Danielle Murphree reacts to Thursday’s blindside.

Summer’s greatest time-waster is winding down.

After 70 days, only three of the 16 contestants on “Big Brother” remain, including Danielle Murphree of Tuscaloosa. She had faced eviction as early as Day 1’s competition, but has coasted into the final three on the 14th season of the CBS reality show.

Her two competitors are Dan Gheesling, a high school teacher from West Bloomfield, Mich., and Ian Terry, an engineering student from New Orleans. Danielle, Dan and Ian had been members of the Quack Pack and Silent Six alliances, which helped them survive the weekly challenges and evictions. One of them will win the grand prize of $500,000 on Wednesday’s live finale.

Dan returned this season as a coach to three players — including Danielle — after winning “Big Brother” in 2008. In a surprise twist, the coaches (all previous contestants) entered the game as players on Day 27, and Dan is the only former coach to go the distance.

Ian, a fan favorite, has used his extensive knowledge of past seasons to build alliances and to strategically eliminate major players.

Danielle has gone along with her alliances’ plans for the most part. She’s the only female player this season to win Head of Household, twice, and happened to win the Golden Power of Veto those same weeks.

Her most recent reign concluded in disaster on Thursday’s live eviction show. Having nominated fellow alliance members Ian and Dan for eviction, she would have let her “showmance” Shane Meaney pick the evictee. Dan, who has outfoxed most of his housemates this season, convinced Danielle to use her Veto to remove his nomination and put Shane up instead. She did, and Dan voted out Shane to everyone’s surprise.

Dan has made and broken promises to both Danielle and Ian several times. Thursday’s betrayal might put them both on guard.

Danielle may likely be going to the final two, but only as the eventual runnerup. This week’s final Head of Household competition winner will select the sole competitor to face off in the grand prize vote among the seven jury members (the most recent evictees). Dan would pick Danielle as a weaker competitor, though Ian might still take Dan as they vowed to do so earlier, despite Ian’s misgivings.

The jury would likely reward Dan or Ian’s aggressive gameplay more than Danielle’s coasting strategy. But $50,000 for second place and 75 days in captivity ain’t bad.

The show returns at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS 42, followed by the 90-minute season finale at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Zingbot 3000 returns, and saves a real zing for Danielle.

• Tuscaloosa nurse to compete on “Big Brother”
• Watch all 28 mind-numbing hours of this season on Amazon | iTunes [aff. links]

Everyone could tell
the dragon was fake when it
became a giant.

• • •

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They couldn’t agree
on shoe stores, wine lists, small talk
or most anything.

• • •

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1. the stinging storm
   Sun turns to darkness
   turns to rain turns to hail on
   a June afternoon.
2. the littlest wish
   She beheld the cake
   and presents and besties and
   wished with eyes shut tight.
3. first day of summer school
   Her backpack has a
   stowaway hitchhiker who
   wants to sleep in class.
4. idiocracy by the numbers
   What’s scarier? One
   lone idiot or a mob
   of crazed idiots?
5. a weed in the kitchen
   A tomato waits
   to be born in a cramped pot
   on a dark counter.
6. new south blues
   Where once was farmland
   and forests now stands Starbucks
   and Piggly Wiggly.
7. ode to a fallen truck
   The monster plowed through
   many a dirt road and mall
   lot on big tankfuls.
8. lenses
   We look at the world
   through warped lenses, eyeing each
   other with concern.
9. to the guillotine
   They marched to their doom,
   not for crimes committed, but
   for years of service.
10. the fraternity of the notebook and pen
    They would never be
    strangers. Each member knows their
    kin from all newsrooms.
11. sustainable food 2012
    People, people who
    eat people are the super
    hungriest people …
12. walking invalid
    Her brain demanded
    she be happy and sane and
    miserable, too.
13. the hum of comfort
    As long as the fan,
    fridge, TV and computer
    work, summer’s a blast.
14. american nightmare
    New dream: Can we stop
    working one day? Newer: Will
    we have enough work?
15. ode to a catfish
    Dark orphan purrs his
    way into a regal life
    in hilltop castle.
16. dream car
    Runs on moxie, parks
    anywhere, top comes down, big
    cup holder, blasts tunes.
17. summer at last
    The walk from parking
    lot to doorway roasts bare flesh
    with intense UV.
18. the limits of obsession
    Sifting through garbage,
    watching through binoculars,
    but no mornings, please.
19. the blind recruiter
    The agency wants
    the right candidate, but no
    one too “elderly.”
20. all the ghosts have moved on
    He looked back for friends
    from childhood, lost loves, schoolmates,
    but they were all dead.
21. the torch approaches
    Along a quiet
    road in the English country,
    a flame heads homeward.
22. baskets beyond
    Weaving the strips in
    deliberate sequence to
    make lovely patterns.
23. problems, solutions and everything in-between
    Some educated
    guesses mixed with wild hunches
    to look somewhat smart.
24. digital cave drawings
    Our hieroglyphics
    consist of pithy slogans
    on sunset photos.
25. symphonic oddities
    If the platypus
    played an instrument in band,
    it would be trombone.
26. vaudeville in the woods
    The young campers hop
    about backstage, waiting to
    dazzle their parents.
27. the lost inbox
    Fate tosses select
    emails declaring love, hate
    aside for more spam.
28. 100 degrees at the beach
    Let’s hide in the cool
    of the ocean, when the sand
    scorches our bare skin.
29. a reviewer’s eye
    The ability
    to spot talent, flaws, passion,
    potential, mistakes.
30. face race
    She wouldn’t dare step
    out without a dab of blush,
    lipstick and liner.
31. keep america dutiful
    Picture a nation
    that crowds its polls and teaches
    its young as a norm.
32. the trout was innocent
    The eager scamp dropped
    the fish on an untended
    foot. She yelped and fled.
33. the fireworks continue
    Firecrackers bang
    through the night, lit by tempers
    on loosened triggers.
34. becoming undone
    They shared space, yet kept
    their distance, unable to
    find the words to meet.
35. after the service, before the church picnic
    Parson Wilkinson
    sped through a shorter prayer when
    he was too hungry.
36. stomp the pool
    Little bathers romp
    in 3-inch water, splashing
    and laughing in waves.
37. garden trespassers
    The fresh produce aisle
    attracted furry and winged
    shoplifters to feast.
38. vacation from beeps
    “This cabin,” the dad
    declared, “is off limits to
    phones, gadgets and gear.”
39. the fallow corporate farm
    In the dim and dust,
    rows of cubicles remain
    unmanned, untended.
40. weather extreme
    Blistering heat wave
    interrupted by clanging
    thunder and harsh storms.
41. modern meditation
    If peace and bliss can’t
    come through breathing and yoga,
    give me Valium, stat.
42. making ends meet
    What bills get paid and
    don’t seems silly when children’s
    bellies rumble on.
43. strange stirrings
    Once she got ahold
    of his heart, she made it dance
    and race at her will.
44. visual communion
    They stared into each
    other’s eyes, comfortably
    alone from the world.
45. songs among the nothings
    She spoke like a jazz
    sax solo. Her audience
    of one begged for more.
46. all you need is
    Makes the world go ’round.
    Is a many splendored thing.
    Is blind. Conquers all.
47. flawless perception
    They were never flaws
    to her, but more like worn-in
    quirks to be adored.
48. sentiment immortal
    His love refused to
    lie dormant, creeping up through
    soul cracks to sunlight.
49. more vulnerable than venerable
    True love scares me, but
    I have found it scarier
    to go without it.
50. no more empathy
    The mob grew in size
    as disgruntled users called
    for firing squads.
51. if not for the tall blades
    The sidewalk cracks were
    hidden behind the weeds and
    heaps of dry branches.
52. business envy
    The drone longed for air.
    The field agent longed for rest.
    The jobless, for work.
53. solar system refugee
    A steel probe hurtled
    toward deep space, guided by where
    it had once surveyed.
54. a history once whispered
    The technicians put
    in a bare slab where once stood
    a bronze champion.
55. darkness at the edges
    Gloom descends, not in
    a sudden wave, but as a
    creeping fog of dread.
56. the bounty
    Her broad bonnet at
    the window meant a basket
    of unwanted squash.
57. a drink of dust
    Rows of seeds crawl out
    of the baked earth to breathe their
    last before dying.
58. the gymnast’s lament
    A slip becomes a
    deduction, and a small fall
    into a big plunge.
59. the boldest steps
    The boldest steps are
    often the quietest ones,
    tiptoeing forward.
60. track star
    Speakers bop, earbuds
    pop, an infectious rhythm
    comes with a tight riff.
61. two feet high
    The champion stands
    above others, hand over
    heart, beaming proudly.
62. whispers
    Once in a while, a
    few rumors slip past the wall
    of cynicism.
63. tuning up by the stove
    One pot simmers, a
    pan warms up, the cutting board
    groans with chopped items.
64. interplanetary roadtrip
    Curiosity
    brings us to Mars. Let’s drive to
    the new horizon.
65. the universe makes no sense
    We unite to make
    great things, yet spar over slights
    real and imagined.
66. a start and a finish line aren’t enough
    No more plain races.
    Add hurdles, pace car, pursuit,
    targets and synchro.
67. the dozer
    The salesman pitched his
    wares to the audience, save
    for one sleeping gent.
68. shopper’s lament
    Cashier wasted time
    ringing up coupons, time she
    could have been clipping.
69. ask not for whom the school bell tolls
    They played in the yard
    somberly. Soon, the school year
    would claim their free time.
70. the modern crusades
    They shopped and shunned as
    a congregation, secure
    in their holy cause.
71. a bit overloaded
    The ones struggled down
    the circuit, the zeroes kept
    still. Micro meltdown.
72. man’s best fiend
    The schnauzer snuck out
    to dance in the rain, leaving
    mud tracks back inside.
73. force of habitual reading
    About 12 pages
    into the mystery, he
    took a sip of tea.
74. sponsor saturation
    After the ad came
    a promotion, then a paid
    message and come-on.
75. though the squirrels had it first
    The bulldozers left
    in their wake a picturesque
    park where kids could romp.
76. missteps among the suvs
    The marching band sweats
    and struts in the parking lot
    as the field is mowed.
77. pumped
    The bodybuilder
    in the mirror had once been
    a shadow of doubt.
78. all eyes front
    A gaggle of new
    faces stared from rows of desks
    at the scared teacher.
79. the stork 2012
    Delivering tots
    requires tracking codes, thumb
    scans and good earplugs.
80. deferred admissions
    Lead by example,
    a great ideal that falters
    among flawed rulers.
81. tics
    Wash the hands, scrub the
    hands, flex the knee, check the phone,
    wash the hands, glance left …
82. opera of the times
    The fat lady skips
    the aria to wheeze from
    poor health management.
83. like a warm itchy blanket
    I wrap myself in
    hate and look upon the world
    with mistrustful eyes.
84. trudging the campaign trail
    The candidate knocked,
    but the dweller had no clue
    it was time to vote.
85. hurricane party
    The hardy few stayed
    behind to mix cocktails and
    serenade the wind.
86. decision day
    Which candidate? Do
    I stay or flee? Ignore or
    take call? Nap or jog?
87. it shouldn’t be this nice
    Hurricane nearby
    sometimes produces crazy
    beautiful weather.
88. the homework begins
    Read two books, write three
    papers, dissect a worm, solve
    the worksheet. First week.
89. yule celebrate now
    Now that back-to-school
    season is over, stores can
    focus on … Christmas.
90. hidden flasks and other rituals
    The season ticket
    holder took a little nip
    in case his prayer failed.
91. knock knock who’s there it’s leaves
    Along came fall to
    the party, early with a
    flashy ensemble.
92. in honor of 70-hour work weeks
    Spend the holiday
    planning how to do the same
    work in fewer days.
93. evolution of candidate support
    “Smith for Congress,” once
    a yard sign, now ironic
    temporary tat.
94. the city on the edge of foreclosure
    Abandoned buildings
    along the one-way streets waved
    goodbye to locals.
95. the trend is bucked
    Rather than follow
    the crowd, the freshman opened
    a book for pleasure.
96. how to win at stomach punching
    Aim low. No, lower.
    Administer repeated
    blows. Always go first.
97. at times, she misses him
    The empty spot on
    the couch, the missing footsteps
    behind her, the fuzz.
98. twilight of the scarecrow
    The seeds have risen
    and left the site. The birds peck
    at harvested ground.
99. the vikings of new
    Clad in costumes and
    wielding props, they conquer the
    stage and football field.
100. an extra 12 years
     Had they survived, would
     they want to live where mistrust
     and madness flourish?
101. a visit from the ghost of james buchanan
     “Be more playful,” he
     commanded to the snores of
     the slumbering dolt.

• • •

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Had they survived, would
they want to live where mistrust
and madness flourish?

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

Clad in costumes and
wielding props, they conquer the
stage and football field.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

The seeds have risen
and left the site. The birds peck
at harvested ground.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

The empty spot on
the couch, the missing footsteps
behind her, the fuzz.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

Aim low. No, lower.
Administer repeated
blows. Always go first.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

Rather than follow
the crowd, the freshman opened
a book for pleasure.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

Abandoned buildings
along the one-way streets waved
goodbye to locals.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

“Smith for Congress,” once
a yard sign, now ironic
temporary tat.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Subscribe via RSS to Wade’s Daily Haiku. Or have it delivered daily by e-mail.

Video: Color Run

Happy Labor Day!

Leeds will hold its first 5K Color Run at Barber Motorsports Park this morning, weather permitting. The event is sold out, but spectators can line up along the course to see runners splashed with colors.

Spend the holiday
planning how to do the same
work in fewer days.

• • •

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Along came fall to
the party, early with a
flashy ensemble.

• • •

Read more haiku.

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