In the heart of the Smokies, under skies so grand,
Leonard and Chris set out, a map in hand.
With boots laced up, and spirits so bright,
Off they went, to the mountains’ great height.

Through the woods they strolled, with jokes and fun banter,
Avoiding fried chicken — in bear country, that’s the answer.
For bears might love it, more than we know,
Best to leave it at home, and let nature’s beauty show.

On a path where the wildflowers sweetly bloom,
They laughed, imagining a bear with a chicken leg zoom.
But with respect and care, they trekked on their way,
Admiring the forest, where the gentle creatures play.

Around a bend, in a clearing so wide,
A bear in the distance, they spotted with pride.
From afar they admired, with a thrill in their heart,
Nature’s majesty, in which they were a part.

So remember, when hiking where the wild bears roam,
Leave the snacks at home, and let the bears alone.
With Leonard and Chris, adventure never ends,
In the Smoky Mountains, where the wild path bends.

Comparing Apples to Electric Apples: Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Rivian R1T

Hey folks! If you’re on the hunt for an electric truck, you’re in luck. We’re diving deep into two of the most talked-about options: the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T. Let’s get right into it.

Power Supply Capabilities

Let’s start with a show-stopper. The Ford F-150 Lightning comes equipped with Ford Intelligent Backup Power. Picture this: a power outage hits and—voila!—your truck starts powering your home. How cool is that? This feature activates when the truck is hooked up to its 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro. That’s not just a truck; it’s a backup generator!

What’s more, during an outage, the truck’s 19.2 kW home charging station transforms into a 9.6 kW power source for your home. And, oh, did I mention it has 110V outlets for your appliances and tools? It’s like your home away from home, right there in your driveway.

Let’s See How They Stack Up

Parameter	Ford Lightning EV	Rivian R1T
Size	Bigger truck with a larger bed and frunk	Shorter wheelbase and length
Power Output	–	Higher power output
Acceleration	–	Faster acceleration
Charging	Lower DC fast charging rate	Higher DC fast charging rate
Onboard Charger	–	Lower onboard charger
Storage	More existing accessories for the bed	Gear tunnel and other clever storage spaces
Payload Capacity	Higher payload capacity	–
Towing Capacity	Similar to Rivian R1T	Similar to Ford Lightning EV
Drive	All-wheel drive with two permanent magnet electric motors (one per axle)	All-wheel drive with four asynchronous motors (one per wheel)
Driving Range (miles)	230-320	230-400
Power Supply Capabilities	Can power home during outages, has 110V outlets for tools and appliances, 9.6 kW power source during outages	–

The Ford Lightning’s power supply capabilities offer a whole new level of convenience. Whether it’s a power outage or a weekend DIY project, this truck’s got your back.

If you’ve got more questions or are curious about other vehicles, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below. Happy truck hunting!

When Your Hunting Dog Meets a Skunk: A Tried-and-True Solution

Ah, the great outdoors! It’s where I find peace, whether I’m hiking, fishing, or hunting with my trusty canine companions. If you’re anything like me, you probably have a four-legged friend who’s as enthusiastic about hunting as you are. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of owning various breeds, from Brittany Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers to Labradors. But no matter the breed, one outdoor hazard remains constant: skunks.

The Secret Sauce: Dawn, Baking Soda, and Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Start with a Dry Dog: You might think hosing down your dog will help, but don’t! Water spreads the skunk oil, making things worse. Start with your dog dry.
2. Mix Up a Magic Potion: Combine Dawn dish detergent, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide into a paste.
3. Work it In: Massage this mixture into your dog’s fur, making sure to get it down to the skin, especially in the affected areas.
4. Sensitive Spots: For the delicate areas around the eyes, nose, and face, use feminine wipes. They’re gentle yet effective for these sensitive spots.
5. Let it Sit: Allow the mixture to sit on your dog’s fur for at least 10 minutes before washing it off.
6. Rinse and Repeat: Wash your dog as usual, and if the smell persists, you can repeat the whole process.

And there you have it, my tried-and-true method to de-skunk your hunting dog. It’s saved me from countless stinky situations and kept my hunting trips enjoyable. I hope it does the same for you!

In the quiet tranquility of a small backyard farm, nestled amidst lush greenery, a harmonious community thrived. Rabbits, ducks, and chickens coexisted, their delightful presence bringing life and joy to the humble abode. A carefully constructed coop offered safety and security for the chickens and ducks, while the rabbits found solace in their cages gracefully hung on the fence, adorned with a delicate covering.

One serene morning, as the golden sun slowly climbed above the horizon, a scene of unexpected adversity unfolded. The farmer emerged from the comforts of home, ready to tend to the farm’s needs, only to discover that their contented flock of five ducks had been reduced to three. A sense of concern filled the air, and an anxious search commenced.

Amidst the search, the farmer’s gaze settled upon a heartbreaking sight. There, amidst the gentle morning light, lay a wounded duck, her delicate neck bleeding, and her throat cruelly cut. Despite the severity of her injuries, a flicker of life remained within her. Determined and compassionate, the farmer sprang into action, gently cradling the injured duck and rushing her to safety.

Days turned into a delicate dance of healing and observation. The once vibrant and lively duck seemed dazed, her spirit momentarily dampened by the harrowing experience she had endured. Lethargy shadowed her every movement, rendering her disoriented and unsure.

Beside their injured companion, the other three ducks stood as steadfast pillars of support. Sensing her confusion and vulnerability, they embarked on a silent mission to guide her back to the path of recovery. The small kiddie pool, a sanctuary of both playfulness and sustenance, became the stage where their beautiful display of compassion would unfold.

One by one, the three ducks approached their injured companion, their gentle wings outstretched as if embracing her wounded soul. With synchronized elegance, they bent down to drink from the pool’s glistening surface, a subtle invitation for their companion to follow suit.

The injured duck, her eyes filled with curiosity and uncertainty, observed her loyal friends with a mixture of awe and longing. She witnessed their synchronized movements, their graceful bows, and realized they were showing her the way. The way to quench her thirst, to find solace in the water’s cool embrace.

Slowly, ever so slowly, she lowered her bill toward the water’s edge, mirroring the actions of her devoted companions. As she sipped from the pool, a newfound spark danced in her eyes, a spark that rekindled her spirit and infused her frail body with strength.

Yet the journey had just begun. The three ducks, no longer content with guiding her to drink, embarked on a shared expedition of nourishment. They ventured toward the nearby feeding area, where nature’s bounty awaited them. One of the ducks, glancing back with a tender gaze, noticed their injured friend still standing by the pool, her longing evident.

Without hesitation, the compassionate duck waddled back toward her, nuzzling against her side with soft quacks and purrs. It was a gesture of encouragement, a silent plea to join the rest in their feast. And so, emboldened by this gesture of love, the injured duck followed her newfound friend, her steps growing more assured with each passing moment.

Together, they approached the food, a cornucopia of sustenance laid before them. The injured duck hesitated, uncertain of how to partake in this communal act. Sensing her unease, her companions took charge once again, demonstrating the simple pleasure of pecking and foraging. In that moment, barriers dissolved, and unity prevailed.

As they dined together, laughter seemed to echo through the farm, a joyous melody carried on the gentle breeze. The injured duck’s eyes sparkled with gratitude and newfound belonging. The wounds of her body began to heal, but more importantly, the wounds of her spirit mended as well.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The injured duck, once on the brink of despair, now thrived in the warm embrace of her devoted companions. They became an inseparable quartet, their unity a testament to the resilience of friendship and the power of collective care.

The backyard farm became a tapestry of shared moments, each infused with tenderness and strength. The ducks’ once injured companion, now fully restored, embodied a spirit as vibrant as her feathered friends. The boundaries that once separated them vanished, leaving only a harmonious symphony of quacks, clucks, and playful leaps.

Together, they explored the world beyond their coop and cages, venturing into the vast expanse of nature that stretched beyond the farm’s boundaries. Their vibrant feathers glistened under the golden sun, as if mirroring the radiance of their spirits.

The injured duck’s journey of healing became an emblem of hope, inspiring all who witnessed the transformative power of compassion. Neighbors and friends marveled at the remarkable bond between the ducks, enchanted by the harmony that permeated their daily lives.

In the cool twilight hours, the four friends would return to their sanctuary—the small kiddie pool that had witnessed their tale of resilience and love. They would gather around its edge, dipping their bills into the water, relishing the simple pleasures of camaraderie and refreshment.

And so, the story of the injured duck’s recovery became etched into the very fabric of the backyard farm. It served as a reminder that within the smallest corners of our world, extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion can blossom, transforming lives and bringing light to even the darkest of moments.

As the seasons changed and the years rolled by, the farm remained a testament to the enduring bonds forged in adversity. The ducks’ feathers weathered the passage of time, but the imprints of their shared journey remained forever etched upon their hearts.

Visitors to the farm would often ask about the ducks—how they had become inseparable, how they had healed wounds both seen and unseen. And the farmer would share the tale, their voice filled with a mix of awe and gratitude, for they had been fortunate to witness the beauty of resilience firsthand.

In that humble backyard farm, the ducks continued to dance through life together, their every quack and flutter a living testament to the unbreakable power of friendship. The injured duck, now indistinguishable from her companions, reveled in the simple pleasures that the farm offered. With each step she took, her spirit soared, embodying the farm’s enduring legacy—a legacy of compassion, healing, and an unwavering spirit of unity.

<div> <h3>Missing Folders on Mac</h3> <ul> <li><b>User:</b> I tried to move some of my hard drive folders to Google Drive on my Mac and now the folders are gone. Do you know what I did?</li> <li><b>Assistant:</b> If the icons for the folders are missing, it’s possible that they have become hidden or the system may have lost track of their location. Here are some things you can try to locate the missing folders:</li> <ul> <li>Search for the folders: Open Finder on your Mac and use the search bar to look for the missing folders. Make sure to select “This Mac” as the search location and type in the name of the missing folder.</li> <li>Check if the folders are hidden: Sometimes, folders can become hidden due to system settings or other issues. To check if the folders are hidden, go to the folder that previously contained the missing folders and select “View” from the menu bar at the top of the screen. From there, select “Show Hidden Files”. This will make all hidden files and folders visible in Finder.</li> <li>Use a data recovery tool: If you still can’t locate the missing folders, you can try using a data recovery tool like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover the lost data.</li> </ul> <li><b>User:</b> So the folders downloads pictures and documents are all in my user folder on the Mac. But I still don’t see them in the side bar of Finder.</li> <li><b>Assistant:</b> If you can locate the folders in the user folder on your Mac but they are not visible in the Finder sidebar, it’s possible that they are not being shown due to a setting in Finder. Here’s how you can add the folders to the sidebar:</li> <ul> <li>Open Finder on your Mac.</li> <li>Go to the “Finder” menu in the top menu bar and select “Preferences”.</li> <li>Click on the “Sidebar” tab.</li> <li>In the “Favorites” section, click the checkbox next to “Downloads”, “Pictures”, and “Documents” to add them to the sidebar.</li> <li>Close the Finder Preferences window.</li> </ul> <li><b>User:</b> Can you regenerate the conversation we just had in a transcript format using some simple HTML to indicate what I asked him what you answered?</li> <li><b>Assistant:</b> Sure, here’s a transcript of our recent conversation:</li> </ul> </div>

Located in the heart of the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood, this multi-tenant commercial building is perfect for your business.

Suite AB is a large suite divided into 3 spaces. It could be a waiting area and two offices. It could be three offices. It could be used by a small team or an individual. It’s very flexible and a great place to get things done.

Address: 1204 Kenesaw Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
Size: 575 sq ft
Monthly Rent: $1,617.72
Security Deposit: $900.00
Utilities: Electric, Gas, Water, and WiFi are Included

Every year the VH team gathers to fry and smoke turkeys as gifts for their clients. It’s a great time! Great fellowship and team building.

I’ve been using Neighborhood Nerds to get more done. I assign all kinds of tasks to the Nerds. A membership with the Nerds is similar to Fancy Hands but isn’t limited to just virtual tasks. The Nerds can go shopping, drop off dry cleaning, let the dog out, in addition to helping with every kind of consumer tech products and services.

The easiest way to get tasks into the hands of the Nerds? You can call/text 865-622-2422 but I prefer adding a link to my Home Screen on my iPhone. Just save the Help link as a shortcut on your phone.

This week we were joined by Christine (Aunt Chris). We had a great visit, hike, lunch and a beautiful drive in East Tennessee.