My husband has suggested, on more than a few occasions, that I am not from this planet.

OK, I can be more than a little spacey at times.

In my teaching days, I cheerfully referred to myself as &#8220the absent-minded professor.”

I am, in fact, 100 percent earthling. My head just spins in too many directions a lot of the time.

Take a recent Saturday. After covering an event for the paper and doing a little shopping, I returned home with an armful of equipment and a few new purchases to be greeted by my three allegedly starving dogs.

While trying to keep from tripping over the pooches, who were bound and determined to sniff out my possessions, I slammed the Jeep door shut and went into the house.

What I failed to notice was the fact my seat belt was left dangling outside the door.

I did notice it the next morning, for sure – or what was left of it.

Did I mention one of my dogs is a puppy?

And what do puppies like to do?

Yes, Tutie Belle had eaten my seatbelt.

When he saw the destruction, my spouse gave me that all-too-familiar eye roll.

&#8220She wouldn't have chewed it up if someone hadn't left it hanging out, would she?” he said.

Talk about feeling chagrined.

Since I do more driving in my job than Benny does, we swapped vehicles for several days while tracking down a replacement.

I am happy to report a new belt is now in place.

And, yes, I make sure that belt is safely inside the Jeep each and every time I exit it.

After all, Tutie's pretty white teeth, like the rest of her, are still growing…like my absent-mindedness, it seems.

Speaking of things growing, Greenville Main Street is anticipating the growth of its new blues festival in the coming years. I attended a Main Street luncheon on Friday that celebrated the successes of this year's events.

Music promoter Ansel Strickland, who worked with Nancy Idland and the Main Street Board in organizing the first Sweet Gum Bottom Blues Festival, had a lot of good things to say about the support the event had received from the local community.

He also anticipates the possibility this could become a very big event for the city.

I have to agree.

After the seeing and hearing the caliber of musicians at our inaugural event, and learning how eager they are to return to Greenville, I really think this could be the beginning of something very positive for our area.

A well-attended festival brings folks in who are going to spend money on lodging, food, gas, and probably do a little shopping.

It puts a spotlight on our town and county.

As Martha herself says, &#8220It's a good thing.”

If you attended the festival and had an enjoyable time (and I don't see how you couldn't have), then spread the word. And while you're at it, thank the hard-working volunteers who helped mount the event.

Angie Long is Lifestyles reporter for The Greenville Advocate. She can be reached at 382-3111 ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate.com.