Day Two Hundred Thirty Seven 2012

The lesson which life constantly repeats is to 'look under your feet.'
You are always nearer to the divine
and the true sources of your power than you think.
The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive.
The great opportunity is where you are.
Do not despise your own place and hour.
Every place is under the stars.
Every place is the center of the world.
~John Burroughs
American Author and Naturalist

Day One Hundred Forty Five 2012

Afternoon In Dogwood Park

Today was my first visit to our newly expanded Dogwood Park, which is a gorgeous green zone right smack in the middle of old town Cookeville. At the center of this little piece of heaven is an awesome fountain where kids of all ages can run around, get wet and cool off on a hot day. I took grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah there this afternoon. Elijah wore his vacuum-sealed rubber boot over his cast so he could splash, too. The day was hot but the water was cold, as you can see by Shelby's tense body language. Elijah plunged right in, but it took Shelby a long while to finally get soaked. They had a great time. Who wouldn't? I sat in the grass under a tiny tree which offered enough shade to escape the heat of the sun. That is my only complaint about the park--it will take decades before the small trees are mature enough for some real shade. Otherwise, I'm blown away by this place and can see myself spending time here as often as possible. I know I'll be taking my grandpeeps back again (and again) this summer to play around that way cool fountain.

Day Eighty Two 2012

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed watching Cookeville High School's production of 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers'. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard and often and had so much fun watching a play and especially a high school play, and I've seen a whole lot of plays in my time. And I'm not saying this just because my sweet niece peep Sarah Foy is in it, playing the part of Martha, one of the brides. (That's her in this picture, by the way, in costume). Everything about it was well done--the music (with a live orchestra), songs, choreography and sets, the singing and acting, plus a great story made for some spectacular entertainment. Bravo to this talented group of young people! If you live in the Cookeville, Tennessee, area, come see this play if you can: March 22, 23, 24 and March 29, 30, 31 at 7:30 in the Cookeville High School auditorium, $5.00 admission at the door. Sarah, I'm so proud of you! I always love watching you perform. I think this play is my new favorite.

Day Eleven 2012

If I had kept on driving instead of turning the corner to go home at lunch time today, maybe I could have driven right out from under those clouds. Kids and teachers are praying for snow Thursday. There is power in prayer. Maybe I need to buy some milk and bread......

Day Two Hundred Twenty Four 2011

Neil and I took the Grandpeeps to Cream City Ice Cream Shop this afternoon for a tasty frozen treat. Delish! Elijah chooses his ice cream flavors by how colorful they are, and Shelby chooses hers by anything with the words chocolate, cookies and/or cake in it. The frog is in a back room at the ice cream shop and is inside this tiny glass cube along with his buddy. I felt kind of sorry for them all cooped up. A trip to get ice cream isn't complete until we've checked out the train cars at the depot. Shelby and Elijah love climbing all over and inside those things. The cars were hot and stuffy today, so we didn't hang out inside very long. Good times on a beautiful TGIF. Hope yours is happy, too!

Day One Hundred Forty Six 2011

Looking north on South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville, Tennessee, this afternoon. I have the feeling that this is going to be one of those rainy summers here in the mid South. The storms just keep on coming, seemingly with no end in sight. I can't remember a wetter, stormier spring than the one we're having this year. My heart goes out to all those folks in flooded and tornado damaged areas. So I'll try not to complain too much about the weather here. But I'm longing for a few days of sunshine. You know. Like days in a row.

Day Two Hundred Thirty Four 2010

Sunday Postcards From Cream City

Sound advice from a sticker on a shop window in artsy West Side across from the train depot in my town.

Niece Sarah, daughter Kelly, sister Jane and niece Julia (and moi) gathered at the Cream City Ice Cream Shop for a tasty frozen and/or icy treat this afternoon.

The girls brought Pictionary. We had some laughs looking through the old drawings, trying to figure out what words they could mean. Not much luck with that, so we made new drawings.

Julia in silhouette with the train depot in the background.

Like sand through the hour glass .... Sarah watches time slipping away. Our time did fly by. It always does because we have so much fun hanging out together. Would loved to have taken more pics, but my cell phone battery died. Looking forward to the next time, peeps!

Day One Hundred Eighty Six 2010

Picture Postcards From Cream City In Cookeville, Tennessee, Where The Ice Cream Is Most Excellent ~~ Just Ask Kelly, Kerry, Kay, Neil And/Or Shelby!

Day One Hundred Fifty Eight 2010

You Never Know Who's Watching

This lizard in a light fixture at Cane Creek Recreation Center here in Cookeville, Tennessee, gave some of our cardio-sculpt class a scare this afternoon. The sight of something like this can be a bit stressful, especially at the end of a workout when you're trying to relax and cool down. And especially if you happen to be laying right under it. Thank goodness he didn't slither through a vent and fall on somebody.

Day One Hundred Fifty Five 2010

National Doughnut Day!

Awesome cloud view on our way to Ralph's Donut Shop here in Cookeville, Tennessee. It is National Doughnut Day (whoever made that one up is a genius). What's not to celebrate about that?

There are no doughnut chains here in our town, but that's okay. We've got Ralph's. 'Nuff said!

Doughnut? Donut? Who cares how it's spelled. Looking forward to these babies with a tall glass of cold milk. Hope your day was sweet! Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day One Hundred Fifty

Picture Postcards From Sunday Afternoon At Poet's

I had the best time this afternoon at Poet's On The Square with assorted peeps and peepettes. Frozen chai, not so tasty smoothies, chocolate lava cake, lots of random conversation and some good time belly laughs made for some good time memories. Hey, we weren't any louder than anybody else, right? Let's do again soon, guys!