Smith: Mountain living

Encores that bring about good times in good places make one appreciate life to the fullest and renew faith in mankind that we can find a way to coexist peacefully.When I am where nature and its splendorous attributes prevail, I am overcome with humility and thanksgiving. Glory, glory hallelujah!

Smith: Home tailgating

The tailgate parties, where football aficionados swarm with a passion, which have become centerpieces of campus scenes, don’t just take place near the confines of a stadium — the imposing edifice that originated with the Colosseum in Rome in 80 A.D.

Smith: In praise of pumpkins

October is harvesting time for pumpkins, which decorate the landscape and accent the holiday festivities that take place across the United States. The classic harvest displays bring about an air of positivity and thanksgiving across the country.

Smith: Sports clubs

While I have not conducted any definitive research, the South seems to be the only region of the country where touchdown and quarterback clubs continue to flourish.For years, there were marquee clubs in big cities with expansive budgets that honored professional, college, and high school athletes.

Smith: October musings

October has long been my favorite month, and while November is the month for Thanksgiving, I always count my blessings during our tenth month, which comes and goes too quickly.In October, there is so much going on in the Great Outdoors.

Smith: Foxworthy & Richt

Jeff Foxworthy recently met with UGA librarian Toby Graham and his staff and called me to see if lunch with Mark Richt could be arranged following his session with the library staff.

Smith: Developing rivalries

Georgia went from 1937 to 1968 without playing Tennessee — more than three decades — and I have often been asked, “Why?”Well, it was a challenging trip in those days, even by train.

Smith: Horace King

There is redeeming serendipity when you interact with a former player who had his day in the sun, overcoming stiff challenges but maturing into senior citizen status with humility and thanksgiving.

Smith: Love of the game

In Athens earlier this week, I timed a trip uptown via Lumpkin Street to immerse myself in the phalanx of students, watching them cross the street all the way to the bottom of the hill and up past Joe Brown Hall toward the canopy of trees of North Campus.

Smith: Darryl Jones

Here in Columbus, the waters of Georgia’s most romantic river — the musical Chattahoochee — bring a lively atmosphere to a vibrant populace bent on creating a city that combines work and play, making it not only an attractive destination but also a place to put down roots.