My new lady friend!

What started out as a work trip to Memphis turned into the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I never expected that in all my years! In fact, it almost didn’t happen. As I closed the car door to begin my trip from Memphis back to Nashville, there she was. This perfect little lady…. bug.

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Yes, that’s right, a lady bug. She (or he?) landed on the window’s edge outside the driver’s side door and there she stood. Taking on all the adversity that comes with hanging on for dear life to a car going 70+ mph!

Take a look at this beauty…

But a love like this was bound to fail. Neither of us were strong enough. And alas, when I got home… over 200 miles from when we first met… reality hit me like a freight train. This little lady bug was no longer alive. Still attached to the car door? Yes. But I guess the 3 hours of wind dried her out.

I peeled her from the door siding and she floated to the ground surrounded by my tears.

OK not really. I didn’t cry. I DIDN’T!!! May she rest in peace, this warrior willing to hold on to the something for so long it killed her.

-Out of the Wilderness

2019 Ford Fusion – oh my!

I had a 2019 Ford Fusion for a rental car the other day and wow, was I impressed! I’m not a car guy, so I can’t really tell you about the technical aspects of the car, or what the longevity of this car is… like if it’ll break down after 50k miles, or if all the amazing technology will fail at some point.

But besides that, this car was amazing. The gear shift was a little nob built in as part of the center console. That was different, and I grew to really like it. It had 2 USB ports also as part of the console/entertainment area, and as an added bonus, the ports were lighted which is obviously very convenient at night. Comfortable controls in the steering wheel for cruise control, stereo controls, lane drifting protection, and a lot more.

Like I said, I can’t say if this car will have problems in the future, but as a brand new car and for a short rental… it was amazing!

Old MacDonald had a solar farm

One of the most random interstate rest stops I’ve ever been to is in the middle of a solar farm! To get to the building where the bathrooms are, you literally have to drive right next to rows and rows of solar panels. It’s quite fascinating. They’re all pointed towards the sun (surprise, surprise) and even from the interstate it’s a sight to see. Inside the building there’s a thorough exhibit on all the things going on with solar power, solar energy. I didn’t have time to read up on it all, but I’m sure it’s interesting. Take a look at a few photos I took while I stopped off at rest stop #44, interstate 40 in west Tennessee.

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Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness

Favorite songs about Elvis and/or Graceland

To be totally honest, I don’t know but handful of songs directly about Elvis or Graceland. What are some of your favorites? I recently heard the Elton John song listed below, and Paul Simon’s is a classic. Comment below and I’ll add your suggestions to my Spotify playlists.

Porch Swing in Tupelo – Elton John

Graceland – Paul Simon

From Galway to Graceland – The High Kings

Walking in Memphis –

I Try To Think About Elvis – Patty Loveless

Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness

Favorite Elvis Presley songs, besides the ones you already know

We all know the classic Elvis Presley songs: Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, etc, and those will top a lot of “favorite” lists out there, but I wanted to put together a list of my favorite lesser-known Elvis songs. For all the die-hard Elvis fans out there, don’t beat me up! I know these are still well-known songs, but as I’ve become more of a fan over the years, the list below has jumped out because I hadn’t heard them much before. Take a look and chime in below with a comment about what your favorites are. Thank ya, thank ya very much!

Favorites of Elvis Presley’s music, besides the ones you already know… 

Love Me – a beautiful appeal for someone you love, to love you back

Love Letters (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) – singing about letters received from a loved one, holding dear the words that were written. His voice on this one is incredible!


Crying in the Chapel – a song about faith, and finding comfort in the Lord, and in church

I Want To Be Free – earnestly yearning for faith in God to set us free, like a bird

Are You Lonesome Tonight (laughing) – I love how human this makes Elvis, and I can’t help but laugh along

Steamroller Blues – I once used this song as my adult league softball “walk up” song… it might just pump you up, too

I’ll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) – this is a sweet love song about being apart but wishing to be with the one you love


How the Web Was Woven – I loved the melody of this one

Without Love (There is Nothing) – Love is all we need, basically

Tiger Man – this is a fast one that gets my adrenaline going. It’s just a fun song.

Clean Up Your Own Backyard – Mind your own business is the message in this one… and but out of other folks’ stuff… it can still apply to society today, for sure.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness