The last Gunslinger (ode to Brett Favre)

It wasn't supposed to end this way. Broken down, defeated a disappointing and unexpected result to an attempted action to win a super bowl ring one more time and ride off into the sunset. Brett Favre was not the same guy who played the year before. The 2010 Vikings was not the 2009 season which Favre had his best season and seem hell-bent on going for a ring and proving all the critics who said "He's too old" or "He's too greedy". I have been a Brett Favre fan from day one he had the good ole boy look and attitude that was fearless for by the end of his long nineteen year career he led all time in touchdowns along with interceptions. He wasn't the most accurate guy like a Tom Brady or a Payton Manning but Favre didn't have teams built around him either. He was the Gunslinger drafted by the Falcons and traded to the Packers in 1992 where he became the town's hero with a super bowl ring back to title town in 1996. He was the franchise for the Packers and the face of the team. 2005 The Green Bay packers drafted a would be first round pick with Aaron Rodgers who would sit second string behind Favre for two seasons. March 4, 2008 Favre said he was retiring but willing to play another year if the team could get to the super bowl. Ted Thompson general manager had decided to move on without him and give the keys to the car to the heir-apparent Aaron Rodgers. Favre said he was "guilty of retiring early," and "never fully committed" to retirement. He felt betrayed by the organization that employed him for so many years and asked for an unconditional release to allow him to play for another NFL team. He was never granted it. Eventually He landed a deal with the Jets it wasn't the team he wanted to play for. He wanted to go to the Vikings so he could play the Packers for they are rivals and seek revenge and become the only man in the NFL to beat every single NFL team in the league. The year with the Jets was a fluke filled with a later scandal with a New York Jet intern. He landed with Vikings after retiring once again and this seem to be the perfect fit in 2009 he threw for 4,202 and 33TD and a Cinderella season that ended one game shy of the Super bowl in a game where the Saints just hit and hit hard. It was heartbreaking to watch. It was like taking ole yellar behind the wood shed. I assumed it was the end. Boy, I was wrong he waited to the last minute (literally) to play the 2010 season and from the start it was drama. He had played in every single game and not missed a start another record he owns by the way. The 2010 season every week it was something new and never a dull moment. Some folks started to call them the Vikqueens (drama queens) and wrote them off. I held on to hope to the final day. I really wanted him to win a super bowl and retire on top. The fantasy of him holding the trophy with his now white hair and stubble was tattooed in my mind. This would be the greatest sports story of all time but after a season where the head coach was fired, Sidney Rice the main target was hurt, Randy Moss was brought in and released, the head coach was fired, AC joint in his right shoulder, and throwing INT left and right but on December 13 2010 after 297 games the streak ended for the man who had a superman logo on his arm. He came back on December 20, 2010 to play at TCF bank stadium had collapsed due to heavy snow. So, He came back not 100% in the snow with mathematically the season was for a lost. I remember the first drive he led to a touchdown and I jumping out of my seat like Id won a scratch off lottery. He’s back I thought then Bears Defensive end Corey Wootton sacked him giving Favre a Concussion. As he was held up in the snow I could tell it was serious. My heart flat lined for old yeller was taken behind the shed and it was his last NFL game. Heartbroken to see the gunslinger, rangers Jean man, The Sears Commercial and a Season that shouldn’t haven’t ended this way end the way it did. Superman was dead. To add icing on the cake The Green Bay Packers the team who let him go and gave the keys to Aaron Rodgers won the NFL title. Heartbreaking, to see a man who I adore and loved to watch go out like this. So, Payton Manning is out.....ummm Hey Brett!!!

Mother Hen (Ode to Mamie White)

A mother Hen strutting around with her dibbies (for anyone who isn't from the south that’s baby chicks) is a sign of unity for a mother Hen who cares for the needs sometimes in an overprotective way for her young. This was the case on Friday August 26th, 2011 when I had privilege of attending the "Highway to Hellbilly tour" at Ground zero in Spartanburg South Carolina. I had in marked on my calendar for months and thanks to Storm Taylor was going to the meet and greet VIP. Upon arriving I notice the park lot was more empty than Popcorn Sutton's moonshine still and the doors seem to be locked and just a few proud hanging outside looking more lonely than an motel bible. I got out of my 97 Chevy Lumina with hopes to another fan telling me "Did you get the email?..VIP has been canceled". I hadn't gotten the email but I called Storm and he said Jesco was Ill and looks like he wasn't going to make it. Now, I would be telling a lie if I said I wasn't disappointed but, everyone must understand that he has demons and is ill. Honestly, I can't see why anyone would be surprised with all due respect that this was going to happen. Thanks to Mick Minchow and Storm Taylor doing a bang up job of settling with the fans.

The first musician showed up Dan Deel and he and I took refuge to the local Mexican restaurant where we talked music and stories of the White Family. Dan's a great person and I wish him the best. We returned to Ground zero where I met the band Pick up the Snake whom all where great guys and far as a show is can't miss. I did not get to meet The Tremors or Beitthemeans which all of the show was great and thanks Dan for giving Spartanburg a shout out and learning "Dixie on my mind". Before the show begun I had the honor to get on the RV to meet the mama hen herself Mamie Savannah White. It was profound as I was respectful to her and introduced myself and asked if it was ok to do a piece on her and take a couple of photos. She said it was fine "as long as she gets a copy!" "Yes Ma’am" I replied. I sat down and listen to her tell of cooking for Shelton Hank Williams 3 and she pasted to me the Mason jar filled of Boone County’s finest.

I then soaked all of this up and couldn't help but think of her late mother the Miracle woman Bertie Mae White and how she raised so many children along with many strays and forgotten and how all of this now was Mamie's. I begin to notice how all of the "Hellbettys" took to her as her own. If you don't know what a "Hellbetty" is I took the liberty to ask the Original Hellbetty herself my good friend Shannon Corley "Hellbetty" Rosier and this is what she told me and I quote

"The meaning of Hellbetty according to me....the Original Hellbetty is this:


A woman that is tough, rough, rowdy and sometimes rude but never disrespectful,
Stands up for what she believes in, fights for what she loves,
may take a snort of lil shine, drink a beer or swig some liquor and have a toke or two
when it comes to handling business, she, without a doubt, GETS IT DONE, SON!
EVERYTHING SHE DOES.....SHE DOES IT HARD! and by hard I mean with everything she has!
We don't give up and we go with the flow, but don't cross us or you will have us all to deal with!"

That sounded about accurate and Webster dictionary take note of that next time your adding new words. Mamie was very kind to me and to all those around her. She’s a proud lady whom favorite quotes are ""Only the strong will survive and that's all." , "Coming into this world is nothing, going out is nothing... but at least the world knows who the fuck we are.", "I isn’t got no dollars, but I got fuckin' sense." , "The truth will stand even when the world is on fire."
She is a true outlaw in every since with a heart of gold. She is the mother hen to all the hellbetty's and I have nothing but respect for all she does. This is for you Mamie your god’s blessing filled with a since of the strong and you have many that love you for you. Keeping on T.C.B. and we see you down the road Ms Mamie!