This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Falling into Fall ( #IWSG & #BOTB )

      It's that time of year again:  Halloween will be here soon, then Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, inevitably, another New Year.  If I didn't have the same old things to say every year I'd have to think up new same old things to say...



The Insecure Writer's Support Group


Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog
     The co-hosts for the  October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine.




October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?


       Back around 1974 I think it was, I started what I decided would be my epic novel.  Every now and then through the following years I might tinker with my idea.  Sometimes I write snippets.  Sometimes I've even written several pages.  Not much in recent years, but I think about that early novel often.  I even think I might sit down and write it. 

       Probably the main reason why I like this particular idea so much that it's basically an autobiography of sorts.  A fantasy autobiography more like, but still kind of based on things from my own life.  Maybe I should just write some kind of memoir.  But maybe I should do a lot of things that I haven't done yet.


 Battle of the Bands


 

        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   I do this event  each month on the 15th and the 1st of the month.  The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.



Barefootin'

     Continuing on with my theme of "Hits from the summer of '66" I offer up a couple of covers of a song that was popular with a lot of kids at my school. "Barefootin'" was written and performed by Robert Parker and got a lot of radio play on Knoxville's WNOX during my first summer in Tennessee. See what you think of the following covers and vote on your favorite in the comment section...




Alabama   "Barefootin'"   (1988)





Barefoot Jerry  "Barefootin'"  (1977)




 







Time to Vote!


        Kick off your shoes and get up on your feet.  Enjoy the music!  Which song interpretation  do you prefer?  Battles are no fun without you the reader participating.
    Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.



Results on Wednesday October 8th 

    Or thereabouts.  I'm gonna have to get back to some regimented blogging schedule I think.  Or maybe not.  





36 comments:

  1. Barefoot Jerry gets my vote. And *smile* finish that novel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anon, yeah, I need to finish something...anything.

      First vote goes to Barefoot Jerry.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. At this point Lee, there is nothing you should do! Only things you want to do.
    Barefoot Jerry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, doing what I want to do is probably why there is so much I haven't done. I like to take life as it comes.

      Another vote for Barefoot Jerry.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. Maybe you should write it as a memoir.

    I like the second one best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. L.Diane, or maybe I could write both. Probably start with the memoir.

      A vote for Barefoot Jerry.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Can you believe it's October? Not me! Barefootin' makes me think of summer. I loved not having to wear shoes in the warmer months as a kid. My feet were a lot tougher in those days. I enjoyed both songs, but I'm giving my vote to Barefoot Jerry. The uptempo energized me this morning.

    You can find my battle here.... https://curiousasacathy.com/got-to-get-you-into-my-life-botb-showdown/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, I used to love going barefoot around the house, but I kept on bashing my toes into things. Now I almost always wear slippers to protect my feet.

      A vote for Barefoot Jerry.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. I'll go with Alabama. It seemed to move faster and more like the original.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John H. thanks, we needed that vote.

      Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. If you write that memoir, Lee, I would read it! ☺ As for the battle, my preference is Barefoot Jerry's jazzier sound.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie D., I ever do get this darn thing written I hope a lot of people read it.

      Barefoot Jerry.

      Lee

      Delete
  7. Everytime I say 'I should . . . ', my dear husband replies: "Life is about what you want to do. What do you truly want to do?" His support over the years has led me to write my stories, poems, and travel widely. Whether you choose autobiography or novel, I hope you pursue what you truly want to do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth, I try to do what I want to do as much as I can, but sometimes I have to go along with some things that I feel obligated to do. Especially if my wife wants me to do it.

      I guess I've been mostly doing what I want to do which has kept me from writing like I would like to do.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Cathrina, thanks for your vote for...

      Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. You know, Dickens did that with David Copperfield -- wrote his wishful autobiography.

    Comes a point where we prioritize, eh? Only so much energy to expend in a day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crystal, prioritization is a big thing. I do what I can, but I could probably always do more. But I'm okay.

      Lee

      Delete
  10. I love the idea of a fantasy autobiography. That sounds like a lot of fun to write and read.
    And I like Alabama's version... maybe because I'm familiar with it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tyrean, I've had fun thinking about my "fantasy". Now to keep on writing it!

      A vote for Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  11. Definitely write to your heart's content, Arlee. You're good at it. I don't dare go barefoot here, too many scorpions and such. But I absolutely loved Alabama's version of this battle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diedre, scorpions and such would definitely be a deterrent for me, but bashing my toes into furniture is too.

      A vote for Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  12. Dang! I like them both better than the original, but I cannot say I truly like one better than the other. Merely on knowledge of the band, I give Alabama the vote...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW, I guess Barefoot Jerry might have been more of a regional band. I remember them emerging in the seventies, but I think they were mostly popular around TN. But really I don't know much about them.

      A vote for Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Jacqui, the epic novel was very popular back in the late sixties/early seventies so I guess one about the era would seem appropriate.

      Lee

      Delete
  14. I'm afraid the majority here is right: it is Barefoot Jerry that performs this better this time, and that is no croc. I do feel a bit of a heel saying it, because I like Alabama. Maybe they can slingback into the winner's circle in a future battle, or at least skate in if they aren't loafers.

    Sixgun
    (please don't boot me outta the comment section for the puns)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-gun, puns and funs always welcomed here.

      A vote for Barefoot Jerry.

      Lee

      Delete
  15. I've never heard Barefootin' before but it's really catchy. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maurice, "Barefootin'" was a big song in 1966 where I was in TN. Not my favorite, but it entertained me.

      Lee

      Delete
  16. R. LEE BOID ~

    I love fallin' into Fall, which has long been my favorite of the four seasons. Unfortunately, where I live, Fall seems to last about 6 weeks, if we're lucky. That goes for Spring, too.

    As you might expect, I am voting for the version Sixgun did NOT vote for. (See how that line is a two-way street?)

    I liked both versions of this song, but Alabama just seemed chunkier, bump-bump-bumpier, and a whole lot mo' funner.

    ~ STMcC
    Doggtor of Alcoholgy &
    King of Inebriation Nation

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, I can feel the nuance of the fall season here in Pico Rivera by the way the light falls into the house throughout the day and the cooling temps. It's getting nice, but it's not the same as fall in TN. But still life is okay.

      A vote for fun and for Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  17. Alabama, I suppose.

    I believe you could complete a novel if you wanted to. I mean, you created A to Z! Anyone who could do that could absolutely finish writing a good book.

    The first Friday in October is World Smile Day, a day dedicated to spreading smiles and performing acts of kindness. 😊

    J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J, thanks for that vote of confidence. I keep starting things but not finishing. The story of my life so far.

      The world needs more smiles and acts of kindness for sure.

      A vote for Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete
  18. I feel many writers create story based on things from their own life. You are not alone there. But to turn it into a strong memoir, you need to show the reader what you learned from what you experienced. Arlee, I offer memoir writing tips in my FREE monthly newsletter. https://victoriamarielees.com/contact/

    I like the 1988 version of Barefootin best, although they both are great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Victoria, "what I learned"? Good question. I'll have to check out your advice.

      A vote for Alabama.

      Lee

      Delete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee