Comments on: Knoxville: Lover’s Lane for the Prematurely Old?

By: Jane Wilson

Jane Wilson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:44:04 +0000

Go Guy, we all need humor in our lives. Where do we rate in gardening?
Love and Blessings to you and Cheri.

By: Charles Coffey

Charles Coffey — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:17:21 +0000

Your blog reminds me of why I fell in love with my future wife in Knoxville. The incredible romantic atmosphere of Knoxville must have temporarily clouded her reasoning — lucky for me.

Too bad I didn’t read your blog in time to cover the 1,613 miles between me and Knoxville without resorting to time travel, which requires a great deal of energy. Not green travel.

PS. I used to live in the University of Tennessee Football stadium.

By: Janelle

Janelle — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:11:16 +0000

Well, you have certainly astonished me.
Lots of love to you and Cheri. –Janelle

By: Gary Matthews

Gary Matthews — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:08:35 +0000

Thanks, Patricia. The fact that Knoxville was ever first in the “restaurants per square mile” category is news to me. But that may help explain the high obesity rate here, which in turn contributes to the shortened lifespans about which Real Age is fussing.

Thank you also for the state information link. Please check it out, folks: Breathtaking views, fascinating facts. Of course we all know about Idaho and potatoes, but I didn’t know it was called “The Gem State” — or why. (Although, from an Astonished Tamale! perspective, potatoes are gems.)

By: Gary Matthews

Gary Matthews — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:58:08 +0000

Thanks, James. Your point is well taken, that the Amazon rating implies good things about the literacy rate here. That’s an angle I must imvestigate further.

By: Patricia Visser

Patricia Visser — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:05:41 +0000

Being an old “fart” from Knoxville myself, I was laughing all the way reading through your first article. I absolutely love the name of your website: The Astonished Tamale …
It signals curiosity – a trait that many smart and successful people share – and it signals food!
I remember Knoxville at one time being the city having the most Restaurants per square mile in the entire country! Then of course I remember the Dogwood Trail, the gorgeous blossoms, and the rolling foothills of the Smoky Mountains, the long Indian summers, and the long Indian summers, and especially the long Indian summers. Currently living in Idaho, the Gem State, you will appreciate why I miss the long Indian summers. Our summers here are short, very short, but beautiful. Idaho is called the gem State for a reason. Check it out: http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/id_intro.htm
. . . I will enjoy many more of your “Tamales” on this blog, I’m sure. And to all you young lovers and romantics in the Knoxville area – take your loved ones out to dinner tonight to one of those many, many Restaurants to choose from. Happy Valentine’s Day!

By: James A Williams

James A Williams — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:40:51 +0000

A brilliant blog from a brilliant mind. I laughed while reading…high romance in a city of “old farts”…how love blossoms in the Tennessee mountains…and demographic love metrics. Amazon’s analysis also infers a high literacy rate in Knoxville; “what” is being read doesn’t matter. Congratulations on a truly “loving” start!

By: Lynne

Lynne — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:14:27 +0000

Can’t wait to read the next article. So glad you’re doing this blog. Love to you and Cheri.

By: Gary Matthews

Gary Matthews — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:39:18 +0000

Zabine, Seattle ranks in the Real Age top 20 of cities with the "youngest" (i.e., most healthful) population. (It's number 14; check it out here.) And Washington State, with three cities in Amazon's top 25 "most romantic" list, is tied with Tennessee for second place in the most romantic states category. But Florida, with four cities in the top 25, is flagged by Amazon as the overall top state for romantics. Come to think of it, this most romantic state is known as a retirement haven for the elderly. Not in "real age" terms, just calendar years. But maybe we're seeing a pattern anyway.

By: Zabine Van Ness

Zabine Van Ness — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:05:30 +0000

Hi there Gary

What a cute story and discoveries about Knoxville and their marriage happiness insights. Not sure where Seattle fits into all of this…but being a Senior newly wed all I can say…”Life is Good!”

Look forward to read more stories..you have a wonderful writing style

Zabine Van Ness

By: Rachel & Jason

Rachel & Jason — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:49:06 +0000

We love you dear friend and miss you madly. We are happy for you and loved the article and photos!!!! Got a great laugh!!!!!! Reading your Val day post. Keep the goodies coming, HUGS

Rach & Jas