Most Popular Names in the U.S.

I came across the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular names of 2014, and I wasn’t very curious if Prettyness made the top anything. I’d guess there are less than 5 people with the name. And if you’re curious, the most popular name for boys and girls that year was Noah and Emma, respectively. Side note: Liam is reigning as #1 for boys in 2015 so far. But certain names instantly make it onto my “Names I’d Name My Kid” list. The most recent being Prettyness. Is it weird? Yes, but I can’t seem to shake it from recurring in my mind, and the more I think about it the more I like it.

I was also curious about the most popular names the year I was born. It was Michael for boys and Jennifer for girls. My mom told me if I were a girl, my name would’ve been Megan, which isn’t one of the top 10 from 1978. Neither is my actual name (it’s #12).

What are some of your favorite names? Feel free to share in the comments below!

-Out of the Wilderness

Why guys need to throw things in the woods

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe were walking through the woods on an 18-hole disc golf course. My new friend Steve was saying how just the day before, he and his wife Amy went walking through the woods. But that was it. Just walking. He told her that he enjoyed it, but it was a bit boring. His wife Amy said during the walk he picked up rocks and tried to hit trees with them. So while Steve, Joe, and I were playing disc golf, we all agreed on this: walking through the woods by itself is not enough for guys.

It’s got to be a by-product of what we’re actually doing.

Take note, women of the world. If you want to enjoy time with your man by walking through the woods, make up something about why you’re actually in the woods. He needs that. Then go frost yourselves!

-Out of the Wilderness

Things you learn on the disc golf course

I recently wrote about playing disc golf at Seven Oaks Park in Nashville. It was with Joe and Steve. Joe is from Nashville. Steve is from South Africa. He says things like Niss-in (instead of the car brand, Nissan), and moon bag… which here in America is called a fanny pack, and yes I was wearing one while we played. Turns out in South Africa, fanny means something totally different. Let’s just say it’s not something you’d bring up in front of your mom. Or pastor. Here’s a glimpse into my amazing form:

Hitting the chains: Disc golf in Nashville

They said today was going to be the hottest day in Nashville this year, so we started out early to beat the heat, hitting the Seven Oaks disc golf for a friendly round. It was with my long-time friend Joe Hendricks and a new friend, Steve from South Africa. This was Steve’s first time playing disc golf, so Joe gave him insights along the way; recommending which disc to use, how to throw them, where to throw them, and also… what poison ivy looks like. I guess they don’t have poison ivy in South Africa?
luckyI think we made it through without contacting the itchy leaves (so far, so good, at least), and we had a good time. Joe’s a pro. Steve did great for his first time out, and I was awesome on holes 1 through 2. We stopped keeping track of the score, which I didn’t hate. I was somewhere around 9 over on the 9th or 10th hole. Yowzers.
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Good times in Nashville!
-Out of the Wilderness

A bird in the hand…

If a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, how much are baby birds in a nest worth? I came across this nest a couple months ago, and it had little tiny baby robins in it. They all hatched, and I think all but one survived. (click for a slideshow, or scroll down for more)

As you can see, the nest is tucked away in vines growing on the side of my house, so I left it there because, “why not?” Then the other day, I noticed each time I walked by a robin would fly away. I have no idea if nests are ever reused but I thought there was a chance. So today I got my ladder out again and found this…