Season's Greetings

Didn't specify which season, but you can probably guess from this graphic.

Will have something constructive to say over the weekend.

Who's Next?

First a friend over Biloxi way retires back in February.  Then I hear that Eddie Stubbs is retiring (tomorrow! so don't forget his final broadcast -- starts at 7 CDT, runs to midnight on 650 kHz AM).  Then one of the ladies from the bank branch I generally use.  In fact, they're closing the whole branch, so that's also a retirement of sorts.  Last week a friend touched base to ask about some paperwork related to his impending retirement.  And now.... LawDog retired back in April!

Seems to be going around.  Wonder who else is lining up?

Olivia 8/250 = Old Entish

The Olivia in question here is a digital text radio mode, not a person.  Oh it works, but oh is it slow.  Still, picked up a couple of contacts yesterday afternoon on 30m, out as far as Bakersfield CA.  It does work, and work very well.  But it is slow enough that whatever you say should be worth saying.  Full Wikipedia write-up here.  Whatever mode it takes, it is good to have some traffic on 30m again.

All that hoom-hom-ing can be heard clear across the country.  I think the Ents are onto something.

Return of the Dragon

The SpaceX Dragon capsule is to return from the ISS next weekend.  Full details from NASA:
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-provide-coverage-of-astronauts-return-from-space-station-on-spacex-commercial

TLDR: Undocks from ISS at 7:34 PM EDT Saturday Aug. 1.  Splashes down at 2:42 PM EDT Sunday Aug. 2.

Just one week left.  Mark your calendars.

Music Review: Dylan's Rough and Rowdy Ways

It's more of an album of Bob Dylan reciting his poetry over background music than anything else.  But is it any good?  Yeah, it's good.  I mean, the guy's lyrics have always skirted the line with poetry and he's got a Nobel Prize in literature, richly deserved too.  But can you dance to it?  Most of it, not really.  One tune, False Prophet, has a pretty good swagger about it.  You could probably manage some kind of shuffle dance to that one, but it's more suited to walking over to the bar for another drink.  The rest though, it's mostly poetry recited over background music.

It's good stuff, if not precisely music.  Know before you buy a ticket to take this trip.

Apalachicola Bay Closing

Article in The Times.

Not happy about this, but it's got to happen.  And after they have a chance to grow, those oysters will taste all the better in 2025.  Maybe we can get the river water situation sorted out in the meantime.

Eddie Stubbs Announces Retirement

Long-time evening host on WSM 650-AM, Eddie Stubbs is calling it a day.  His last show will be next Wednesday, July 29th.  Details here at the WSMonline.com  He's also retiring as the host of the Grand Ole Opry as well.

Stubbs' deep knowledge of the history of country music made every show a guided tour through the genre.  Many times he would finish a song and note a particularly impressive section, then say "wait a minute, let's listen to that part again," move the needle back up on the vinyl (vinyl! on AM!) and we'd all savor it once more.  More than a DJ, he's a teacher.  Additionally, listening via skywave to that 50,000 watt AM transmitter added a layer of patina and authenticity that an online connection just can't touch.  

Grab a few more listens while you still can.  Again, last show is next Wednesday.