Where you at ATT?

We're spending Christmas "down on the farm" in Grayson this week. No internet available so my updates are far and few between. I'm just kidding. This photo is not BCD's farm but it is a place down the road from his farm where the folks still use this bridge as the only access to their house. BCD says the folks do have electricity though. Here is a photo of our farm, the old smoke house and tobacco barn. There is no longer a residence on the farm, only barns and out buildings.

I've been inspired by Sue and her wonderful closeups so I tried one of my own. Pictured below is the pulley wheel of the old well on the farm.

I'm hoping for some pretty weather. I would like to take some shots of the old churches around Carter County. They are disappearing fast. So much history in those old buildings and congregations. Here is one of the Crane Creek Hopewell Methodist Church.

Slippery Departures

It looks cold. It is cold. Here is Jerry Roppel leaving Green Turtle Bay with a boat he is captaining for the owner and of all things, Jerry is headed NORTH!

It's CHRISTmas for Heaven's Sake

What is with this polically correct jibberish, have a Happy Holiday or Seasons Greetings? It's merry CHRISTmas, a celebration of the birth of Christ. Jesus Christ. The Son of the living God who was born in a manger and grew up to die and take our sins on Himself, giving us the ultimate gift. Eternal life in Him. I'm wishing you a very Merry Christmas and pray that you know the gift He gave, the price He paid, only awaiting your acceptance.

Happiness is

Happiness is having your very own turtle to love. I have mine, Green Turtle Bay! We'll share our water-way-of-life with you too, come to Green Turtle Bay for a turtle memory of your own.

I Do Declare

The new Grand Rivers City Council members were sworn in tonight at city hall. They swore they had not fought in any duals nor have they been seconds in any duals. It's quite possible they may have to fight in future duals but it probably won't be the Smith and Wesson kind, more the verbal type. My own BCD will have the honor of serving in 2009, Councilman Huffman, second from the left.

Christmas Lights

Commonwealth Yacht Club at Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers, Kentucky lit up for the holidays. Several sailboat owners strung lights up the halyards to show off their holiday spirit for the Members Christmas party.

The night was clear and cold and the water still. There's always something going on at the bay.

The crew at Green Turtle Bay Ship's Chandlery gets in on the Christmas spirit with their own LED tree. It appears to be awaiting the arrival of St. Nick at night.

The Gas Game

We are lovin' playin' the gas game. You know, "what's the lowest price you've seen?" Here it is to tonight, $1.49 in Draffenville, Kentucky. But wait, it gets better...

Comfort

Comfort is in a bowl of Bette's homemade beef stew with yummy corn bread surrounded by her beautiful cherished Christmas collections. The cell phone photo doesn't do this dish justice at all, it was tummy warming and full of love.

Thanksgiving Girls

Princess Elliott is mugging for the camera after her Thanksgiving meal.

Little Ashlyn, my cousin Jenny's daughter, found something very funny on the turkey table!

Bill's Big Birthday

I haven't blogged in a few days due to the big birthday celebration for my dad, Bill III. It was a milestone, number 75. He and Bette arrived from taking their boat Tortuga Verde south to Florida aboard a friend's private plane. Travelin' in style for the 75th.

A birthday card gives Daddo a big laugh. My dad can laugh better than just about anybody. When he laughs it comes deep from the belly and you can't help but laugh with him.

Rachel made a special cake for Dad. It was so cool, she had his boat detailed, even had a CYC burgee on top. I put an inset on the photo of the burgee so you could see the work she put into this cake. She didn't want her picture taken because she had been working in the kitchen, but I think she is beautiful whether she has on a tee shirt or a ball gown.

They put a LOT of candles on the cake so Dad enlisted some help to blow them out. Happy Birthday Dad!

Holiday bloat

Here it comes again. Holiday bloat. Whether it be Christmas or Thanksgiving the temptation is always there, always the same, too much of everything. Looks like I got an early start on the Holiday bloat in the days prior to pantyhose. Never wear short skirts with knee socks. Never wear tight dresses if you are in jeopardy of Holiday bloat.

Shoes Can Make You or Break You (Apparently)

I came upon an article titled "Land your dream job!" which says that in a new recent survey of head hunters, more than 70% of all interviewers admitted to checking out a job applicant's shoes to find out more about them. The preferred shoe according to the poll was closed toe with a small heel. I wonder if I would qualify? Mine are definately a closed toe style with a small heel. Might be too dressy, though.

Downtown Christmas

Why is it in a small town you go "downtown" and in a large city you go "uptown"? In the Village of Grand Rivers, we go uptown in downtown with lights abundant. Patti's 1880's Settlement and the town of Grand Rivers lit up for the holidays in mid-November. We were there for the big event, the singing in the rain, Santa and Mrs. Claus were there too. Spark! The lights came on amidst the rain and the halo of the shine on the wet walkways was spectacular.

Bears bobbin' for apples

This wasn't the actual bear that tore up our hot tub cover three days in a row, but it is a pretty good facsimile. Actually, there were three bears in our cabin yard the first night we were in Gatlinburg. The next morning we found the hot tub cover torn to stuffin's. The rental company brought a new cover, but the bears tore it up too. And the next one. We thought we might get some apples and load the hot tub up to see if we could get them to bob for the fruit.

By the looks of this cover, I don't think I would advise leaving any food out for bears.

Adventures in Gatlinburg

We took off in the company truck Wednesday for Gatlinburg for work and adventure at the annual Smokey Mountain Gift Show. All was good until we hit I-40 in Nashville. I looked down and saw that the temperature gauge was "pegged" to hot. We pulled off and opened the hood and Wendy, who has some mechanical experience decided we probably blew a coolant hose as fluid was all over the inside of the hood.

After some discussion Lori decided to walk across the street to the auto place and I called our friend and head of GTB maintenance, Tom. Tom got right it and found a Dodge dealership in Nashville. The dealership called a tow truck and a cab to come and get us.

The tow truck showed up and began hooking us up and a few minutes later the cab came. I gotta tell you that cab smelled horrible! I think the man must have worn diapers and they were well past time for a change. Awful. He got us to the dealership at the same time the tow truck (who left after we did) showed up. I'm pretty sure the cab driver took us around the block the long way for the extra fare. The trip cost about $30.

After waiting approximately 45 minutes we were told that our problem was definately repairable and they could get us going right away. Seems they thought the radiator cap had come loose, spewing out the coolant. $134.00 for that bill. Hummm. We thought not. The girls think it was a thermostat that stuck and I tend to agree with them.

OK, off we go to Gatlinburg. But now we are late and must check in after hours. We called them and they will leave the key and map for us in the overnight box at the office.

hi ho hi ho

It's off to Gatlinburg I go. We're headed to the annual Gift Show in the Smokies tomorrow and I'm lookin' forward to the break. Notice I am taking only the most important necessities, the camera and the money. Harrah's casino sent me coupons for early November, wonder how they knew I was coming to the area?

chili and politic'n

Rosie O'Leary is anticipating guests this evening. It's going to be a chili party around her dad's outdoor fireplace.

Many of the townspeople stopped by to greet BCD who is running for city council. Several candidates who are also running for this prestigious office came by to sample the chili and press the flesh. The anticipation is mounting, the race is tightening and the heat is on.

Will BCD win one of the 6 seats on the city council this year? It won't be for lack of trying or chili I can tell you that for certain.

fall back into spring

Tonight is turn back the clock night. But today we fell back into spring with warm breezes coming in at 75 degrees. Kentucky Lake Sailing Club had an annual sailing on Kentucky Lake. The sailors were out in force and what a beautiful fleet they were on the glistening waters.

for the small ones

The thing is, if you never speak up, never tell the truth as you know it, you will be sure to reap what you don't say.

I may still have to reap those things for which I believe not, however, if I say not, I am justly reaping.

I am speaking up for the smallest of us. Those who have yet to open their mouths, much yet speak. The unborn.

I know it is not politically correct in today's secular environment. I'll shout it out fast...Abortion kills, abortion murders children. No fruitful lives will millions live due to America's current policy of allowing federally sanctioned murder.

I ponder currently, how can anyone who calls themselves Christians, who believes that Jesus died to save them, gave His own blood for them...how can they vote for any person who votes for abortion rights? How can a Christian, in good conscience vote for Obama?

We will surely reap what we vote for in this election.

photo blues

Lugging my new Canon XSi to the Grand Rivers Community Center on Saturday evening was no mean feat. Camera strapped around my neck, purse slung around my neck and my hands full (as usual) I dragged all into the line forming for the spaghetti dinner.

$5 for dinner, what a deal! Many of our local residents were present. Some were already sitting down to what turned out to be a pretty good meal. I unloaded my camera, coat, purse at the first chance and joined BCD in line.

Just as we got to the front of the very slow line, the good volunteers ran out of noodles. No matter, I'll just eat sauce say I. Cup of sauce and a piece of homemade cake in hand I trapse back to our seats.

We really enjoyed visiting with friends and listening to the jam session by local musicians. Some of the musicians had never played together. Everyone playing and helping to serve were volunteering their time raising money to purchase needed tables for the community center.

Which was the reason I dragged the camera with me, the heavy camera with the big lens, to take photos of the event, the friends and the volunteers. Finished with my sauce, I roped the camera around my neck and began to mill around, looking all the while like a big city reporter. Yeah, right.

Snap! May I take your photo? Great, snap! I took pictures of everyone. Some posed for me, some did not. When I arrived back at my table, I took a few photos of our friends Mike and Debbie. I asked Mike to take one of me. Snap! Great shot, let's see it!

I turned the view option on. Nothing. No photos. The error message said: No digital memory card installed. Arrrrggghhh!

They slip in

In the late evening or early night, they slip in. Transient boats cruising south make a stop at the bay. The largest ones don't seem to stay long, out by early morning before most of us get back to work. The crew are on a schedule for the owners. If you check the dock before going home you are liable to find one like this 125' wonder sitting on the fuel dock on a late October day.

The smaller size vessels, in the 30' to 80' range are usually piloted by owners who are taking their time cruising down the waterways to the Gulf. It's those folks that we really enjoy. They stay with us a few days and we get to know them. Some come back year after year and they are part of our boating family. We love to see them all, hear their great stories and be part of their lives.

A pumpkin of an afternoon...

A day in Murray brought us to Dumplin's Restaurant for lunch. What a treat!

The homemade bread stuffs and desserts are well worth the visit. Fresh salad and a just-baked quiche, ummm. The table was decorated with the cute pumpkin and arrangement above, then a yummy pumpkin bar for dessert. All in all a warm fall pumpkin afternoon.

It must be a full moon

There's a crazy theory that a full moon which causes the tides to ebb and flow also causes humans to ebb and flow. You know, we are mostly made of water and thus the moon as a powerful magnet during a full cycle will cause humans to act eratic, that's the theory. It's something to muse on as I kick back and enjoy the view.

Worth A Thousand Words

Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

Don't You Just Love A Parade?

Hunter's Moon parade, downtown Grand Rivers.

Don't you just love small towns, full of hometown fellowship and fun? It seems all the locals dress up their golf carts, trailers and cars then line up together and throw a parade. The candidates are all there too, throwing candy to the kids. Lots of candy everywhere, kids everywhere and smiles in abundance despite the 85+ degrees. Fantastic Americana!

Birthday Giggles

Two friends share a laugh.
It was a night to share Bette's (right) birthday with friends and family. Someone gave Bette a card that played cute mountain music and Sharon Brown (left) had a giggle over that. The birthday cake came out all lit up and Elliott, who is 2 1/2, promptly blew out all the candles for Bette. This birthday is the start of the "Birthday Season" with several more family and friends having their celebrations in the upcoming weeks.

God Speaks

God spoke to me in the back yard this morning. He said not to worry, He has everything under control.

He also said that He knows about the economic problems and the political problems and the security problems. He said my job was to continue to pray and allow Him to do His job. I told Him that I would be more comfortable if I were to know what His agenda is, the details of His plan. He said, "My plans are for good, and not evil. Trust me." Okie Dokie, I believe I will.

Collectors Anonymous

Some people collect things like buttons or cigarette lighters.

I've been collecting digital files. It started when I began learning desk top publishing with clip art, that led into photographs. Other people's photos purchased from stock photography companies online. Some of them I actually used for print advertising. Some of them I just liked. Filed away never to be seen again. Lately I've been collecting embroidery designs. Lots of 'em. I'll probably never use them, but I have collected them.

My hobby/side-business is embroidery. I love color, rich colors, all kinds of colors. Color in photos, color in fabrics and especially brilliant sheen thread colors. Embroidery is an extension of the colors, adding colors to fabrics, painting thread pictures. Actually, I really like fabric embellishment of any sort. Adding something of value with color. For instance, you can take an inexpensive sweatshirt and make something of worth by adding embellishments and embroidery. Very cool.

But embroidery is the latest avenue in which I am able to feed my obsession with collecting digital files. I'm especially fond of free ones. Do you think I would be alone in a Collectors Anonymous group?

By the way, I just read some of those buttons in the photo above. Not really my taste or philosophy. Just goes to show you, one should be more picky when choosing digital files to collect.

We Could Use A Hero These Days

Today's View

Looks like sunny skies and smooth sailing from my office today. I pray. Who said "It's the economy, stupid."? Well, it is the economy and I'm one of those out here on Main Street who is anxiously awaiting news from the Beltway Boys on the Hill. Come on guys, do the right thing by us out here. Straighten out this mess that has gone on through term after term, president after president. At least we can say that this problem is truely non-partisan because every party has had a hand in making this monster. Here's a novel idea. Let's make sure the taxpayers win instead of the greed mongers this time around.

Show Me The Way

Ole Sexy Sadie's voice guided us all the way to Chicago in June through the miracle of Garmin. BCD and I went to Chicago in June to visit our son Ben, first time. We borrowed a Garmin from friend Mike and the thing made the trip a breeze. We named the voice coming from the Garmin box, Sexy Sadie. She told us every turn to make, even when to back up and start again. I want one. Coke is running a contest this summer, you just enter the numbers from the red caps (mine are red because I drink Diet Coke) and then enter into a sweepstakes of your choosing. I chose the Travel sweepstakes because they are offering a Garmin. I want to win that thing. The contest closes on the 30th and I am faithfully entering numbers till the very end. I guess if I don't win one I'll have to break down and buy one before the next trip. It's been a challenging contest and I'll feel victorious no matter the outcome for having played the game.

Breakfast at Tiffany's, uh, er, Dockers

Now I'm Aunt Deane. Not the same one, another one. It happened when Elliott was born in December, 2005. I became an Aunt and since my middle name is Deane, now I'm Aunt Deane. I think it happened to me about the same time in life as it did the original Aunt Deane. Post-menopausal Auntie. How great is that? Pretty great when you get to have sweet cereal with lovely princess Elliott as she hurries off to her busy schedule at day care.

Italian American Restaurant

That's what it says on the sign, Italian American Restaurant. MAMAD'S. For the longest time we couldn't figure out what the building housed. Maybe a middle eastern restaurant? The name sounded middle eastern, kind of exotic. Finally the word got around and the business owners put up a lit sign that said "Mama D's Pizza". Italian pizza. Very authentic I understand. The owners and family are from the Big Apple. Our friend Mike Melone who happens to be Chicago Italian, says the food is as good as it gets for Italians in Kentucky. Who knew? We tried it and are still trying it at least once a week now. Please note the Christmas lights still hanging in the rafters. Mama D is an authentic Kentuckian now.

Thoughts of Aunt Deane

Aunt Deane and Her Pet Monkey

Aunt Deane was a big part of my childhood and teen years. She was my mother's aunt, my great-aunt and was born in the late 1890's. She was already old when my brother and I arrived on the planet in the mid and late 50's. She was a grandmotherly type. Actually, she was more like a grandmother than my real grandmother. Dad's mom was still in her glamour phase during those years, looking like a Vogue model and hosting a dizzy aray of dinner parties.

Dad and Mom both worked so Aunt Deane filled in the gaps. She took us school shopping every fall which was quite the process. We were frequent guests at her house and when we were very young, would even sleep in the same bed together, Aunt Deane, brother and me. I remember one night when the Doctor came to the house because my little brother had the croup. They left me in the bed and tended to him in the living room. That's the last time I ever remember a Doctor making a house call.

And oh, those grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup Aunt Deane would make for us! To this day that menu is one of my top 10 comfort foods. She would top it off with a homemade lemon sheet cake lathered in lemon glaze made with fresh lemons. She would poke holes in the cake with a toothpick all over then pour the glaze on thick. That was the moistest lemoniest cake ever.

I miss her when I think about her. She had a very quirky sense of humor that I am sure I would appreciate even more today. She loved her pets and she loved her "kids", me and little brother.

Opposum Obituary

Orville Opposum, born April 2008, died sometime in September, 2008.

Opposum was a night scavanger by trade and resided within the Green Turtle Bay Resort property in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. He is survived by several hundred kin in the local area. Orville died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. BCD, under the porch, high in the vapor barrier area. Many thanks go to our local hero, Slim Shady, for locating the body and giving Orville a proper opposum burial.

Aunt Deane Arrives

Ike is the cause of all of this. Until tonight I was perfectly happy to not blog. But Ike changed all that. He came roaring into town Sunday at 75 mph and within mere minutes (it seemed) of his arrival, our entire town was without electricity. And we are still without power some 36 hours later.

At first it was just like any other time that the power has gone out, which, in years past has been a frequent occurance in Grand Rivers. Nothing to do but wait. So, I decided to take a nice Sunday afternoon nap. Ahhh. The AC was off, but it was cool, so I got comphy in my recliner. About an hour later, sniff, sniff, what IS that smell? Seems that some animal decided to make the underside of my house it's last resting place. So now the power is off and the reek of the dead is beginning to waft up through the house.

Yep, sure enough, a dead something was under our house and with the AC off it was ghastly. My dear hubby, BCD (Big Country Daddy) and I spend two nights in local motels. Not a wonderful vacation. Finally on night two, we opt for the Hampton Inn in Kuttawa, KY. At least they had internet service. Well, sort of. I could never connect to their ethernet connection and finally connected to the neighboring Days Inn wireless at a very low output. But I did get to read the local blogs. It was fun and I thought, hey, I should do this too.

About the time I began setting up an account to blog my cousin David Jr. calls to tell me the power is back on at Green Turtle Bay. I decide I better run back home and turn the AC on and the ceiling fans to get the smell of the dearly departed out of the house, if possible.

I did obviously get back to the blog, but not until I got to my desk today. BCD hired Slim Shady to get under the house and find the funeral. The handy guy will return tomorrow to repair our duct work, spray something nice and repair the vent from whence the creature crawled.

Aunt Deane has arrived in the blog world.