Day Two Hundred Thirteen 2012

One Of Those Randomness Days~~~Sky Over My House~~Porch Swing~~Robin~~Macro Mason Jar Bubble~~Macro Red M&M~~ Dark Chocolate Peanut M&M’s~~Cups And Straws~~Gnarly Pumpkin








random (ˈrændəm) — adj     "having no definite aim or purpose"
That pretty much sums up my day……

Day Two Hundred Twelve 2012

Sometimes doing a 365 blog (a picture a day for a year) can be a real pain when it gets to be late in the day and you suddenly realize you haven’t taken the first picture all day. So it’s supper time (in the South we say supper, not dinner) and hubby Neil and I are sitting at Cheddar’s restaurant, because it sounded better than Subway. I’ve taken a bite or two of the delicious grilled salmon on my plate when I realize I haven’t taken any pictures today. Out comes the cell phone camera and click! Here is my picture for the day. Pretty lame, I guess, but that’s how it goes sometimes. The salmon was awesome, as was the steamed broccoli. And the garlic mashed potatoes. We were in and out within thirty minutes, which must be a record for Cheddar’s. If that was the case all the time, we’d eat there more often.

Day Two Hundred Eleven 2012

Happiness is a Sunday afternoon D.Q. treat—Butterfinger Blizzard with an extra helping of goodie on top. Oh yum. Neil needed a shot of caffeine, (he was out of coffee this morning) so he enjoyed a French vanilla Moolatte. If there was a category in the Olympics for lack of will power for sweets, Neil and I would take home the gold.

Day Two Hundred Ten 2012

Yes, I am a Fanilow. Got hooked on Barry Manilow waaay back in 1974, and I’ve had the opportunity to see him in concert several times over the decades (I’m making myself feel really old right now). My dear hubby Neil and I enjoyed his concert tonight at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. And these pictures are the clearest ones I managed to take. He played to a packed house, to little kids and old geezers such as myself, and all ages in between. His voice is still awesome, his tunes are classic, and he still knows how to entertain. He has slowed down a bit—not nearly as active on stage as he once was when we were all younger—but his voice still blows me away (and everyone else in the house). Coolest part of the show—singing ‘Mandy’ and ‘Could It Be Magic’ with a video of his 1975 self on ‘Midnight Special’ (remember that show?). I’m glad I got to see him perform again in concert (last time he was in Nashville was ten years ago), and yes even Neil, who is not particularly a fan, said he's a class act. Could it be magic? Oh yes.

Day Two Hundred Nine 2012

"Every leaf on every tree
And every drop of water in the sea
Every grain of weathered sand
That smashes itself onto dry land
Every stone and every petal, everything that's elemental
You are never gone."
~Jann Arden
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Happy Anniversary to my sister Jane and her hubby Don, who were married 27 years ago today!! Wishing you all the best of everything today and always!

Day Two Hundred Eight 2012

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato."
~Lewis Grizzard
My sister and her hubby grew this lovely tomato, which now belongs to me. I’m thinking BLT. That’s what summer is all about.

Day Two Hundred Seven 2012

Back To School


Grandson Elijah is in first grade now. He says it’s better than kindergarten. Today, he caught up with his old friends on the playground who aren’t in his classroom this year. He made a new friend. He asks me, “You know what’s the best day ever? Pizza day and chocolate milk day.” ‘Nuff said. Looks like it’s going to be a good year.

Day Two Hundred Six 2012

When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life.
~Monty Python's Life of Brian

Day Two Hundred Five 2012

Today was back to school for the kids in our county—a two hour registration day. Grandkids Shelby and Elijah hung out with me after that, and we headed to Ocha for a rice and spicy chicken lunch, along with hubby Neil and daughter Holly. While we ate, we had a front row seat watching the city workers lay asphalt at the intersection of Tennessee Tech University and Ocha Thai Deli. Actually, I think it is Seventh Avenue and some other street whose name I can’t remember getting a makeover before college students return for classes. Hot, dirty, smelly work in this summertime heat. Makes me appreciate even more the ride over a nice smooth street.

Day Two Hundred Four 2012

Grandson Knox thought the spinning penny was way cool, and it amused him for quite some time. He wanted so badly to get his little hands on it, but he had to be content to look and not touch since literally everything he picks up goes straight into his mouth.

Day Two Hundred Three 2012

Granddaughter Shelby celebrated her 11th birthday this afternoon, partying with family and friends. The kids, big and small, enjoyed a huge water slide in the back yard. We all enjoyed that delicious cake. And Shelby really enjoyed the cash gifts inside all those birthday cards. What a totally fun way to turn eleven. As her birthday balloon says, Another Year Of Fabulous! Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Day Two Hundred Two 2012

"Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom."
~~Thomas Carlyle

Caterpillar:  “…and the other side will make you grow shorter.”
Alice:  “The other side of what?” 
Caterpillar:  “The mushroom, of course!”
~~ Alice in Wonderland

Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Two Hundred One 2012

Ice cream is happiness condensed.   ~Jessi Lane Adams
I did not scream for ice cream at the D.Q. after lunch today. I was trying to be good, to resist the temptation. But my hubby is a bad influence when it comes to D.Q. treats. And besides, the grandkids were having ice cream cones, too, so who am I to say no to another pound of fat around my waist?

Day Two Hundred 2012

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY, SHELBY!!!

‘From a little girl so very small, how and when did you get so tall?’ ~Karen Mortensen
My totally awesome granddaughter, Shelby Grace, is celebrating her 11th birthday today. She is smart, funny, sweet, gorgeous, and I’m so thankful that she is in my life! Happy Birthday, Shelby! Granny and Grandpa love you so much!!

Day One Hundred Ninety Nine 2012

Breakfast at The Corner Coffeehouse This Morning With Daughter Kelly and Grandson Knox~~Iced Coffee And A Blueberry Muffin

Day One Hundred Ninety Eight 2012

It’s bath time for Knox in Granny’s kitchen sink.

Day One Hundred Ninety Seven 2012

Out For A Stroll With Knox On A Sunday Afternoon

Day One Hundred Ninety Six 2012

My niece Sarah celebrated her 17th birthday this afternoon. She is one of my favorite people on the planet, and I am blessed by her presence in my life. God has blessed her abundantly in every aspect of her life, and it is my prayer that He continues to bless her throughout the coming year as she heads into her senior year in high school. Happy birthday, Sarah! Love you bunches!!

Day One Hundred Ninety Five 2012

Random TGIF

Hope your TGIF is fabulous.
P.S.  Happy 17th Birthday, sweet niece peep, Sarah!

Day One Hundred Ninety Four 2012

Tell me how many beads there are
In a silver chain
Of evening rain,
Unraveled from the tumbling main...
~Thomas Lovell Beddoes

Day One Hundred Ninety Three 2012

A Little Middle-of-the-Week Randomness






God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.
~C.S. Lewis

Day One Hundred Ninety Two 2012

There will be a rain dance Friday night, weather permitting. ~ George Carlin







Heavy rain at my house this morning—a gully washer. Granddaughter Shelby and grandson Elijah saw me outside taking pictures of it and couldn’t resist playing in the mini-river rushing down the street after the downpour. Rain is such a beautiful and rare sight these days that we all stop what we’re doing and stare at it whenever it does start to fall. (And take pictures of it….)