the varsity basketball and softball teams. She continued her interest in sports until her battle with polycystic kidney disease prohibited her participation. Barbara's greatest passion was Jesus and she lived out this passion in how she treated people-loving them, serving them, praying for them, and, most especially, hugging them. Her servant hood and selfless giving had tremendous impact on the lives of others meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Barbara had a way of loving you into the presence of Christ. A special blessing came through her leadership ministry with the Mayfair House Assisted Living Center where she led residents in worship and praise to the Lord each week as her illness allowed. Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald West Denson; her parents, Hammie and Rebecca McAllister; five brothers, Jeffrey, Raymond, Herman, Albert and Myers McAllister; and three sisters, Mary White, Rose Alley and Rita Fitzsimmons. Barbara leaves to cherish her memory two daughters and their husbands, Rebecca and Robert Styron and Shirley and James Bowie; one brother, John McAllister; two sisters, Nancy Krise and Helen Pitman; five grandchildren, Jordan Bowie, Meghan Clonts, and Rob, Hunter, and Hannah Styron; a great-niece raised under her guardianship, Mary Beth Bowie; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins and a multitude of friends too many to name. A Home going Celebration for Barbara will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at the Church of the Nazarene, 32 Tide Mill Lane, Hampton, Va. The Rev. Mark Wilcox and Chaplain David Green will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Church from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the Celebration Service. Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Southlawn Memorial Park in Petersburg, Va. Dr. Lewis Brown and the Rev. Charles Wallace will officiate. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Church of the Nazarene, (please note in the memo: Barbara Denson Memorial Fund), 32 Tide Mill Lane, Hampton, VA 23666. Friends are encouraged to visit www.mem.com to share words of comfort and memories with the family and to view a picture tribute of Barbara. Service arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, Va.

Bekah v. The Westboro Baptist Crazies

I'll admit I have my share of things that annoy me: failure to yield right of way, tardiness and general/unnecessary rudeness just to name a few things. But the Westboro Baptist Church -- they have worn out my patience and understanding and have skipped right past annoyance and straight to lividity.  The members of Westboro Baptist Church have made reputations for themselves by making un-welcomed appearances at funerals of fallen soldiers clad with picket signs that read "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."

Albert Snyder, of York, PA, filed a lawsuit and sued the aforementioned Westboro Baptist "crazies" from Kansas -- and won. Today Mr. Snyder was awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages, $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress to the family.

Do I think that award in the millions is a little outrageous? Absolutely.

Do I hope that Mr. Snyder will do something productive with that money, i.e. fund support groups for those in similar situations? Absolutely.

But do I think Westboro Baptist Church owes at least that for all the families who they have so wrecklessly kicked when they were already down? Absolutely.

It's one thing to be against the war. It's an entirely different thing to be tactless and asinine with zero respect for those who have given everything they had.

-------------------------------------

Dear Baltimore Jury Members,

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Bekah

Bekah v. Flat Irons

So it was when I flat ironed my left ear this morning that I truly realized....I. need. to. go. home. I'm ready for a break, I really am. A real break. Which, I fear, I won't actually receive for another 6 weeks when the semester is actually over. But I suppose if that's how long I have to wait then I'll do it.

This semester has been especially taxing. I've just got a lot going on, admittedly maybe a bit too much. It's all about balance, I'll figure it out. In the mean time...I just want a nap. Someday, I'll actually write something interesting.

Bekah v. Searcy, AR

There are two things you can always count on in Searcy, Arkansas – 1) the burned out second “F” and the “H” in Waffle House sign and 2) a strike at the Kohler plant. I’ve been coming here for years to visit my grandparents and somehow those two things always manage to make themselves present, at least, if at no other time, for my visits to make it feel as though I never left.

Fall Break is here and I have retreated to the outskirts of the aforementioned town until Sunday morning. And do not be mistaken, the word “break” is nothing but a con. I will be catching up on homework, sleep, and oh yes, I’ve brought my actual job with me. Hurray for mobile offices, I suppose. Oh well, at least I get paid, right? So break doesn’t sound too exciting, but in all honesty, I think that’s what I need – boredom. I’ve had too much excitement thus far this semester, I need to spend an weekend unconnected to the world which may prove as a problem since I have to put in the research proposal for Bateman tomorrow. Hrrmmm…I guess I’ll have to find that mysterious coffee shop with the Wi-Fi in the morning. I am however, hoping to catch up on some LEISURE reading and there will probably be the obligatory, yet welcomed shopping trip with the grandparents.

Well I’m off. It’s leisure reading time. Cult of the Amateur here I come…

Bekah v. Sonic Booms

FAA Investigates Possible Sonic Boom

Officials Investigate Boom

POSTED: 2:38 pm CDT June 20, 2007

UPDATED: 2:56 pm CDT June 20, 200

OMAHA, Neb. -- A loud boom was heard before noon, and Sarpy County officials said they are checking on what may have caused it.At about 12:30 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration told KETV NewsWatch 7 that the sound may have been a sonic boom created by a couple of F-16s that were in Omaha's air space at about the time of the boom.

---

KETV NewsWatch 7 received several calls from people who said they heard or felt a boom in Douglas, Madison, Sarpy and Cass counties in Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Shirley Jefferson, in Irvington, said the boom shook her house. Treasure Baker, who lives at 1917 Military Ave., said her house shook and the dog went crazy.People as far away as Tabor, Iowa, and Fremont, Neb., also reported the boom.The Sarpy County sheriff said he had investigators on their way to investigate a gas regulator that was found on its side on Sheridian Road and 36th Street between Bellevue and Papillion.Several firetrucks were also on the way.

(From KETV)

Someone's gonna be in trroooubbbble.

Yessir, big trouble. Because breaking the sound barrier in a plane like that is illegal.

I knew I wasn't going crazy when I was sitting in my room and I heard a loud BOOM and then my entire house shook like it was on a fault line in California.

Bekah v. Life Change

Tonight I packed up 27 years of my father's life. Tomorrow is his last day as the Vice Commander of the Air Force Weather Agency. Tomorrow is his last day of military service to the United States Air Force. I pulled pictures and plaques off the wall, some of tours I remembered, some of those I had only heard of. Put a scrapbook of Desert Storm in a box and as I picked it up I caught a glimpse the yellow and red, white & blue ribbons that had been pulled off the small flags that my mom, sister and I were waving when he hopped off of that truck and walked across the airstrip when he returned from war. The various coffee cups he's collected as gifts from units he's led and been a part of were piled into another box with his Jelly Belly jelly bean dispenser as well as his subwoofer and speakers that he swears can rock out any room. It's time like these, the promotions, the changes of command, the retirements, that I really learn about my Father, the Colonel. The troop he led into Iraq during Desert Storm, his time in Somalia, the various leadership positions he's held, pretty much his character as 'the Colonel,' because I don't see that side of him at home.

The next two weeks are going to be a lot tougher for me than I think I'd initially imagined. Because despite the fact that I am not a member of the military, this is my retirement too, and essentially my excommunication from an exclusive club -- the military dependent club -- which coincidentally enough is pretty much the only thing I've ever known. It's hard to explain, and unless you too are a military dependent, quite honestly, you'd never understand. It's scary. But here's to being scared, here's to change, here's to a new beginning.

Bekah v. Awkward Moments (A Fairy Tale)

Once upon a time there lived a fair maiden in the magical land of Omaha named Bekah. Bekah had just returned from a hard semester at college and had learned of a concert that she wanted to attend so she grabbed a couple friends and went. After the concert Bekah and friends decided that a few post-concert drinks could be fun so they left the lame headlining band's set early and headed over to the bar to meet another friend. Soon after the arrival of Bekah and friends at said bar, they stood at the bar to get some drinks, when who should walk in? None but, the fair maiden's most recent (as of 3 or 4 weeks before) ex-boyfriend.

{Enter awkwardness}

{End fairy tale}

So that was my awkward Thursday evening at the bar. He wouldn't even look at me. And not that I can say that I blame him, it's not like I went out of my way to say 'hello,' but a simple nod to note that he acknowledged my existence wouldn't have hurt. It stung, a lot.

His friend did come and talk to me, and reassure of me though which was nice and absolutely appreciated.

Of all the bars in Omaha, Nebraska. We end up at the same one. Oh. my. luck.

I have, in light of this experience, realized that there will be at least one scenario this summer in which it is impossible to escape from eachother's presence and the acknowledgment of it. Last night, we were in a long bar, where we each stayed on opposite sides. Next time, I don't think it will be that convenient, but the more that I think about it, that's probably a good thing. No sense in avoiding the situation, that's not good for either party involved.

{End pity party}

{On to self-promotion}

I got 4 As and 2 Bs this semester, which is A TON better than I thought I was going to do, so I am super stoked. Go me!

And despite the bleak look for this summer, I have decided I'm going to make it a good one. Even if the fact that it's called "summer vacation" is somewhat (OK, REALLY) a contradiction to what it's actually turning out to be.

It's all in what you make it, right?

Right.

Bekah v. Parents These Days

When did exploiting a child's innocence and teaching them to say things like this become OK? When did this come to be a form of entertainment to expose our children to that type of behavior and attitude instead of protecting them from it?

Don't get me wrong, I am not at all in favor of sheltering children to the point of naivety, but I am absolutely all for not advocating vulgar and profane actions or words to them. We wonder why the youth in this country are running amok and more violent, deviant, and entitled than ever but yet this type of behavior is completely encouraged when they are young and don't know any better. However, when they turn 9 or 10 they are just automatically expected to know that that was wrong. No, it doesn't work like that.

Bekah v. Spring Semester 2007

So this week has been a pretty great one.

On Monday I, with the rest of my team, presented our Advertising research design plan, I think we did spectacular. We used this as a part of our presentation. I suggest you watch it, it's hilarious.



I also became a paid freelance writer on Monday after receiving a check for some bios that I've written for two different websites. I was very excited about that.

Last night I played Capture the Flag in the rain and it was fabulous, probably the most fun I've had in a while. Although I'm sure I probably looked a little out of place in my black shirt sneaking around in the darkness of night around buildings looking for the "enemy." I'm surprised, especially with the recent events at Virginia Tech, that no one called the police on us and our probably shady looking shenanigans.

Most importantly, this week concludes the Spring Semester of 2007. As of 3:40 pm today I am finished with classes, and only 3 finals stand in between me and my senior year. I am most pleased with that fact. I don't think pleased is the right word, I think elated is more of what I'm looking for. That being said, there are only 6 days between me and home, beloved Nebraska. That's a phrase I never thought I'd say, "beloved Nebraska," how things can change over the course of a stressful semester. I can't wait to be home. 21 years old, and all I really want right now is my Mom--no shame here. Ha.

A year from right now, I will have finished my last undergraduate class and a a year and 9 days from right now I will be graduating with my Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations. That's terrifying, but relieving at the same time.

Tonight is Spiderman 3. Tomorrow is SLEEPING IN and no class, and NO studying. Nope, I shall not start studying till Sunday, my brain just can't handle it. There will however, be packing, lots and lots of packing. The goal right now is to have everything packed up and in my storage unit or my car by Tuesday night so I can wake up first thing Wednesday morning, check out of my dorm room, study a little for accounting, go to the School of Journalism & Broadcasting's picnic, take my accounting final, finish that in less than an hour, then get in my car and get the heck out of dodge.

Here's to a fabulous weekend, finals, and being almost a senior.

Loves.

Bekah v. Week of April 15th

There was nothing unusual about the start of this week, I woke up, laid around in my bed for a while wondering whether or not I actually wanted to get out of bed--I did. I showered, I put on some khakis and a green polo shirt some sandals, grabbed my purse and my bible and I headed to my car for church.

By the end of the service I realized that I am no where near where I should be with my faith, or with my God and I began to pray that he would take my world apart as he saw fit. Little did I know how quickly or how effective that dismantling of my shell of comfort that would be.

By 930 that evening I had lost my boyfriend, due to my own decision, and while it was for the best, it still stung. A little more than 12 hours after that I nearly lost several friends in the Virginia Tech shootings. Thank God they're all safe, sound, and alive. Tuesday my projects began to pile up, and after the last two days that I had had I was ready to break down. (It didn't help that my little sister's senior prom was the day before all this happened and I missed it because I live to far away.) Tuesday night was the VT vigil on campus, 2500 people came. It was probably one of most surreal experiences I've ever had. It's incredible how something that far away can have such an effect on people who (most of them) had had no connection with the incident other than CNN.

Wednesday and Thursday got a little better, things began to look like they were calming down. Friday was splendid until about 2 o'clock that afternoon, I had been going over my degree program and I found a few somethings that didn't seem right, so I called around, talked with my advisor, did some number crunching only to find that I have 5 credit hours short of being able to graduate on time. I. was. devastated. Mad was not the word. I worked so hard on getting that thing put together and now because some advisor didn't count right, didn't fill out the paperwork right, didn't double check their work right, now in addition to my job and my internship I somehow have to squeeze in 5 hours worth (which will really be 6 because so few classes are worth 2 credit hours) of classes. So much for a social life. I'd been so looking forward to having a mental break this summer and after this semester I really really needed it. Back to Metro I suppose.

The world isn't over, but for a while this week I really thought my emotional and mental sanity was.

Bekah v. 14 More Days of Class

After a mentally and emotionally taxing day I am more ready than ever to be over this year and onto summer vacation. I'm too scatterbrained to be working on these projects. I really am. But alas, the must get done somehow.

Someone please hit me in the face. Maybe then I'll be knocked out long enough to wake up and know what I want.

Bekah vs. Semi-Trucks

So today I left class around 930 so I could run by the ATM, fill up my gas tank, and grab a soda before I set off for Nashville. I got off campus in record time and had grabbed money, the gas, and the soda by 9:45 and was on my way. My appointment in Nashville wasn't until 11:30 so I thought I was gonna be uber early since it only takes an hour to get there, so I started thinking of things to do before my meeting until about 15 minutes down the road traffic slowed down....really down. Wayyyyyy down. So down, that I spent the next hour and a half within the same 10 mile radius. With no visible construction or accidents and no sirens blaring I was at a loss for what was slowing everyone down.

So I call my trusty friend, Christy, who lives in Nashville, and ask her to check traffic conditions and she informs me of an accident that has happened near the border more than 4 hours earlier.

This must be some accident, I think, death and destruction. Absolute carnage, right?

Wrong.

I finally reach one of those light signs that tells you of traffic delays, and it says "ACCIDENT AHEAD, 1 MILE."

Don't you think it would have made a LITTLE more sense to put one of those WAY back, so that those that didn't need to be on the interstate could get off and use back roads and cut down on the congestion? But that's not the point.

So I start seeing orange cones, more orange cones, and some more. Finally, I see some D.O.T. trucks and a police car, and a semi that's run off the road as well as two tow trucks that are attempting to remove the runaway truck from the grass beside the interstate.

I. was. frustrated. I know there's nothing that could be done about it, and yes, the semi-truck had to be removed, but an hour and a half to go through 10 miles?! I was irritated, not to mention 30 minutes late for my meeting (thank God for cell phones) but I did finally arrive in Nashville at noon. 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to Nashville. Ridiculous.

So if that wasn't enough.

I left Nashville (after a fabulous afternoon with Christy and Marion) around 4, and I get on the road and about 5 minutes down the interstate traffic slowed down....really down. Wayyyyyy down.

Here we go again.

So I spent the next while braking and going a little bit and braking and going a little more, and we pass a three car wreck. But traffic is still backed up. WHY?! So, another mile or three down the road, I see police cars off to the side of the road on the opposite side of the interstate monitoring a semi that is snapped in half. Yeah. Snapped. In. Half. Like an obtuse "V." But after I passed that, it was pretty much smooth sailing, but it still took close to two hours to get home, which is still ridiculous. But I am now back in my dorm room, safe, sound, and traffic free.

Sad.

Now this just makes me sad. Johnny and June are gone and now so is their house, that's devastating.

Fire destroys Johnny Cash home

POSTED: 10:16 p.m. EDT, April 10, 2007

var clickExpire = "05/10/2007";HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Johnny Cash's longtime lakeside home, a showcase where he wrote much of his famous music and entertained U.S. presidents, music royalty and visiting fans, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday.

Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, lived in the 13,880-square-foot (1,289-square-meter) home from the late 1960s until their deaths in 2003.

"So many prominent things and prominent people in American history took place in that house -- everyone from Billy Graham to Bob Dylan went into that house," said singer Marty Stuart, who lives next door and was married to Cash's daughter, Cindy, in the 1980s.

Stuart said the man who designed the house, Nashville builder Braxton Dixon, was "the closest thing this part of the country had to Frank Lloyd Wright."

When Cash moved there, the road was a quiet country lane that skirts Old Hickory Lake. Kris Kristofferson, then an aspiring songwriter, once landed a helicopter on Cash's lawn to pitch him a song. Roy Orbison was his next-door neighbor for a while.

The landmark video for Cash's song "Hurt" was shot inside the house.

"It was a sanctuary and a fortress for him," Stuart said. "There was a lot of writing that took place there."

Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys lives on the same road as Cash. "Maybe it's the good Lord's way to make sure that it was only Johnny's house," Sterban said.

The property was purchased by Barry Gibb, a former member of the Bee Gees, in January 2006. Gibb and his wife, Linda, had said they planned to restore the home on Old Hickory Lake and hoped to write songs there. They had not yet moved in to the home, which they bought for a reported $2.3 million (euro1.71 million).

Dixon built the three-story house in 1967 for his own family, but Cash fell in love with it. Dixon was reluctant to sell, but Cash kept after him.

"It was a very, very unusual contemporary structure," said Cash's brother, Tommy Cash. "It was built with stone and wood and all kinds of unusual materials, from marble to old barn wood. I don't think there was a major blueprint. I think the builder was building it the way he wanted it to look."

The younger Cash said many holidays and family get-togethers were spent at the house. And while Johnny and June also owned a house in Jamaica and a second house in Tennessee, they considered this one to be their home.

"Johnny and June lived there the entire time they were married," Tommy Cash said. "It was the only house they lived in together until they both passed on."

The fire, in this suburb about 20 miles (30 kilometers) northeast of downtown Nashville, started around 1:40 p.m. Fire trucks arrived within five minutes, but the house was already engulfed in flames, Hendersonville Fire Chief Jamie Steele said.

Just a few hours later, there was almost nothing left except stone chimneys.

The cause is unknown, but Steele said the flames spread quickly because construction workers had recently applied a flammable wood preservative to the exterior of the house. The preservative was also being applied inside the house.

No workers were injured, but one firefighter was slightly hurt while fighting the fire, Steele said.

Cash's long career, which began in the 1950s, spanned rock 'n' roll, folk and country. His hits included "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

You really shouldn't waste your time on this

Post-it Note Elvis?!

Now that is neat, and I thought I was good with Post-Its...oh how I have so much to learn.

------------------------------------

31 days till school is out. Thank the dear Lord. Starting May 12th I will have 3 glorious months of an awesome internship, work, BASEBALL, and hanging out with my lovely family and friends with absolutely no school work anywhere within 700 miles of my brain. How wonderful. And did I mention BASEBALL? I am so excited for the CWS this year, SO excited, I'm just hoping that I'll be able to attend all the games.

As far as I have been made aware I have 2 more major projects, some more writing assignments and maybe some editing before the end of the school year, and I'm sure some other lovely requirements will pop up between now and Dead Day. Hopefully I can get at least one of those large projects done and out of my hair this weekend. We shall see. Here's to 31 more days. Here's to almost being a senior.

Easter Extravaganza--In pictures.

Mr. Fly --- You must die.


Got you sucka.


Just because the wine bottle has a pretty label doesn't mean the wine will have a pretty taste. $10 literally down the drain.


Yay ham!


Ze trash.


Happy Easter! Yes, that is only Coke in those glasses.


Stirring something.


Someday, she and I will both be cooking mavens.


Except if you ask us to make jell-o eggs, those didn't turn out so...whole. But they tasted yummy!


Spiderman wanted to join in the fun because he loves Jesus too. Spiderman makes very good mac n' cheese.


Our misshapen eggs. Oops.


Stirrin' those spider webs.


Almost done!


One last spoonful!


Done--I think we did a good job.


Sitting down to partake in our AWESOME homemade dinner.

This was how I culminated my Easter Weekend. More later.