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I know that some men don't like to wear pink, but I've always heard that pink helps reduce anxiety and anger. Don't you think the world would be a better place if everyone wore pink? Fran, Tellico Village

When I was in Cub Scouts, they took us on a field trip down to the local jail. We noticed that the drunk tank was painted pink. The Jailer explained that they found that pink had a soothing effect on the prisoners and they caused less trouble. I've heard that several times since and I guess it's true. I suspect that's why when you get fired they give you a pink slip. You are correct when you say that a lot of guys won't wear pink. About 20 years ago, I bought a pink shirt and wore it...once. Gee people can be cruel! As for getting everyone in the world wearing pink, good luck.

	Our cat just at five kittens. They're the cutest things. Brown and grey and they all have the cutest little noses and little tails. They're cuddly and real lovable. Do you want one? Jennifer, Knoxville
	No.

	Where is Frendsville? Brenda, Morristown
	Where is Friendsville??? Sounds like someone watched the Catfish story the other night. The location of Allison's Catfish Restaurant should be posted on this site soon if it isn't already. It's on Union Grove Rd. But "Downtown" Friendsville is a few miles away. It's a pleasant little town with a neat history and a great ice cream parlor. And that's good enough for me.

We moved here in May from Michigan. Someone told us that it can get a little hot in the summer. If this is a little hot, I'd hate to see a lot hot. Paul, Maryville

That's like telling someone that it can get a little cold in Michigan. But to be honest, this summer seems unusually hot. We just got our electric bill and it was brutal. Todd Howell always says on the weather "don't forget to check on your elderly friends". I just wish Russell Biven would stop calling me every night. My only suggestion would be to hope for a cooler August. But that ain't gonna happen. You might want to call your relatives back in Michigan and ask them if they want some company for a month or so. Then let me know when we're leaving.

	Now the Titans have gotten in the act by filing a silly lawsuit. It never ends. How long must we go on hating Lane Kiffin? Debbie, Knoxville
	Indefinitely.

	If you eat at all the places we see you at, how come you don't weigh 300 pounds? Ronald, Morristown
	Gimme time. Rome wasn't built in a day.

	What happened to Ricky Skaggs? I saw him in a Zack Wamp commercial and he sure didn't look like himself. His hair was down to his shoulders. Donna, Tazewell
	I've asked around and heard several theories about Skagg's new look. (A) He's sworn not to cut his hair until the Kentucky Wildcats football team defeats Tennessee. (B) Hasn't sold many records lately...trying to cut down on expenses. (C) Trying to look more like his idol, King Louis XIII.

Don't you think that the Tennessee Governor race has turned mean. How does that happen with three candidates who are all known to be "nice" men? Janet, Knoxville

I've always heard that politics changes people. And not for the better. Not everyone is affected, but you're sure right, this year's campaign has had it's bad moments. We've certainly heard a lot worse, but Mr. Wamp and Mr. Ramsey have certainly had some harsh words for Mr. Haslam. The description "billionaire oil man" is not a compliment. And, I'm guessing, not quite accurate. I'm sure Mrs. Haslam is wondering where the rest of the money is. And I never considered a guy whose family owns a chain of high end fillin' stations an "oil man". That title is usually bestowed upon people like T. Boone Pickens and J. Paul Getty. I'm just ready for the whole thing to be over.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Randall, Harrigate

That, of course is the second oldest riddle in history, the first being "why did the chicken cross the road?". Apparently chickens lend themselves to riddles. But the "which came first" question can also be a serious one. And just recently, scientists in the U.K. claim they've solved the mystery once and for all. Researchers from Warwick and Sheffield universities studied the formation of a chicken's egg in great detail and found that the shell was made from a protein found only in a chicken. Case closed.

	Hello. I'll be going to Ireland to visit family for two weeks in September. Have you ever been there, and is there anything I can bring back for you? (within reason) Chris, Canastota, NY
	Faith 'n' Begorrah!!! So you'll be goin' back to the Old Sod!!! Lucky you. I've always wanted to go, if for no other reason than to to look up my relatives. My great-grandparents on my mother's side, the ans, came here from County Fermanagh. If you get there, feel free to mention their name. I'm sure the Statute of Limitations has run out.

Summer's almost over. Have you enjoyed it? Sandra, Knoxville

Almost over????? It's only mid-July and according to my calender, Summer lasts until Autumn takes over on September 23rd. I think the confusion stems from the ridiculously early start of the school year. Knox County schools start August 17th which, while not good, isn't horrible. But according to the Maryville City school calender, classes begin August 2nd! There's still a month and a half of summer left after that!!!!!! I'm a firm believer in starting classes AFTER Labor Day.

We had a get-together the other night and a friend asked what he could bring and I told him to bring potato chips. He brought Pringles and that touched off a huge debate. Are Pringles really potato chips? Pam, Knoxville

First of all, in the interest of full disclosure, I love Pringles. I cannot eat one at a time. I usually stack four or five together. Having said that, a Pringle is not a potato chip. I don't know about legally, but a Pringle contains only 42 per cent potato. But here's the strangest thing I know about Pringles. You know that tubular can they come in? It was invented by a guy named Frederic J. Baur. When he died his family had some of his ashes buried in-----a Pringles can!

	I saw a poll today that said Obama was tied with Palin. And they both trail Romney, Gingrich and Huckaby. Gary, Knoxville
	And your question is..................????? Okay, I guess it was just an observation. If the question is what do I think...I think it's just too early to be thinking let alone writing about the 2012 election. Sure Obama's in big trouble and his bubble seems to have burst...but a lot can happen. And there I go violating my own policy of not talking let alone writing about the 2012 election!

What's happened to Mel Gibson? Has he gone crazy? I thought he was a good Christian man. Beth, Sweetwater

Maybe he's a good Christian man who's gone nuts. Mr. Gibson seems to be a man of extremes. He's extreme in his religious beliefs, extreme in his temper tantrums, extreme in his hate for certain races and religions and extreme in his generosity with charities. If you were kind you'd say he was multidimensional. If not, you'd say he's a jerk. My advice to him would be that in the future he shouldn't leave voice mails anymore.

	Ken: LeBron Follows El Rushbo to Florida, Where the Achievers Go No state income tax? That lures the successful. Ken, are you here because of no state income tax???!!! Steve, K-Town
	No, I came for the barbecue. Besides, when I came here 35-years ago I had no income to tax.

I'm confused. What is the difference between a corn dog and a dip dog. dottie, powell

That's tough. To some people the two are the same...just different names. But to "dip dog" purists there's a world of difference. Corn dogs are hot dogs dipped in a cornmeal batter. Apparently, in some places, dip dog batter is different. I saw it described somewhere as "Long John Silver's batter meets onion ring batter meets pancake batter". In other areas there are other foods known variously as Frank Fritters, Fried Devil Dogs, Crusty Frank Snacks and Fried Dogs. And there's a fairly well known eatery in Marion, Virginia called the Dip Dog Stand. It's on the web at www.dipdogs.net

	My husband and I are in an endless debate. Is it regardless or irregardless? Pat, Oak Ridge
	It's "regardless". But that's probably one of the most common mistakes in the English language . Without getting into the whole double negative issue, irregardless actually means the exact opposite of regardless. The theory is that people confuse regardless with irrespective and end up combining the two. But to be honest I've long thought that irregardless sounds more imressive than regardless.

How come the post office is raising the cost of a stamp again? Rhonda, Madisonville

Because they can. Postal officials say that because less people use the mails, preferring to e-mail, their revenues are way down. And the Post Office got itself into the same bind as the auto industry...having to pay out Five Billion dollars a year to fund future health care for it's retirees. Rate hikes at the post office have been common over the years. But it used to be every four, five or eight years or so. But we've had rate hikes every year since 2006. To be fair, the rate hikes are smaller, at least percentage wise. The latest announced hike will take us from 44 cents to 46 cents. You can imagine the outrage in 1932 when the priced jumped from two to three cents!!! Ouch!

What do you think of the Labron James deal in Miami? Chuck, Knoxville

I really just heard about it so I haven't had a chance to give it serious thought. But that's never stopped me from giving my opinion before. First of all, I found it a welcome distraction from that World Cup Soccer business. I think that's still going on. But as for Lebron's deal, I'd never, ever criticize anyone, anytime for wanting to leave Cleveland for any reason at all...even if millions of dollars weren't involved. Cleveland..."The Mistake by the Lake"...has been the butt of jokes for generations and there must be a reason. Now I realize that Cleveland is clawing it's way back and is no longer the worst city in America. They have my home town of Detroit to thank for that. But I'm sure Lebron will be happier in Miami. As they say in Miami---"recepción a Miami, Labron. ¡deje los juegos comenzar! ¡Tenga un cigarro!"

Can't they leave Linday Lohan alone? Hasn't she suffered enough? Janet, Knoxville

I'll tell you who's suffered enough, Janet. It's us. The viewers of news. We've been beat over the head with news and commentary about poor little Lindsay. It just make you want to scream at those network news executives. Sure we feel sorry for her and sure we want her to get her life back on track but geeeeeez, aren't there some more important issues out there that the boys at MSNBC and Fox can spend time telling us about????? A mention of LL going to the slammer is okay, but the networks have been beating a horse! Don't get me started. Here's what Scott Whitlock of the Media Research Center said: "Over the span of two days, the network morning shows have given just 20 seconds of coverage to the recess appointment of Donald Berwick, a pro-rationing doctor who will run Medicare. In contrast, Good Morning America, Today and Early Show devoted 52 minutes of coverage to every detail of Lindsay Lohan's sentencing." Pathetic.