Many of you were probably shocked, as I was, to learn Tuesday that schools in Trousdale County were closed due to flu. Over 150 students were absent Monday with the illness.

Doctors' waiting rooms are filling up in Macon County with young and old alike with aches, chills and fever.

Avoid crowds, wash your hands often and just hope that you and your family stay flu-free.

This year's flu bug is starting early and the flu vaccine is not a 100% safe-guard, but in most cases it is a definite aid to a lighter case and quicker recovery.

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Not every year, but often enough, the manufacturers turn out a new decoration. Icicle eave lights haven't been on the market too many years. Before that was the plywood (or plastic...I don't own any...) stand-up deer.

It looks like to me that the "hot" one this year is the plastic blow-up bigger-than-life-size Santas and other characters.

The Stephens home on Long Creek Road has a Santa accompanied by Smokey the UT hound dog. The figures even glow in the dark.

There are many well decorated homes in our community already -- even we have a front door wreath, but it is still on the back porch waiting to be hung up.

I was right proud of myself for remembering where I stored it Jan. 1, 2003, but disappointed that the door hanger wasn't in the same bag; I'm sure I'll find it soon, after I buy a new one.

It's not official, but I understand that Helen Hesson, Golf Club Drive, may not make a strong run for the city lighting contest money this year. Helen usually is one of the winners, for the last few years, anyway. Other home renovation has her a bit exhausted.

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It was a disppointment to learn that one of Macon County's top citizens will be moving away.

Mike Bogle, who has been an agent with the Farm Bureau Insurance Services in Lafayette for several years, will be taking a nice promotion with the same organization. He will be working in Nolensville.

Mike has given of his time and talents, not only as a Boy Scout leader, but in several other community activities. His unselfish attitude and tireless devotion to whatever cause has been appreciated by many, many citizens for a long time.

We wish this young man and his family the best for years to come.

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A thought ran through my head as I studied a survey that was printed in The Tennessean two weekends ago.

The most religious states in Americas were all of the Southeast.The least religious were in the northeast, Califorina, Oregon, and Washington. It was surprising that Massachusetts, heavy in Catholicism, was one of the least religious.

What I wondered was "How do those living in the states other than the Southeast view the Southeast?'

Of course, I was proud, but really wonder if these others judge us as ignorant, superstitious and not "caught up with whazup."

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COUNTRY WISDOM -- "It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge."