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Historically Speaking

March 7th, 2010

Yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day! Apparently I was not the only one who thought so because when my niece called and said “I am bored, let’s go do something” I JUMPED at the chance. We started out by hanging around Hicktown, visiting some of the local historical sites and me telling her some of the stories about when I was young and some of the folklore I know about where we went. Over the course of the next few weeks you will get to see some of the places that we visited and hear some of those stories, but until then….let me introduce you to:

The Water Tower

What town doesn’t have one of these?

I remember one night when I was in High School a bunch of us got together to party hang out and ended up at the top of ours. The local police department was none to happy with us. They long ago took measures to make sure no more of the local yahoos could even attempt to get to the top. I was telling Steph the story and from the backseat comes many, many questions. I wish I would remember that when I drag  Tate along on our adventures I must be more reserved in the telling of some of the stories of my youth. I must remember that little tidbit. I really, really must remember!

I was rather proud of this picture..it almost looks like one of those photo cards you would pick up in a souvenir shop. Ok, except for the power lines at the bottom. I am getting better though. Those of you that have been around awhile can attest to that. Remember how horrible my first pictures used to be? Yeah, ok…we really don’t want to go there.

After we got done gallivanting about the town we headed South to visit with my sister and her girls with a few stops to make before we all met up. I took Steph to one of our favorite places…

…because she hadn’t had the opportunity to go yet. And this is one stop that is required! She was amazed at all the different types of popcorn that they have. What did she walk away with? Loaded Baked Potato Popcorn. Mmm, Mmmm Good! Owned by twin brothers, you will want to stop in and visit for the atmosphere and experience as much as for the fabulous popcorn itself. You can visit the Popcorn Haven website and browse through some of the gourmet flavors that you can find when traveling through Georgia on I-75. It is a stop that you won’t regret making. I suggest that you try the White Chocolate Pretzel Popcorn. Or the Snickers. Or the Twix. Or the Bubblegum. Ok…maybe I like them all. Just plan to stay awhile, it is so hard to choose.

After we made all of our stops along the way we met up with The Clan McLeod at a local Mexican restaurant and had supper where we all just hung out and had a great time…and I got my nose unstopped from the hot sauce. Talk about relief! Then we went to my sisters house for an evening of family and fun. We played our regular go-to card game of Shanghai Rummy and then my brother-in-law taught us all to play Texas Hold-Em. I have been a hold out on learning to play but I gave in and succumbed to the worldly ways of poker. Please don’t tell, but I think I could really learn to like it.

I have to leave you with this picture…

…because it is the weirdness that is us.

I hope that your weekend has been filled with beautiful weather, good food, friends and family.

Today, I will be spending the day at home. Cooking a long over-due typical Southern-Style Sunday dinner.

What will you be doing?

What If?

February 21st, 2010

What if you could be invisible for one day? What would you do? Many people would think of awful perverse things to do…me I would skip all day. And visit Amusement parks and ride for free all day. And go to the fair and bust all the balloons that little kids try to bust with darts to win prizes. I would make the little ping pong ball bounce into the gold fish bowl every time. I would visit the hospital and make it look as through balloons just kept floating into the room of every child.

Me, I would bring happiness and laughter. That is what I would do should I have the opportunity to be invisible for one day. Wouldn’t that be fun. Just to play and do good for those around you.

Now, Yesterday, I may not have been able to be invisible all day, but I did have tons of fun. I laughed, ate, played and just all around had a great day. I spent the whole day with both of my sisters. We started out at Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. Terrible service, but great food.

Gina’s glass of water sat empty for about 15 minutes. She finally gave up and broke out her trusty bottle of Aquafina that she happened to have in her purse.

Me, I was just out of luck with my tea. I didn’t have a bottle in my purse.

Then we went to a favorite of ours….

They have SOOO many different kinds of popcorn. That makes it really, really hard to decide. Upon my recommendation Lisa found one she LOVED! Strawberry Cheesecake Popcorn. She got that crazy niece of mine Jalapeno Ranch Popcorn. It turned out to be a big hit.

Onward we traveled to my sister Gina’s church. Where we all pitched in to help her clean so that we could have even more fun and not have to cut the day short. After getting all of the cleaning done we made a pit stop at Zaxby’s. Not to eat again but to get the most fun for a quarter you can ever imagine! You have to be ready for it….

PREPARE YOURSELF

Hmmm, what is different? Maybe some acne spot treatment is needed. Oh wait, that  isn’t an acne problem. It is far worse! It is a facial hair problem!!

Sorry but you just have to love our staches!

Cool huh?

We have had more laughs and fun with our 25 cent treasure than anything I have ran across in a LONG time.

You have to love the little toy vending machines and the treasures they hold!

I hope that you have had a fabulous weekend and have had joy, laughter and fun involved!

Atlanta and The Other One

August 15th, 2009

I talk about my little sister occassionally. We do a good deal of things together and with our families. We are much closer than either of us ever thought would be possible because at one time we didn’t care too much for one another. Events within the family took a huge turn and we became not so close to our older sister and had to band together. I talk to my older sister in rare situations and she seems to be calling more frequently with each passing week, the joke usually being that we all wonder what she NEEDS when she does call. Well, it really isn’t a joke, she usually does ask for something. So, this week…she needs a ride to Atlanta. Her daughter (some of you know her as College Kid whom I love dearly) is busy today, her husband is busy today and well, she doesn’t drive on the interstate. And no one wants her to. She is the most horrible driver I have ever even heard of. So, since I am the driver of the family and am good with directions, I will go to Atlanta again this week. And as soon as I relented to take her the next thing out of her mouth was……”Will you take me to The Varsity for lunch?”

TWICE in one week!~

Please pray for my sanity. I will be in a car for about 4 hours (2 there, 2 back), having lunch and getting her to her destination and back with someone that most days I would like to strangle. But, maybe this time I will take a picture of the food at The Varsity

Wonder what I should order today. What would you have if you could go with me?

Lunch In Atlanta

August 12th, 2009

In Atlanta, you can find something that will please any pallet. And any budget. And any way that you are dressed. In other words, you can be dressed in evening wear and dine at a swanky restaurant that you must be dressing in evening attire to even get in, or you could be wearing a bathrobe and get in other place.

None of us were wearing Bathrobes or anything but we also weren’t wearing Evening wear. But we knew where we were going for lunch anyway. It is a time-honored tradition to eat there. Nestled in the city near the GA Tech Campus is The Varsity.

The Varsity was started in 1928 by Frank Gourdy. We knew his brother who was a pottery maker, he also became famous for his pottery pieces. But Frank, he made it HUGE with his little place. I have heard that he flunked out of GA Tech and started his “Hot Dog Stand” across the street, but I am not sure that is a true story. He was committed to only using fresh ingredients and today, they still use fresh onions and potatoes to make their onion rings and fries. And, the first thing yo will hear…What’ll ya Have?

What did we order? Hmmm, I will give you Tate’s order as an example:

Heavy Weight, Ring One with F.O.

That means, he had a Chili Dog with Extra Chili, a side of Onion Rings and a Frosted Orange Drink.

Now, if you were to order a Plain Hot Dog to go…you would have a Naked Dog A Walkin.

The lingo is one of the best parts of a visit to The Varsity. It has changed some since they have implemented computers, which is a little disappointing, but it is still an adventure to go.

I highly recommend you visit the Curb Men. They are a whole nother adventure within themselves. There used to be one that was pretty famous. His name was Flossy Mae, everyone wanted to visit with Flossy Mae. They will sing you the menu.

So, that was out lunch adventure. Sure wish you could have been there!

Atlanta!

August 11th, 2009

We had tons of fun in the big city yesterday. Telling you all about it is going to take a few days so I decided that today, we would just cover the city.

Tall building are everywhere. We were only on the North side of the city, but all over Atlanta there are big beautiful buildings. The city feels alive with hustle, bustle and noise. A vast contrast from the quiet life in HickTown.

I don’t think I could ever live in a big city. But I love to go visit if that counts for anything. I love the beauty in all of the angles. It is hard and stark.

Yes, there are trees immersed here and there, but it is not the same as walking out your door and walking into the woods. Or seeing deer play in your front yard. Or coming home to a bear. Whew, that one was a little scary. Almost as scary as some of the vagrants you see in the big cities.

Ahhh, the age old institution of Georgia Tech. This is where my not so little little girl will be attending college before I know it. It is a beautiful school. The only thing I hate about it is that it is in Atlanta. How will my little country girl ever get around? How will she ever navigate rush hour traffic? How will she make do in a school that is predominately made up of boys? How will I make it more the question!

LOOK! Tru TV! Cartoon Network! TBS! TCM! Boomerang! TNT!

Some of my favorites. They are headquartered in Atlanta. I remember when my Dad was in the hospital at Emory University for many, many long months awaiting a transplant and when going to visit we would pass TNT and affiliates. They were located in this little hole in the wall building near the Hospital. They have sure moved up in the world since those days.

And last but not least…the Olympic Torch at Olympic Park. When the Olympics were held in Atlanta it was a really big deal for the city and for our State. They made a public park for all to use once the Olympics were over.

So, that is a small tour of the North side of Atlanta. Join me tomorrow for lunch! It is an experience you will never forget!

EQUIFUNK

June 26th, 2009

Nestled in the Pocono Mountains and only a 2 ½ hour drive from NYC, EQUIFUNK is a unique and intimate music festival taking place September 4-6, 2009. The perfect end to the summer, EQUIFUNK promises adults and children alike, a fun-filled musical adventure, along with a summer camp experience, complete with sports, crafts, swimming and more.

The all-inclusive 2-day event features nightly live performances by acclaimed New Orleans’ artists, The Radiators and a late night performance by England’s funkiest, The New Mastersounds.
At EQUIFUNK, friends and families can ‘bunk’ in fully renovated cabins; enjoy all meals including outdoor evening barbeques, ‘mess-hall’ breakfast buffets and lunches and poolside snacks and beverages (beer and soft drinks) throughout the day; and various camp activities including sports, gymnastics, canoeing, zipline, rock-climbing, arts & crafts and/or relaxation with music at the resort style pool. Evenings will offer fun festivities and full nights of music with the Radiators, as well as a late night show on Saturday with The New Mastersounds. Babysitting is available so parents can get their groove on!

To purchase tickets to EQUIFUNK or for more information, please visit the website at WWW.EQUIFUNK.COM.

It Takes A Village…

June 24th, 2009

…to have a garden this pretty:

The Village is a little community of Mennonites about 45 miles North of Hick Town. They all work together for the good of their community and to get whatever needs to be done, done. They also have a store front where they sell all the produce that they raise. It is equipped with manual adding machines, tons of hand-built tables and only uses natural sunlight. They do not have electricity in their store or in any of their homes.

All lumber is hand-milled and all transportation is done by horse and buggy. This buggy was carrying a load of cantaloupes to the store front:

All of the fields are plowed the old fashioned way. No modern equipment is used.

And this folks, is what I came home with:

Organic as organic can get. Fresh from the field that day. Washed and cleaned. And you can’t beat the price! Watermelon $1.50. Squash .80 per pound. Just to name a few. And interaction with the people, priceless. They are the kindest people I have ever met and I just love going to visit with them.