Well, it’s all right, even if you’re old and gray.
Well, it’s all right, you’ve still got somethin’ to say.
— The Traveling Wilburys
————
Mr. Write, a.k.a. Rocky Smith, is a retired advertising/PR/marketing guy, father of two, grandfather of four, eligible for all senior discounts.
Home is Jefferson, a nice little town in North Georgia located just outside the event horizon of Metro Atlanta.
I live with my roommate Jake, a Blue Merle Border Collie (or maybe an Aussie, or maybe a mix). Jake’s backstory is unknown, he being a stray picked up by the local dogcatcher.
I am a seasoned hiker, a kayaker, frequent road-tripper, hopeless gearhead, and passable photographer.
Oh — and I like to write stuff.
You can email me at Oldtimr@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you. Honest.
By the way, the photo across the top of Mr. Write’s Page is always one of mine. I change the image every few days for variety.
This page has the following sub pages.
Mr. Write's Page 
Hi Rock!!!
I absolutely ADORE your blog!! I was enthralled reading the
stories…..:) 🙂
Can’t WAIT to read what’s next……….
If I could dance around on the internet, I would right now!
Awesome……!
Love,
Moe
Rocky! Betty sent me this way, and I am so glad that I walked over here. I adore you and as I love to write as well, I also love to read. Keep it up. This is fabulous. Love & Peace & a little bit o’ sunshine~ 🙂
~bridget
Hi Rocky!
I have soo missed your writing. I’m thrilled that you have a blog… lot’s to catch up on! (=
Rocko-Supremo…this is hilarious and I had forgotten just how we did it…but you brought it all back to me ! It just proves again that one need not be 100% serious while at work…we did get lots of the tough projects done and did things like “Lorenzo” to release built up stress and angst. I do also recall “Nightlatch Jones” as I am sure you do also. He will live on in basketball lore forever and play on the “ALL-PRISON ALL STAR” team as long as his knees hold out…
There are those who appreciate this type writing and those who do not…and I have only pity for the latter. I am not sure how long our guy Lorenzo will hang in the historical arena of our beloved Lithonia Lighting, but he, along with you will live within my heart forever. Thanks for being my friend and too for keeping me attuned to the really important things in life. You rock.
Hello,
I am George Reichler (George Reichler the English Teacher’s son). Thank you for your reflections on this class and your memories. He was very unique! I graduated from Stuttgart H.S. in 1973 and was in his class for one semester-It was somewhat uneasy for both of us. He passed away in 1975. His grandson (my son) is also a George Reichler and is 9.
Thanks,
George
I am so pleased that you discovered my post. You’re probably the only reader who really understands. Mr. Reichler was a great man in a small setting. I only knew him for one school year, 1959-60, but he affected countless students in that short time. Imagine his influence over the course of his teaching career. Most of us can only dream of success like that. Thank you again for writing.
I took a creative writing class from Mr. Reichler in the fall of 1964. Good memories! We had some excellent teachers at Stuttgart/Ludwigsburg.
Indeed we did. We were fortunate.
….and you have a black and white dog! I have two. They’re the coolest!
You have good taste in pooches. Paco is a beautiful Border Collie with an improbable black dot in the center of his forehead. He is my best pal.
wonderful poem about the kudzu. please write more about poetry. thanks for sharing.
i love that you own the fact that you’re eligible for all senior discounts. you should see the local supermarket on a tuesday. that’s senior citizen discount day. let’s just say it’s very hard to find parking.
I never can remember whether they give senior discounts on Tuesday or Wednesday. Must be Old Timer’s Disease.
Hello Mr. Write
I found your blog because I was searching for images under “The Highwayman”. I too love this poem and have set it as a cantata for school choir with orchestra, which has been twice performed in England. I am about to put it on my website and was wondering where you got the image of the view through window from.
best regards
Trevor
It’s been a while. All I can remember is that I searched Google images and found that one. I believe I cropped it in Photoshop, too. If the one I used is suitable, you can right-click and save the image.
Once in a while I read some of your stuff Rocky….because it’s always an emotional pickup for me and brings me great pleasure. You are one of very few I worked with I still do keep up with and one I very much respect. That said, I feel I must apologize for trying to keep you in the saddle long enough to help us with PSG9…..I guess I was scared we’d not be able to do it without your excellent hand and direction….I was wrong of course as you had prepared your charges, Carrie and others, and me to handle it and we did….it was tough doing it with out our main support (you) but we did get it done. Carrie was superb….really was and her fine work continues today….I can say your friendship remains one of my treasured ones over the years and I can think of no one at all I respect more.
And not just me old bean….even after you flew the coop, when problems and questions on how to do things arose, many people, higherups in the company from the very top on down said “what would Rocky say about this?” You had great respect from all in the company. This speaks very well of you my friend. One thing aI remember most about you is how you treated all people….and I mean all people….the important to those most would consider not so important….you treated all with respect. I recall my dad saying if I wanted to know what kind a person I was dealing with I should watch how they treat people who can do absolutley nothing for them and I did….I saw a movie once that had a line at the end that reminds me of men like you….it reads: “Loyalty above all else except honor”….that serves you well my friend. Thanks for being you and my friend.
Larry, you’re embarrassing me. I love it, but you’re embarrassing me. Thank you, my friend.
Although you probably made up the part about people asking, “What Would Rocky Do?” that’s a pretty cool concept. Maybe I should get a WWRD tee shirt printed.
Once in a while I read some of your stuff Rocky….because it’s always an emotional pickup for me and brings me great pleasure. You are one of very few I worked with I still do keep up with and one I very much respect. That said, I feel I must apologize for trying to keep you in the saddle long enough to help us with PSG9…..I guess I was scared we’d not be able to do it without your excellent hand and direction….I was wrong of course as you had prepared your charges, Carrie and others, and me to handle it and we did….it was tough doing it with out our main support (you) but we did get it done. Carrie was superb….really was and her fine work continues today….I can say your friendship remains one of my treasured ones over the years and I can think of no one at all I respect more.
And not just me old bean….even after you flew the coop, when problems and questions on how to do things arose, many people, higherups in the company from the very top on down said “what would Rocky say about this?” You had great respect from all in the company. This speaks very well of you my friend. One thing aI remember most about you is how you treated all people….and I mean all people….the important to those most would consider not so important….you treated all with respect. I recall my dad saying if I wanted to know what kind a person I was dealing with I should watch how they treat people who can do absolutley nothing for them and I did….I saw a movie once that had a line at the end that reminds me of men like you….it reads: “Loyalty above all else except honor”….that serves you well my friend. Thanks for being you and my friend.
+1
Well, Barny, I am flattered and humbled by those kind words. I don’t recall anyone named Barny who worked at Lithonia Lighting, but — no matter.
Coincidentally, my dad, too, taught me to treat other people with respect. Most folks, most of the time, deserve it anyway. And besides, it’s easier than keeping a mental roster of who is a good guy and who is a jerk.
I can say with certainty, Barny, that you’re one of the good guys.
Rocko-Supremo….I have no idea who this Barney guy is…..but I wrote the stuff….perhaps it was a bit of undigested roast beef or that last pickle I had before I wrote it…huh? Anyway, you were and are missed at the old light plant and I didn’t make any of it up….People up and down the line respected you and felt confident and secure if YOU looked over their attempts to write…..after all, YOU were the copy guru and deserved the respect you got….as I look back I see more and more how good you were….sure do….your absence left a huge hole in our marketing function and it has never been filled…not that’s a great legacy….
Take care old friend…..
LArry
Thanks, Loretta!
Rocky – Were you enrolled at Stuttgart American HS as a student in Mr. Reichler’s class?
Rick Bentley
I was, indeed. Were you at SHS? I didn’t see you in the yearbook.
I wrote a post about Mr. Reichler a couple of years ago: https://rockysmith.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/a-personal-trinity/
You have had your blog for a while, and you may have been nominated more than once for this, but we read your blog often, and I love what you create, so we nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award. You don’t need to do the post if you don’t want to of course– but I wanted to take the time to recognize you. 🙂
http://dorianshand.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/i-have-a-lovely-blog-the-lovely-blog-award/
Hi Rocky,
Love your blog! Just started reading it and don’t know why I didn’t sooner!
~Maddie
Good deal. You’re mentioned in it a lot.
Hi there , as into Maj Smith and Gen Hall commission at Schumen and generally regarding Ploesti 1943 and 1944 campaigns , please visit my
Blog https://lifesupportintl.wordpress.com/
Best Regards
Alex K
Romania Air Campaigns Historian
My greatgrandparents were at Stuttgart when you were. I have a photo of a basketball team with the names listed. You’re not in there but my great-uncle Jimmie Raftery is. Feel free to contact me if you’d like a copy.
I’d love a copy of the photo. My email is rockysmith@windstream.net. Thanks!
Well I just wasted an hour reading your stuff-
Send me a note when your back in Savannah and I can return the favor…
and you can even bring your Aunt.
Here’s a link
http://www.dbkelley.com/blog/
David
Sorry about that hour. I’ll let you know the next time I’m in town.
Ah, found you looking up Drumpf, of all things. Trying to find Nazi ties (I’m certain they’re there) and read an older blog post. Unfortunately, as we now know, HE was voted in and trouble is aboiling. But, back to now I must state that you have a new fan! My own blogs sits blank and unfulfilled, but yours is thriving. Anyway, so glad I found you. Sounds like you’ve got lots of good common sense and humor.