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my 100 day project Day 1-25

April 17, 2026 by John Shouse | 0 comments

Pay Attention.  Be Astounded.  Tell About It.
                                                                   – Mary Oliver

(from 3/7/2026)  Tomorrow I’m launching a “100 Day” project. The idea is to do something creative for 100 consecutive days and post the result each day. To grow, learn, and develop new or existing skills. I’ll explain more of the parameters I’ve set for my project with the first post tomorrow. Now I’ll just say the platform I’ve chosen is photography, though it could have been anything. I did a little practicing today. I’m excited about it, and I hope you enjoy the images I’ll choose to post. (This was just something I made this morning over coffee at a favorite local spot as I refined and worked on the concept. It doesn’t fit the parameters, but I liked it).

Cafe Bono, Camera, Sparkling water

Day 0

Day 1

Today I launch my 100 Day project. If you’re not familiar, it’s a thing. Look it up. The idea is do a creative act every day for 100 consecutive days. It can be anything … art, music, writing, whatever. But the commitment is to 100 consecutive days, and sharing the results each day.
The goal is to pay attention, and try to grow, learn, and develop new or existing skills. Just keep pushing forward with intention and purpose. I’ve chosen photography.
Let me back up a bit. It’s easy for me to live with my focus on the rear view mirror. Thinking about the past, what I should have done or said or even just waxing nostalgic. It’s also too easy to live in chronic anticipation of what’s to come, and miss what’s right here.
My goal for 2026, as shared with my “Dads Group” is to be fully present, right here, right now, as much as possible. In the present moment.
So to that end, I’m committing to try to be here now. I am planning on having a camera at the ready, as much as possible. To be aware of the beautiful things around me, whatever they are, snd to make an image. With the following caveats:
What I choose to photograph will hold *some* meaning for me. No random snaps. Most will obviously be in and around my adopted home of Middle Tennessee. But no limits. Some may be people. Or places. Or things. But they will have significance. And i want to connect with my love of good “street photography.” So i plan to be out using the project as motivation to connect with the world.   And importantly, I am limiting myself to ONLY six shutter clicks per day, in search of the ONE that I will share. This is an effort to force myself to be aware, to think about what I’m photographing, to compose the shots, etc. Discipline. I may shoot six shots of the same thing, or maybe I’ll shoot one shot each of six different things. But no more than six clicks.
This is a crazy full season of life for me. I pray, through this project to stay grounded, stay joyful, and stay present. I hope you love the ride as much as I love that you’re in my life.
When I post, maybe I’ll explain the reason for the shot. Maybe no words. But each WILL have a specific reason. I’m always willing to explain if asked.
‘Nuff said. Let’s begin. …..
First image is of one of my favorite spots…. If you’ve been following me a while, you know how much time I’ve spent here through the years. How often I was the first one through the door early Saturday mornings. For coffee, pastry, or a simple breakfast. More often than I can count. 💜🙏
We’ll see where this goes.
Merridee's window.

Day 1

Day 2

Nothing centers and recombobulates my soul like an hour or so in a good bookstore. This is one of my top 10 favorite independent booksellers in the US. And the only one in Nashville.
Parnassus

Day 2

Day 3

Tex’s “World Famous BBQ”. A Nashville tradition for 50 years. BBQ’d bologna, smoked sausage, brisket, pulled pork, chicken. Every day. In fact, you can get a combo plate with a little of each. Plus a couple sides. Under $12. All the veggies as traditional sides … including Lima beans and black eyed peas. Pies, cobblers, banana pudding. It’s hard to describe. Demands a visit. If you’re high-falutin, this ain’t your spot. If you like good food, wonderful staff who genuinely appreciate your patronage, and will ALWAYS give you a kind word and let you know they’re glad to see you …. and you like the taste of real hickory smoke, this place is for you. It’s that simple. If you don’t like smoke, you won’t like Tex’s. I’m lucky that for 38 of my 43 years in Nashville, I’ve worked close enough to make Tex’s a reasonable easy lunch choice. Only ope 3 hours a day. 11-2. That’s it. When I moved to town and first tried Tex’s, I bought a T-shirt. To this day I *think* it’s the only Nashville T-shirt I’ve bought. Yes, I’m a fan. That’s why it’s Day 3.

Day 3

Day 4

Memorial to “The Unknown Civil War Soldier”. Remains found on a construction site that partially encompassed “The Battle of Franklin” locations.  Whether the soldier was Union or Confederate is not known.  They are interred at the Franklin City Cemetery. I had a hard time choosing between B&W or color …. in the end I decided the B & W suited the subject better.  

Day 5

Wide board wooden floor, worn down soft. So welcoming. If this floor could talk.

Day 5

Day 6

This is my Yoshino Cherry tree. Still a few days away from full blossom, but it fills me with such joy when it blooms. It’s fleeting, but it’s right here near my “spot” on the back porch.

Day 6

Day 7

This is Mr J.R. Stroud, merchant at the Franklin Farmer’s Market. Mr Stroud is a wonderful gentleman, who spent the majority of his career in the printing business. He worked for many years for Baird Ward, in their thin film printing department. I did not know him then, but Baird Ward was one of my better MRO customers when I sold general industrial automation products. After Baird Ward closed, Mr Stroud snd his son started their own printing business. Among others his clients included printing bottle labels for Anheuser-Busch and printing the magazine Highlights for Children. (Goofus and Gallant, anyone?). Don’t you just love that?
Now he spends his time and energies creating farm products and baked breads out in Rutherford County. I bought a large jar of Heirloom Tomato Sauce made with purple Cherokee and Brandywines, and some Beefsteak. It will grace my table tonight with some stellar pasta.
We talked about the value of personal integrity. About how if you are honest, have common sense, and a good dose of gumption, you’re headed for a good life in this world.
Thanks J.R. I loved my chat with you.

Day 7

Day 8

The Civil War is a big deal here, and rightfully so. The Battle of Franklin was fought on November 30, 1864, in Franklin, Tennessee, as part of the Franklin–Nashville Campaign. It was one of the worst disasters of the war for the Confederate States Army. Confederate Lieutenant General John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee conducted numerous frontal assaults against fortified positions occupied by the Union forces under Major General John Schofield and was unable to prevent Schofield from executing a planned, orderly withdrawal to Nashville. The Confederate assault of six infantry divisions containing eighteen brigades with 100 regiments numbering almost 20,000 men, sometimes called the “Pickett’s Charge of the West”, resulted in devastating losses to the men and the leadership of the Army of Tennessee—fourteen Confederate generals (six killed, seven wounded, and one captured) and 55 regimental commanders were casualties.
Famously, Carrie McGavock, the caretaker of McGavock house at Carnton Plantation here oversaw the collection and interment of neatly 1500 confederate bodies after the battle. Nearly a third unknown. Her life was the subject of a 2005 best-selling novel by Robert Hicks, entitled The Widow of the South.
The Carnton property is a solemn place, and one of the places we frequently walk with Evan on our outings.
My Day 8 photo is a small portion of the cemetery today.

Day 8

Day 9

A little too early.
This is Reed’s Produce Stand on the north side of downtown Franklin. In a few short weeks the shelves and racks around this great little farm stand will be chock full of flowers, plants, and tomatoes, corn, beans, onions, greens, peppers hot and sweet, cucumbers and more. And packed with shoppers, especially on weekends. The Shouse larder almost always has veggies from Reed’s on hand during the growing seasons.
But today, it’s …… A Little Too Early.

Day 9

Day 10

This is the Harpeth river today. It’s a bit up from rains Sunday night, flowing fast and muddy. The Harpeth winds around through Franklin and Southwest Nashville before eventually flowing into the Cumberland up near Ashland City. Two of the three homes we have owned in Nashville have backed up to the Harpeth. Currently we’re about a mile or less from it. I have fished it, waded and swam in it and floated parts of it. I have waded in to a shallow spot with a lawn chair and spent a pleasant while just letting the water flow around me. Brendan has done miles of it in his kayak. Evan has “escaped” into it, including in elementary school where it is adjacent to the playground … after scaling the fence. We had them put up Stop signs to dissuade him, and it worked. 🤣.
I love rivers.

Day 10

Day 11

One of the blessings of where I work in Nashville, near the Grassmere Zoo, is that it is in the Hispanic section of town. There are SO many great places to eat. From traditional Mexican restaurants to small Carnicerias, small markets that specialize in Hispanic fare, to countless Food Trucks with outstanding street tacos and Mexican and Central and South American street food. One of my favorites is Carniceria Y Taqueria San Luis on Harding Place. Any day that you drive by you’re likely to see barrels smoking away out on the street, roasting up deliciousness, as below. Their roast chicken is simply out of this world, and a staple in my lunchtime fare. They have a walk=up window for tacos, burritos, etc., and an inside counter where you can get half a roasted chicken by itself, or the full meal that includes not only the chicken, but tortillas, a plump roasted jalapeno, and BIG container of some of the best “ranchos beans” I’ve found in Nashville.

Day 11

Day 12

This is Renee. She’s been working the drive-through window at my BBQ Joint now for 18 years. The one closest to my office. Not necessarily the best BBQ in town, but darn good enough, and one of the older BBQ spots in town, and that alone is worth something. And, I get to see Renee. I’ve never once seen her in a foul mood. More often when she sees me, her eyes light up and she breaks into a smile and offers up something funny. A couple weeks ago I went through after not having been there in a while. She said, “Well, I see they finally unchained you from your desk!” Today it was about my Open Road Stetson hat and denim jacket. We’ve talked about world events, about autism, and all manner of things large and trivial. She writes short stories. Mostly Science Fiction, though it’s apparently a wide variety. She really does make my day every time I drive through. I don’t know her other than as a face in that window. But I consider her, after 18 years, a friend. 💜

Day 12

Day 13

One of my two beautiful and darling granddaughters. This is Aurora. She’s a speed demon in the driveway.  Proud to be her Pop-Pop.

Day 13

Day 14

It’s Music City. Of COURSE we have buskers. Not only in Nashville, but also out here in Franklin. I’ve met and chatted with several of them, but tonight was the first time I saw this guy. He was doing a really soulful rendition of Bob Seger’s Turn the Page. Great picker! If I see him again I’ll try to chat with him if there’s a lull. But tonight he had a small crowd gathered, who broke into enthusiastic applause at the end.

Day 14

Day 15

Morning walk in the woods off the Natchez Trace with Evan Shouse. Being in the woods, even for a short walk, always puts me in a beautiful state of mind.

Day 15

Day 16

As much as I love my adopted hometown of Franklin when the streets and sidewalks are full of people, there’s something awfully special about Main Street at night when it’s nearly empty.

Day 16

Day 17

Our beautiful Franklin Theatre downtown.
The Franklin Theatre is a historic,venue that hosts movies, including classic movies from the past, live concerts, plays, and community events. After being restored and reopened in 2011 it’s once again become an important hub of the community following its closure in 2007. Originally opened in 1937, it’s a classic Art Deco style, intimate 300-seat setting, and diverse programming, from classic films to performances by major artist. I’ve seen so many great shows there, up close and personal by some of my favorite artists.

DAy 17

Day 18

I’m a cup guy.
I have way too many, but I love them all. This may be my fave. An old Williams Sonoma Bistro Cup and Saucer in Bistro blue.
Travel tip: Always pack a favorite cup when you travel. The awful little paper or styrofoam cups in hotel rooms will hugely diminish your enjoyment of the coffee. Even bad hotel coffee is somehow better out of a favorite cup. I’ve pulled this cup and saucer out of my briefcase at meetings, the strange looks giving me an opportunity to expound to the gathered on the joys of small and ordinary niceties.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Day 18

Day 19

The signs are everywhere.

Day 19

Day 20

This sits on my desk at home. One of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever received, from my son Brendan. People from my hometown of Mexico, MO, will understand. It’s a fire brick from the company my dad worked for over 44 years, A.P. Green Co. Mexico is the “Fire Brick Capital of the World,” and A.P. Green was the biggest and most successful brick company there for many years. Every time I look up and see the brick, I think of my dad and my own countless trips down to “the plant” at night with my dad to check on some new project he and his guys were working on. Such a huge part of my own story. ❤️

So much more than just a brick.

Day 20

Day 21

Young woman playing at Franklin Farmers Market this morning. She was very good! And sweet. Hopes to be a professional violinist one day. Listened for a while, then dropped a few bills in her case, asked if I could take her photo, wished her well and moved on. Bought some Scottish Oatmeal, sampled some Basil Pesto, some daikon radishes. Bought a cold drink and a croissant and called it a day.

Day 21

Day 22

A few years ago I went to a farm/nursery down south of Leipers Fork called “Iris city Gardens”. They had so many exotic and gorgeous Irises. I bought some bulbs for some purple ones that caught my eye, and planted them out back. They told me they might not bloom the next year. I’ve actually never seen them bloom until now. Two bloomed just in the last day or so, and there are several buds yet to open. A little bit of joy for a Sunday.

Day 22

Day 23

When I started this 100 day project, I promised all photos would have *some” level of personal significance for me. I didn’t expect to be posting pictures of food. But here we are. When I saw on the menu at Cracker Barrel that they’ve added back “Eggs in Baskets” I went right back to childhood, and remembered that my mom used to sometimes make these for me. 🥰. Sometime simple things trigger the best memories. I not only loved the eggy toast, but also the little cut-out circles from the bread that mom would fry up right along with the eggs.

Cracker Barrel did not disappoint!

Day 23

Day 24

If you’ve read my posts for any length of time, you know that I often start my Saturdays with a walk, then retire to The Factory in Franklin for great coffee and a good book. They’ve recently remodeled some of the public areas with new furniture, etc, and I don’t find the new stuff as comfortable, warm and inviting as it used to be. But I still find myself there a lot. The Factory was repurposed years and years ago as an artisan place with lots of little shops, a good sprinkling of eateries, conference spaces, and community meeting place. etc. And up to this year when it moved, the home of my beloved Franklin Farmers Market.
It started life Dortch Stove Works, built in 1929. They made wood-burning cast iron “Pot Belly” stoves, and later enameled wood burning home ovens. The front facade still says “Dortch Stove Works”. In the 1970’s, it was bought by Magic Chef, and retooled to build their electric and gas ranges. When I moved to TN and started my work as an industrial controls engineer, Magic Chef was a customer of mine. Today when I walk The Factory I can still see the metalforming presses, assembly lines, and engineering offices in my minds eye, and remember some of the fine folks I worked and consulted with.
After a stint as the Jamison Bedding factory, it closed. It was slated for destruction until a local businessman bought it with an eye to repurposing to the Artisan space it’s become.
This red water tower always gives me a special feeling when I see it. A few years ago during the recent “facelift”, the tower was painted green. There was such a public outcry that soon they repainted it red. 🤣💜.
The Factory. One more reason I love my town.

Day 24

Day 25

Southern Davidson County and Williamson County (where I live) has many dry-stacked “Slave Walls.” Many of these were indeed built by enslaved people. Others were built by Irish and Scottish immigrants. Many of these walls still exist, and are in remarkably good condition even after more than a century and a half. In Franklin and Williamson County, Tennessee, most of the walls we see are historic, hand-constructed fences built using 19th-century enslaved labor. These walls, often marking property lines of plantations like Lealand on Granny White Pike and several others, represent a blend of Scots-Irish building techniques and the skilled craftsmanship of enslaved people. If you keep your eyes open, it’s stunning how many are still there in both prominent and out-of-the-way spots. Too easy to take for granted, they are an important part of our history.

Day 25

 

… to be continued

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