Driving the back roads from Tullahoma to Shelbyville every day. it gets tempting to zip along much faster than the speed limit -- and common sense -- allow. I was especially tempted yesterday. The weather was gorgeous and I had the B-52's "Love Shack" at top volume.

But there are certain spots on the road where I always slow down. Not so much for safety, but because I have to check on my buds. I think I know every horse between the two towns and I like to watch them. One of my favorites is a big Belgian who lives in a field near the little white Methodist Church. It's usually up on the hill so I usually just glance over and drive on.

But Yesterday, it was standing by the road, head hanging over the fence and ears pricked forward as if saying "Hey! Hi! Stop and sit a spell, will ya?"

I didn't stop and sit a spell, but I slowed down to a crawl just to get a good, close look at the gentle giant. Then it was on again, on again, and headed for work.

I accelerated and came around a blind curve -- just in time to see the last of about eight deer leaping across the highway.

If I hadn't slowed down to say hello to the Belgian, I would have plowed into the middle of the does. Someone would have been carried away from that wreck, human or hind, and it would have been a painful, ugly, expensive mess.

So I want to ask whoever owns that gorgeous Belgian to go out and give it a hug for me, and an apple, and anything else it wants. Thank it for the reminder that we all need to slow down -- and stop and smell the horses on the way.

Or at least say "Hi!" to them.