IS MY THERMOMETER WRONG?....SEPTEMBER 25 2011
Good question. It is 78 degrees here this afternoon. I thought it was fall, not summer.
This is a "no brain" day. I usually have a whole slew of stuff to write about, today Nada. Nothing. Blank.
I do have a question, though. Have you ever had a man, who is contemplating remodeling a kitchen, ask you what you think, what you want, etc. etc? And then shoots down every suggestion you make? Can't do that. That won't work. etc. etc. So why do they ask in the first place?
I think I have the answer to that. The suggestions you make are really good ones, but something they have not thought about. So, of course being men, they have to shoot them down.
So life moves along, and the day arrives when they are ready to begin the work phase. And guess what, everything you suggested eons ago has now become THEIR ideas, and they just have to let you know how smart they are.
In the beginning man was created. Down the road along came woman. Supposedly to be a companion to man. Which is as it should be. But the REAL reason is that it takes a woman to keep things running smoothly.
It takes a woman to come up with the ideas that become the man's brilliance. It takes a woman to keep a household running smoothly. Go away for a week. The dishwasher sits empty, but the sink and counters are over-flowing with dirty dishes and pots and pans and cans and stuff.
It takes a woman to keep functioning when plagued with a cold. But who ends up on the couch, coughing, sneezing, honey get me this, honey get me that?
I could go on and on. After all I have had around 100 years of being "the woman". I am well experienced in all the little things that make up the big things.
And how many many times - it is the woman who is the weaker sex - that ends up taking care of her man. She doesn't complain, he is after "her" man, love plays a great part in this scenario. You can wish the roles were reversed, but it doesn't play out that way. So we do our thing, staying in the background, and feeling blessed that we have that special man to take care of. Life is short. Life can be lonely. You don't realize how much you can miss someone until they are gone.
I have also found that women can cope with life much better after being left alone than most men can. Men need their hands held. Women hold their hands. We were made to be their companions, through life and through death.
So when things get tough, remember, it is better than being alone.
Men - love your women. Women - love your men. You have been greatly blessed.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
FALL, FOG, AND FURRY ANIMALS....SEPTEMBER 24 2011.....
Fall officially arrived yesterday. Today the fog is soooo thick you could cut it with a knife, as my Mother always said. I have to agree. Also, the furry animals are deer, in my front yard, I can see them from the window in my "computer office". Well, that is my blog for today!
Just kidding.
But, seriously, I don't have too much to say, one of those days.
The fog makes me glad that I only have one more outdoor festival this year - that is Oglebayfest at Oglebay Park in Wheeling two weeks from now, October 6-8-9. At least they put up big tents so I don't have to fool with my tent again until June. Yess!!!!!!!
Oglebayfest has always been one of my favorite festivals. I am in the Artist's Market behind the mansion house in the woods. There are various activities throughout the park that weekend, a Country Fair, a German fest (consisting of German food, beer, entertainment, dancing, etc.) All sorts of foods and beverages, the zoo, fireworks Saturday night, and a shuttle bus running throughout the park to shuttle you from one area to another. The park is always packed. Sometimes it is so crowded you can't walk without fighting your way through the crowds. Makes it tough to hit the restrooms. Better give yourself a lot of extra time.
Then the last two weekends of October are the Fall Christmas Festival at the Washington County Pa. fairgrounds, inside their buildings. The last is the Christmas Festival the second weekend of November at the Ruby Center in Mylan Park, Morgantown West Virginia - which is great because I get to spend the weekend with my friend Peggy, who lives close.
Then starting in December the applications begin arriving for completing for whatever festivals you are considering doing the next year. Along with the applications you have to send a CD depicting what you will be showing and selling the next year, then keeping your fingers crossed that you get juried in. Just because you have done the festivals before is no guarantee that you will be accepted. It all depends on the jurors they have each year (they rotate them) and whether or not they like your work.
Again, like everything else, it is a waiting game.
So better get finished her and get busy. If you are out in the fog, drive carefully, it can be pretty iffy at times. Stay safe and God Bless.
Fall officially arrived yesterday. Today the fog is soooo thick you could cut it with a knife, as my Mother always said. I have to agree. Also, the furry animals are deer, in my front yard, I can see them from the window in my "computer office". Well, that is my blog for today!
 |
| The Blue Ridge Parkway in the fog |
But, seriously, I don't have too much to say, one of those days.
The fog makes me glad that I only have one more outdoor festival this year - that is Oglebayfest at Oglebay Park in Wheeling two weeks from now, October 6-8-9. At least they put up big tents so I don't have to fool with my tent again until June. Yess!!!!!!!
Oglebayfest has always been one of my favorite festivals. I am in the Artist's Market behind the mansion house in the woods. There are various activities throughout the park that weekend, a Country Fair, a German fest (consisting of German food, beer, entertainment, dancing, etc.) All sorts of foods and beverages, the zoo, fireworks Saturday night, and a shuttle bus running throughout the park to shuttle you from one area to another. The park is always packed. Sometimes it is so crowded you can't walk without fighting your way through the crowds. Makes it tough to hit the restrooms. Better give yourself a lot of extra time.
Then the last two weekends of October are the Fall Christmas Festival at the Washington County Pa. fairgrounds, inside their buildings. The last is the Christmas Festival the second weekend of November at the Ruby Center in Mylan Park, Morgantown West Virginia - which is great because I get to spend the weekend with my friend Peggy, who lives close.
Then starting in December the applications begin arriving for completing for whatever festivals you are considering doing the next year. Along with the applications you have to send a CD depicting what you will be showing and selling the next year, then keeping your fingers crossed that you get juried in. Just because you have done the festivals before is no guarantee that you will be accepted. It all depends on the jurors they have each year (they rotate them) and whether or not they like your work.
Again, like everything else, it is a waiting game.
So better get finished her and get busy. If you are out in the fog, drive carefully, it can be pretty iffy at times. Stay safe and God Bless.
Friday, September 23, 2011
IT'S TIME TO TELL A STORY.....SEPTEMBER 23 2011........
There has been nothing earth-shattering happen, no disasters, at home that is, nothing exciting, at home that is, just another gray day.
So what do I talk about today? I guess it is time to tell a story. This will be a new story, not one that has appeared in any of my IF ONLY I COULD TALK BOOKS. Lucky you.
As you know we have two beagles. You have been introduced to Sam in two different stories, as she always manages to get into trouble. Coco is another type of dog, even though he is a beagle. He would like to tell his story, so here goes. Enjoy.
Hi! My name is Coco. Well actually it is "Coco Cottonrun" which is my registered name. You know, of course that I am a registered beagle. That means that I am special. Just like Sam is special. Her real name is "Lady Samantha Stryker", but we all call her Sam.
My earliest memories are of being with my mother somewhere in Pennsylvania. (That is a state if you didn't know that). Then one day this big guy with a beard came along and chose me to go home with him. I didn't know what to expect.
After a long car ride I was at my new home. I was taken inside and introduced to the family as the "new" puppy, and to my great pleasure there was another puppy already there. It turned out she was two weeks older than me, and she became my best friend and partner.
There we are sleeping. See what a nice big handsome dog I am. Sam, she is a lot smaller. She is also a lot noisier. She barks a lot, especially when it is chow time. I don't have to bark, I get mine right along with hers.
We are rabbit dogs. We love to go hunting. The best days ever are the days we can chase the bunnies. It doesn't matter where they run, I can follow them, nothing, absolutely nothing, gets in my way. Sam is more wimpy. She lets me break the trail, then follows along, barking her fool head off, making everyone think she is doing all the work. Ha Ha, dream on Sam.
Sam and I each have our indoor kennels, where we have had "our own space" since day one. Sometimes I don't think Sam is too bright, I will find her in MY kennel instead of hers. She has a lot of nerve, then I have to cram myself into her kennel (which, of course, is smaller as she is smaller). She has absolutely no consideration. None at all. Our kennel doors are always open, so we can go into our own "space" any time we want.
I remember the big snowfall a couple of years ago. How much fun it was to run and play in the snow. I had to laugh, though, as Sam is smaller, I could run through the snow, she would get buried. I had to break the path for her. I'll never forget the day she ended up head first down in a snow drift. If you want to know more about that, read about it in one of the books.
I had more fun that day. Sam wasn't that thrilled. She is such a wimp. I guess that goes with being a girl.
Sam and I are both middle aged now. We are beginning to slow down a little, but life is, and has been, good. We are loved and cared for. We have a basket full of toys. We get doggie treats. We even get baths. How I hate a bath. My hair is thicker and soft, but when it gets wet it takes forever to dry. I DO NOT like baths. The only time I ever growled at my master was the first time he gave me a bath. Needless to say that did not go over at all well, and I learned to grin and bear the bath.
I love the farm. I love my companion. I love my people. And I really love company. And we do have a lot of company, seems like every time I turn around there are people coming, again and again. Of course everyone makes over me, I am such a lovable dog.
So, there you have my story. I hope you like me. I have yet to find anyone that I do not like. Well - there are exceptions. Other dogs!
Every once in a while when a guy named Tim comes to do his thing, his dog comes with him. How dare he? This is NOT his farm. He has his own farm. That is just about the only time, except when chasing bunnies, that I will definitely growl and bark, informing this intruder that he DOES NOT BELONG UP HERE!!!
So now you have Coco's story. He has always been the "good" dog, has never done anything dastardly, at least that we know of.
I just wish that all dogs had it as good as our dogs do. They are loved. they are cared for. They are special. Life is so much fuller with the two of them here, making sure that we are all right. What a blessing.
Maybe tomorrow I will have something earth-shattering, mind boggling to tell you. Like perhaps that run-away satellite that is heading this way will land on the farm. Who knows.
So have a safe day. Stay out of the path of the satellite, and God Bless.
There has been nothing earth-shattering happen, no disasters, at home that is, nothing exciting, at home that is, just another gray day.
So what do I talk about today? I guess it is time to tell a story. This will be a new story, not one that has appeared in any of my IF ONLY I COULD TALK BOOKS. Lucky you.
As you know we have two beagles. You have been introduced to Sam in two different stories, as she always manages to get into trouble. Coco is another type of dog, even though he is a beagle. He would like to tell his story, so here goes. Enjoy.
Hi! My name is Coco. Well actually it is "Coco Cottonrun" which is my registered name. You know, of course that I am a registered beagle. That means that I am special. Just like Sam is special. Her real name is "Lady Samantha Stryker", but we all call her Sam.
My earliest memories are of being with my mother somewhere in Pennsylvania. (That is a state if you didn't know that). Then one day this big guy with a beard came along and chose me to go home with him. I didn't know what to expect.
After a long car ride I was at my new home. I was taken inside and introduced to the family as the "new" puppy, and to my great pleasure there was another puppy already there. It turned out she was two weeks older than me, and she became my best friend and partner.
We are rabbit dogs. We love to go hunting. The best days ever are the days we can chase the bunnies. It doesn't matter where they run, I can follow them, nothing, absolutely nothing, gets in my way. Sam is more wimpy. She lets me break the trail, then follows along, barking her fool head off, making everyone think she is doing all the work. Ha Ha, dream on Sam.
Sam and I each have our indoor kennels, where we have had "our own space" since day one. Sometimes I don't think Sam is too bright, I will find her in MY kennel instead of hers. She has a lot of nerve, then I have to cram myself into her kennel (which, of course, is smaller as she is smaller). She has absolutely no consideration. None at all. Our kennel doors are always open, so we can go into our own "space" any time we want.
I remember the big snowfall a couple of years ago. How much fun it was to run and play in the snow. I had to laugh, though, as Sam is smaller, I could run through the snow, she would get buried. I had to break the path for her. I'll never forget the day she ended up head first down in a snow drift. If you want to know more about that, read about it in one of the books.
Sam and I are both middle aged now. We are beginning to slow down a little, but life is, and has been, good. We are loved and cared for. We have a basket full of toys. We get doggie treats. We even get baths. How I hate a bath. My hair is thicker and soft, but when it gets wet it takes forever to dry. I DO NOT like baths. The only time I ever growled at my master was the first time he gave me a bath. Needless to say that did not go over at all well, and I learned to grin and bear the bath.
I love the farm. I love my companion. I love my people. And I really love company. And we do have a lot of company, seems like every time I turn around there are people coming, again and again. Of course everyone makes over me, I am such a lovable dog.
So, there you have my story. I hope you like me. I have yet to find anyone that I do not like. Well - there are exceptions. Other dogs!
Every once in a while when a guy named Tim comes to do his thing, his dog comes with him. How dare he? This is NOT his farm. He has his own farm. That is just about the only time, except when chasing bunnies, that I will definitely growl and bark, informing this intruder that he DOES NOT BELONG UP HERE!!!
So now you have Coco's story. He has always been the "good" dog, has never done anything dastardly, at least that we know of.
I just wish that all dogs had it as good as our dogs do. They are loved. they are cared for. They are special. Life is so much fuller with the two of them here, making sure that we are all right. What a blessing.
Maybe tomorrow I will have something earth-shattering, mind boggling to tell you. Like perhaps that run-away satellite that is heading this way will land on the farm. Who knows.
So have a safe day. Stay out of the path of the satellite, and God Bless.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A LITTLE OF THIS and A LITTLE OF THAT.....SEPTEMBER 22 2011.......
That's what today boils down to - a little of the above. Had a couple of early appointments today, and wasn't about to get up at 5 a.m. to post my blog, so am running a little late.
Yesterday I got the first of three rows of potatoes dug and stored. We have a lot of those big 5 or 6 gallon buckets hanging around. They have been around as long as I can remember, and I use them for everything.
Hauling off trash from the flower beds, hauling mulch for the flower beds, and filling with potatoes in the fall.
I got three buckets full yesterday, so my best guesstimate will be 8 - 9 buckets of potatoes. You have to remember I have been digging a few at a time for eating purposes now, so the third row is only about 2/3 full.
Sounds like a lot of potatoes. But when you take into consideration the fact that we do all the holiday dinners, all the cookout cookouts, all the get-to-gathers that happen up here, we do use a lot of potatoes. I believe I hate all the peeling worse than I do the digging.
Another thing I have noticed - this morning we had that "fall fog" you get this time of year. And the summer birds are gone. They were all here just a few days ago, but today - none to be seen. We have a lot of birds that stay year 'round, but the robins, blue birds, swallows, hummingbirds, and, yes, even the "clean up crew" are gone.
How do they know when it is time to leave? How can they travel the hundreds of miles with just their little wings? I have heard stories that the tiny hummingbirds will cop a ride, sitting on the backs of the larger birds. If this is true, they truly are the smart ones.
We have many birds on the farm year 'round, including several species of hawks. This is a picture of a red-tailed hawk from the farm. I see them the most.
So I guess, since the migration has happened, fall is really here, and winter is not to far behind. So stay warm, stay dry, and God Bless.
That's what today boils down to - a little of the above. Had a couple of early appointments today, and wasn't about to get up at 5 a.m. to post my blog, so am running a little late.
Yesterday I got the first of three rows of potatoes dug and stored. We have a lot of those big 5 or 6 gallon buckets hanging around. They have been around as long as I can remember, and I use them for everything.
Hauling off trash from the flower beds, hauling mulch for the flower beds, and filling with potatoes in the fall.
I got three buckets full yesterday, so my best guesstimate will be 8 - 9 buckets of potatoes. You have to remember I have been digging a few at a time for eating purposes now, so the third row is only about 2/3 full.
Sounds like a lot of potatoes. But when you take into consideration the fact that we do all the holiday dinners, all the cookout cookouts, all the get-to-gathers that happen up here, we do use a lot of potatoes. I believe I hate all the peeling worse than I do the digging.
Another thing I have noticed - this morning we had that "fall fog" you get this time of year. And the summer birds are gone. They were all here just a few days ago, but today - none to be seen. We have a lot of birds that stay year 'round, but the robins, blue birds, swallows, hummingbirds, and, yes, even the "clean up crew" are gone.
How do they know when it is time to leave? How can they travel the hundreds of miles with just their little wings? I have heard stories that the tiny hummingbirds will cop a ride, sitting on the backs of the larger birds. If this is true, they truly are the smart ones.
We have many birds on the farm year 'round, including several species of hawks. This is a picture of a red-tailed hawk from the farm. I see them the most.
So I guess, since the migration has happened, fall is really here, and winter is not to far behind. So stay warm, stay dry, and God Bless.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
THE WAITING GAME - AGAIN.....SEPTEMBER 21 2011..........
Why is everything hurry up and wait? I spend more time hurrying up and waiting than I do doing something.
Talked to my credit card rep yesterday, she will get back to me about upgrading my credit card capability to wireless. Told son Jerry what was happening last night - he just looked at me sober faced and told me it would probably cost me about $50.00 per month to upgrade.
What!!! Where did he come up with that figure. So, with the same sober face he mentioned that now that I have wireless telephone - and am saving a little more than $50.00 per month on my bill, that is what wireless credit card capability will cost me.
Makes perfect sense. Seems like for every step forward I take I slide back at least two. Why should this be any different.
I did have someone ask me last - "how do you approach a neighbor and ask to use their telephone?" My answer - "very carefully!"
Now onward and upward. Morning Women's Bible Study begins today at my Church. We have this from September through May, then put it on hold for the summer, and can't resume until after the great West Alexander World's Fair.
My potatoes are ready to dig. Still have 3 flower beds to work on. Have finished printing new pictures for the remaining 4 weekends of festivals. They need matted and/or framed. So far Jerry is taking care of the mowing of the yard. Since he got his new mower (thanks to me), he is keeping me off of it. I can't imagine why.
And it just keeps raining - off and on - just enough to keep it way too wet to dry digging potatoes. Once the potatoes are dug and the corn is finished, will be time to clean off the garden for winter. Jerry would like to get it worked up this fall and put fertilizer and lime on the ground. Does that mean I will have to plant a garden again next spring?
As long as he can keep the rows tilled up during the summer I can handle a garden. If everything needs hoed - forget it. That is for young people. Like Jerry. Ha Ha Ha - his hands don't fit a hoe.
I guess I had better close out for now. The above is a picture I took in the Chesapeake Bay area on one of Tom and my journeys. What a beautiful area.
Have a great day and God Bless.
Why is everything hurry up and wait? I spend more time hurrying up and waiting than I do doing something.
Talked to my credit card rep yesterday, she will get back to me about upgrading my credit card capability to wireless. Told son Jerry what was happening last night - he just looked at me sober faced and told me it would probably cost me about $50.00 per month to upgrade.
What!!! Where did he come up with that figure. So, with the same sober face he mentioned that now that I have wireless telephone - and am saving a little more than $50.00 per month on my bill, that is what wireless credit card capability will cost me.
Makes perfect sense. Seems like for every step forward I take I slide back at least two. Why should this be any different.
I did have someone ask me last - "how do you approach a neighbor and ask to use their telephone?" My answer - "very carefully!"
Now onward and upward. Morning Women's Bible Study begins today at my Church. We have this from September through May, then put it on hold for the summer, and can't resume until after the great West Alexander World's Fair.
My potatoes are ready to dig. Still have 3 flower beds to work on. Have finished printing new pictures for the remaining 4 weekends of festivals. They need matted and/or framed. So far Jerry is taking care of the mowing of the yard. Since he got his new mower (thanks to me), he is keeping me off of it. I can't imagine why.
And it just keeps raining - off and on - just enough to keep it way too wet to dry digging potatoes. Once the potatoes are dug and the corn is finished, will be time to clean off the garden for winter. Jerry would like to get it worked up this fall and put fertilizer and lime on the ground. Does that mean I will have to plant a garden again next spring?
As long as he can keep the rows tilled up during the summer I can handle a garden. If everything needs hoed - forget it. That is for young people. Like Jerry. Ha Ha Ha - his hands don't fit a hoe.
Have a great day and God Bless.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
WHY IS NOTHING EASY?.....SEPTEMBER 20 2011..........................................
Do you have an answer? I'm sure I don't.
It seems that no matter what you do you run into a road block, a stone wall, a mountain, or something. Even opening a jar is a hassle. Or is it just me? Maybe I am inept or some such thing. But then, again, I hear others lamenting the same thing, so I seem to have company.
So, just what am I ranting and raving about?
I'll have to back-track a little. In the meantime I am sharing a picture I took when in Scotland in the 1980's visiting son Andy who was in the navy and stationed in Dunoon.
For the last 8-10 years I have had the ability to accept credit card payments for pictures that folks are buying at the art festivals. I was with a company where-as I could go on-line on the computer and submit all charge sales. Two days later the money would be in my checking account. I would pay the monthly charge for this service and everything was hunky-dory. Or so I thought.
Then the government stepped in. Hunky-dory is not in their vocabulary, let's see what we can to to mess everything up. They succeeded.
You and your computer had to pass a security process. This security process was geared to BIG business. I am a PEANUT business. I do not have the capability, or the knowledge, or the anything to be able to answer all their questions, and complete their forms on line to be able to be allowed to have the privilege to take credit card payments. Plus the monthly charge for this capability kept going up.
Throwing in the towel, I call my local bank to see what they could do for me. A meeting was set up for me and their representative. Meeting went great, I have been set up with their system of in-putting the information through your phone line. Goodby security questions geared to big business. This system is geared to small business. I signed the papers, got all the necessary information and credit card machine, and off I went, happy as a little lark. UNTIL NOW!
For several years we have had on-going problems with our telephone line, so much static some days you could not carry on a conversation. Line completely dead. Call for service. It takes days before a service person arrives on the scene, and by then the phone is usually working perfectly. You know the scenario. Over and over and over again. And the telephone bill just kept going up and up and up.
We finally had to - you guessed it - throw in the towel. We went wireless. So far, it is working great for us. It is saving me a lot money each month. But it doesn't work with the credit card machine. IT needs a land line. We no longer have a land line. Stone wall! Thankfully some of our neighbors (and none are like right next door, we live in the country, neighbors and few and far between) still have land lines, so am borrowing their telephone line for submitting my charges so I get paid for my sales.
Called my rep with the bank to see what can be done. She is going to get back to me. In the meantime I hope the neighbors, when they see me coming, don't hide and pretend they are not home.
How is your day? Hang in there and God Bless.
Do you have an answer? I'm sure I don't.
It seems that no matter what you do you run into a road block, a stone wall, a mountain, or something. Even opening a jar is a hassle. Or is it just me? Maybe I am inept or some such thing. But then, again, I hear others lamenting the same thing, so I seem to have company.
So, just what am I ranting and raving about?
I'll have to back-track a little. In the meantime I am sharing a picture I took when in Scotland in the 1980's visiting son Andy who was in the navy and stationed in Dunoon.
For the last 8-10 years I have had the ability to accept credit card payments for pictures that folks are buying at the art festivals. I was with a company where-as I could go on-line on the computer and submit all charge sales. Two days later the money would be in my checking account. I would pay the monthly charge for this service and everything was hunky-dory. Or so I thought.
Then the government stepped in. Hunky-dory is not in their vocabulary, let's see what we can to to mess everything up. They succeeded.
You and your computer had to pass a security process. This security process was geared to BIG business. I am a PEANUT business. I do not have the capability, or the knowledge, or the anything to be able to answer all their questions, and complete their forms on line to be able to be allowed to have the privilege to take credit card payments. Plus the monthly charge for this capability kept going up.
Throwing in the towel, I call my local bank to see what they could do for me. A meeting was set up for me and their representative. Meeting went great, I have been set up with their system of in-putting the information through your phone line. Goodby security questions geared to big business. This system is geared to small business. I signed the papers, got all the necessary information and credit card machine, and off I went, happy as a little lark. UNTIL NOW!
For several years we have had on-going problems with our telephone line, so much static some days you could not carry on a conversation. Line completely dead. Call for service. It takes days before a service person arrives on the scene, and by then the phone is usually working perfectly. You know the scenario. Over and over and over again. And the telephone bill just kept going up and up and up.
We finally had to - you guessed it - throw in the towel. We went wireless. So far, it is working great for us. It is saving me a lot money each month. But it doesn't work with the credit card machine. IT needs a land line. We no longer have a land line. Stone wall! Thankfully some of our neighbors (and none are like right next door, we live in the country, neighbors and few and far between) still have land lines, so am borrowing their telephone line for submitting my charges so I get paid for my sales.
Called my rep with the bank to see what can be done. She is going to get back to me. In the meantime I hope the neighbors, when they see me coming, don't hide and pretend they are not home.
How is your day? Hang in there and God Bless.
Monday, September 19, 2011
POST-COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL.....SEPTEMBER 19 2011
This was a weekend of the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY. It is not as bad as it sounds. It was a lot better than it sounds. Do I make any sense? Probably not, but that is normal. the day I begin to make sense is the day you had better start worrying.
FIRST - THE GOOD. It was a great weekend, weather-wise, sales-wise,
and friendship-wise. The first two items speak for themselves. the friendhip-wise was just that - touching base with many many friends, some of whom I only see at Covered Bridge festival. It is so good to touch base and catch up. It was a great two days.
The second good thing (there were many many more, but not enough room here) was meeting Michael, a vendor across from me. He helped me put my tent up Friday afternoon during set-up, and he, Nancy, John, and I all enjoyed being with him for the festival. Another new friend to add to the "vendor family".
SECOND - THE BAD. Good festival friends, John and Nancy, received word that one of their grandsons suffered a very bad fractured leg during a football game on Saturday. He was rushed to Children's hospital, they would learn more when they returned home Saturday evening. They are vendor friends, and always next to me at Covered Bridge.
On Sunday morning they were there to open up for business, but a son and daughter-in-law, or daughter and son-in-law, I'm not sure which, were coming later in the morning to "sail their ship" so to speak so they could go to the hospital as surgery was going to be done Sunday afternoon. Keep them in your prayers.
THIRD - THE UGLY. It was from Michael that I learned of the passing on of another good long-time vendor friend. It was very sudden. It kind of put a damper on the weekend. That makes two vendor family members that have passed on this year, both were potters, one from Washington Pa., and the other from Wheeling West Virginia. And because of this you have to think of the "everything comes in threes" scenario. I desperately hope that does not hold true here.
So today is catch-up day. Have to do a morning's worth of paper work (got to keep the government happy, and me out of jail), unload the van (didn't feel like doing that last night), go to the bank (I always feel like doing that!), and determining what pictures need to be printed for my inventory at Oglebayfest which is in just a couple of weeks.
So had better sign off for now, and get myself in gear. Seems like every year it takes a little longer to get the gears meshed and turning. So far I am not squeaking, and grinding, just slow. I guess the squeaking and grinding, and stalling is still a little ways down the road. At least I hope so.
Have a good day, and a good week, and God Bless.
This was a weekend of the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY. It is not as bad as it sounds. It was a lot better than it sounds. Do I make any sense? Probably not, but that is normal. the day I begin to make sense is the day you had better start worrying.
FIRST - THE GOOD. It was a great weekend, weather-wise, sales-wise,
and friendship-wise. The first two items speak for themselves. the friendhip-wise was just that - touching base with many many friends, some of whom I only see at Covered Bridge festival. It is so good to touch base and catch up. It was a great two days.
The second good thing (there were many many more, but not enough room here) was meeting Michael, a vendor across from me. He helped me put my tent up Friday afternoon during set-up, and he, Nancy, John, and I all enjoyed being with him for the festival. Another new friend to add to the "vendor family".
SECOND - THE BAD. Good festival friends, John and Nancy, received word that one of their grandsons suffered a very bad fractured leg during a football game on Saturday. He was rushed to Children's hospital, they would learn more when they returned home Saturday evening. They are vendor friends, and always next to me at Covered Bridge.
On Sunday morning they were there to open up for business, but a son and daughter-in-law, or daughter and son-in-law, I'm not sure which, were coming later in the morning to "sail their ship" so to speak so they could go to the hospital as surgery was going to be done Sunday afternoon. Keep them in your prayers.
THIRD - THE UGLY. It was from Michael that I learned of the passing on of another good long-time vendor friend. It was very sudden. It kind of put a damper on the weekend. That makes two vendor family members that have passed on this year, both were potters, one from Washington Pa., and the other from Wheeling West Virginia. And because of this you have to think of the "everything comes in threes" scenario. I desperately hope that does not hold true here.
So today is catch-up day. Have to do a morning's worth of paper work (got to keep the government happy, and me out of jail), unload the van (didn't feel like doing that last night), go to the bank (I always feel like doing that!), and determining what pictures need to be printed for my inventory at Oglebayfest which is in just a couple of weeks.
So had better sign off for now, and get myself in gear. Seems like every year it takes a little longer to get the gears meshed and turning. So far I am not squeaking, and grinding, just slow. I guess the squeaking and grinding, and stalling is still a little ways down the road. At least I hope so.
Have a good day, and a good week, and God Bless.
Friday, September 16, 2011
PRE-COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL...SEPTEMBER 16 2011......
Another year has gone by. It is Covered Bridge Festival time again. Today is the hardest part - set up.
This is my last festival of the year where I have to put up my tent. That is one part I don't miss at all. Luckily there are always other vendors who are more than willing to help with the tent. For the remainder of the year will be inside buildings, or inside large tents that the festival committee erects.
I have an EZ-UP. Supposedly one person can do it. I have yet to find that ONE person. Three - four is more like it. But taking down - definitely ONE person CAN do it, in no time at all. I think it should be called an EZ-DOWN tent.
But I am straying, which seems normal for me. When I sign off here it will be time to load the van, deciding what pictures will go with me for this weekend. Of course there will be covered bridge pictures. What is a covered bridge festival without covered bridge pictures.
This is the Erskine Bridge in West Finley Township, about 1 mile from where I live.
Another year has gone by. It is Covered Bridge Festival time again. Today is the hardest part - set up.
This is my last festival of the year where I have to put up my tent. That is one part I don't miss at all. Luckily there are always other vendors who are more than willing to help with the tent. For the remainder of the year will be inside buildings, or inside large tents that the festival committee erects.
I have an EZ-UP. Supposedly one person can do it. I have yet to find that ONE person. Three - four is more like it. But taking down - definitely ONE person CAN do it, in no time at all. I think it should be called an EZ-DOWN tent.
But I am straying, which seems normal for me. When I sign off here it will be time to load the van, deciding what pictures will go with me for this weekend. Of course there will be covered bridge pictures. What is a covered bridge festival without covered bridge pictures.
This is the Bailey Bridge in Amwell Township.
Anyhow, back to the gist of this blog. I will not be blogging tomorrow or Sunday as I will be leaving early for Mingo Creek Park, where I am set up. The festival opens at 10:00 a.m. every morning, closing at 5:00 p.m. in the evening. I have to be at my spot, and have my car parked in the designated area by 9:00 a.m. each morning, as no vehicles are allowed in the festival site after 9 a.m.
The weather forecast is for cool but sunny weather. So come out to the park, enjoy a day by a covered bridge, sample the food, and support the vendors.
Have a great weekend and God Bless.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
REFLECTIONS and THOUGHTS...SEPTEMBER 15 2011......
Rain moved in as predicted, and also cooler. Whether we like it or not, fall is knocking on the door.
Got one flower bed done yesterday afternoon before the thunder started. House was cleaned, and apple crisp was made - now gone.
So today I am at loose ends. Can't work out. House is clean (as it ever gets), no more apples in the house, can't even watch Tim harvest the remainder of the corn. It is one of those wet, rainy, dreary days, when all ambition went out the door with the dogs. Yes they are out right now, their morning ritual.
When I complete my early (sometimes not so early) morning chores and sit down at the computer I know what is coming next. Coco, the larger of our two beagles, will sit down beside me, staring at me. When I ignore him, trying to type on the computer, he takes his nose, brings it up under my right arm (the one on the mouse) and hits me. Arm flies up into the air. If I still ignore him, he will do it over and over until I finally have to give in and let him, and Sam, out. You would think that by now I would remember to let them out before I sit down at the computer. Wrong!!!
Going in another direction, have you ever had friends, that are life-long (and in my case that is decades) friends, even though you rarely see each other, never write, just an occasional Christmas Card, but they are always there, close to your heart?
I have such friends in Ashtabula Co Ohio. We have been friends since our early teens, visited back and forth at least once a year, their kids and mine became friends, the circle goes on. As we have gotten older, the visits have been less frequent. Health matters stepped in. Death stepped in, but we remain friends.
I try to visit them at least once a year - as Dave's health does not permit him to travel any more - but this year have not gotten there. I am still hoping for a visit with them before nasty weather sets in.
This is one of those friendships, that even though we don't see each other for a year or more at a time, when we get together the conversation "just picks up where we left off", however long ago that was.
Lately it has been better, though, as her oldest son Dan (about my son Mike's age, they still maintain their friendship) has been on facebook. I can keep up with what is going on with them, and they read my blog so I am assuming his parents also know what is going on.
I do remember years ago when their younger daughter Jeannie got married I photographed her wedding pictures.
Jeannie is now on facebook, she and husband Al are missionaries and are now in Mexico.
My friends four children have done well for themselves. Just as all five of my children have done well for themselves. We, meaning my friends, and I, have done good. What a blessing. Especially in this day and age.
Now for a quick change of pace. We have this old oak tree on our farm, we drive past it every time we leave or return. It is old, it is gnarled, it is twisted, but it is still here.
I don't know how long it has been here, guarding the way to our home, probably long before my husband ever originally owned the farm. Perhaps the tree has been waiting all those long years, from the time the farm was sold (1979) until re-purchased by our son (2005), for us to return home.
This tree has with-stood just about every type of weather that could possibly be thrown at it. We, like that tree, need to stand tall for what we believe in, what is right, family, friends, acquaintances, and yes, strangers. It is our job to stand tall and strive to do the right thing.
Stay warm, stay dry, count your blessings, and God Bless.
Rain moved in as predicted, and also cooler. Whether we like it or not, fall is knocking on the door.
Got one flower bed done yesterday afternoon before the thunder started. House was cleaned, and apple crisp was made - now gone.
So today I am at loose ends. Can't work out. House is clean (as it ever gets), no more apples in the house, can't even watch Tim harvest the remainder of the corn. It is one of those wet, rainy, dreary days, when all ambition went out the door with the dogs. Yes they are out right now, their morning ritual.
When I complete my early (sometimes not so early) morning chores and sit down at the computer I know what is coming next. Coco, the larger of our two beagles, will sit down beside me, staring at me. When I ignore him, trying to type on the computer, he takes his nose, brings it up under my right arm (the one on the mouse) and hits me. Arm flies up into the air. If I still ignore him, he will do it over and over until I finally have to give in and let him, and Sam, out. You would think that by now I would remember to let them out before I sit down at the computer. Wrong!!!
Going in another direction, have you ever had friends, that are life-long (and in my case that is decades) friends, even though you rarely see each other, never write, just an occasional Christmas Card, but they are always there, close to your heart?
I have such friends in Ashtabula Co Ohio. We have been friends since our early teens, visited back and forth at least once a year, their kids and mine became friends, the circle goes on. As we have gotten older, the visits have been less frequent. Health matters stepped in. Death stepped in, but we remain friends.
I try to visit them at least once a year - as Dave's health does not permit him to travel any more - but this year have not gotten there. I am still hoping for a visit with them before nasty weather sets in.
This is one of those friendships, that even though we don't see each other for a year or more at a time, when we get together the conversation "just picks up where we left off", however long ago that was.
Lately it has been better, though, as her oldest son Dan (about my son Mike's age, they still maintain their friendship) has been on facebook. I can keep up with what is going on with them, and they read my blog so I am assuming his parents also know what is going on.
I do remember years ago when their younger daughter Jeannie got married I photographed her wedding pictures.
Jeannie is now on facebook, she and husband Al are missionaries and are now in Mexico.
My friends four children have done well for themselves. Just as all five of my children have done well for themselves. We, meaning my friends, and I, have done good. What a blessing. Especially in this day and age.
Now for a quick change of pace. We have this old oak tree on our farm, we drive past it every time we leave or return. It is old, it is gnarled, it is twisted, but it is still here.
This tree has with-stood just about every type of weather that could possibly be thrown at it. We, like that tree, need to stand tall for what we believe in, what is right, family, friends, acquaintances, and yes, strangers. It is our job to stand tall and strive to do the right thing.
Stay warm, stay dry, count your blessings, and God Bless.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
FALL HARVEST is UNDERWAY....SEPTEMBER 14 2011.........
I was just minding my own business, deciding in what order I would do what I have to do today. Then the dogs started - barking, whining, barking. What a racket. Then I heard it. They heard it first. Then it was my turn.
Today is the day the corn on our farm is to be harvested. The tractor, corn-picker and wagon were getting ready to get down to business.
And, no, the dogs never carry on about farm machinery. They are used to it. It is a normal every-day experience. BUT - the dogs do carry on when another DOG, of all things, invades their domain. Tim's dog loves to follow him from field to field, walking along as he does what-ever it is that he is doing that day, weather plowing, planting, or harvesting. The dog is there.
And of course that is a GREAT BIG NO-NO where our dogs are concerned.
Here is Tim with the tractor, corn picker and wagon. He will go 'round and 'round, cutting and chopping the corn. The cows will be eating good this winter!
By the end of the day our hill of corn will be no more. I don't believe Tim is planting corn on this hill-side next spring, as he rotates crops every couple of years. Guess I will wait 'till spring to see what is what.
He may get another cutting of hay off of this hill-side this fall, then again maybe not. His first cuttings were so good he was running out of space to store the hay for winter. He may just let it go.
Now - what does my day look like. Darned if I know. My list is long, my ambition is short, supposed to be rain moving in later today, into tomorrow, but the forecast is good for the weekend. That is the important part.
Have at least two more days of cleaning up flower beds. (No I don't work all day at this - that was 100 years ago, not now as I am, so they say, slower than molasses) but I got 2 beds cleaned up yesterday. Only have 5 more to go. If it rains this afternoon, I guess I will clean house. Then again, maybe I will make apple crisp. Then, again, if it is raining, I will sit down with a good book. Then again, who knows what might come along that isn't on my list.
What I do know, though, is that fall is coming so very fast. What I don't know is - where did this year go? It was just January, now it is the middle of September. The trees are beginning to show color. More to come. One blessing I have here on the farm is - I DON'T HAVE TO RAKE LEAVES FROM 5 MAPLE TREES THAT ALL FELL INTO THE YARD at my previous home.
We have no trees right up close to the house, and the leaves that do fall all get blown away - have I told you we have lots of wind up here on the mountain top? If I have, just chalk it up to age.
Guess I had better quit rambling, and get busy at something. Have a good day and God Bless.
I was just minding my own business, deciding in what order I would do what I have to do today. Then the dogs started - barking, whining, barking. What a racket. Then I heard it. They heard it first. Then it was my turn.
Today is the day the corn on our farm is to be harvested. The tractor, corn-picker and wagon were getting ready to get down to business.
And, no, the dogs never carry on about farm machinery. They are used to it. It is a normal every-day experience. BUT - the dogs do carry on when another DOG, of all things, invades their domain. Tim's dog loves to follow him from field to field, walking along as he does what-ever it is that he is doing that day, weather plowing, planting, or harvesting. The dog is there.
And of course that is a GREAT BIG NO-NO where our dogs are concerned.
By the end of the day our hill of corn will be no more. I don't believe Tim is planting corn on this hill-side next spring, as he rotates crops every couple of years. Guess I will wait 'till spring to see what is what.
He may get another cutting of hay off of this hill-side this fall, then again maybe not. His first cuttings were so good he was running out of space to store the hay for winter. He may just let it go.
Now - what does my day look like. Darned if I know. My list is long, my ambition is short, supposed to be rain moving in later today, into tomorrow, but the forecast is good for the weekend. That is the important part.
Have at least two more days of cleaning up flower beds. (No I don't work all day at this - that was 100 years ago, not now as I am, so they say, slower than molasses) but I got 2 beds cleaned up yesterday. Only have 5 more to go. If it rains this afternoon, I guess I will clean house. Then again, maybe I will make apple crisp. Then, again, if it is raining, I will sit down with a good book. Then again, who knows what might come along that isn't on my list.
What I do know, though, is that fall is coming so very fast. What I don't know is - where did this year go? It was just January, now it is the middle of September. The trees are beginning to show color. More to come. One blessing I have here on the farm is - I DON'T HAVE TO RAKE LEAVES FROM 5 MAPLE TREES THAT ALL FELL INTO THE YARD at my previous home.
We have no trees right up close to the house, and the leaves that do fall all get blown away - have I told you we have lots of wind up here on the mountain top? If I have, just chalk it up to age.
Guess I had better quit rambling, and get busy at something. Have a good day and God Bless.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
"THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE".......SEPTEMBER 13 2011.....
And a beautiful day it is. Sun shining, dew on the grass, perfect temperature, and life goes on. What more could you ask for?
I now have 10 apple pies in the freezer, and two single pie crusts (probably for the pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving) and have run out of room for anything else. Told Jerry "NO MORE APPLES!"
Once it dries off I will be working on flower beds. They need constant care, but they do look good.
Now for the fun news. Getting ready for the Covered Bridge Festival, held annually at Mingo Creek Park in Washington Pa. This will be their 41st year, my 24th consecutive year, (my first year there was 1987)
EXCEPT - for the year (2004) that the festival had to be cancelled because of flooding.
I had called that morning (as it was raining and raining, we were getting the remnants of hurricane whatever). As it is a rain or shine festival, they advised that it would go on. Some friends also participating and I gritted our teeth, and arrived at the park. It was raining and raining.
We had just started getting our tents set up when park personnel came around and told us the festival was being cancelled, to pack up and get out. We could already see water pouring off the hillside and running across the festival site towards Mingo Creek. We packed up.
First, though, I just had to have a picture of the Ebenezer Bridge, where I have had my booth for years now, and the flood waters were rising rapidly.
This was how it looked as we were leaving. Later I learned that the water was up and into the bridge. Our entire festival site was under water. I also learned later that several vendors lost their tents and merchandise (the early birds who had set up and left), and I felt extremely lucky that I was not one of them.
Ever since my first time there this has been one of my favorite festivals. The location is great, huge crowds, even when it rains, it is just a fun festival to do.
As of right now the forecast for this coming weekend is good. Good temps, sunshine both Saturday and Sunday. Friday is set-up day only.
So if any of you folks out there want a great day of entertainment, food, scenery, and wonderful vendors, come to the park. It is free. It is fun.
This is how my day ended yesterday, with this beautiful moon-rise as seen from our deck. Perhaps it is an omen that we will have a great weekend. In the meantime, enjoy the sun and God Bless.
And a beautiful day it is. Sun shining, dew on the grass, perfect temperature, and life goes on. What more could you ask for?
I now have 10 apple pies in the freezer, and two single pie crusts (probably for the pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving) and have run out of room for anything else. Told Jerry "NO MORE APPLES!"
Once it dries off I will be working on flower beds. They need constant care, but they do look good.
Now for the fun news. Getting ready for the Covered Bridge Festival, held annually at Mingo Creek Park in Washington Pa. This will be their 41st year, my 24th consecutive year, (my first year there was 1987)
EXCEPT - for the year (2004) that the festival had to be cancelled because of flooding.
I had called that morning (as it was raining and raining, we were getting the remnants of hurricane whatever). As it is a rain or shine festival, they advised that it would go on. Some friends also participating and I gritted our teeth, and arrived at the park. It was raining and raining.
We had just started getting our tents set up when park personnel came around and told us the festival was being cancelled, to pack up and get out. We could already see water pouring off the hillside and running across the festival site towards Mingo Creek. We packed up.
First, though, I just had to have a picture of the Ebenezer Bridge, where I have had my booth for years now, and the flood waters were rising rapidly.
Ever since my first time there this has been one of my favorite festivals. The location is great, huge crowds, even when it rains, it is just a fun festival to do.
As of right now the forecast for this coming weekend is good. Good temps, sunshine both Saturday and Sunday. Friday is set-up day only.
So if any of you folks out there want a great day of entertainment, food, scenery, and wonderful vendors, come to the park. It is free. It is fun.
Monday, September 12, 2011
AN APB AND THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW......SEPTEMBER 12 2011
An All Points Bulletin has been issued for the Pittsburgh Steelers Football team. They have been missing since Sunday morning and if anyone out there knows where they are, please notify someone!
The only good part of the Steeler game was the Budweiser commercial. If it didn't bring a tear to your eye, well, I feel sorry for you. It was beautiful watching those magnificent horses paying homage to the victims of 9-11. No, we will never forget!
And now, for the things I didn't know. I'll bet by this time you thought I knew everything. Guess I put on a good front.
We did our one day bus trip at Niagara Falls on Wednesday of last week. I knew about the barge stuck on the rocks just above the falls, but didn't know for how long. Now I know. I never knew there was a Monastery at Niagara Falls, but now I know. I had never heard of ICEWINE before, but now I have. I guess you are never too old to learn new tricks.
First - the barge. Also known as a "scow". This is the thumb-nail version. In 1918 the barge broke loose from the tug boat hauling it with 2 men aboard. The barge then began drifting down river toward the horseshoe falls. There was nothing the two men could do but wait to be swept over the falls.
However the barge became grounded on a rock shoal 2500 feet above the falls. The entire saga is 14 pages long, the gist of it was that they were able to get a line from the shore to the barge and the two men were rescued by going hand over hand along the rope.
Second, the Monastery. Mount Carmel Monastery was settled at Niagara Fails in 1875 by the Carmelite Friars. It was a retreat house or hospice for clergy and laity. In 1919 it became a "house of studies" - a novitiate, college and high school. In 1979 it reverted to a retreat house. Today they conduct work shops and provide spiritual direction for people of faith.
And third - ICEWINE. We visited Joseph's Estate Wines near Niagara-on-the-Lake for a wine tasting First we had tastes of your traditional white, red, dry and sweet wines. Then after drinking some water to remove the taste of these wines, we were served ICEWINE.
All I can say is - I very rarely indulge in hard liquor and wine - but .. I could very well become addicted to this fantastic tasting wine. Just about everyone on the bus felt the same way.
I am now going to quote from information I found on this type of wine.
Icewine is a rare gift from a magical Canadian winter. Picked at the coldest moment of a winter's night, each frozen grape creates just one drop of Icewine.
Icewines originated in Germany and Austria. It has taken the Canadian winemakers to bring Icewines to North America. Today almost every winery in Niagara makes Icewine. In fact Niagara produces about 80% of the Canadian Icewine supply.
Needless to say I brought a bottle home with me. It is very pricey, but will be great for a special occasion.
So as you can see, I really don't know everything - I am just able to make folks think that I do.
Now better get cracking. I have apples from the farm waiting to be made into apple pies and put in the freezer for eating down the road.
So will sign off for now. Have a great day and God Bless.
An All Points Bulletin has been issued for the Pittsburgh Steelers Football team. They have been missing since Sunday morning and if anyone out there knows where they are, please notify someone!
The only good part of the Steeler game was the Budweiser commercial. If it didn't bring a tear to your eye, well, I feel sorry for you. It was beautiful watching those magnificent horses paying homage to the victims of 9-11. No, we will never forget!
And now, for the things I didn't know. I'll bet by this time you thought I knew everything. Guess I put on a good front.
We did our one day bus trip at Niagara Falls on Wednesday of last week. I knew about the barge stuck on the rocks just above the falls, but didn't know for how long. Now I know. I never knew there was a Monastery at Niagara Falls, but now I know. I had never heard of ICEWINE before, but now I have. I guess you are never too old to learn new tricks.
First - the barge. Also known as a "scow". This is the thumb-nail version. In 1918 the barge broke loose from the tug boat hauling it with 2 men aboard. The barge then began drifting down river toward the horseshoe falls. There was nothing the two men could do but wait to be swept over the falls.
Second, the Monastery. Mount Carmel Monastery was settled at Niagara Fails in 1875 by the Carmelite Friars. It was a retreat house or hospice for clergy and laity. In 1919 it became a "house of studies" - a novitiate, college and high school. In 1979 it reverted to a retreat house. Today they conduct work shops and provide spiritual direction for people of faith.
All I can say is - I very rarely indulge in hard liquor and wine - but .. I could very well become addicted to this fantastic tasting wine. Just about everyone on the bus felt the same way.
I am now going to quote from information I found on this type of wine.
Icewines originated in Germany and Austria. It has taken the Canadian winemakers to bring Icewines to North America. Today almost every winery in Niagara makes Icewine. In fact Niagara produces about 80% of the Canadian Icewine supply.
Needless to say I brought a bottle home with me. It is very pricey, but will be great for a special occasion.
So as you can see, I really don't know everything - I am just able to make folks think that I do.
Now better get cracking. I have apples from the farm waiting to be made into apple pies and put in the freezer for eating down the road.
So will sign off for now. Have a great day and God Bless.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
REMEMBERING....SEPTEMBER 11 2011...........
I don't have too much to say today. It is a day of remembrance - of the tragedy, of the the pain, of dis-belief, of the heroes, of which there were more than can be counted, but most of all, I will never forget where I was and what I was doing. I forget a lot of other things, but that is with me always.
I have watched a lot of the documentaries this week, time permitting, and still have to wonder, how did anyone survive?
But most of all I think of Flight 93, and what they did to prevent further tragedy. And to think - the memorial is so close to home.
During my life-time there have been four major pieces of history, and I will always remember where I was and what I was doing.
First - Sunday, December 7 1941 - Pearl Harbor Day, the beginning of our participation in World War II.
Second - Friday, November 22 1963 - The assassination of JFK.
Third - January 28 1986 - the Challenger disaster.
Fourth - September 11 2001 - The World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93.
First - even though I was just a child, I remember coming home from Church. My Dad turned on the radio to listen to a football game, there was none that day. Pearl Harbor had just been bombed.
Second - I was ironing clothes, and had turned on the TV to watch Price is Right. It wasn't there. Just pictures of the assassination.
Third - husband Tom and I had just returned from grocery shopping and he turned on the TV to get the local news. There was none. Just pictures of the Challenger explosion.
Fourth - I had just taken our car to Washington to have new tires put on. The TV in the waiting room was on, people were crowded around it, I saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center.
Pearl Harbor changed the lives of every American forever. Nothing was ever the same.
The assassination of John F Kennedy brought home that no matter who you are, you are not immune to tragedy.
The Challenger brought home, once again, how fragile life is.
The World Trade Center, once again, changed the lives of every American forever. Nothing has ever been the same.
Bow your heads and say a prayer - for the ones who perished on September 11th, for the ones who survived, for the survivors now passing on because of the contamination, for the families and friends who lost loved ones, and for all of us as we need all the help we can get.
Bow your heads, say a prayer, and God Bless.
I don't have too much to say today. It is a day of remembrance - of the tragedy, of the the pain, of dis-belief, of the heroes, of which there were more than can be counted, but most of all, I will never forget where I was and what I was doing. I forget a lot of other things, but that is with me always.
I have watched a lot of the documentaries this week, time permitting, and still have to wonder, how did anyone survive?
But most of all I think of Flight 93, and what they did to prevent further tragedy. And to think - the memorial is so close to home.
During my life-time there have been four major pieces of history, and I will always remember where I was and what I was doing.
 |
| "SOMEONE" is watching over us |
Second - Friday, November 22 1963 - The assassination of JFK.
Third - January 28 1986 - the Challenger disaster.
Fourth - September 11 2001 - The World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93.
First - even though I was just a child, I remember coming home from Church. My Dad turned on the radio to listen to a football game, there was none that day. Pearl Harbor had just been bombed.
Second - I was ironing clothes, and had turned on the TV to watch Price is Right. It wasn't there. Just pictures of the assassination.
Third - husband Tom and I had just returned from grocery shopping and he turned on the TV to get the local news. There was none. Just pictures of the Challenger explosion.
Fourth - I had just taken our car to Washington to have new tires put on. The TV in the waiting room was on, people were crowded around it, I saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center.
Pearl Harbor changed the lives of every American forever. Nothing was ever the same.
The assassination of John F Kennedy brought home that no matter who you are, you are not immune to tragedy.
The Challenger brought home, once again, how fragile life is.
The World Trade Center, once again, changed the lives of every American forever. Nothing has ever been the same.
Bow your heads and say a prayer - for the ones who perished on September 11th, for the ones who survived, for the survivors now passing on because of the contamination, for the families and friends who lost loved ones, and for all of us as we need all the help we can get.
Bow your heads, say a prayer, and God Bless.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
TUESDAY AFTERNOON...NIAGARA FALLS...SEPTEMBER 10 2011.....
We arrived about 1:00 p.m., our room was not ready, asked for a good place to eat, and went to the Secret Garden.
This was a really neat restaurant beside the Rainbow Bridge. We were, of course, hungry. When aren't we hungry?
Because of the time we had the place mostly to ourselves. Just in case you don't recognize us, they are me on the left, Andy in the middle, and Nancy on the right. For some unexplained reason Lauri didn't want her picture taken. I can't imagine why, we actually looked pretty darn good, considering.
We arrived about 1:00 p.m., our room was not ready, asked for a good place to eat, and went to the Secret Garden.
This was a really neat restaurant beside the Rainbow Bridge. We were, of course, hungry. When aren't we hungry?
Because of the time we had the place mostly to ourselves. Just in case you don't recognize us, they are me on the left, Andy in the middle, and Nancy on the right. For some unexplained reason Lauri didn't want her picture taken. I can't imagine why, we actually looked pretty darn good, considering.
Which one looks better, Nancy on the left, or me on the right?
I couldn't resist. Tells you what my mentality is like. Now I will give you the real picture. Actually the three above diners were at a corner table in the restaurant, and they looked as if they were having a really really good time. I just couldn't resist, had to photograph them. Of course as you have probably figured out by now, I take pictures of just about everything. Never know when the perfect occasion will come along and one of my "strange" pictures will find a showcase.
Left to right - Nancy, Lauri, and Andy. We had an excellent meal, I had some of the best cream of spinach soup I have ever eaten, in fact I think it was the first time for this particular soup, but it was sooooo goooood.
We browsed the gift shop, walked along the river toward the falls, stopping every third step to take pictures. We made it down as far as the building where you bought the Maid of the Mist tickets, by then Nancy and I were needing a break. We sat for a while, let the kids do their own thing.
As we were not meeting for supper (Andy and Lauri are celebrating their wedding anniversary this week (the actual date is September 10) so we didn't think they needed a couple very strange women tagging along. See, we can be considerate when we have to. Not often, but sometimes.
We meandered back to the hotel and loafed a while, then walked up to the Casino - we were told they have a great buffet, we were getting hungry, and it WAS a great buffet. I decided to try my luck, in a short time I had spent and re-gained my "fun" money, and we decided to head back to our room, read a little (we both always carry a book with us), take our showers, and then crash.
One thing we did in the late afternoon, before going out for super was call the Niagara Adventure Tour and make the reservations for the 4 of us for the next day (Wednesday). You want to know why we decided on the tour? Even if you don't really want to know, I am going to tell you anyway - we would be chauffeured around for the entire day on a nice big bus - no major walking - listening to the history of all that we saw.
So we finally turned out the lights and hit the beds, tired but happy - it had been such a good day.
I remember wondering what the next day would bring.
Have a good day, and the adventure will continue tomorrow, unless something earth-shattering happens in the meantime. Take care and God Bless.
Friday, September 9, 2011
HOME AGAIN .. BUT FOR HOW LONG?..SEPTEMBER 09 2011
Got home late yesterday afternoon. We had a fun and educational weekend, even though I have been to the falls several times, saw things and learned things I did not know.
We drove through rain Tuesday morning until about mid-day, when it cleared up, even had some sunshine. Checked into our hotel, then started walking, and walking, and walking, and walking. Then we walked some more. I think I am 6 inches shorter right now.
We did all the touristy things as Lauri had never been there, and Andy was just a little boy when he was there. Nancy and I have been there several times, but I do believe that Wednesday was our best day. In fact all four of us thought so.
We took a one day bus tour, saw places and things around the falls we weren't aware of, traveled as far as Niagara-on-the-Lake and back, wonderful trip, great driver/tour guide, and as there were only 19 of us on the bus, we all knew each other by the end of the day. It was a great trip, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
It was the NIAGARA ADVENTURES tour, pick-up and drop-off at our hotel door. The tour consisted of:
Upper Niagara River, Dufferin Islands, Marooned Scow, Upper Control Dam, Sir Harry Oakes Estate, the Chocolate Factory, the Welland Canal, Mount Carmel Monastery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, a winery for wine tasting, and for folks like Andy and Lauri who have never ridden the MAID OF THE MIST, They were picked up at the hotel 2 hours early and delivered to the gate for the ride, picked up after the ride to join the rest of us on the bus. We had a ball, and there will be much more detail down the road. Right now, just kind of touching base.
Took lots of pictures, have to down-load and edit them. Will be sharing them with you later, and telling some of the stories.
I guess while we were gone the poor West Alexander Fair was all but rained out. Also had a massive power outage on Wednesday. Glad we were at the Falls. It stayed over-cast, but the only moisture we had to contend with was the mist from the falls, and there was a lot of that.
As none of us will melt, warp, or peel, we didn't let a little (lot) of mist deter our wanderings. I did think, though that I should have had some shampoo with me, I could have washed my hair was I walked. How would you have liked to see that sight - this goofy woman walking along with about a foot of suds on top of her head, washing her hair? I'll just bit my picture would have been splashed all over the newspapers, and maybe even on TV. How about that?????? I wonder how long it would take the mist to get all the shampoo rinsed out?
A lot of the time Nancy and I did our own thing, letting the kids do what they wanted to do. The time went by all too quickly. It always does.
So am going to close out now, have laundry to do, pictures to edit, meals to plan, car to clean out (how does a vehicle get so messed up on a 3 day trip? And supposedly we are all adults), luggage to put away until next time, and get my head screwed on straight.
Hope your week has been good and God Bless.
Got home late yesterday afternoon. We had a fun and educational weekend, even though I have been to the falls several times, saw things and learned things I did not know.
We drove through rain Tuesday morning until about mid-day, when it cleared up, even had some sunshine. Checked into our hotel, then started walking, and walking, and walking, and walking. Then we walked some more. I think I am 6 inches shorter right now.
We did all the touristy things as Lauri had never been there, and Andy was just a little boy when he was there. Nancy and I have been there several times, but I do believe that Wednesday was our best day. In fact all four of us thought so.
We took a one day bus tour, saw places and things around the falls we weren't aware of, traveled as far as Niagara-on-the-Lake and back, wonderful trip, great driver/tour guide, and as there were only 19 of us on the bus, we all knew each other by the end of the day. It was a great trip, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
It was the NIAGARA ADVENTURES tour, pick-up and drop-off at our hotel door. The tour consisted of:
Upper Niagara River, Dufferin Islands, Marooned Scow, Upper Control Dam, Sir Harry Oakes Estate, the Chocolate Factory, the Welland Canal, Mount Carmel Monastery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, a winery for wine tasting, and for folks like Andy and Lauri who have never ridden the MAID OF THE MIST, They were picked up at the hotel 2 hours early and delivered to the gate for the ride, picked up after the ride to join the rest of us on the bus. We had a ball, and there will be much more detail down the road. Right now, just kind of touching base.
Took lots of pictures, have to down-load and edit them. Will be sharing them with you later, and telling some of the stories.
I guess while we were gone the poor West Alexander Fair was all but rained out. Also had a massive power outage on Wednesday. Glad we were at the Falls. It stayed over-cast, but the only moisture we had to contend with was the mist from the falls, and there was a lot of that.
As none of us will melt, warp, or peel, we didn't let a little (lot) of mist deter our wanderings. I did think, though that I should have had some shampoo with me, I could have washed my hair was I walked. How would you have liked to see that sight - this goofy woman walking along with about a foot of suds on top of her head, washing her hair? I'll just bit my picture would have been splashed all over the newspapers, and maybe even on TV. How about that?????? I wonder how long it would take the mist to get all the shampoo rinsed out?
A lot of the time Nancy and I did our own thing, letting the kids do what they wanted to do. The time went by all too quickly. It always does.
So am going to close out now, have laundry to do, pictures to edit, meals to plan, car to clean out (how does a vehicle get so messed up on a 3 day trip? And supposedly we are all adults), luggage to put away until next time, and get my head screwed on straight.
Hope your week has been good and God Bless.
Monday, September 5, 2011
CLEAN-UP TIME ..... SEPTEMBER 05 2011................
The downside of every great day is clean-up time. It is always worthwhile though, as it was a great day. Lots of friends and family. Lots of good food. Lots of laughter. First guests arrived 11 a.m. Last ones left 10 p.m. I had no problem sleeping at all.
Now that summer is officially over, everything changes.
We had a couple of heavy showers move through yesterday, but nothing to disrupt us. The deep fried Alaska-caught fish literally melted in your mouth. There was none left by the end of the day.
Now have to start deciding what to pack for Niagara Falls. Nancy will be here this evening and we will be leaving early in the morning.
So I will be off-line for several days. Hopefully the weather won't be too bad, but we will not let it stop us regardless, unless a hurricane arrives.
We had a chestnut tree in the yard of the cottage where we stayed in Cass. They were really pretty to look out, but don't touch. They were without a doubt the sharpest little needles I have ever touched. They were just down right nasty.
I very carefully gathered up some that had fallen, and brought them home to Jerry. He will plant them and see what happens. Should be interesting.
Right now it is very disappointing that it is raining, will not help with the fair at all. And as this is the highlight of the year in our community, it is just sad. Hopefully it will not be a wash-out, but who knows.
This has been the worst year weather wise that I can remember in a long long time. My grass is knee high again. And it is September. It should be just sitting there looking brown and drab. Not this year. It is going crazy. Don't know if Jerry will be able to mow while we are gone or not.
Back to yesterday, I think we all laughed until we hurt. It just never stopped, and between that and eating all the good food, I was exhausted and stuffed when I turned in for the night. Not a good combination, but I did really sleep. I just crashed.
It is hard to really get motivated today, and it is because of the gray gloomy day. You really don't care if you do anything or not. Hopefully it will get better, but who knows.
Today's plans have changed. We will be going to see a new house that one of our friends just moved into. John and son Mike have been best friends for years, John is single, so has become one of my adopted kids.
He just bought his first home, so since it is too wet and muddy to go to the fair when it opens at noon, we are going slumming, anxious to see the new house. At least we won't be in the mud.
So will sign off for now. Should have more stories to tell upon return from the falls. In the meantime stay dry, try to enjoy the fair, and God Bless.
The downside of every great day is clean-up time. It is always worthwhile though, as it was a great day. Lots of friends and family. Lots of good food. Lots of laughter. First guests arrived 11 a.m. Last ones left 10 p.m. I had no problem sleeping at all.
Now that summer is officially over, everything changes.
We had a couple of heavy showers move through yesterday, but nothing to disrupt us. The deep fried Alaska-caught fish literally melted in your mouth. There was none left by the end of the day.
Now have to start deciding what to pack for Niagara Falls. Nancy will be here this evening and we will be leaving early in the morning.
So I will be off-line for several days. Hopefully the weather won't be too bad, but we will not let it stop us regardless, unless a hurricane arrives.
I very carefully gathered up some that had fallen, and brought them home to Jerry. He will plant them and see what happens. Should be interesting.
Right now it is very disappointing that it is raining, will not help with the fair at all. And as this is the highlight of the year in our community, it is just sad. Hopefully it will not be a wash-out, but who knows.
This has been the worst year weather wise that I can remember in a long long time. My grass is knee high again. And it is September. It should be just sitting there looking brown and drab. Not this year. It is going crazy. Don't know if Jerry will be able to mow while we are gone or not.
Back to yesterday, I think we all laughed until we hurt. It just never stopped, and between that and eating all the good food, I was exhausted and stuffed when I turned in for the night. Not a good combination, but I did really sleep. I just crashed.
It is hard to really get motivated today, and it is because of the gray gloomy day. You really don't care if you do anything or not. Hopefully it will get better, but who knows.
Today's plans have changed. We will be going to see a new house that one of our friends just moved into. John and son Mike have been best friends for years, John is single, so has become one of my adopted kids.
He just bought his first home, so since it is too wet and muddy to go to the fair when it opens at noon, we are going slumming, anxious to see the new house. At least we won't be in the mud.
So will sign off for now. Should have more stories to tell upon return from the falls. In the meantime stay dry, try to enjoy the fair, and God Bless.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
THE DAY THE WORLD STANDS STILL.....SEPTEMBER 04 2011........
Actually that is wrong. It is the WEEK the world stands still - the West Alexander (World's) fair starts tomorrow, Labor Day, and last until midnight Saturday night.
Everyone in the West Alexander area knows that under no circumstances are there any meetings, any parties, any get-to-gathers, as everyone, and I do mean everyone, goes to the big fair. This fair is a homecoming fair, folks that have moved away, some many many years ago, come back for the fair, renew old friendships, learn who is doing what, where so and so is, you know the drill.
And so that is the reason we are having our Labor Day picnic today. Tomorrow there would be no one to come.
I am late with this blog, as I went to early church, and have been working on food for this afternoon. Right now I am taking a quick break, will get started again in a few minutes. At last count we are expecting 35 friends, family, and neighbors. It should be quite a day.
Of course, it is supposed to rain. Our parties go on rain or shine, and no one seems to mind. We just improvise as we go along, and have a great time, regardless of what the weather is doing.
So my break is over, up and at 'em. Have a fun, safe holiday weekend and God Bless.
Actually that is wrong. It is the WEEK the world stands still - the West Alexander (World's) fair starts tomorrow, Labor Day, and last until midnight Saturday night.
Everyone in the West Alexander area knows that under no circumstances are there any meetings, any parties, any get-to-gathers, as everyone, and I do mean everyone, goes to the big fair. This fair is a homecoming fair, folks that have moved away, some many many years ago, come back for the fair, renew old friendships, learn who is doing what, where so and so is, you know the drill.
And so that is the reason we are having our Labor Day picnic today. Tomorrow there would be no one to come.
I am late with this blog, as I went to early church, and have been working on food for this afternoon. Right now I am taking a quick break, will get started again in a few minutes. At last count we are expecting 35 friends, family, and neighbors. It should be quite a day.
Of course, it is supposed to rain. Our parties go on rain or shine, and no one seems to mind. We just improvise as we go along, and have a great time, regardless of what the weather is doing.
So my break is over, up and at 'em. Have a fun, safe holiday weekend and God Bless.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
TODAY WILL BE - WHATEVER - SEPTEMBER 03 2011
A little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Kids arrived about 12:45 a.m. this morning, was a short night. Today is get-ready-for-tomorrow day. We are having our Labor Day cookout tomorrow, as everyone will be too busy on Labor Day with the West Alexander World's Fair to come to a cookout. So, this is prep day.
We are also int he process of changing our phone system. Our land line is the pits out here. Half the time the phone doesn't work, half the time there is so much static you can't hold a conversation, half the time you can't get a repairman for days. Does that make 3 half times. New Math.
We are going Verizon wireless. I got a loaner kit yesterday to try it out and see how it works. Am going to return the loaner kit today, and get my real stuff. I think it will work great. And my phone bill per month is going to go way..........down. Way way down.
Lauri is going with me this morning, then it will be food prep for tomorrow. Son Michael wants son Andy to help him on his house today. He is building a house for him and Tammy. Right now they live in a trailer on the property. Will be a good day to work out, only in the 90's, 99% humidity, no air moving. I am sure they will have a great time!!!!!
At least Lauri and I will be in an air-conditioned house. Even cooking it will be cool.
So had better get out of my rocking chair, sign off her, get ready for a busy weekend, try to stay cool, hope we don't get rained out tomorrow, all that stuff. So have a great and safe holiday weekend and God Bless.
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| Lefty's Barber Shop in Cass West Virginia |
We are also int he process of changing our phone system. Our land line is the pits out here. Half the time the phone doesn't work, half the time there is so much static you can't hold a conversation, half the time you can't get a repairman for days. Does that make 3 half times. New Math.
We are going Verizon wireless. I got a loaner kit yesterday to try it out and see how it works. Am going to return the loaner kit today, and get my real stuff. I think it will work great. And my phone bill per month is going to go way..........down. Way way down.
Lauri is going with me this morning, then it will be food prep for tomorrow. Son Michael wants son Andy to help him on his house today. He is building a house for him and Tammy. Right now they live in a trailer on the property. Will be a good day to work out, only in the 90's, 99% humidity, no air moving. I am sure they will have a great time!!!!!
At least Lauri and I will be in an air-conditioned house. Even cooking it will be cool.
So had better get out of my rocking chair, sign off her, get ready for a busy weekend, try to stay cool, hope we don't get rained out tomorrow, all that stuff. So have a great and safe holiday weekend and God Bless.
Friday, September 2, 2011
TO SAY THE LEAST...IT WAS INTERESTING...SEPTEMBER 01 2011
The line seemed long, but got longer behind me. It took me a little over an hour to reach "the room"
What on earth am I talking about? Today was the PRICE IS RIGHT contestant search. What was I doing there? Just what do you think, I was hoping to be a contestant. Dream on!
But it was a new and unique experience for me. Also I got to meet George Grey (Gray) - and I am sure you are wondering who the heck is George Grey (Gray) is. As you have probably noticed I am not sure of the spelling of his last name.
George Gray/Grey is the announcer for PRICE IS RIGHT. He is the one in charge of calling out -------- --------COME ON DOWN YOU ARE OUR NEXT CONTESTANT ON PRICE IS RIGHT.
Next to Drew Carey, George is the guy. And I do mean "the guy". He is really cute, looks just as good in person as on the TV. Oh to be 100 years younger.
But let's start at the beginning.
I had printed out the application from the computer, had it all filled out with the necessary info they requested. When I arrived, I was really glad I had completed the paper work, folks were standing everywhere trying to fill out the papers while not losing their place in line. I am not sure how some of these "applications" will be deciphered by the ones in charge.
When finally reaching the room, was directed to one of two tables to turn in my paper work and be recorded as being there. then I was given a name tag with my first name on it and my applicant number.
Then was directed to a white X on the floor. Standing on the white X, I was facing a camera man and had a microphone handed to me. I was instructed to give my full name, contestant number, then had 30 seconds - yes I said SECONDS - to tell why I thought I should be chosen as a contestant for PRICE IS RIGHT.
After all the applications are read, all the videos digested, they will decide on two - yes I said TWO - contestants to be flown to California on such and such a date to be in the audience of one of the live taping, and one - yes I said ONE - of these two would hear the famous words;
SO AND SO (since I don't know who it will be) COME ON DOWN, YOU ARE THE NEXT CONTESTANT ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT. And said announcer will be none other than George Gray/Grey.
I had just finished my 30 second why I should be chosen and moved away from my spot, when who did I see - George, of course. He had just finished a TV interview with Brenda Waters of KDKA TV and turned around, and there I was right in front of him. I held out my hand to shake hands, but instead he gave me a hug, asked what I thought. He sure didn't know what he was asking. You know I talk a lot. Well I did.
I just looked at him, he looked really good. Told him that I had watched the show for about 100 years, I was now 110, he laughed and told me I looked pretty well preserved. I also told him how much I had like Rod Roddy - the announcer for years with Bob Barker - until he passed on. Told him that since then all the announcers had been pretty "BLAH" until he came along. He started laughing, saying he was really glad he was not blah, and gave me another hug, wishing me good luck.
He was probably wondering who that fruit-cake was, but I had a good time. When Jerry asked me last night what I told them in my 30 seconds he listened to me, then said that I went for the sympathy bit.
I just stated I had watched the show since the beginning, always hoping I could one day see a live taping. But it never happened, I was now -------- years old and this would be my last opportunity.
If you think I am telling my age you are nuts. That is between me and myself, thank you.
The two winners would be notified in a few weeks. Don't hold your breath, I have never won anything in my life and can see no reason to start now, but it was a fun day, a new adventure so-to-speak. You are never too old to have adventures.
Now I have to grocery shop, clean house, start pre-preparing food for the kids arriving tonight and the cookout on Sunday. I wonder who I will run into at the grocery store? Have a good day and God Bless.
The line seemed long, but got longer behind me. It took me a little over an hour to reach "the room"
What on earth am I talking about? Today was the PRICE IS RIGHT contestant search. What was I doing there? Just what do you think, I was hoping to be a contestant. Dream on!
But it was a new and unique experience for me. Also I got to meet George Grey (Gray) - and I am sure you are wondering who the heck is George Grey (Gray) is. As you have probably noticed I am not sure of the spelling of his last name.
George Gray/Grey is the announcer for PRICE IS RIGHT. He is the one in charge of calling out -------- --------COME ON DOWN YOU ARE OUR NEXT CONTESTANT ON PRICE IS RIGHT.
Next to Drew Carey, George is the guy. And I do mean "the guy". He is really cute, looks just as good in person as on the TV. Oh to be 100 years younger.
 |
| from yesterdays TV interview by KDKA TV Pittsburgh Pa |
I had printed out the application from the computer, had it all filled out with the necessary info they requested. When I arrived, I was really glad I had completed the paper work, folks were standing everywhere trying to fill out the papers while not losing their place in line. I am not sure how some of these "applications" will be deciphered by the ones in charge.
When finally reaching the room, was directed to one of two tables to turn in my paper work and be recorded as being there. then I was given a name tag with my first name on it and my applicant number.
Then was directed to a white X on the floor. Standing on the white X, I was facing a camera man and had a microphone handed to me. I was instructed to give my full name, contestant number, then had 30 seconds - yes I said SECONDS - to tell why I thought I should be chosen as a contestant for PRICE IS RIGHT.
After all the applications are read, all the videos digested, they will decide on two - yes I said TWO - contestants to be flown to California on such and such a date to be in the audience of one of the live taping, and one - yes I said ONE - of these two would hear the famous words;
SO AND SO (since I don't know who it will be) COME ON DOWN, YOU ARE THE NEXT CONTESTANT ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT. And said announcer will be none other than George Gray/Grey.
I had just finished my 30 second why I should be chosen and moved away from my spot, when who did I see - George, of course. He had just finished a TV interview with Brenda Waters of KDKA TV and turned around, and there I was right in front of him. I held out my hand to shake hands, but instead he gave me a hug, asked what I thought. He sure didn't know what he was asking. You know I talk a lot. Well I did.
I just looked at him, he looked really good. Told him that I had watched the show for about 100 years, I was now 110, he laughed and told me I looked pretty well preserved. I also told him how much I had like Rod Roddy - the announcer for years with Bob Barker - until he passed on. Told him that since then all the announcers had been pretty "BLAH" until he came along. He started laughing, saying he was really glad he was not blah, and gave me another hug, wishing me good luck.
He was probably wondering who that fruit-cake was, but I had a good time. When Jerry asked me last night what I told them in my 30 seconds he listened to me, then said that I went for the sympathy bit.
I just stated I had watched the show since the beginning, always hoping I could one day see a live taping. But it never happened, I was now -------- years old and this would be my last opportunity.
If you think I am telling my age you are nuts. That is between me and myself, thank you.
The two winners would be notified in a few weeks. Don't hold your breath, I have never won anything in my life and can see no reason to start now, but it was a fun day, a new adventure so-to-speak. You are never too old to have adventures.
Now I have to grocery shop, clean house, start pre-preparing food for the kids arriving tonight and the cookout on Sunday. I wonder who I will run into at the grocery store? Have a good day and God Bless.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE......SEPTEMBER 01 2011...........
Can you believe it is September? Where has the year gone? I guess when you're having fun time flies, so I must be having a BALL as time really flies.
To finish my Cass weekend, on the way down we did a short break at the Philippi Covered Bridge - I shared that picture the other day - and then also made a few other stops - for 2 Mail Pouch Barns - for Blackwater Falls - for Harper's Country Store Barn - and - for Seneca Rocks.
This is Blackwater Falls. There was quite a bit of water flowing, which made the falls quite spectacular.
This Mail Pouch Barn was quite old, but still standing. I guess it has a lot of determination. So many of these old historical barns are now gone. It is exciting every time I find one that I have not photographed before. Says a lot for my mentality.
This is the advertising barn for Harper's Old Country Store. The barn is actually nicer than the store, which looked pretty weather-beaten.
And below is Seneca Rocks. Sometimes when I have been there you could see rock-climbers practicing on the face of this what-ever. This ridge runs for miles through the West Virginia Mountains, popping up through the trees every so far.
Can you believe it is September? Where has the year gone? I guess when you're having fun time flies, so I must be having a BALL as time really flies.
To finish my Cass weekend, on the way down we did a short break at the Philippi Covered Bridge - I shared that picture the other day - and then also made a few other stops - for 2 Mail Pouch Barns - for Blackwater Falls - for Harper's Country Store Barn - and - for Seneca Rocks.
This is Blackwater Falls. There was quite a bit of water flowing, which made the falls quite spectacular.
This Mail Pouch Barn was quite old, but still standing. I guess it has a lot of determination. So many of these old historical barns are now gone. It is exciting every time I find one that I have not photographed before. Says a lot for my mentality.
This is the advertising barn for Harper's Old Country Store. The barn is actually nicer than the store, which looked pretty weather-beaten.
And below is Seneca Rocks. Sometimes when I have been there you could see rock-climbers practicing on the face of this what-ever. This ridge runs for miles through the West Virginia Mountains, popping up through the trees every so far.
Seneca Rocks is another of West Virginia's State Park. I believe West Virginia has the most state parks for it size as any other state.
This is one of those days, when no matter what I tell this stupid computer to do, it is going to do it's own thing. And my blog is the worst. I click on left-hand alignment, what do I get - centered.
So I guess you will have to bear with me and wonder if I was drunk when writing this blog. Guess you'll just have to blame it on my morning OJ and hot tea. And no, there was nothing in the OJ.
So, off to today's adventures, and there are a slew of them. Have to take stuff to City Mission, stop at the bank, stop and get Jerry's chipped ham (the only kind he really likes and I can only get it at one store in Washington Pa), drop off my pictures for ART IN THE GARDEN's exhibit and sale on September 11th, and then off to an interview with PRICE IS RIGHT.
That's right, THE PRICE IS RIGHT. They are conducting interviews today only in Washington Pa for two winners to be chosen to fly to California, be in the audience, and they are guaranteeing that one of the two contestants will be called to COME ON DOWN!
Wouldn't that be exciting. But I am not holding my breath. I have never won anything in my life, so why start now. But it will be a new adventure just to be there and see what they do and how they do it. I am always open to new experiences. That is what keeps me "young".
In the meantime, maybe tomorrow my computer will co-operate, hopefully your day will be good, and God Bless.
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