Day Two Hundred Sixty Two 2012

Tonight was family night at granddaughter Shelby’s middle school where she’s in sixth grade chorus. Neil and I enjoyed their sweet and entertaining performance. I always get all teary-eyed when I hear children’s voices singing, especially if one of them happens to be my dear peep. The last song  performed by all the chorus grades 5th-8th was called ‘Why We Sing’ –to learn, sing, share, and uplift others with our gift of song!  That’s sweet stuff. Good job, Shelby! I’m so proud of you!!

Day Two Hundred Forty Seven 2012

LABOR DAY

No picnic for us today. All Neil and I did was work around the house. He spent his Lowe’s gift cards and bought this nifty chain saw attachment for his weed eater.

And this is what he did with it. There were piles of tree and bush limbs laying all over the yard when he finished. Well, finished for today. Nothing like a new toy.


It’s Monday which is always laundry day around here. I did that plus wash windows, starting with the ones in all the doors—inside and outside = 138 panes of glass. I haven’t even begun to clean the regular windows yet. Labor Day, indeed.


After supper, we landed in Dogwood Park with our camp chairs to soak up some local culture and cool breezes and listened to the Cookeville Community Band play their last concert of the season.

This is the first time we’ve attended one of their concerts. I told Neil I can’t believe we’ve never been. They played marches, swing tunes, New Orleans jazz, and the concert ended with Rocky Top, a Tennessee fan favorite. Good times.
Happy Labor Day, America!

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.