Day Two Hundred Nineteen 2012

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."
~Celia Thaxter

Day Two Hundred Eighteen 2012

"In summer, the song sings itself."  ~ William Carlos Williams

Day Two Hundred Seventeen 2012

Visiting grandson Knox and daughter Kelly today. First time we’ve been to their house since the end of June. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Chop House.

He’s got three teeth now, and a fourth coming in soon, so he’s got his own toothbrush. He likes to brush his teeth.

He’s about to outgrow that changing table. We haven’t seen him in almost two weeks (must be a record), so he seems a lot bigger to us today.

Peekaboo!

He got a cool new toy to play with from Babies R Us. He isn’t crawling yet, but he can pull himself up to a standing position and just might walk before he crawls.

Bath time!

Bath water tastes terrible!

He was also happy to get to visit with his aunt Holly and cousin Shelby who dropped by after a day of shop till you drop. (It’s tax free weekend here in our state). Knox is such a sweetie, eight months old now, and changing so much every time we see him. He’s off to bed now. Sweet dreams!

Day Two Hundred Sixteen 2012

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
~Charles Spurgeon
There’s a lesson in there for us. I like these dictionary definitions of the word perseverance.

perseverance — n  
1.
continued steady belief or efforts, withstanding discouragement or difficulty; persistence
2.
Christianity persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death

If perseverance can pay off for a lowly snail, then I know that God will reward his obedient and faithful servants with an eternal home in heaven.
Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Two Hundred Fifteen 2012

My Lunch Bunch Peeps! Niece Sarah, great nephew Ethan, great niece Ashley, nephew Chris, sister Ann, sister Jane, and niece Julia. We try to keep a long-running weekly lunchtime get together. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. The kids were out of school for election day here, so this particular group of peeps gathered at Zaxby’s and enjoyed some chicken and milkshakes, conversation and lots of laughs. We are a blessed family, especially in the sense that we truly love each other, and yes, even like each other enough that we go out of our way to be together whenever and wherever we can. How many families can make that claim?

Day Two Hundred Fourteen 2012

I support Chick Fil A and the courageous stance its president has taken on Christian values. I admire people who aren’t afraid to say what they believe and stand by it, even in the face of ridicule. I wanted to join in the support for this restaurant and buy one of their awesome peach milkshakes. As you can see from these pictures, our local Chick Fil A was overwhelmed with support today, and alas, my peach milkshake will have to wait until another, less busy day. 

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
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
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.