DAMN!!

DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!!!! I can't believe the 8-year-old washing machine has died. The repairman was here about 9, and performed the last rites. I certainly intended that machine to be my last washer. But, alas, we had to start shopping for another one this afternoon. And we all know how much I detest shopping for anything. In a perfect world, a new one would be installed in the utility room in less than week without my having to do anything but pay for it. Sighhhhhhhhhh

At lunch, we were reminded that there is a new scratched-and-dented appliance store here, so we'll be checking there, as well as Sears and Lowe's.

John and I both worked at the Library book sale. The work wasn't too bad - got to be with some nice folks, and see lots of people we knew. It's great to see so many people reading so many different kinds of books. Before we went home, we checked out the damaged appliance store - a good place to start and at least get an idea of what's available.

We finished off the evening at a concert by the UTC Symphony Band. Different music from what we'd expect at the Chattanooga Symphony, but still good musicians and enjoyable music. Also free!

The Lady Vols had another disastrous night, loving to Kentucky. Sarah got me to answer the "25 things..." on Facebook. And the evening was capped off by watching My Fair Lady.

I really, REALLY hate having to get a new washing machine!

 

A slow day

We got bits and pieces of a storm. Lots of wind for a while, then the sun would come out, and it would rain with the bright sunshine. On the news, they said there was hail in some parts of town. We didn't have any here, though. And our high today was 72!!! That's definitely going to change tomorrow and on subsequent days.

These are a couple of photographs that I couldn't get posted yesterday. No photographer can resist railroad tracks - so I didn't.

 

 

The morning drive

My drive to the Gallery this morning turned into one big photo op. I had taken my camera in the hope that I could catch a quick photo of the Delta Queen. We're in the early voting period for our mayoral and city council election, so that was my first stop.


As I was leaving the Election Commission office, I could see the storage units at the industrial park across the way. I've been wanting to get some photographs of them for a long time - and here was my chance. As I drove in that direction, I saw a bunch of Canada geese on the grassy roadsides, so I had to stop and "catch" them.


Then I pulled off the road and got out of the car to take the photos of the storage tanks that I wanted.



Fortunately there was nobody behind me as I drove on Riverfront Parkway, so I could just stop on the road and get a photo of the Delta Queen through the lowered window.


With our warming spell, the ornamental flowering plum trees along the Parkway have started to bloom. They were beautifully lined up, back-lit, with the dark background of Cameron Hill. I couldn't have gotten a better angle than that.


And then when I finally got to the Gallery, it was to find the outside sign finally up on the side of the building.


What a great drive this morning!

THINK PINK!

Think Pink!

This is Pink Week in college basketball - to raise awareness of Breast Cancer and to raise money for research for a cure. This cause is especially moving to the women's basketball community because of the recent death from breast cancer of legendary coach, Kay Yow. All the teams - women AND men - are, in some way, incorporating pink into their games. Special pink uniforms, pink shoes, pink shirts, pink ties, pink shoelaces, pink t-shirts for the fans - even pink whistles for the referees. It's wonderful to see this acknowledgement of a problem and the cooperation in working toward a common goal.

Today's scores: UTC Lady Mocs 71, Appalachian State 47
UT Lady Vols 54, Duke 62

Think Pink!

 

Just a blank

Sorry, folks - nothing to contribute to the blog world today.

The photo is one of John's - under the bridge at the port of Long Beach, CA.

 

Creative Puns

CREATIVE PUNS FOR 'EDUCATED MINDS'

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

12. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

13. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'

14. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

15. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: ' Keep off the Grass.'

16. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

17. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

18. It's not that the man did not know how to juggle, he just didn't have the balls to do it.

19. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

20. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

21. A backward poet writes inverse.

22. In democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.

23. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

24. Don't join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects!

(Thanks [or blame] for these to Margaret R.)


Today's photo of the Delta Queen docked at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga is by Troy Moore.

 

Friday the 13th

What happened to YOU on Friday the 13th?

After swimming, getting the house cleaned, and much needed haircuts, the best thing today happened to us between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. Bill Moyers introduced us to poet Nikki Giovanni. What a delightful woman this is! Moyers asked her to read a poem called Choices, and I want to share it with you.

CHOICES

If i can't do
what i want to do
then my job is to not
do what i don't want
to do

It's not the same thing
but it's the best i can
do

If i can't have
what i want . . . then
my job is to want
what i've got
and be satisfied
that at least there
is something more to want

Since i can't go
where i need
to go . . . then i must . . . go
where the signs point
through always understanding
parallel movement
isn't lateral

When i can't express
what i really feel
i practice feeling
what i can express
and none of it is equal

I know
but that's why mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry

Written by Nikki Giovanni

This is the last photo from the great sunset last weekend.

 

Lazy Thursday

Are you believing that the woman who had the octuplets now has a website that asks people for donations to raise her 14 children?!? No THAT's chutzpah!

I saw the PA in my oncology surgeon's office today for my annual check. Everything looks good, and I don't have to go back for another year. HOORAY!

Have y'all read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? I'm almost through with it, and it's a delightful read. Be sure to get hold of it. Thanks, Anne, for the push to get it.

Margaret and John went to Knoxville to see the Lady Vols win over Alabama. That plus our regular lunch was about it for the day. I'm still doing the "couch potato" as ordered by the rheumatologist. The good part of that is that the knee is feeling pretty good.

This is another of the sunset photos from last weekend.

 

Storms and the Queen

I got an injection in my knee today. It already feels better - but that's probably the novocaine they use in the mix. I'm supposed to be a "couch potato" for two days. I guess I can manage that. The doc said I could go to swimming on Friday

We were under a wind advisory and tornado watch today. I was "chatting" with Jean as it went through Nashville, with lots of wind and rain. But it was VERY fast, and by the time we signed off, she said the sun was shining. It was very windy here, too. About midafternoon it got very dark, then wind blew even harder, and the rain was incredible. The weather guy said that in places there was 0.5" in 10 minutes. That's about what we had here. And about 20 minutes after the rain started, there were blue skies, and the sun was shining. Ah, springime!

The Delta Queen was due to dock downtown today about 1 p.m. I'm sure it wasn't easy with all the wind. If you haven't read, the Delta Queen has been removed from passenger/overnight travel. It's to be docked temporarily at a downtown park in Chattanooga to be used as a floating hotel. This is a google photo of the Delta Queen.

 

A Long Day

Today was a long day, and I've made it even longer by dilly-dallying about writing tonight.

I was at the Studio all day today. Vicki and I both did some painting - always fun, and I think we were both pleased with the starts we made.

Jesse came with his truck and picked up Kate's loom. He was going to get it at least to his house - that's 3/4 of the way to Kate's house. Obviously, it's going to get there in stages.

The downtown day ended with the board meeting of the Friends of the Library. Needless to say, libraries are hurting just like everybody and everything else nowadays - maybe even more. Although, this is a time when the libraries are needed even more!

Another sunset photo tonight - actually of the rising moon that night.

 

Monday, Monday

Monday is always busy. I guess I like doing all this stuff on one day - then it's downhill for the rest of the week. It would've been ever so much nicer, though, to have gotten some good cards at bridge this afternoon.

Jean and I have figured out we can chat on facebook. Actually, we didn't figure it out - Amanda explained it to us (in little bitty words). Thanks, Amanda. We didn't have much time to chat today, but we'll try again later in the week.

Our Lady Mocs beat College of Charleston tonight, 72-61. The referees in the women's games are generally awful, but the ones tonight were incredibly bad. Even I could tell, and they have to be really bad about that.

I'm going to call my doc tomorrow and see if I can get in sometime this week for an injection in my knee. Phooey! We also have to get haircuts this week. It does go on.....

The moon was full tonight. No photos of that, but another one of the sunset last Saturday.

 

Visitors and sunsets

Marty & John stopped over last night. It's always a treat to have them come through.

Matt and Amanda stopped by on their way home, too. They hadn't seen the Gallery or my exhibit. I met them at the Gallery, and it was fun to show them around. That's one of the things we like about Chattanooga. It's on the way to lots of places, so we get to visit with lots of folks.

One of the few things we don't like about our house is that, due to the terrain, we never get to see a sunset. As we were leaving Margaret's on Saturday, we noticed the sunset. I asked John to stop several times between Margaret's and the interstate so I could take photographs. I'll be posting these over the next few days.

 

The Trifecta

Kate came in Friday afternoon sbout 5, and immediately started on the laundry. We had supper, and John and I went to the Symphony. She was just finishing up the last load when we got home about 10:30. I asked how many loads she did, and she said she didn't even count them. But this morning, she gave herself a great treat. She's been in the market for a loom. A friend here, who is a fabric artist, had a loom she wanted to sell. They got together this morning, and Kate is now the proud owner of a Macomber floor loom. She is one happy camper. She couldn't take it home with her, it's going to take a truck. So she'll have to make another trip if Wayne can get their truck running, or maybe get Jesse to come get it for her and take it to her house. It'll happen somehow.

About noon, we headed out to Margaret's. It was great to see Jesse and his new toy. The weather today was GREAT! He had been out learnng his new bike and enjoying the gorgeous day. Kate and Jean, Matt & Amanda were there when we arrived. Friends of ours from Chattanooga and Hendersonville, as well as lots of Bobby's family came in to help with the celebration. There was certainly a lot of food. Barbecued chicken breasts, fried catfish, cornbread, corn, pinto beans, broccoli casserole, potato casserole, sweet potato casserole, fruit salad, bar slaw, relishes and condiments. And then there were the desserts. There's nothing like a special occasion to bring out the good food - not that it really takes anything special. Good family, good friends, and good food - Nothing can beat it!

Photos from the day.

 

 

 

 

Laundry and Symphony

Kate came in this evening to do her "two metric shitloads" of laundry. I don't know exactly how many loads that was - but she did finish by about 11 p.m.

We had symphony tickets, so didn't hang around to help with the laundry. It was a good program (Heroic Portrait) - to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The orchestra played works by Aaron Copland, Jan Ungar, and Beethoven. Definitely a good concert

The google photographs are of a Beethoven score, baritone Donnie Ray Albert, and pianist Ning An. Great performances tonight.

 

 

 

WHAT A DAY!!!

Today is one of those days that makes up for the dull days.

Margaret and Jesse came over and Jesse picked up his new Harley (dark orange and black). He took it home on a trailer, but then got it licensed and had it out riding. Even though he froze his butt off.

Kate called about suppertime and their power is finally back ON!! It was off for 10 days - an eternity! They had just finished emptying out the refrigerator when the fridge light came on. They think the stuff in the freezers in the garage are okay, though. She's still planning to bring all her dirty clothes when she comes down for Jesse's homecoming party.

#1000!!! Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols got their 1000th win tonight. Georgia was the unfortunate opponent, but it was a terrific night in Knoxville. This is an amazing lady, by any standard. One of her best accomplishments is that every player in her program who has played for four years has graduated! John and Margaret were there for the game and the festivities. Here are some of Margaret's photos.

 

 

 

 

Changes

Delaying the change from analog TV to digital is stupid! There will probably be the same number of people not ready for the conversion in 6 months as there are now. They've already had several years to get ready, plus zillions of PSAs on TV.

It's the same thing with changing to the metric system, or getting rid of the penny coin, or replacing the dollar bill with a dollar coin. There's never going to be a time when everybody is happy about it. The changes should just be done. We'll all get over the brief inconvenience. Sheesh!

Poor Kate and Wayne are still without power at their house. The hospital where Kate works has power by now, of course. They're letting employees use the showers in the fitness center there. And a friend let her do a wash load of underwear. The low there tonight is predicted to be 6 degrees F. Wayne's office has power, and they are spending the night there. Sleeping bags, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and no TV. But at least it's warm and they have lights and cell phones and I-pods and laptops and movies to watch.

Margaret and Jesse are coming down in the morning. Margaret and John will be heading off to Knoxville to see the Lady Vols play Georgia, and hopefully see Pat Summitt win #1000. Jesse is picking up his brand new Harley at the dealership here. He'll be taking it back home on the trailer on the back of his truck. That'll keep him busy for the rest of his time home. I'll get a photo of him on it when we're there on Saturday for his welcome-home party.

Today's picture is from google images.

 

Slow day

Today is one of those days where writing just doesn't happen. Sorry.

It has turned very cold this evening - currently (nearing midnight) 18 degrees F. And the high tomorrow is predicted to be only 32. Stay warm!

Two of the swimmers came into the shop today to see the exhibit. One of the gals bought one of the small paintings. That's such a treat for me. I hope she enjoys it. The painting that was sold to a viewer in Florida arrived at its new home. There was only a small problem - the painting (watercolor on paper) had slipped in the mat during shipping. I suggested that it might slip back in place, or she could take it to a local framer who could fix it easily. I hope it all works out to suit her.

This painting is titled "Fields" and is one of the paintings (acrylic on canvas) in my exhibit.

 

Monday mish-mash

Kate is still without power, and probably will be for a while longer. They'll stay here over the weekend - coming down for Jesse's party. She said if they haven't gotten power by then, she'd be bringing "two metric shitloads of laundry" to do. We're still laughing about that one.

The cards weren't too bad today - nothing spectacular. It was snowing when we left the house, but there was sunshine by the time we came home. It's been in the mid30s all day today.

Have I mentioned that I realized the sheets I'd had on the twin beds dated back to when the girls were at home? That's over 30 years ago! The beds don't get much use any more, so the sheets are in pretty good condition, but still... So I got new sheets and comforters today, got them washed, and put on the beds. They'll be surprised when they come to visit - unless they read about it here.

I got a letter from the hospital that my mammogram looked okay. Now I see the surgeon for followup next week.

I'm thinking about asking for a Kindle for my birthday. That's the electronic reading device from Amazon. A friend has one and just loves it. Maybe she'll let me borrow it for a couple of days for a trial run. They're pretty expensive, and I'd hate to get one and then find out I didn't use it. My hands have really been bothering me lately, and I can't hold a book open very long.

Basketball news: the Lady Mocs beat Elon, and the Lady Vols lost to Oklahoma (stalling Pat Summit at 999 career wins). I do hope she wins that one on Thursday, at home in Knoxville, with John and Margaret in attendance.

Today's photo is a google picture of a Kindle.

 

A lovely Sunday

Today was a lovely sunny day - with temperatures around 60. John headed out to the RiverWalk to get some exercise, serotonin, and Vitamin D. He said I must've been the only person in Chattanooga not at the RiverWalk. Today was the kind of day that brings folks out. Plus, it's supposed to be much colder and snowy over the next couple of days.

The Governor of Kentucky called out the National Guard to help folks who have been so devastated by the ice storm. We didn't hear from Kate today, so I guess they still don't have power.

Margaret and Bobby are having a fish fry to welcome Jesse home next Saturday. We'll be there with bells on. The 10-day forecast even calls for nice weather. Christmas dinner over there looked like this. For the fish fry and Jesse, there will be lots more food - and lots more people.