I have a beautiful place, just what my late wife and I wanted some ten years ago. One hundred thirty five acres, ten acres of coastal bermudagrass for horse quality hay, a five acre lake with bass, catfish and crappie, a twenty acre mature pine plantation, another ten acres planted in pines six years ago, and the rest in mixed hardwoods with multiple springs feeding a nice flowing creek. Today, the trees are brilliant with their fall colors and will soon shed those colors for a stark contrast to the coming winter skies.
I've talked here about my house and how it is a great refuse for Smooch and Lovey, the two queen cats. I ask you. How many cats do you know that require, much less deserve, a four bedroom-four bath house? Each night during the winter, they both look forward to curling up by the fire in the living area and knowing that when that fire dies, there will be another waiting for them in the master bedroom. Spoiled rotten cats! Well, I've had it! Change is in the wind.
When we got back from out last great adventure we both knew what waited for us--work! The grass didn't quit growing, the trees didn't quit dropping limbs, the herbicide still was needed along the fence line, the flower beds needed tending and on and on and on. I used to enjoy spending eight hours a day on the Kabota tractor mowing, disking and grading. It was relaxing and fun. It has now turned to work and not as much fun. My oldest son loves to come here once or twice a year and spend those same eight hours a day on the Kabota and enjoying it like I used too. I think its time to move on.
Judy has a similar problem, if not worse. She doesn't have the acreage I have, but her place is pristine and that's the way she intends to keep it. Just try to maintain six acres or so like its a country club, that's her place. So this is what we're thinking--sell both and down size.
We of course want to stay in Texas and would like to be someplace with some seasons. So we're beginning our search and if you would want a grand place in the country or a more pristine home closer to the city, you need to let us know.
Blessings to all......
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Goings on in the country...
I have a situation that is most alarming. I have a doe that I'm beginning to think wants to move in with me.
I ran some errands this morning and when I came home she was standing in my yard. I got within about 30 yards when she decided to throw her tail up and show me her white side. Now its not that uncommon to see deer hanging around but this one came back in about an hour. That's not common. Judy saw two does walk by Saturday morning and then a little spike buck showed up. He had the most unusual markings I've ever seen. On his right, not that that's relevant, side he had a big white splotch. Probably twelve inches wide. Very odd, don't you think?
Its that time of year that hunters are getting ready to go to the woods in hopes of seeing and killing that dreamed about trophy buck. I use to be one of them. I guess I grew out of it. What I do remember all to well-once you pull the trigger, the fun is over and the work begins. I wonder what hunting license cost now? One less thing to spend money on I guess. Please understand, I'm not against hunting and its much better than what they are doing in some Kentucky counties. The deer population is so great and therefore there are many car accidents with the deer they are bringing in coyotes to try and control the population. We keep messing with mother nature and the good Lord is the only one that knows for sure what a mess of things we're making. My daddy taught me many years ago about jerking around with mother nature.
Al Gore is of course doing his part to convince us that we are messing with her and soon we'll all have to move to the Rockies or our feet will stay wet. I wonder if Houston will take on the look of Venice, Italy? It might be fun going down Main St in a gondola with some red neck singing opera. See Al, there could be another way for you to make a buck. You just need to get the gondola franchise in Houston and other major metropolitan areas. Do I see another Nobel prize for Al...maybe in economics? Dang, I may be on to something here...gondolas in Houston. Of course, I think it will be four or five thousand years before the waves start lapping up on One Shell Plaza...if it ever happens.
Can you tell, I've had way to much free time on my hands today. I have more fun things to write when we're on the road.
Blessings to all...
I ran some errands this morning and when I came home she was standing in my yard. I got within about 30 yards when she decided to throw her tail up and show me her white side. Now its not that uncommon to see deer hanging around but this one came back in about an hour. That's not common. Judy saw two does walk by Saturday morning and then a little spike buck showed up. He had the most unusual markings I've ever seen. On his right, not that that's relevant, side he had a big white splotch. Probably twelve inches wide. Very odd, don't you think?
Its that time of year that hunters are getting ready to go to the woods in hopes of seeing and killing that dreamed about trophy buck. I use to be one of them. I guess I grew out of it. What I do remember all to well-once you pull the trigger, the fun is over and the work begins. I wonder what hunting license cost now? One less thing to spend money on I guess. Please understand, I'm not against hunting and its much better than what they are doing in some Kentucky counties. The deer population is so great and therefore there are many car accidents with the deer they are bringing in coyotes to try and control the population. We keep messing with mother nature and the good Lord is the only one that knows for sure what a mess of things we're making. My daddy taught me many years ago about jerking around with mother nature.
Al Gore is of course doing his part to convince us that we are messing with her and soon we'll all have to move to the Rockies or our feet will stay wet. I wonder if Houston will take on the look of Venice, Italy? It might be fun going down Main St in a gondola with some red neck singing opera. See Al, there could be another way for you to make a buck. You just need to get the gondola franchise in Houston and other major metropolitan areas. Do I see another Nobel prize for Al...maybe in economics? Dang, I may be on to something here...gondolas in Houston. Of course, I think it will be four or five thousand years before the waves start lapping up on One Shell Plaza...if it ever happens.
Can you tell, I've had way to much free time on my hands today. I have more fun things to write when we're on the road.
Blessings to all...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Home sweet country home...
We decided to come home a few days early from our latest adventure. We had a grand time. Meeting up and traveling with old friends is always fun and just seeing this great earth God has given us, what more could you ask. Judy and I often remark to each other that too many people never really "see" the grandeur of our country.
We spent six days doing the Trace from Nashville down to Jackson...about 300 miles. Now folks that's the way to travel. I think one day we did less than fifty miles but we sure saw some good sites. We're already thinking about our spring sojourn back to Kentucky. I can't imagine how beautiful it is in the spring. The grass may really be blue.
We arrived back in the country after almost 2500 miles around four yesterday and unloaded only the essentials, whatever that may have been. I remember now, sloppy Joe's for dinner. As you may recall, we cooked several meals and froze them to make eating easier on the adventure. Of course this time, we didn't plan on Ms Edith feeding us quite so good. I'm still enjoying the coconut cookies she sent us away with.
Shortly after unloading (10 minutes), we had to get in the Suzuki and drive around the place. The red berries on the yaupon are unbelievable. Some of the trees, (sassafras, dogwood, sweet gum, hickory) are just beginning to show their color. Roxie headed to the lake, after all, she hasn't had a good swim for maybe two weeks. Now the bad news. The dang sticker burs are awful. Green, purple and the dreaded black. Roxie managed to get several in her coat and even though she got them in her feet, she can still run pretty good on two legs. Crazy dog.
This afternoon the weather is so beautiful we decided to walk around the place and look for deer rubs. You know, where they rub their antlers on a tree to get the velvet off. We found several in the pine plantation or as my two oldest grand daughters have aptly named it...the quiet forest. I'm thinking about setting the game camera up to see if I can get a picture of one rubbing his antlers. Wouldn't that be cool? We've spent a lot of time on the porch since arriving back at the country house just enjoying the scenery. As I've probably told you too many times before, when I walk out onto the porch, I've got a ten acre hay meadow on the right...well heck, I'll just post a picture.
We spent six days doing the Trace from Nashville down to Jackson...about 300 miles. Now folks that's the way to travel. I think one day we did less than fifty miles but we sure saw some good sites. We're already thinking about our spring sojourn back to Kentucky. I can't imagine how beautiful it is in the spring. The grass may really be blue.
We arrived back in the country after almost 2500 miles around four yesterday and unloaded only the essentials, whatever that may have been. I remember now, sloppy Joe's for dinner. As you may recall, we cooked several meals and froze them to make eating easier on the adventure. Of course this time, we didn't plan on Ms Edith feeding us quite so good. I'm still enjoying the coconut cookies she sent us away with.
Shortly after unloading (10 minutes), we had to get in the Suzuki and drive around the place. The red berries on the yaupon are unbelievable. Some of the trees, (sassafras, dogwood, sweet gum, hickory) are just beginning to show their color. Roxie headed to the lake, after all, she hasn't had a good swim for maybe two weeks. Now the bad news. The dang sticker burs are awful. Green, purple and the dreaded black. Roxie managed to get several in her coat and even though she got them in her feet, she can still run pretty good on two legs. Crazy dog.
This afternoon the weather is so beautiful we decided to walk around the place and look for deer rubs. You know, where they rub their antlers on a tree to get the velvet off. We found several in the pine plantation or as my two oldest grand daughters have aptly named it...the quiet forest. I'm thinking about setting the game camera up to see if I can get a picture of one rubbing his antlers. Wouldn't that be cool? We've spent a lot of time on the porch since arriving back at the country house just enjoying the scenery. As I've probably told you too many times before, when I walk out onto the porch, I've got a ten acre hay meadow on the right...well heck, I'll just post a picture.
Whats amazing, its still this green except for the trees in the distance are beginning to change color. Supposedly, we can see about eight miles to that ridge in the distance. I'll have to publish some pictures when the color really gets good.
Hope everyone that's reading this is doing well and enjoying the beautiful weather. I've already got a huge fire built for tonight in the outside fire pit. S'mores anyone?
Blessings to all...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Looking for Elvis and other musings...
We decided to stay in Tupelo another day to check out the neighborhood. It was a wise decision.
We were awakened about 2 am with a nice rain falling on the roof of the motorhome. Its almost as good as rain splattering on a tin roof...don't you think? It rained gently all night so we were slow to get going this morning and Roxie was pleased. During a break in the rain I took her for a walk around the park this morning, even though she was reluctant to leave the warmth and dryness of the motorhome but she acquiesced and followed me with a spring in her gait. We didn't encounter much of interest until we saw the yellow winged blackbird at one of the bird feeders at the office. It was pretty cool to see one so close.
Time for adventure. We went to Elvis Presley's birthplace. It's a little two room house, maybe 600 square feet, that his father Vernon built with a $185 loan from a local doctor. Three years later Vernon was convicted of writing a hot check for $4 and sentenced to six years in prison. He only served eight months but the doctor foreclosed and thats when the the Presley family packed up and moved to Memphis. I hope the doctor lost his butt and lived long enough to see Elvis and his family be on top. It was fun to sit in the pews in the same church that Elvis and his family attended all those years ago. I still can't believe he died in 1977 and that it seems only a few years ago.
The leaves continue to change and the colors become more brilliant each day. Only will the sun in the morning show the brilliance God has given us to enjoy.
Heading south in the morning for sure. Hey, we had Mexican food today for lunch. Me and the waiter decided it was Miss-Mex and not Tex-Mex. Pretty bland for us Tex-Mex lovers.
Blessings to all...
We were awakened about 2 am with a nice rain falling on the roof of the motorhome. Its almost as good as rain splattering on a tin roof...don't you think? It rained gently all night so we were slow to get going this morning and Roxie was pleased. During a break in the rain I took her for a walk around the park this morning, even though she was reluctant to leave the warmth and dryness of the motorhome but she acquiesced and followed me with a spring in her gait. We didn't encounter much of interest until we saw the yellow winged blackbird at one of the bird feeders at the office. It was pretty cool to see one so close.
Time for adventure. We went to Elvis Presley's birthplace. It's a little two room house, maybe 600 square feet, that his father Vernon built with a $185 loan from a local doctor. Three years later Vernon was convicted of writing a hot check for $4 and sentenced to six years in prison. He only served eight months but the doctor foreclosed and thats when the the Presley family packed up and moved to Memphis. I hope the doctor lost his butt and lived long enough to see Elvis and his family be on top. It was fun to sit in the pews in the same church that Elvis and his family attended all those years ago. I still can't believe he died in 1977 and that it seems only a few years ago.
The leaves continue to change and the colors become more brilliant each day. Only will the sun in the morning show the brilliance God has given us to enjoy.
Heading south in the morning for sure. Hey, we had Mexican food today for lunch. Me and the waiter decided it was Miss-Mex and not Tex-Mex. Pretty bland for us Tex-Mex lovers.
Blessings to all...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I'm really depressed...
We're in Tupelo, MS, Elvis' birthplace, having a great time and seeing some beautiful fall colors. At the rate we are moving down the Trace it may take 7 or 8 days to make it to Natchez, MS.
Now to the depressing facts of this trip. I just loaded some pictures and saw one of me and Judy sitting on a tree that had fallen across a glistening stream...I about died. I look obese. I mean really, its not the clothes, its not the angle, its not the way I'm sitting...I'm getting fat. Of course there is no logical reason other than I'm eating a big breakfast every day (biscuits, cream gravy, bacon, eggs), a nice lunch and then finishing the day off with a grand dinner. I don't get it. What could it possibly be? I'm walking a lot, really. Maybe thats just increasing my appetite. I seem to be hungry most of the time. Dang it...I do not want to get fat. Get? Heck, I'm fat all ready.
Okay, enough of the pity party. The great adventure is going great. We've continue to stay in some really good parks and met a lot of nice people. The leaves are unbelievable in color. Reds, yellows, purples but the Halloween oranges are the most brilliant. Oh yeah, we've seen maybe 30 - 40 turkeys along side the road. Of course we did see the one deer...dead in the ditch.
Since we're in Tupelo, we are going on a fact finding mission. The rumor around here is that Elvis really is still in the building. We'll see!
We'll continue south in the morning on our Great Adventure.
Blessings to all...
Now to the depressing facts of this trip. I just loaded some pictures and saw one of me and Judy sitting on a tree that had fallen across a glistening stream...I about died. I look obese. I mean really, its not the clothes, its not the angle, its not the way I'm sitting...I'm getting fat. Of course there is no logical reason other than I'm eating a big breakfast every day (biscuits, cream gravy, bacon, eggs), a nice lunch and then finishing the day off with a grand dinner. I don't get it. What could it possibly be? I'm walking a lot, really. Maybe thats just increasing my appetite. I seem to be hungry most of the time. Dang it...I do not want to get fat. Get? Heck, I'm fat all ready.
Okay, enough of the pity party. The great adventure is going great. We've continue to stay in some really good parks and met a lot of nice people. The leaves are unbelievable in color. Reds, yellows, purples but the Halloween oranges are the most brilliant. Oh yeah, we've seen maybe 30 - 40 turkeys along side the road. Of course we did see the one deer...dead in the ditch.
Since we're in Tupelo, we are going on a fact finding mission. The rumor around here is that Elvis really is still in the building. We'll see!
We'll continue south in the morning on our Great Adventure.
Blessings to all...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What day is it anyway????
Or does it even matter? Of course to us it really doesn't because we are not on much of a schedule any more. Since leaving Ms Edith, we haven't needed to be any place at any particular time. I do miss those wonderful meals she prepared with love for us though.
We left the state park this morning and drove southwest to Louisville and then south to Nashville. We are now tucked in our site just off the lake and covered in trees. As we drove south today, we could see how the trees were showing their colors as brilliant as ever. The sumac and dogwoods are my favorite dark reds while the maples have that Halloween orange color. The Lord does such good work and as you know, we don't give Him much to work with.
We stopped and did some more antiquing today...didn't buy anything. But its always fun. I'm on a mission to find a lamp globe to go on my mothers "Gone with the Wind" lamp. I'll find it yet.
We are staying at a Corp of Engineers (COE) lake in Nashville for the next two nights. It is a beautiful place. Lots of trees and mostly lots of space. Ten bucks a night is hard to beat also. I have friends that love to go to the "resort" campgrounds with lots of concrete, a swimming pool and some kind of activity. I think thats great if thats what you like but for us it would be like living in an apartment. Except that the months they have special events, they would raise your rent. I understand its capitalism but its not my cup of tea (party).
When we drove into Nashville today, we passed the Titan's football stadium. They could have stayed in Houston, played in Rice stadium and saved themselves a lot of moving expense. Of course, thats just my opinion. Tomorrow we are going to Andrew "ole hickory" Jackson's house; not for dinner or anything, just for a look see. I want to go by the Grand Ole Opry just so I can say I did. And for my son Craig...I didn't go to one show in Branson so let me have this one little pleasure.
We're back to the central time zone and my body clock is a little on the fritz so I think I'll check it to you till maybe tomorrow.
Blessings to all of you....
We left the state park this morning and drove southwest to Louisville and then south to Nashville. We are now tucked in our site just off the lake and covered in trees. As we drove south today, we could see how the trees were showing their colors as brilliant as ever. The sumac and dogwoods are my favorite dark reds while the maples have that Halloween orange color. The Lord does such good work and as you know, we don't give Him much to work with.
We stopped and did some more antiquing today...didn't buy anything. But its always fun. I'm on a mission to find a lamp globe to go on my mothers "Gone with the Wind" lamp. I'll find it yet.
We are staying at a Corp of Engineers (COE) lake in Nashville for the next two nights. It is a beautiful place. Lots of trees and mostly lots of space. Ten bucks a night is hard to beat also. I have friends that love to go to the "resort" campgrounds with lots of concrete, a swimming pool and some kind of activity. I think thats great if thats what you like but for us it would be like living in an apartment. Except that the months they have special events, they would raise your rent. I understand its capitalism but its not my cup of tea (party).
When we drove into Nashville today, we passed the Titan's football stadium. They could have stayed in Houston, played in Rice stadium and saved themselves a lot of moving expense. Of course, thats just my opinion. Tomorrow we are going to Andrew "ole hickory" Jackson's house; not for dinner or anything, just for a look see. I want to go by the Grand Ole Opry just so I can say I did. And for my son Craig...I didn't go to one show in Branson so let me have this one little pleasure.
We're back to the central time zone and my body clock is a little on the fritz so I think I'll check it to you till maybe tomorrow.
Blessings to all of you....
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What day is it?????
We have been very busy enjoying the beautiful "blue grass of Kentucky" area. This is a much more beautiful state than I remember, but then again I was 11 or 12 the last time I was here and all things looked different through those eyes.
I'm sure we've seen enough white board fencing to encircle the state of Texas and leave enough left over to build a nice house with stables. I can't help but think what an arduous task it would be painting those suckers ever few years. I guess if you can afford those fences you don't have to worry about the upkeep.
We visited the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday and saw some majestic horses and saw memorials to the likes of Man of War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat and many others. I learned many interesting facts about the different horse breeds and was reminded of things that I had long forgotten even though I grew up owning and taking care of a horse. All horses are claimed to have been winners for various reasons. Seabiscuit had a big heart. Visualize this...Man of War had a twenty eight foot stride. Twenty eight feet from front to rear hooves. They had it marked and that is a huge stride. It was fun to stand and rub a Thoroughbred horse that has won over two million dollars and to see the mighty Belgium's, the Appaloosa (no two are a like) and the prize sight was the Shire. It was a noble and magnificent horse bred for the knights to ride when slaying the dragons. I'm joking of course, but this horse was bred for only supreme duty in England during the day of the knights.
This park will be used next September and October for the world equestrian Olympics and are they spiffing the place up. They are in the process of painting some of those white fences by
pulling a wagon around with a fifty five gallon barrel of paint on it and two men each with an airless paint gun. I sure was thankful it was them because I would be pulling a Tom Sawyer if it had been me over there with a paint brush in my hand.
The state park we're at is beautiful. I took Roxie for a walk last evening and just as I approached the dumpster, a whitetail deer jumped from behind it...fifteen or maybe twenty feet in front of use. The deer was scared, Roxie was looking for a good chase and I was thinking about having to clean myself up. It all worked out okay.
We've spent the day antiquing and I've found some treasures. The prices up here make me want to bring cargo trailer up and take a trailer load home. The furniture is unbelievably less expensive than at home.
We're packing up in the morning and going south to Nashville to meet up with Chuck and Maggie for a trek down the Natchez Trace. We'll spend at least two days in Nashville before going south.
This has been a great trip except for the snobs with their high dollar coaches we encountered early on. We're looking forward to a trip over to Red Bay, AL for a tour of the Tiffin RV plant. I hope I get a chance to meet Bob Tiffin while there. Even though I don't own one of his units, I'm a great admirer of him and his products. Maybe someday I'll buy one of his motor homes.
We are having dinner at home tonight after saying our goodbyes to Ms Edith last night. She fixed a wonderful meal with maybe the most delicious corn bread I've ever eaten. She also sent us away with frozen fresh green beans, peas and too many kinds of cookies, fudges and on and on. I think she was afraid we'd starve before we got back to Texas.
Next reports will be from Nashville.
Blessings to all...
Note: I've published a web album and sent to several, if you didn't get it and want it , let me know.
I'm sure we've seen enough white board fencing to encircle the state of Texas and leave enough left over to build a nice house with stables. I can't help but think what an arduous task it would be painting those suckers ever few years. I guess if you can afford those fences you don't have to worry about the upkeep.
We visited the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday and saw some majestic horses and saw memorials to the likes of Man of War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat and many others. I learned many interesting facts about the different horse breeds and was reminded of things that I had long forgotten even though I grew up owning and taking care of a horse. All horses are claimed to have been winners for various reasons. Seabiscuit had a big heart. Visualize this...Man of War had a twenty eight foot stride. Twenty eight feet from front to rear hooves. They had it marked and that is a huge stride. It was fun to stand and rub a Thoroughbred horse that has won over two million dollars and to see the mighty Belgium's, the Appaloosa (no two are a like) and the prize sight was the Shire. It was a noble and magnificent horse bred for the knights to ride when slaying the dragons. I'm joking of course, but this horse was bred for only supreme duty in England during the day of the knights.
This park will be used next September and October for the world equestrian Olympics and are they spiffing the place up. They are in the process of painting some of those white fences by
pulling a wagon around with a fifty five gallon barrel of paint on it and two men each with an airless paint gun. I sure was thankful it was them because I would be pulling a Tom Sawyer if it had been me over there with a paint brush in my hand.
The state park we're at is beautiful. I took Roxie for a walk last evening and just as I approached the dumpster, a whitetail deer jumped from behind it...fifteen or maybe twenty feet in front of use. The deer was scared, Roxie was looking for a good chase and I was thinking about having to clean myself up. It all worked out okay.
We've spent the day antiquing and I've found some treasures. The prices up here make me want to bring cargo trailer up and take a trailer load home. The furniture is unbelievably less expensive than at home.
We're packing up in the morning and going south to Nashville to meet up with Chuck and Maggie for a trek down the Natchez Trace. We'll spend at least two days in Nashville before going south.
This has been a great trip except for the snobs with their high dollar coaches we encountered early on. We're looking forward to a trip over to Red Bay, AL for a tour of the Tiffin RV plant. I hope I get a chance to meet Bob Tiffin while there. Even though I don't own one of his units, I'm a great admirer of him and his products. Maybe someday I'll buy one of his motor homes.
We are having dinner at home tonight after saying our goodbyes to Ms Edith last night. She fixed a wonderful meal with maybe the most delicious corn bread I've ever eaten. She also sent us away with frozen fresh green beans, peas and too many kinds of cookies, fudges and on and on. I think she was afraid we'd starve before we got back to Texas.
Next reports will be from Nashville.
Blessings to all...
Note: I've published a web album and sent to several, if you didn't get it and want it , let me know.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Short, but oh how sweet...
We got to the state park in Crittenden, KY yesterday afternoon and after getting set up, we went over to Ms Edith's (Judy's Mother) for introductions and a great down home country meal complete with homemade bread, peach pie and cheese cake.
After a great visit, we went back to the park around 9 o'clock and I think we were the only site that didn't have campfire for the evening. It was in the low fifties, perfect weather!
We've had a great day today. We all went down to the "river" (Ohio) to buy apples...freshly picked. I actually watched them unload the wagons, wash them and package them for sale. They had every apple I've ever seen or heard of. Judy bought yellow delicious. When was the last time you bought a bushel of any kind of apples for ten dollars? My, my. They still had tomatoes on the vine and the basket we bought looked delicious.
We're going back to the campground to watch the Texas Aggies vs Arkansas tonight. Dang, I wish I'd gotten a campfire ready in the day lite. Oh well, we'll watch it inside without a fire or if we're lucky we'll get invited over to another site to sit by the fire.
Going to one of Judy's aunt's for a "Kentucky princess" barn party. That's what they call Judy. I haven't been to a Kentucky barn party before, but Judy assures me we'll be fed well. Who would have thunk it?
Well I thought it was going to be short and sweet!
Blessings to all....
PS. I've got to write a complete post on the horse farms we have seen, including Calumet Farms. The fencing alone has to cost millions, seriously.
After a great visit, we went back to the park around 9 o'clock and I think we were the only site that didn't have campfire for the evening. It was in the low fifties, perfect weather!
We've had a great day today. We all went down to the "river" (Ohio) to buy apples...freshly picked. I actually watched them unload the wagons, wash them and package them for sale. They had every apple I've ever seen or heard of. Judy bought yellow delicious. When was the last time you bought a bushel of any kind of apples for ten dollars? My, my. They still had tomatoes on the vine and the basket we bought looked delicious.
We're going back to the campground to watch the Texas Aggies vs Arkansas tonight. Dang, I wish I'd gotten a campfire ready in the day lite. Oh well, we'll watch it inside without a fire or if we're lucky we'll get invited over to another site to sit by the fire.
Going to one of Judy's aunt's for a "Kentucky princess" barn party. That's what they call Judy. I haven't been to a Kentucky barn party before, but Judy assures me we'll be fed well. Who would have thunk it?
Well I thought it was going to be short and sweet!
Blessings to all....
PS. I've got to write a complete post on the horse farms we have seen, including Calumet Farms. The fencing alone has to cost millions, seriously.
Friday, October 2, 2009
I'm so blessed...
We're currently "camped" at the "My Old Kentucky Home" state park home that allegedly inspired Stephen Foster to pen the lyrics to that song while passing through on his way to New Orleans. Its a grand home and I'm sure the lush golf course that surrounds it was not here in 1853 when Foster made his trek through here.
I must go back a few days now. In my last post I mentioned that we were going to visit Branson. My, My. I was right...I've never seen so many old people in one place in my life. If you don't have a walker, cane, wheel chair or motorized scooter, you better stay home. There's lots of "entertainment" venues here. Did you know Andy Williams is still alive? I guess Branson is like the proverbial elephant burial grounds and is where all the old entertainers go to live out their final days. We didn't take in any shows and by the looks of the traffic, the crowds are slim. Maybe when I'm older and "more" feeble, we'll come back and Judy can push me around in a wheelchair. I don't know, maybe the view will be better sitting in a chair. Needless to say, Branson didn't have anything to offer us in particular.
We left Table Rock lake Wednesday morning and arrived at Lambert's, home of the throwed rolls, in Ozark, Mo just in time for lunch. We stopped here on our first great adventure several months ago and again we enjoyed the good food.
Since we left Table Rock lake a day early, we're really taking our time getting to Judy's mothers in Crittenden, KY. We found a great state park on Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff, MO. Typical of state parks, the sites were spaced out and we even had a couple of deer show up before we left. Roxie loved being able to run and mostly being able to swim in the beautiful lake. I built a campfire that we both enjoyed sitting around watching the flames dance to the night sounds.
The dogwoods are in full color and the sumac is ablaze. The gums are turning their brilliant yellow. The oaks are still being hard headed.
Oh, I almost forgot! The campground host was warning me about the "narrow" bridge that crosses the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. And boy are they narrow, especially when driving a 38 ft motorhome pulling a car. We could see the bridges towering over the rivers from several miles away. Now this is when me and the Lord get just a little tighter. I'm saying my little prayer and suggested Judy do like wise. I suppose she already had, but you can't risk it. Well we pulled up to that mighty, albeit a very narrow bridge, and what do you think? Traffic was moving at a snail's pace because there were two huge farm tractors (combines) slowly crossing the bridge and they took up the whole width. Yeehaw, God comes through again for Jim and Judy. Now we've made it across the ole muddy and all we have to do is get over the Ohio. No problem. Its at least a foot wider, the bridge that is. Everything is going fine till we get off the bridge and meet an eighteen wheeler rounding a curve on the approach to the bridge and quickly I realized his rear wheels are over the dividing line by more than a foot. What does a person do? Stop!! Shoot, after it was all said and done, we probably had at least an inch or so to spare.
We'll be leaving here later this morning, even though the Makers Mark distillery is just down the road along with Jim Beam and head on to Ms Edith's. She's been cooking for several weeks in preparation of our visit. She did tell Judy yesterday that she wasn't baking the yeast bread and making the fresh peach pie until today. Yum-yum.
I don't know when I'll post again, busy eating you know, but until you hear from us again... blessing to all of you.
I must go back a few days now. In my last post I mentioned that we were going to visit Branson. My, My. I was right...I've never seen so many old people in one place in my life. If you don't have a walker, cane, wheel chair or motorized scooter, you better stay home. There's lots of "entertainment" venues here. Did you know Andy Williams is still alive? I guess Branson is like the proverbial elephant burial grounds and is where all the old entertainers go to live out their final days. We didn't take in any shows and by the looks of the traffic, the crowds are slim. Maybe when I'm older and "more" feeble, we'll come back and Judy can push me around in a wheelchair. I don't know, maybe the view will be better sitting in a chair. Needless to say, Branson didn't have anything to offer us in particular.
We left Table Rock lake Wednesday morning and arrived at Lambert's, home of the throwed rolls, in Ozark, Mo just in time for lunch. We stopped here on our first great adventure several months ago and again we enjoyed the good food.
Since we left Table Rock lake a day early, we're really taking our time getting to Judy's mothers in Crittenden, KY. We found a great state park on Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff, MO. Typical of state parks, the sites were spaced out and we even had a couple of deer show up before we left. Roxie loved being able to run and mostly being able to swim in the beautiful lake. I built a campfire that we both enjoyed sitting around watching the flames dance to the night sounds.
The dogwoods are in full color and the sumac is ablaze. The gums are turning their brilliant yellow. The oaks are still being hard headed.
Oh, I almost forgot! The campground host was warning me about the "narrow" bridge that crosses the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. And boy are they narrow, especially when driving a 38 ft motorhome pulling a car. We could see the bridges towering over the rivers from several miles away. Now this is when me and the Lord get just a little tighter. I'm saying my little prayer and suggested Judy do like wise. I suppose she already had, but you can't risk it. Well we pulled up to that mighty, albeit a very narrow bridge, and what do you think? Traffic was moving at a snail's pace because there were two huge farm tractors (combines) slowly crossing the bridge and they took up the whole width. Yeehaw, God comes through again for Jim and Judy. Now we've made it across the ole muddy and all we have to do is get over the Ohio. No problem. Its at least a foot wider, the bridge that is. Everything is going fine till we get off the bridge and meet an eighteen wheeler rounding a curve on the approach to the bridge and quickly I realized his rear wheels are over the dividing line by more than a foot. What does a person do? Stop!! Shoot, after it was all said and done, we probably had at least an inch or so to spare.
We'll be leaving here later this morning, even though the Makers Mark distillery is just down the road along with Jim Beam and head on to Ms Edith's. She's been cooking for several weeks in preparation of our visit. She did tell Judy yesterday that she wasn't baking the yeast bread and making the fresh peach pie until today. Yum-yum.
I don't know when I'll post again, busy eating you know, but until you hear from us again... blessing to all of you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)