Hi out there. And welcome to my blog – Chattin’ the Hooch. Since I am so very new to this, you may in fact, be my first “blog-ee.” If so, welcome to the Monkey House!

Although I am new to blogging, I am not new to “blathering,” and I figure they are about the same thing. So, at odd moments, and when you least expect it, I will publish a new post on this blog. It will be delivered via Columbus and the Valley’s web page, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

There will be no central focus or theme but rather an eclectic assortment of posts on travel, food, nostalgia, historical anecdotes, interesting and charming facts and stories about our village, my observations of humanity, music and art, community happenings, and many other arcane tidbits of life. It will be something like the ramblings of a retired mind. I am old and crusty enough (72), have traveled the world, been kicked out of more than a few establishments, met and conversed with royalty and street people, sailed the Seven Seas in the Navy, survived many a blow, love music and play drums and tuba, and generally have had enough life experience that maybe you’ll connect with some of my blathering. I was extremely shy in high school, although my friends will probably tell you that I have grossly “over-compensated.” Hopefully my enthusiasm will not come across as smarty-pants.

I have been told that: I may post as often or as seldom as I like; write about most any subject; will generally not have a censor (except, of course, for editor Venable and his scary red magic marker); that I can shamelessly brag about children, grandchildren, the children’s books I write (Kudzu King Productions) my poetry-for-hire business (The Pome Gnome), feats of daring-do; and the conjuring up of magical tales.

That is all for now. Please check in every now and again to see what strange and wonderful ditties I may have posted. If some of it appeals to you, tell your friends. If it not, well… you could go into the backyard and yell at your neighbor or something.

I will welcome your suggestions on topics, although my wife says I have enough Blarney to last me for another twenty years. So come along for the ride. Who knows, at some point in the future, you may be my millionth visiting “Blog-ee” and win a sausage biscuit or something.

Steve Scott