Meteorologist Mike Moss came up with a great Carolina Conversations blog idea this week – unusual school mascot names. Mike remembers playing high school football against the Eastman Kodaks of Halifax County. Mike said the players had camera logos on the sides of their helmets. What a hoot! Eastman High was lost in the move toward consolidation but an Eastman Middle School remains in Halifax County. They’ve gotten away from the camera theme. They’re now the Eastman Kodiaks. Gosh, that’s funny!

What was your school mascot? Feel free to include high school and college. What’s the most unusual mascot you’ve heard? I’ll offer a CD prize to the person sending in the most unusual mascot name.

We were simply the Wildcats back in Morganton.   Kelcey Carlson's mom attended Shadeland High School in Indiana.  Shadeland was home of the Peppers. 

In college I went to Carolina and for those living...

It’s tailor time! The new suit I bought in January doesn’t fit anymore. The pants are too loose around the waist. I love this kind of problem.

Yes, I made my goal of 179 pounds this morning. I’m halfway home in the Ten Pounds Down – Ten Week Weight Loss Challenge. I’d like to credit Brian Shrader for my progress this week. Brian booked me for his Live @ Show today to talk about the program. I didn’t want to spend the whole time making excuses.

Many of you have told me that you are also trying to shed a few pounds. How are you doing? Please talk about the struggles and conquests. I saw personal trainer and registered dietitian Tara Wind at the gym yesterday. She’s ready to answer your questions.

I’ve continued an active exercise program. No major changes. My diet has been pretty consistent. I...

I’ve enjoyed exchanging emails over the past month with Heather Lucas of Dunn. Heather is spending the summer traveling across the state with her nine year old daughter Jessica visiting N.C. historical sites. Heather and Jessica are devoting two days each week to their travels.

Heather says she decided to do this after Jessica expressed a keen interest in history. As Heather put it: “Jessica is almost to the age where ‘hanging with mom’ is not cool and I want to get every minute I can until then. I want to feed her interest of history as much as I can.”

Heather can do this because she has flexibility in her schedule. Heather runs a sewing business and can “work and play at her own pace.” This mother-daughter venture is seen as a blessing to both.

“As a mom, my short term pay off is spending great time with my daughter. She is learning hands-on...

This past weekend was a splashing success thanks to a strenuous hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway. How many of you have tried The Gully Creek Trail at Cumberland Knob? You’ll find it in Alleghany County up near the Virginia state line. The trail will wear you out if you’re not ready for it. It’s not particularly long – just 2.5 miles but it’s a steep trail. Everyone we passed had some complaint about how long and difficult the trail was. After hiking Gully Creek several times I’ve concluded the best way to hike it is backwards. Begin to the right of the old information station instead of the left. This way you’ll hit the hard part first and on the way down.

Gully Creek was gushing with lots of water this weekend. I love the sound of an active creek. Everyone gets to do a little river dance at the bottom where the rhododendron grows as thick as mountain fog. It’s fun skipping across the rocks as the trail crisscrosses...

I've hit a mid diet slump. The Ten Pounds Down weight loss challenge seemed easy the first three weeks. Now I've struck a bump in the road. I'm stuck. Stuck at 180 pounds. We're five weeks into the challenge and I should be five pounds down in the ten week program. I started at 184 so I'm off only four pounds. I still think I can make my goal but I'll have to work both smarter and harder.

It's my own fault. I've gotten a little lazy and overconfident. Plus, I went on vacation last week. The weather was lousy in the mountains and I wasn't able to get out and run. Plus, I chose to sample some fabulous key lime pie, sensational summer pecan pie, shrimp and grits and a few too many chips and cashews. In addition, I stopped my food and exercise log. Naughty boy.

Okay, I'm back on track this week and more determined than ever. I will hit 179 next Wednesday. Count...