It is a quiet morning out here on the prairie. We are waiting for those cooler temps to arrive. It has been fall for over a month in the house and it would be so appreciated by many for it to look like fall outside. Roy was up early going to Bible study and then taking Sequisha in for a little check up. Not only does Sequisha have a boo boo on her bumper, her battery was running low. Ugh! You kind of know how long a battery will last and she was coming up to that time. I noticed the other day she didn't start up like normal. When Roy looked at her Thursday night, the engine would not turn over but he assured me on Friday when he got home, the engine would start. And it did. He drove over to Christian Brothers Auto and they changed out the battery. This morning he wants Toyota to check out the electrical system to make sure it was only the battery and not the alternator. And Roy just called and Sequisha is in good shape.
Since I wasn't able to get to Target Thursday afternoon, I tagged along with Dena Thursday night. Of course one needs fortification for Target shopping so we started off with some Mexican food. Then we split up to do our shopping and we both were finished at the same time. I picked up some pictures I had printed off my iPhone using the app Kick Send. The quality is good. We rarely have pictures made anymore but I needed some for our family prayer guide for Community Bible Study. We use the pictures, label them and then add on the back what we need prayer for. We will trade them like baseball cards in leadership. I think that is a pretty neat idea. Don't be surprised if Buddy shows up in the pictures. I am going to work on that today so it will be ready for Tuesday's meeting. Got my fancy scrapbook paper and tape ready to doll this thing up.
Looking back on last week, I think we have found the right amount of time to stay at the Biltmore. There are so many little towns and sights around the Asheville area that we haven't even began to explore. On Saturday, we left a little before 8:00 am hoping to get close to I 10 and spending the night. We did something we have never done before, drove straight through. Getting back that hour in Alabama helps. We got home at 11:45 pm. It was hard to drive those last hundred miles but it was worth it to sleep in our own bed. I am so glad we traveled last week and not this week. Battery and now tropical storm Karen. The rain would be worse than what we went through.
On Sunday we started unpacking but also getting things ready for Mary Madeline's stay with us. I had done a lot of it before we left. Roy and I grabbed some much needed Tex Mex for lunch and he ran to the grocery store afterwards while I continued doing laundry.
Mary Madeline got here around 5:00. She was a sight for sore eyes. We have been friends for forty years and she has had a tremendous influence on my life. I think everyone who knows Mary Madeline would say that. Later in the evening Dena came over so that they could meet one another. I love when friends meet friends. It's so fun! They both have a heart for studying the Bible chronologically so I have wanted them to meet for several years. We had a great evening of laughs and conversation that sometimes Roy felt brave enough to join in but would retreat to his study when he had enough girl talk. Mary Madeline and I stayed up late and talked and our conversation picked up right where it left off on Monday morning. We eased into the day. Later in the afternoon I took her to the airport so she could return home to her family who missed her mightily.
Driving home from the airport the joy of having life long friends just about took me over. The joy of having long time friends nearly overwhelmed me and by overwhelmed, I mean it in the good way. I am so thankful for the good friends that the Lord has knitted my heart with and I love how fun and easy it is to make friends in Community Bible Study. You really never know where and when you'll find a friend.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The West Side (of the Estate) Story
Since I still have balance problems, I've not gone on any of the Segway tours with Roy to the other side of the acreage on the Biltmore Estate . I enjoyed Roy's pictures and thought that was that. Friday morning we both found out about the tour on the west side of the estate, me in the shuttle to the house and Roy rolling on the river. There were openings for the tour at 3:30. We have heard this guide that did the west side tour before on the legacy of the land tour. He is well informed and quite interesting. These are some of Roy's pictures from the tour. Most of the vineyards, sheep and cattle are over there. They are experimenting with producing canola oil to use as bio-diesel fuel and the fields and the huge storage tanks for that are over there as well.
This is the guard donkey for the sheep. Donkey's make great protectors of sheep and chickens. Their kicks can injure coyotes and foxes. The donkey's braying sounds the alarm that there is trouble. Hey, the donkey is kind of like Lassie. It is so interesting to watch the interaction between the sheep and donkey. Another donkey cannot be put in there with them because the donkeys together will ignore the sheep or chickens they are supposed to be watching over.
Didn't Get a Billy Greet While We Explored Montreat
Thursday morning was overcast and the skies hinted at rain. It is a difficult thing to decide if the rain is going to be just in the mountains or affect those of down in the valley, valley so low... We decided to take a chance and first go to the information center on the Blue Ridge Highway since it is so close to Asheville. The weather held while we toured the center and saw how the highway was built and then of course topped off the educational opportunity with some information center shopping. We left there and went about five minutes down the highway to the Highlands Folk Art Center. Wow! It was so interesting and creative. The upstairs was the gallery of beautiful artesian paintings, pottery, wood and husk dolls indigenous to the area and all kinds of other things. The downstairs had a huge store where one of a kind items were being sold. OK, not everything was one of a kind, but you know what I mean. We found several items that needed to come home with us including a beautifully hand cut and crafted train. Roy loves him some tractors and some trains, so we got it for his study. I even found a beautiful drawing of sheep.
Since the skies were just overcast we headed on down the Interstate a bit to Black Mountain. It is such a cute little town with an absolutely delightful downtown. Roy took a lot of pictures, but I will spare you. While he took pictures, I looked around several antique shops. We had seen an old time hardware store on Main Street, so we headed that way and were so happy we did. It had other things besides hardware. Lots of retro games along side digital ones.
A garden walkway to another part of downtown.
We had a great time on the road, off the estate. Since we had just kind of snacked for lunch, we came back to the Inn and had dinner on the Veranda. That's fancy talk for porch. The sun was just starting to hide behind the mountains as we sat in the rocking chairs and ate dinner. Truly one of my favorite places to eat at the Inn.
The time was drawing closer to our last day....we kept it kind of open like we had on Monday with the exception that instead of doing the Segway like he did on Monday, he did the river rafting on the French Broad River on Friday. I rafted on the shuttle over to the house where I did some last minute shopping. I am enamored with the whole loose tea thing, so I got a cute pink and white teapot. All the Vanderbilt brands were a little too pricey for my liking. Then I got some sugar cube tongs, little tiny spoons and tea infusers that sit on top of the cup.
After Roy's rafting trip, we decided to go on the tour of the west side of the estate in the afternoon. I am so happy that we had done most of our packing, condensing of bags and repacking Thursday night.
Since the skies were just overcast we headed on down the Interstate a bit to Black Mountain. It is such a cute little town with an absolutely delightful downtown. Roy took a lot of pictures, but I will spare you. While he took pictures, I looked around several antique shops. We had seen an old time hardware store on Main Street, so we headed that way and were so happy we did. It had other things besides hardware. Lots of retro games along side digital ones.
Roy loved the glass bottle soda water display. This is one of several shelves. Lots of old time board games too.
After we spent time looking around in Black Mountain we headed toward Montreat. I so wish I could find Dottie Laas and tell her I finally got to Montreat and they didn't kick me out because I am Baptist. It is a Presbyterian retreat center and Billy Graham's home. Word must have gotten out that we were there because he came and greeted us by the Coke Machine...uh...no, that didn't happen. Well, the Diet Coke thing happened but not the Billy Graham thing. A side note, Roy has discovered CheerWine. No he didn't go all alcoholicie or anything, but it is made in North Carolina. Kind of like how Dr Pepper used to be in Texas. Back to Montreat, it is beautiful! The stone buildings, the beautiful southern styled homes and the beginnings of fall colors on the foliage.
This is the entrance. Beautiful stonework.
I am so glad I didn't see Roy doing this, but he leaned over the falls to take this picture.
I believe I have found my new church home...Church of the Prodigal. Although sometimes in the big picture prodigals can become the older brother. I still stand by my reasoning that I would identify more with the fatted calf. Hmmm....I wonder if Sunday after church they serve fatted calf along with some fatted fried chicken, fatted green beans and fatted biscuits?
The time was drawing closer to our last day....we kept it kind of open like we had on Monday with the exception that instead of doing the Segway like he did on Monday, he did the river rafting on the French Broad River on Friday. I rafted on the shuttle over to the house where I did some last minute shopping. I am enamored with the whole loose tea thing, so I got a cute pink and white teapot. All the Vanderbilt brands were a little too pricey for my liking. Then I got some sugar cube tongs, little tiny spoons and tea infusers that sit on top of the cup.
After Roy's rafting trip, we decided to go on the tour of the west side of the estate in the afternoon. I am so happy that we had done most of our packing, condensing of bags and repacking Thursday night.
For the Beauty of the Earth
- Lord of all, to thee we raise
- this our grateful hymn of praise.
- For the joy of human love,
- brother, sister, parent, child,
- friends on earth, and friends above,
- Pleasures pure and undefiled, Lord of all…
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Rainy Days and Wednesday, I Get Around
This trip had the element of rain or the threat of rain throughout the week. On Friday and Saturday's drives, we hit a lot of hard, can hardly see in front of you type rain. On Friday we stopped in at LSU in Baton Rouge. Roy is an alumni and hadn't visited the campus since 1983 or so. Siri was giving us wrong directions once we were on campus, but all the ways around the campus came back to Roy. We stopped at Tiger Stadium, better known as Death Valley and walked a little through the campus. It was a busy football weekend with Auburn being the weekend's opponents. We found the bookstore and as we perused all things Tiger related, the heavens opened with a brief but heavy downpour. By the time we had purchased a few things, the rain had stopped and we were able to walk back to the car and then head out to Brook Haven, MS. It rained practically the whole time on that portion of the trip and we were so happy to be able to stop. We were so worn out by the stress of LSU traffic and parking and heavy rain that we opted to eat dinner in our room. Roy walked to the nearby Krystal's hamburger place. I had a salad and chili and it wasn't too bad. It rained all night and it was still raining on Saturday morning. We were encouraged that the rain had lightened up and hoped for an uneventful drive to Chattanooga with a stop at Dreamland in Birmingham. No, the rain was moving ahead of us and by the time we were at Jackson, the drive was intense and focused. Trucks should have bigger lights on the back and silver trucks blend in with the gray rain. By the time we stopped at Chicky for a bathroom break and ice tea in Meridian, the rain had lightened up a tad but we were not out of the rain until we drew close to Birmingham. Our stop at Dreamland was just that, dreamy. No, it was all ribs and sauce, with a few new t-shirts added to the collection. Oh and banana pudding. The waiter that had served Dena and me in May was our waiter again. Dena and I didn't know his name but we called him sunshine. After the rush because it was all things UAB football and Crimson Tide, Sunshine came to our booth and asked if I had been there several months ago with a friend...yes. His name is Robert and we had a delightful conversation. Before leaving we not only loaded up on cute t-shirts but we loaded up on BBQ sauce. The drive to Chattanooga was uneventful but we arrived a little later than we had hoped for. I was kind of feeling guilty because I wasn't going to call our niece who goes to UT-Chattanooga. Turned out that she was with her mom and they were visiting our niece who goes to Rhoades College in Memphis. It was reenactment weekend in Chattanooga. We had a southern bell and a union solider boy eating breakfast by us on Sunday morning. As we began on the back roads of Tennessee and North Carolina, the sun broke through the clouds. Roy and I were able to participate in a beautiful church atmosphere right there in Sequisha. We stopped in Waynesville and then headed for some Mexican food in Asheville before going to check in at the Biltmore. It seems ironic that after the traffic and chaos at LSU and the torrential blinding storms that we would be rear-ended as we checked in at the entrance of the peaceful estate. If you are staying at the Inn you stop for the card that you place in your windshield for the duration of your stay. As I was following the directions of the gate keeper, I heard a horrible, horrible noise. I looked at the panicked expression on his face and said, did I run over one of the cones? No, a car had just turned into our back bumper. Roy was in his element, getting info and taking pictures of the cars. The couple that hit us were very nice but when the man driving who only has vision in one eye said he didn't see us....I had to stifle a giggle. At first his wife kind of had an attitude but when she realized they were fully at fault and all the gatehouse people were stating the obvious of what happened, she relented and became very pleasant to talk with. The Biltmore Estate police had to come and investigate the accident. He did us a huge favor and wrote up the report and took statements from us. So glad that no one was hurt, just surprised. I hoped that this wasn't a foretelling of the week ahead and it wasn't. Roy and I checked in at the Inn and we had a lovely view overlooking the terrace and the Biltmore House in the distance.
Wednesday was our next rain filled day. We eased into the day with breakfast and then reading in the library. Since it wasn't too heavy of a rain, we felt good about venturing to downtown Asheville. There is an indie bookstore there that I love, not as much as Square Books in Oxford, but I totally enjoy browsing through. Roy was smart because he got a cup of coffee and sat in the coffee bar while I spent a lot of time going through the rows of books. I love buying regional authors on trips and I had a huge selection both in fiction and non fiction. Let's just say that by the end of our time there, we walked out with two shopping bags full of books. All of them were mine with the exception of one book Roy found. We went to Mast General Store in Asheville since it is located downtown and then headed back to the Inn. It was beginning to dry out but it didn't matter because we had a reservation for high tea at 4:00. Believe me, it is only the rain and Roy's love for me that got him to be a somewhat willing participant. He kept saying these are great appetizers and I didn't have the heart to tell him then that this was it. I think he was very happy with the location of our table...in the corner. We sat near the pianist who on cue, just as I was going to ask him if he could play the Rachmaninoff music used in the movie Somewhere in Time, he began playing it. Loved that all his sheet music was on his iPad.
The forecast for Thursday had been for partly cloudy skies but throughout the day on Wednesday the rain chances began increasing. Fortunately those showers never developed and we were able to get back out in the countryside on Thursday. More about that later.
Wednesday was our next rain filled day. We eased into the day with breakfast and then reading in the library. Since it wasn't too heavy of a rain, we felt good about venturing to downtown Asheville. There is an indie bookstore there that I love, not as much as Square Books in Oxford, but I totally enjoy browsing through. Roy was smart because he got a cup of coffee and sat in the coffee bar while I spent a lot of time going through the rows of books. I love buying regional authors on trips and I had a huge selection both in fiction and non fiction. Let's just say that by the end of our time there, we walked out with two shopping bags full of books. All of them were mine with the exception of one book Roy found. We went to Mast General Store in Asheville since it is located downtown and then headed back to the Inn. It was beginning to dry out but it didn't matter because we had a reservation for high tea at 4:00. Believe me, it is only the rain and Roy's love for me that got him to be a somewhat willing participant. He kept saying these are great appetizers and I didn't have the heart to tell him then that this was it. I think he was very happy with the location of our table...in the corner. We sat near the pianist who on cue, just as I was going to ask him if he could play the Rachmaninoff music used in the movie Somewhere in Time, he began playing it. Loved that all his sheet music was on his iPad.
The forecast for Thursday had been for partly cloudy skies but throughout the day on Wednesday the rain chances began increasing. Fortunately those showers never developed and we were able to get back out in the countryside on Thursday. More about that later.
A Pleasant Tuesday on Vacay
Part of the fun of our trip was Roy's choices with the Biltmore's Outdoor Center. He did the Segway on the west side of the estate, river rafted the French Broad River and we both went on the shuttle tour of the west side. Since he hadn't planned on the river rafting trip we had to find some water shoes or some cheap tennis shoes for him. This sounds like it would be a rather easy thing, but Roy wears a size 14 in sporting shoes and he has a narrow foot. I wasn't exactly excited about the hunt. I Googled to see if there was an Academy store nearby...no. There was a Dick's Sporting Goods and several sure to be expensive outdoor recreation stores.
On Tuesday we left the estate and went to Linville Falls. When Dena and I were there in May, I barely could get across the bridge and just a little way up the trail. Last week I hiked with Roy to the Falls but realized that I shouldn't probably try to go to the overlook with him. I was content to sit on a rock and do some people watching. I was a little ashamed that 70 and 80 year olds were passing us at breakneck speed on the trail and they jumped and maneuvered the descent to the overlook like it was a short line at Luby's. It was a God thing that Roy picked up the wrong back pack when we left the Inn. Instead of having his camera and lenses, he had his Kindle and lap top. So iPhone pics had to suffice thus ending our visit to Linville Falls rather quickly....well quicker than if he had his camera. As we came back across the bridge over the stream, there was an elderly lady in a wheel chair with drawing pad and pencils in hand sitting there on the bridge. She looked to have a careful eye for detail as she studied the trees with their branches bending down toward the water. Was she taking in all the water covered rocks with brilliant sunlight making them reflect such a beautiful array of colors? I could hardly wait to walk by and sneak a peek at her artwork. As we walked by trying not to disturb her concentration, I had the biggest let down, sort of like the Texan football game last weekend. She was drawing stick figures and straight lines. Dang, she's as good of an artist as I am. Stick figures are my specialty.
We drove a short ways on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock. My prayer is always Lord, please help me find a parking place where I don't have to parallel park Sequisha. The Lord answered my prayer. Roy and I ate lunch at the same place Dena and I had found only Roy thought it was more like ladies lunch. I could see why he thought that because it must have been southern ladies who lunch day at the outdoor bistro. Make that older, refined, southern senior citizens women. There were tables of southern gentlewomen in counts of 6 or 7 and there was a smattering of twosomes. The accents were flying high that afternoon. These women were dressed in their best designer named clothes. Perfect coifs and manicures. Etiquette and good manners coming out the yahzoo. From the top of their heads to the tips of their comfort shoes....yes comfort shoes...with socks...complementing their Chanel, Ralph Lauren (the equestrian look was well represented) and Michael Kors clothing. SAS shoes, Keen, Merrill and Clark seemed to be the shoes of choice. I didn't feel one bit left out or under dressed in my black cargo capris, LSU t-shirt and tennis shoes.
We looked around in a few shops. The best one is the one that Dena and I loved. I helped the local economy. At a produce stand, I saw scuppernong grapes. There is a reference to The Bad Seed right there.
After Blowing Rock, we drove up to Boone. We are returning to Boone on our next trip. There were so many cute shops in the downtown area. We had come to Boone for two reasons; Roy wanted to see Appalachian State (they beat Michigan a few years ago) and to go to Mast General store to look for water shoes. The only parking we could find had a thirty minute limit, so we would have to be quick. We went upstairs to look at shoes, Roy went off to the right but I made a bee line straight ahead to find a pair of size 14 water shoes marked down 75%. He tried them on, they would do and we were out the door with time to spare. It was a divine shopping appointment! We were praising God for the shoes and for the fact we wouldn't have to give a lot of precious vacation time searching for shoes.
There was a lot of road closures and construction in Blowing Rock, so we looked for another route to head back to Asheville. Word to the wise, if you see the route and the sign says Scenic North Carolina, turn around. Take your chances with backed up traffic. Oh scenic highway, started out so nice, just a few curves in the road but quickly it became blind switchback curves and lots of 20mph driving, on a narrow road with big trucks coming at you. At times I would glimpse at the beauty but if we were going to arrive alive at the Inn, I pretty much kept my eyes on the road. I was a little nervous because I did not want to be on that road at dusk. We finally came to the main highway we needed and slightly curving roads were a welcomed sight.
This last part of the day was disturbing and rather strange. On our way we had seen a Dairy Queen and on our return, we decided to stop and get some ice cream. The Dairy Queen was attached to a Stuckey's. First things first, we went to the bathroom. As we went toward the DQ it felt like a huge step back in time. It has been eons since being in a Stuckey's and I saw the pecan logs and all the other souvenirs that are usually found in a Stuckey's. But along with the Stuckey staples were so many politically incorrect items, Aunt Jemima salt and pepper shakers, plates. You could buy various sizes of Confederate flags. I think I saw some white sheets for sale as well....no not really but it wouldn't have surprised me. The people working there were downright scary and would rather cut you than serve you. We took our ice cream and headed out the door quickly only to be greeted by two rough looking rednecks. They were beside their Dixie truck with a hot mama sitting in the front seat. Soon a couple of other trucks pulled up and we didn't waste any time getting out of there. I don't know if Stuckey's was around in the 30's, 40's and 50's but it certainly did feel like we had stepped into a time warp. A not good time warp.
So, that was our Tuesday. Lots of fun, lots of shopping with a little bit of scared and unbelief thrown in.
On Tuesday we left the estate and went to Linville Falls. When Dena and I were there in May, I barely could get across the bridge and just a little way up the trail. Last week I hiked with Roy to the Falls but realized that I shouldn't probably try to go to the overlook with him. I was content to sit on a rock and do some people watching. I was a little ashamed that 70 and 80 year olds were passing us at breakneck speed on the trail and they jumped and maneuvered the descent to the overlook like it was a short line at Luby's. It was a God thing that Roy picked up the wrong back pack when we left the Inn. Instead of having his camera and lenses, he had his Kindle and lap top. So iPhone pics had to suffice thus ending our visit to Linville Falls rather quickly....well quicker than if he had his camera. As we came back across the bridge over the stream, there was an elderly lady in a wheel chair with drawing pad and pencils in hand sitting there on the bridge. She looked to have a careful eye for detail as she studied the trees with their branches bending down toward the water. Was she taking in all the water covered rocks with brilliant sunlight making them reflect such a beautiful array of colors? I could hardly wait to walk by and sneak a peek at her artwork. As we walked by trying not to disturb her concentration, I had the biggest let down, sort of like the Texan football game last weekend. She was drawing stick figures and straight lines. Dang, she's as good of an artist as I am. Stick figures are my specialty.
We drove a short ways on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock. My prayer is always Lord, please help me find a parking place where I don't have to parallel park Sequisha. The Lord answered my prayer. Roy and I ate lunch at the same place Dena and I had found only Roy thought it was more like ladies lunch. I could see why he thought that because it must have been southern ladies who lunch day at the outdoor bistro. Make that older, refined, southern senior citizens women. There were tables of southern gentlewomen in counts of 6 or 7 and there was a smattering of twosomes. The accents were flying high that afternoon. These women were dressed in their best designer named clothes. Perfect coifs and manicures. Etiquette and good manners coming out the yahzoo. From the top of their heads to the tips of their comfort shoes....yes comfort shoes...with socks...complementing their Chanel, Ralph Lauren (the equestrian look was well represented) and Michael Kors clothing. SAS shoes, Keen, Merrill and Clark seemed to be the shoes of choice. I didn't feel one bit left out or under dressed in my black cargo capris, LSU t-shirt and tennis shoes.
We looked around in a few shops. The best one is the one that Dena and I loved. I helped the local economy. At a produce stand, I saw scuppernong grapes. There is a reference to The Bad Seed right there.
After Blowing Rock, we drove up to Boone. We are returning to Boone on our next trip. There were so many cute shops in the downtown area. We had come to Boone for two reasons; Roy wanted to see Appalachian State (they beat Michigan a few years ago) and to go to Mast General store to look for water shoes. The only parking we could find had a thirty minute limit, so we would have to be quick. We went upstairs to look at shoes, Roy went off to the right but I made a bee line straight ahead to find a pair of size 14 water shoes marked down 75%. He tried them on, they would do and we were out the door with time to spare. It was a divine shopping appointment! We were praising God for the shoes and for the fact we wouldn't have to give a lot of precious vacation time searching for shoes.
There was a lot of road closures and construction in Blowing Rock, so we looked for another route to head back to Asheville. Word to the wise, if you see the route and the sign says Scenic North Carolina, turn around. Take your chances with backed up traffic. Oh scenic highway, started out so nice, just a few curves in the road but quickly it became blind switchback curves and lots of 20mph driving, on a narrow road with big trucks coming at you. At times I would glimpse at the beauty but if we were going to arrive alive at the Inn, I pretty much kept my eyes on the road. I was a little nervous because I did not want to be on that road at dusk. We finally came to the main highway we needed and slightly curving roads were a welcomed sight.
This last part of the day was disturbing and rather strange. On our way we had seen a Dairy Queen and on our return, we decided to stop and get some ice cream. The Dairy Queen was attached to a Stuckey's. First things first, we went to the bathroom. As we went toward the DQ it felt like a huge step back in time. It has been eons since being in a Stuckey's and I saw the pecan logs and all the other souvenirs that are usually found in a Stuckey's. But along with the Stuckey staples were so many politically incorrect items, Aunt Jemima salt and pepper shakers, plates. You could buy various sizes of Confederate flags. I think I saw some white sheets for sale as well....no not really but it wouldn't have surprised me. The people working there were downright scary and would rather cut you than serve you. We took our ice cream and headed out the door quickly only to be greeted by two rough looking rednecks. They were beside their Dixie truck with a hot mama sitting in the front seat. Soon a couple of other trucks pulled up and we didn't waste any time getting out of there. I don't know if Stuckey's was around in the 30's, 40's and 50's but it certainly did feel like we had stepped into a time warp. A not good time warp.
So, that was our Tuesday. Lots of fun, lots of shopping with a little bit of scared and unbelief thrown in.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Returning Again and Again
I'm asked all the time why we return again and again to the Inn on the Biltmore Estate. For years we teased my parents because they went to Branson twice a year and went to the same shows they had seen before and maybe just maybe if they were feeling a bit adventurous they would add an additional show. If they liked it, the show was added to their rotation. We go to Biltmore but rarely do the same thing twice except for maybe enjoying the stay and marveling at the pastoral beauty of manicured fields and being surprised each morning by the fog or mist and even perhaps a clear view. We searched for black bear sightings because this fall the bear have been out and more visible. We did see deer, wild turkeys, the fattest squirrels ever, geese that don't leave the estate because they've found a good thing and chipmunks. The sheep herd had a few new little lambs and the cows, well, they were just cows.
This particular stay has quickly become one of my favorites. The end of September isn't a busy time, so there isn't a sense of rushing. This trip had an additional element of me actually feeling good. It has been quite some time that I was able to participate and thoroughly enjoy walks both on the estate and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since the temperatures overnight had dropped into the 50's, most mornings one of the big fireplaces in the library would be lit and the comfy couch and chairs beckoned. On Tuesday, after breakfast, Roy and I sat in front of the fire and read. I had brought several books but I was trying to finish up Heartbreak Café, so it was my choice of the morning. The story takes place in Mississippi, but the main character needs to have some time away and as she sets out of town, she decides Asheville will be her destination. So, on Tuesday I began to read the part I just wrote about. Timing is everything and it meant so much to read about her thoughts concerning the Blue Ridge Mountains and the breath taking scenery. The author voiced what I have been unable to put into words when asked why we return year after year when there is so many other places to see.
"People talk about the majesty of the Rockies, but there's no beauty on earth like the Blue Ridge. The Rockies are young mountains, high and hard and angular and bare. These are soft with age, dusted with snow like powdered sugar and wreathed into mist. Trustworthy mountains, un changed and unchangeable. Blue and purple and dark green and gray, folded together in layers. I could feel their steadiness, a comfort like old flannel, as if they were embracing me, drawing me in and welcoming me home.
I knew better, at least in my mind....The thought gave me no pleasure. So for now, for just a little while, I'd let the mountains enclose me, let myself pretend I belonged. Pretend I was coming home."
The atmosphere encourages slowing down, noticing life and taking a deep breath. It seems that almost everyone employed by the estate is content and happy doing their job. Their responses to often asked questions that they are probably asked ten times a day, are gracious, respectful and a hint of freshness, like they had never answered that question before. The bonus is learning how the estate is primed to be self-sustaining or getting to go to the west side or hearing in the behind the scenes tours those tid bits that inform and entertain. Many of the guides were not natives of North Carolina, but had visited many times on vacation and when they retired, they headed to Asheville to enjoy the beauty and to be employed by the estate.
At home more often than not arising early is not a joyful experience but there, we woke up and headed right into the day. There was so much we wanted to see and do. Wednesday was the only rainy day and it afforded the opportunity to go downtown to Malapropos, an independent bookstore and to Mast General Store. I would be embarrassed to tell you how many new books came home with me and how many new t-shirts have been added to my collection.
So, we returned home refreshed and rested. We are contemplating a return Christmas visit but after this week, we might have been ruined to go in any of the busy seasons.
This particular stay has quickly become one of my favorites. The end of September isn't a busy time, so there isn't a sense of rushing. This trip had an additional element of me actually feeling good. It has been quite some time that I was able to participate and thoroughly enjoy walks both on the estate and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since the temperatures overnight had dropped into the 50's, most mornings one of the big fireplaces in the library would be lit and the comfy couch and chairs beckoned. On Tuesday, after breakfast, Roy and I sat in front of the fire and read. I had brought several books but I was trying to finish up Heartbreak Café, so it was my choice of the morning. The story takes place in Mississippi, but the main character needs to have some time away and as she sets out of town, she decides Asheville will be her destination. So, on Tuesday I began to read the part I just wrote about. Timing is everything and it meant so much to read about her thoughts concerning the Blue Ridge Mountains and the breath taking scenery. The author voiced what I have been unable to put into words when asked why we return year after year when there is so many other places to see.
"People talk about the majesty of the Rockies, but there's no beauty on earth like the Blue Ridge. The Rockies are young mountains, high and hard and angular and bare. These are soft with age, dusted with snow like powdered sugar and wreathed into mist. Trustworthy mountains, un changed and unchangeable. Blue and purple and dark green and gray, folded together in layers. I could feel their steadiness, a comfort like old flannel, as if they were embracing me, drawing me in and welcoming me home.
I knew better, at least in my mind....The thought gave me no pleasure. So for now, for just a little while, I'd let the mountains enclose me, let myself pretend I belonged. Pretend I was coming home."
The atmosphere encourages slowing down, noticing life and taking a deep breath. It seems that almost everyone employed by the estate is content and happy doing their job. Their responses to often asked questions that they are probably asked ten times a day, are gracious, respectful and a hint of freshness, like they had never answered that question before. The bonus is learning how the estate is primed to be self-sustaining or getting to go to the west side or hearing in the behind the scenes tours those tid bits that inform and entertain. Many of the guides were not natives of North Carolina, but had visited many times on vacation and when they retired, they headed to Asheville to enjoy the beauty and to be employed by the estate.
At home more often than not arising early is not a joyful experience but there, we woke up and headed right into the day. There was so much we wanted to see and do. Wednesday was the only rainy day and it afforded the opportunity to go downtown to Malapropos, an independent bookstore and to Mast General Store. I would be embarrassed to tell you how many new books came home with me and how many new t-shirts have been added to my collection.
So, we returned home refreshed and rested. We are contemplating a return Christmas visit but after this week, we might have been ruined to go in any of the busy seasons.
Monday, September 30, 2013
I'm Back
We're back! We had a wonderful trip to North Carolina. It was a great get away with wonderful surroundings and temperatures. There were day trips to the surrounding area and a visit to downtown Asheville on a rainy day. Something that we hadn't planned to do was drive back straight through home. Seventeen hours on the road with minimal stops. Since I do all the driving, when we got home I went inside, took my medicine and fell into bed. Sunday morning I began getting things ready for a visit from a long time friend. One of my friends from CBS and her son dropped by to pick up some dog and cat food going to a good cause. And then Charles and Paula brought Mary Madeline to our home. It was great seeing them. I just got home from taking Mary Madeline to the airport. She and I had a fabulous visit. Dena came over last night and my two friends finally got to meet. Peggy was occupied with other things, so Mary Madeline will have to make a return trip.
I have missed writing on my blog and hopefully I soon will have some time to sit down and tell some of the stories from the past week or so. I'm having difficulty even now because Buddy hasn't left my side since her return home from camp. The first hour she was home she meowed and yowled like she was hurt but I think she was letting us know how unhappy she has been at camp. She stayed in step with me most of the afternoon and never left my side last night. Right now she is on my lap but she has been trying to wrap herself around my neck like when she was a kitten.
I have missed writing on my blog and hopefully I soon will have some time to sit down and tell some of the stories from the past week or so. I'm having difficulty even now because Buddy hasn't left my side since her return home from camp. The first hour she was home she meowed and yowled like she was hurt but I think she was letting us know how unhappy she has been at camp. She stayed in step with me most of the afternoon and never left my side last night. Right now she is on my lap but she has been trying to wrap herself around my neck like when she was a kitten.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
A Little Post on a Thursday
Rancho De Five just had some significant rain, well at least at our house. The doves were lined up on the fence with their wings up so the rain could refresh them. I should have taken a picture because it was a beautiful sight.
We had an incredible time at Bible study this morning. We answered homework questions on Genesis 2 and 3. The depth of wisdom and insights were plentiful. It was good to have Jenea` with our group today. So glad she signed up to attend in this in-between time. What fun to be together again with Jenea` and Becky. We worked together in the ED Suite at church and those were some rockin' good times.
There is hope that I will finally learn how to tie a scarf. I have so many pretty ones but I can do a knot or let it just hang there. The fine folks at Coldwater Creek has a booklet with ten different styles. I am looking forward to being fashionable and attractive this fall in my scarving. Just an observation, I don't think there is ever a time that their clothes are not on sale. No paying full price. I wasn't even going to go there but stopped in a Get Personal Katy to pick up a flat iron cover. Got a great deal on a retired pattern of Vera Bradley. So I walked through CWC and saw a couple of things that needed to come home with me.
Last night Dena brought over pizza and dessert. It was delicious but the fun is being able to live close enough to do these kinds of things again. We watched Toddlers and Tiaras and Duck Dynasty. Roy joined us for DD, as he wasn't that interested in T&T. I wonder why?
Roy and I are getting away for a few days of R and R. So Buddy has been a little suspicious that she just might be going to camp, although she probably calls it prison. I tried to act all natural like I wasn't stalking her or anything. She had gone under the bed on her blanket to the far uttermost part of underneath the bed. So after watching a little TV to make her think...nothing new happening here, I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She loves to get in the shower and that drew her out of her hiding place. I kind of felt guilty picking her up and taking her to camp. She was not happy to go to camp. It always makes me kind of sad, well, really sad but not sad enough not to go on our get-a-way. Oh, we have people here for our few days away, so don't get any ideas.
I better take care of a few odds and ends. I'm packed for the most part, but things like a reserve pair of glasses and charger cords always need all that last minute attention.
We had an incredible time at Bible study this morning. We answered homework questions on Genesis 2 and 3. The depth of wisdom and insights were plentiful. It was good to have Jenea` with our group today. So glad she signed up to attend in this in-between time. What fun to be together again with Jenea` and Becky. We worked together in the ED Suite at church and those were some rockin' good times.
There is hope that I will finally learn how to tie a scarf. I have so many pretty ones but I can do a knot or let it just hang there. The fine folks at Coldwater Creek has a booklet with ten different styles. I am looking forward to being fashionable and attractive this fall in my scarving. Just an observation, I don't think there is ever a time that their clothes are not on sale. No paying full price. I wasn't even going to go there but stopped in a Get Personal Katy to pick up a flat iron cover. Got a great deal on a retired pattern of Vera Bradley. So I walked through CWC and saw a couple of things that needed to come home with me.
Last night Dena brought over pizza and dessert. It was delicious but the fun is being able to live close enough to do these kinds of things again. We watched Toddlers and Tiaras and Duck Dynasty. Roy joined us for DD, as he wasn't that interested in T&T. I wonder why?
Roy and I are getting away for a few days of R and R. So Buddy has been a little suspicious that she just might be going to camp, although she probably calls it prison. I tried to act all natural like I wasn't stalking her or anything. She had gone under the bed on her blanket to the far uttermost part of underneath the bed. So after watching a little TV to make her think...nothing new happening here, I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She loves to get in the shower and that drew her out of her hiding place. I kind of felt guilty picking her up and taking her to camp. She was not happy to go to camp. It always makes me kind of sad, well, really sad but not sad enough not to go on our get-a-way. Oh, we have people here for our few days away, so don't get any ideas.
I better take care of a few odds and ends. I'm packed for the most part, but things like a reserve pair of glasses and charger cords always need all that last minute attention.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
All in All
Last night Roy got out his camera, which I don't think he has used since Thanksgiving because he hadn't downloaded the pictures from the Biltmore. I think he has been occupied with other things like his Trek and work. So, he downloaded his pictures and I've been looking at them today. I had forgotten how he would get up before sunrise, pull out the tripod and take pictures of the sunrise. Oh my, those pictures of the sky and mountains are beautiful. I really enjoyed them because I hadn't been up at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise in person. Even though we were there past leaf turning time, many of the trees still had fall colors. When we would make a comment about the color all the native North Carolinians laughed at us, but when you get like three days of fall at home, the colors are spectacular.
The fall season or rather the fall season that everyone imagines around here is my favorite time of year. Love those mornings and evenings when the first hint of a cool breeze breaths hope that the sweltering temperatures will be gone soon. Soon it will be time to get the fire pit going to roast hot dogs and make s'mores . New this year is the chair I bought specifically for sitting next to the fireplace to read.
I am so excited that my friend Mary Madeline will be in town the last weekend of September and that she will spend a night with us. It has been a couple of years since we have seen each other but we keep up with one another. She is my fruffiest friend and I love that about her. We are opposites but when the Lord knits hearts together, He knows what He is doing. I appreciate the gift of her friendship.
Dena is bringing pizza over for dinner. Roy is thrilled because he doesn't have to pick anything up and I'm thrilled not to cook but getting to see a friend. Texted with Peggy, emailed with Becky K and talked to Emily...all in all it has been a good day, friend-wise. Dena also let me know that it is a banner night TV wise. New Toddler and Tiara, Duck Dynasty, and Honey Boo Boo. I don't watch HBB very much anymore. It just a flip over during a commercial kind of thing.
In October I go back for an adjustment on this recorder thing in me. The incision is healing quite nicely. I haven't set off any security alarms but I am probably a suspicious person because I've been sweating up a blue streak again. I had to go back to taking the Ultram ER two times a day which means many times during the day I look as if I have been running or working out. Maybe this is when I should put on my faux workout clothes. I was in Academy yesterday and there was a lot of commotion because they were filming a commercial. They had all these people with radios barking out commands and requests. Several were on the trail of a group of shoplifters. I kept waiting for them to bark out, sweating woman leaving the store, paid for her purchases or better yet, what this commercial needs is a persperous woman. No call back for me. Oh well....
The fall season or rather the fall season that everyone imagines around here is my favorite time of year. Love those mornings and evenings when the first hint of a cool breeze breaths hope that the sweltering temperatures will be gone soon. Soon it will be time to get the fire pit going to roast hot dogs and make s'mores . New this year is the chair I bought specifically for sitting next to the fireplace to read.
I am so excited that my friend Mary Madeline will be in town the last weekend of September and that she will spend a night with us. It has been a couple of years since we have seen each other but we keep up with one another. She is my fruffiest friend and I love that about her. We are opposites but when the Lord knits hearts together, He knows what He is doing. I appreciate the gift of her friendship.
Dena is bringing pizza over for dinner. Roy is thrilled because he doesn't have to pick anything up and I'm thrilled not to cook but getting to see a friend. Texted with Peggy, emailed with Becky K and talked to Emily...all in all it has been a good day, friend-wise. Dena also let me know that it is a banner night TV wise. New Toddler and Tiara, Duck Dynasty, and Honey Boo Boo. I don't watch HBB very much anymore. It just a flip over during a commercial kind of thing.
In October I go back for an adjustment on this recorder thing in me. The incision is healing quite nicely. I haven't set off any security alarms but I am probably a suspicious person because I've been sweating up a blue streak again. I had to go back to taking the Ultram ER two times a day which means many times during the day I look as if I have been running or working out. Maybe this is when I should put on my faux workout clothes. I was in Academy yesterday and there was a lot of commotion because they were filming a commercial. They had all these people with radios barking out commands and requests. Several were on the trail of a group of shoplifters. I kept waiting for them to bark out, sweating woman leaving the store, paid for her purchases or better yet, what this commercial needs is a persperous woman. No call back for me. Oh well....
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The Sounds of Daily Life
It's the sound of Tuesday, the trash men picking up the recyclable trash which means soon I will be hearing the sound of regular trash pick up. The sounds of Wednesdays and Thursdays is the sounds of lawn maintenance on the green space and also on our own lawn. Funny how we get used to the sounds of our days. Today also had the sound of prayer and homework discussion and learning in our leadership time. The sound of our servant team being that, servants. Not afraid to get their hands involved in the physical side of ministry. On Saturday morning for the welcome breakfast, the kitchen was a buzz with activity. Peggy making pancakes, Dena making coffee and Roy frying bacon. Someone asked me why I wasn't in the midst of the hub bub. I told them this is one thing I learned being on a church staff....I cast the vision, a breakfast brunch and then I gave leadership to it by having others use their giftings in preparation. I was there to answer any questions they might have and look good. That's how you cast and give leadership. Stuff like this seems to be more like a Ponzi scheme in the church world. Cast and give, lead from rest...it's good if you are one of the first to discover this and not so good if you are on the bottom of the heap authority wise. Sometimes no one cares that you worked really hard and your home life has a million responsibilities and a day of rest might be nice. Oops, there is the sound of getting off track and distracted. Did I just see a squirrel?
Yes, the sounds of daily life. I am enthralled with these passages from Galatians as paraphrased in The Message:
Yes, the sounds of daily life. I am enthralled with these passages from Galatians as paraphrased in The Message:
Galatians 5:16-18
The Message (MSG)
16-18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.
Love reading this very familiar passage in The Message. There is so much that jumps out to me in these scriptures but ugly parodies of community has my attention and legalism is helpless in bringing this about, has my attention as well. This is out of the devo book Solo, that uses The Message and it goes through the New Testament giving things to pray through and to think about. We've all seen ugly parodies of community...all the fakeness of community that isn't really getting along, but all parties know how community looks, so it is played out; it is a parody.
Now I am hearing another sound of life...Buddy is meowing, so she must want a treat. And really I need to be putting some stuff together for a future get a way. Kathy in Brandon, MS, will you comment on this post with your email? I won't publish it but need it to get in touch with you about our plans.
19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.
Love reading this very familiar passage in The Message. There is so much that jumps out to me in these scriptures but ugly parodies of community has my attention and legalism is helpless in bringing this about, has my attention as well. This is out of the devo book Solo, that uses The Message and it goes through the New Testament giving things to pray through and to think about. We've all seen ugly parodies of community...all the fakeness of community that isn't really getting along, but all parties know how community looks, so it is played out; it is a parody.
Now I am hearing another sound of life...Buddy is meowing, so she must want a treat. And really I need to be putting some stuff together for a future get a way. Kathy in Brandon, MS, will you comment on this post with your email? I won't publish it but need it to get in touch with you about our plans.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Rancho De Five and Time in a Bottle
Thank you Kathleen and others who cleaned up the kitchen for me. I think Roy was surprised and then most appreciative because he had committed to helping with the clean up.
On Friday, I got my hair highlighted and cut and had a little down time between that and my pedi appointment. Chris was at our home cleaning, so I called Dena and went over and hung out with her for about thirty minutes. She fed me a delicious peanut butter sandwich. At the salon several of us were trying to decide what colors we wanted. On the left was a woman looking for maroon polish. I asked her if she was an Aggie and she said yes. On the right hand side the woman who was looking for school color polish said, I am an Alabama alumni. Wow, stuck in the middle but that is when I told them I rooted for LSU because I married an alumni. We were representing the SEC well in the salon. They even set us by each other for our pedis.
Which brings me to this point.... we do not root for Alabama in our home. When you are married to a Louisiana boy and LSU graduate , who has a long memory and not a whole lot of love for Alabama, you learn to pull for the opponent Alabama is playing. I do get confused though if Alabama and Notre Dame play because the hubs doesn't like them either. When I played tennis, my partner in doubles graduated from Alabama and she and her family are huge financial donors with a long line of alumni coming before them and her sons were for sure going there when the time came. She brought me back a really cute Alabama t-shirt and I wore it one Saturday. Roy was all, why are you wearing that shirt? Who gave you that shirt? You know how I feel about Alabama...and he asked me to put it in the Good Will bag and so I did. So you know this before reading the next paragraph, we are not in the Alabama camp and I have many good, good friends who are Aggies.
Like many of y'all, we watched the Alabama/Texas A&M game. It was an exciting game, no doubt. By the score it is obvious that defense wasn't a friend to either team. The game and Johnny lived up to the hype. After the game even Nick Saban gave proper respect for Johnny Football and the A&M team. On Facebook, so many Aggie status updates said "our team just ran out of time," implying if there had been more time, they would have pulled off the win. Twitter updates again and again repeated the lament of the lack of time. Blog post...if we had more time....Someone from church took a point from the pastor's sermon or either he said this...we weren't at church and haven't watched the webcast yet; "yesterday, dear friends you did not lose, you simply were not provided ample time to show your talent on the field." WHAT???!!!! I am sure going in Kevin Sumlin knew both teams had sixty minutes to play. His mismanagement of the clock in the last few minutes might have factored into this not having ample time to play. But what a crock....not enough time? What if last year Alabama had said the same thing about their loss to Johnny? Really, you cannot discount the fact that the number one team in the nation played on your field and I am sure if they had more time or ample time, they could have scored more points as well. The loss came down to the two interceptions. It was a brilliantly played game by both teams, so don't cheapen the whole thing with this rationalization about time. That statement, not having ample time is up there with these kinds of statements that plague our conversations with things that sound good but are so false; "God couldn't be everywhere, so that's why He created Mothers." Here's another one; "God was lonely so that's why He called her home to Him." "Heaven needed another angel or another member of the choir."
I'm pretty sure if this week your kid doesn't get an assignment in on time or has a less than stellar grade on a test, you or the teacher would not accept the excuse, but mom, I didn't have ample time to show you my talent on the paper or test.
I promise you when Alabama and Texas A&M play LSU and if and when they beat the Tigers, I will not use the 'if I could save time in a bottle' excuse.'
Thursday, September 12, 2013
It's Almost Friday
This morning I was up with the sunrise and even though I didn't really have the time to linger watching the sun's rays begin their journey through the house, I made the time. So what if my make up was half way done this morning for Bible study. The study is the first room that receives the rays and they make their way through my reading room, and then into the kitchen and family room. The illusion of the rays and the direct way they hit the windows can make you think that every light is on. I love seeing mornings come like this even though I am not much of a morning person. I'm so thankful to see this beautiful sight a lot of mornings....then there are the other mornings where sunrise, diffused rays through the windows have happened and I am a late comer to the display but on those mornings I am thankful for the extra sleep.
We had our first week of homework discussion this morning at Bible study. We had a lively discussion that was fun and rather deep at times. Almost everyone of us said we learned something new about the creation story. I love how God reveals Himself anew in those passages that we feel like we have a grasp of.
I just read an interesting article and with the news of the demise of the mini van, I am feeling more confident about the future in the Target parking lot.
But it proved a passing fad. Minivan sales that once regularly commanded 8% of the market up until 2000 have been sliding for over a decade to their present low of 3.7% thus far in 2013. Forever associated with soccer moms, minivans have always been regarded as purchases of necessity, not aspiration. Since no vehicle shaped like a breadbox and designed to haul people could ever be stylish, their appeal was based on functionality -- and when cupholders and seven-passenger seating began appearing in crossover SUVs with greater sex appeal, their fate was sealed.
The above is from a CNN/Fortune article. I know that the mini van isn't going to vanish as quickly as Twinkies did last year, but it gives me hope. Now I will have to find another arch nemesis. Nah, I'm certain that "it" will find me.
Roy caught the second to the last bus of the Park and Ride this evening. His Thursdays usually run late. I made Taco Salad last night for dinner, so he will be happy because there are leftovers and it will take no time to get it fixed. Peggy and I traded Consuela days, so I am putting things away in preparation of her early morning arrival. So thankful to have a hair cut appointment and pedi on the books. I'll probably stop at BWC for breakfast to get away from home earlier. Roy said he would pick up the stuff from Kay's for Saturday's breakfast tomorrow afternoon. Then we will get the last minute stuff tomorrow evening. So glad to have married a plan man.
Tomorrow the steri strips come off my incision. I think it is healing up nicely although it creeps me out to feel that recorder under my skin. Yuck! My official card came yesterday that identifies why I might set off security in stores and in airports. No third world country travel for me anytime soon.
Guess I will go to the rather large stack of to be read books and find something to occupy me tomorrow while getting highlights and a pedi.
We had our first week of homework discussion this morning at Bible study. We had a lively discussion that was fun and rather deep at times. Almost everyone of us said we learned something new about the creation story. I love how God reveals Himself anew in those passages that we feel like we have a grasp of.
I just read an interesting article and with the news of the demise of the mini van, I am feeling more confident about the future in the Target parking lot.
But it proved a passing fad. Minivan sales that once regularly commanded 8% of the market up until 2000 have been sliding for over a decade to their present low of 3.7% thus far in 2013. Forever associated with soccer moms, minivans have always been regarded as purchases of necessity, not aspiration. Since no vehicle shaped like a breadbox and designed to haul people could ever be stylish, their appeal was based on functionality -- and when cupholders and seven-passenger seating began appearing in crossover SUVs with greater sex appeal, their fate was sealed.
The above is from a CNN/Fortune article. I know that the mini van isn't going to vanish as quickly as Twinkies did last year, but it gives me hope. Now I will have to find another arch nemesis. Nah, I'm certain that "it" will find me.
Roy caught the second to the last bus of the Park and Ride this evening. His Thursdays usually run late. I made Taco Salad last night for dinner, so he will be happy because there are leftovers and it will take no time to get it fixed. Peggy and I traded Consuela days, so I am putting things away in preparation of her early morning arrival. So thankful to have a hair cut appointment and pedi on the books. I'll probably stop at BWC for breakfast to get away from home earlier. Roy said he would pick up the stuff from Kay's for Saturday's breakfast tomorrow afternoon. Then we will get the last minute stuff tomorrow evening. So glad to have married a plan man.
Tomorrow the steri strips come off my incision. I think it is healing up nicely although it creeps me out to feel that recorder under my skin. Yuck! My official card came yesterday that identifies why I might set off security in stores and in airports. No third world country travel for me anytime soon.
Guess I will go to the rather large stack of to be read books and find something to occupy me tomorrow while getting highlights and a pedi.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
September 11
Every year since 2007 when I started Monablog, on September 11th I post this. Then in 2008 on September 11, I posted this.
If you ever doubt that you have purpose. If you ever question what am I to do. Know this, if you are still here on this earth, God has something for you to do.
We lost too many on September 11, 2001 and yet there are those stories of being late to work or having something come up where people did not get into New York City at their regular time.
Patriot Day. God saved me both times on September 11th. I am so grateful and thankful to Him.
If you ever doubt that you have purpose. If you ever question what am I to do. Know this, if you are still here on this earth, God has something for you to do.
We lost too many on September 11, 2001 and yet there are those stories of being late to work or having something come up where people did not get into New York City at their regular time.
Patriot Day. God saved me both times on September 11th. I am so grateful and thankful to Him.
Tuesday Because I Can't Think of a Title
Buddy and I are waiting for Roy to get home. Buddy is watching the birds and I am in Roy's study. We had a very nice and quiet anniversary yesterday. Roy knew he would be later getting home from the office and a friend from work asked him for a ride home from the Park and Ride. Since we have a breakfast thing coming up, we decided that this would be the best evening to try out the bacon from Midway Market and try a cheese grits recipe. The bacon was divine, need to find a better grits recipe. Breakfast for dinner is one of my favorite all time meals, so what a treat. Then Roy put together a laundry/ironing board kind of thing and don't laugh....a craft drawer thing on wheels. Yes, when I am crafting, I like to move all about the house. No, but I do use it for artful journaling so the craft drawer thingy is going out into the casita bedroom. So this bacon...we rarely have bacon and even rarer, frying it up. Oh my, the house this morning still had the fragrance of bacon lingering and I was a bit worried that I might smell like bacon at Bible study.
After leadership council, which I think Genesis is going to be a fabulous study, I had to make the dreaded Hobby Lobby trip. I think it is all over me that I am really uncomfortable being there. So anything and everything that could possibly go wrong does and I'm not even talking about all the mini vans in the parking lot. I did find what I was looking for and I picked the wrong check out line. Price check on lane 8 for Dora the Explorer ribbon. Then the lady didn't have her receipt for some high density glue that she bought accidently instead of low density glue. Who knew? I believe I only know about Elmer's and paste. While waiting ever so patiently, reinforcing what I learned this morning about being created in the image of God and being Christ like, I casually looked at the worship CDs and on time...I began to sweat profusely from some medicine I'm taking. I have it timed now that this will happen about every three hours. Probably on the hidden camera to catch shoplifters, this doesn't look good. Really? Who would shoplift praise and worship CDs? I was glad when they said unto me, let's get out of the house of the Hobby Lobby.
Several weeks ago when straightening up our closet, I found a devo that I have used in the past and love it. SOLO, a devo using The Message. Instead of going through one a day, I go through them at a week or longer time. The one I have been reading since last week on Galatians 5 is blowing me away.
Well, Roy just walked in the door, so guess we better go heat up our lovely dinner from the fine folks at Sprouts.
After leadership council, which I think Genesis is going to be a fabulous study, I had to make the dreaded Hobby Lobby trip. I think it is all over me that I am really uncomfortable being there. So anything and everything that could possibly go wrong does and I'm not even talking about all the mini vans in the parking lot. I did find what I was looking for and I picked the wrong check out line. Price check on lane 8 for Dora the Explorer ribbon. Then the lady didn't have her receipt for some high density glue that she bought accidently instead of low density glue. Who knew? I believe I only know about Elmer's and paste. While waiting ever so patiently, reinforcing what I learned this morning about being created in the image of God and being Christ like, I casually looked at the worship CDs and on time...I began to sweat profusely from some medicine I'm taking. I have it timed now that this will happen about every three hours. Probably on the hidden camera to catch shoplifters, this doesn't look good. Really? Who would shoplift praise and worship CDs? I was glad when they said unto me, let's get out of the house of the Hobby Lobby.
Several weeks ago when straightening up our closet, I found a devo that I have used in the past and love it. SOLO, a devo using The Message. Instead of going through one a day, I go through them at a week or longer time. The one I have been reading since last week on Galatians 5 is blowing me away.
Well, Roy just walked in the door, so guess we better go heat up our lovely dinner from the fine folks at Sprouts.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Happy Anniversary Sweetie!
My roommate introduced us at a noon Bible study held once a week in a conference room at Pennzoil. Roy was an auditor and I worked in the treasury department. So, he was on the 19th floor where treasury was located a lot on official business...but then he came around a lot to stop and visit with me. After he returned from six weeks in Brussels, he took me out to lunch at Charlie's 517. After that lunch, neither one of us was too impressed with the other; I thought he was arrogant and he thought I was shallow. But then, he asked me out to a concert but I already had a date to it. He asked me out again and I had other plans, but I changed them and went out with him. And as it is said, the rest is history. Work Roy and Regular Roy are two differently entire things and I know that now.
We both brought baggage into our marriage and after years of lugging it around and after unpacking and packing it right back up, we've found what love is all about and finding love means ditching the baggage and traveling light. In recent years many young single women would say to me, I want to marry a man just like Roy and I would respond, he didn't come this way. We have learned so much from one another. His kindness, generosity, spiritual guidance and leading, his heart...Oh, I love that man! He once asked me never to refer to him as 'my man' because he thought it objectified him, rather than personalized him. He is not macho in his appearance but he is tough when and where he needs to be. "Man Up" describes him through all these years and he man upped before it was a cool term to throw around.
Through these last five years he has carried the load of so many things I was physically unable to do and never once complained.
So today as I am everyday so thankful for Roy. I appreciate, love and respect him. He thinks I'm funny. He thinks I am deep. He thinks I'm beautiful. He keeps me from going to my fearless zone. I think he's handsome, pretty dang cool, smart, spiritual and mine.
Love you Roy! Here's to 36 more years!!!
Friday, September 6, 2013
Friday...A Catch Up From the Week
Yesterday was our first day of Community Bible Study and I got to meet my group. So excited to get to know these ladies and to learn and study Genesis. It is rather embarrassing that a side effect of some of the medicine I'm taking is sweating. Sorry, a tad persperous. No full on sweat and just like clockwork, sweat appeared right in the middle of core group. Then I had to fan and explain which made some think menopause but no side effect of some pain meds. Ugh! It is worse than hot flashes.
One of the quotes from Tuesday leadership council was this; " operational excellence makes the ministry." It is all the behind the scenes work that makes the flow of ministry happen. After working six years at a church, I certainly appreciate this and know that it is true. Our coordinator for the Katy class is truly gifted and does her tasks well and with great humility.
I stayed up way too late last night because I couldn't put the book down I was reading, Moonrise by Cassandra King. This book held my attention from the first page. It was the book of choice for all things waiting rooms. The tension was building and the truth would finally be known and the big reveal, while interesting, was a little disappointing. It's kind of like how I felt the first time I watched the movie Suspicion. Big buildup and huge disappointment at the ending. Later found out that most people in the 40's would not have believed that Cary Grant could be that mean and evil....so they changed the ending. I reread the ending again this morning thinking maybe I had missed something. No. I would not hesitate to recommend this book, because it is really good. My disappointment probably stems from knowing the book has Rebecca type themes and personalities, so I thought the ending would be dramatic like the end of Rebecca. Moonrise has great characters and the relational aspects between them are very well written.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Hope Falls Eternal in September
Today was my last in the series of injections in my knees. This one hurt a little more than the other two but that's because I've got gel inside my knees from the previous shots and there isn't as much room in there. I have felt good since the first shot but the doctor told me today that in about two to three weeks I will really begin to feel a difference, if it is working. Sure hope that these injections do the trick so I won't have to have knee replacement surgery anytime soon. The waiting room can be purely entertaining. There was an older couple sitting behind me and the discussion they were having as the woman filled out the forms was classic. When you're asked about ailments or surgery, she was diligently going through each choice. Her husband told her, just check everything cause you have had everything or you have just about had everything removed. They got into a little tiff and then in typical old person fashion, they became very concerned because people who had come in after them were being called behind the golden door before them. They were an hour and a half early for the appointment. It is hearing things like this that has been a constant reminder to me about attitude in the midst of illness and the need to depend on God because we can't do this in our own strength. In those particular rough patches early on this journey, it had to be the Lord's doing because basically many times I was done. There have been many I've observed on a tough, tough road in their personal lives but how they conducted their lives and how the words they spoke were not of despair or looking for sympathy, even in the great losses, with their hearts broken, they gave great testimony of the Lord. So thank you Marge Caldwell, Carole Lewis, Beth Moore and Janet Taylor for modeling how we are to live when the course of life is not the course we would have chosen.
This morning was leadership council meeting. I had to stay afterwards for some training that I had to miss last week. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and then called most of my group before heading to the doctor.
It is 111 degrees outside but hope falls eternal in September. We are close to seeing fall that one day in November, but we know we have many more days of 90 and above temperatures to make it through. Last year I waited until it was cool, like in the 80's to put out fall décor. This year, hot temps be darned! I'm putting out some fall foliage around the house. On the way home I stopped at Home Goods and got a few more fallish type items as well as some Thanksgiving things for later on. If you don't get stuff now it gets picked over. Did you feel the world go a little off kilter this afternoon? You can blame me because I went into Michael's for a couple of things. Michael's and Hobby Lobby are not even on a regular rotation of stores for me.
Yesterday, as I began my fall tour in our home, I went about it in pure sanguine and ADD methods. I started on fall, but soon diverted my attention to cleaning out the cabinet underneath my bathroom sink, which led me to finding a set of sheets in the linen closet I had bought and getting them into the washer, then taking all the old sheets and putting them away to cover plants if it freezes, then getting all the odd pillowcases that have collected themselves on a shelf and getting rid of them. which led me back to fall but first I felt I needed to go through a couple of boxes that are stored with the fall décor in the guest bedroom closet. Most everything got done, except for putting everything back in the closet and finishing the fall decorating.
Last night Bill and Peggy brought over pizza to Dena's and we were invited to come eat with them. Such fun! Dena is moving through those boxes lickity split and has most of the needed stuff organized and ready to roll. Roy and I were going to introduce her to Burgers and More on Saturday but when Roy pulled up to order, there was a sign on the door that they are closed until October.
The Amish Craftsman called today and the sideboard we ordered and was made by a little ol' Amish man in Indiana is here and ready to be delivered. That is so exciting because it wasn't supposed to be here until October. I've been reading several blogs that the authors are trying to buy American and make differences in people's lives and welfare. We have contributed greatly to the Amish Americans. I love that look because it reminds me of my mother's mom...who didn't have arts/craftsman style furniture but decorated in that warm, homey style of arts/craftsman. The furniture is the closest thing I will have to living in a bungalow.
I'm so thankful that the lovely people from Sprouts have prepared tonight's dinner. It's rough being spiritual early in the morning, injected in the early afternoon and fall décor shopping in the almost unbearable heat of the late afternoon. So thankful for A/C and a cold Diet Coke.
This morning was leadership council meeting. I had to stay afterwards for some training that I had to miss last week. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and then called most of my group before heading to the doctor.
It is 111 degrees outside but hope falls eternal in September. We are close to seeing fall that one day in November, but we know we have many more days of 90 and above temperatures to make it through. Last year I waited until it was cool, like in the 80's to put out fall décor. This year, hot temps be darned! I'm putting out some fall foliage around the house. On the way home I stopped at Home Goods and got a few more fallish type items as well as some Thanksgiving things for later on. If you don't get stuff now it gets picked over. Did you feel the world go a little off kilter this afternoon? You can blame me because I went into Michael's for a couple of things. Michael's and Hobby Lobby are not even on a regular rotation of stores for me.
Yesterday, as I began my fall tour in our home, I went about it in pure sanguine and ADD methods. I started on fall, but soon diverted my attention to cleaning out the cabinet underneath my bathroom sink, which led me to finding a set of sheets in the linen closet I had bought and getting them into the washer, then taking all the old sheets and putting them away to cover plants if it freezes, then getting all the odd pillowcases that have collected themselves on a shelf and getting rid of them. which led me back to fall but first I felt I needed to go through a couple of boxes that are stored with the fall décor in the guest bedroom closet. Most everything got done, except for putting everything back in the closet and finishing the fall decorating.
Last night Bill and Peggy brought over pizza to Dena's and we were invited to come eat with them. Such fun! Dena is moving through those boxes lickity split and has most of the needed stuff organized and ready to roll. Roy and I were going to introduce her to Burgers and More on Saturday but when Roy pulled up to order, there was a sign on the door that they are closed until October.
The Amish Craftsman called today and the sideboard we ordered and was made by a little ol' Amish man in Indiana is here and ready to be delivered. That is so exciting because it wasn't supposed to be here until October. I've been reading several blogs that the authors are trying to buy American and make differences in people's lives and welfare. We have contributed greatly to the Amish Americans. I love that look because it reminds me of my mother's mom...who didn't have arts/craftsman style furniture but decorated in that warm, homey style of arts/craftsman. The furniture is the closest thing I will have to living in a bungalow.
I'm so thankful that the lovely people from Sprouts have prepared tonight's dinner. It's rough being spiritual early in the morning, injected in the early afternoon and fall décor shopping in the almost unbearable heat of the late afternoon. So thankful for A/C and a cold Diet Coke.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Welcome Around Here
The last minutes of the morning on the Sunday before Labor Day. Phil, the flag guy of Rancho De Five, got our flag set up yesterday and it will fly till September 12. With me being kind of sore and not up to speed and with the lateness of the TCU/LSU game, we slept in and took another sabbatical Sunday. This past week felt so jam packed that having a few days of easy and rest are welcomed. This is the week that Dena became an official resident of Rancho De Five. On Monday I helped Dena bring a Sequisha load of her things out to her house. Wednesday, moving day, Peggy and I helped Dena at her apartment and then brought another load of fragile things out to her home. Meanwhile in between all of this moving I am trying to confirm my Thursday morning procedure with the hospital and with the doctor office. Finally, I got ahold of Earnest, the scheduling nurse, and found out there were six life and death surgeries on Thursday morning and my procedure would have to be moved to Friday. That scrambled life a little bit. So Thursday and Friday schedules were flipped. I was happy not to miss Thursday morning leadership council meeting for Bible study. Then Roy and I headed to Lupe's for lunch and then to Luke's Locker to get new tennis shoes for Roy. We went to Target and Lowe's and then stopped at Dena's to see if her new furniture had been delivered. Such fun, Dena's sister and brother in law were there and Peggy dropped in. So we had fun rearranging furniture and helping think of different ways we could help Dena spend her money.
So I finally sat down and read the info that came with my loop recorder. I have to carry an ID card all the time in case the device sets of things in stores. Really? I cannot tell you how anxious I have been going in and out of stores.
Last night, Dena came over and we had Midway BBQ and started watching the LSU game. Since she roots for the Aggies, she probably felt like she should stop watching a future opponent of her team. No, I think she has stuff to do and she is probably tired after a fun and eventful week. Roy picked up the BBQ and even brought home cobbler, but LSU is on TV, his attention and conversation is turned to gold and purple. Probably Dena was tired of the LSU talk.
So now it is evening. This afternoon we picked up Dena and made an afternoon stop at BWC. They serve breakfast till 4:00 on the weekends. I got the Napoleon French Toast and it was delicious. Dena got breakfast and Roy got a hamburger. He isn't a fan of breakfast food. Anyway, we headed over to Lowe's. She needed a ladder, trash can and a few other sundry things. These things were not going to fit in her car. Happy to help.
Roy is excited that there is a Castle marathon on all day tomorrow. I mean really, he has them all recorded. I'm going to put out fallish décor hoping that inspires fall to come sooner this year. I love that we can take it easy this weekend. Rest is welcomed around here.
So I finally sat down and read the info that came with my loop recorder. I have to carry an ID card all the time in case the device sets of things in stores. Really? I cannot tell you how anxious I have been going in and out of stores.
Last night, Dena came over and we had Midway BBQ and started watching the LSU game. Since she roots for the Aggies, she probably felt like she should stop watching a future opponent of her team. No, I think she has stuff to do and she is probably tired after a fun and eventful week. Roy picked up the BBQ and even brought home cobbler, but LSU is on TV, his attention and conversation is turned to gold and purple. Probably Dena was tired of the LSU talk.
So now it is evening. This afternoon we picked up Dena and made an afternoon stop at BWC. They serve breakfast till 4:00 on the weekends. I got the Napoleon French Toast and it was delicious. Dena got breakfast and Roy got a hamburger. He isn't a fan of breakfast food. Anyway, we headed over to Lowe's. She needed a ladder, trash can and a few other sundry things. These things were not going to fit in her car. Happy to help.
Roy is excited that there is a Castle marathon on all day tomorrow. I mean really, he has them all recorded. I'm going to put out fallish décor hoping that inspires fall to come sooner this year. I love that we can take it easy this weekend. Rest is welcomed around here.
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