Wednesday, December 23, 2020

2020 Dec 21, Day trip to Franklin, Tennessee with Ava Grace

 Hubby and I took Ava Grace on a day trip. We stopped in Loretto to get lottery tickets and Ava a doctor's pepper and some gummy candy. 

We stopped at Murphy's to fill up with gas and at Walmart in Lawrenceburg to purchase a new car seat for Ava. Hubby had to put it together, which took a while. 

We traveled north up the Natchez Trace, stopping a couple of times for restroom breaks. Several of the restrooms were closed due to the Coronavirus.

The trace was desolate, the trees were necked, and we saw one bird, a buck deer, and a dog. We saw several motorcycle riders and several people hiking. 

We rode through Leipers Fork but didn't see any or very few Christmas decorations. Ave took a nap while we were on the trail. 

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Restaurant

Cheese Pizza 

House Special Pizza 

We stopped at Mellow Mushroom for dinner. Ava ordered a small cheese pizza, and Hubby and I split a House Special pizza; we also ordered three drinks. 

Ava only ate one piece of her pizza. We had the rest put into a to-go box, took it home, and gave it to her granddad.

While we were eating at Mellow Mushroom, we saw Santa Claus riding a Harley on the roundabout in Franklin through the large windows. 


Santa Claus on Harley (looking through the window)

Ava & Granny are sitting in front of a very tall Christmas tree.

Ava is standing next to a cannon.
 

Ava and I walked over to the window. She waved at Santa Claus, and he waved back, pointing at her. We finished eating, and I took pictures of Ava and the statues at Mellow Mushroom. 

We went outside, and Santa Claus was leaving. We walked across the street to the center of the roundabout, where Ava had spotted a very tall Christmas tree. We took several pictures of the Tree, Ava, and the cannons that were there. 

We walked back to our car, and by that time, Santa Claus was coming back down the road. He stopped, and I got a few pictures with Ava and Santa.


Ava and Santa Claus on his Harley


Ava had to hug Santa, and he hugged her back. She said he was the honest Santa Claus, and she sang Christmas Songs most of the way home. 

We stopped at a convenience store for a restroom break, and we finished our trip home. We made a detour in St Joseph to see a house decorated for Christmas, you could see it from the highway, but only from the backside. Her granddaddy was waiting for her. She gave us both a hug, collected her belongings, and they went home. I gave her granddad the leftover cheese pizza. 

Saturday, October 3, 2020

2020 The year of Coronavirus and wearing mask

The total left knee replacement was performed on March 10; that same week, much of our country was shut down due to the Coronavirus.

I stayed overnight at the hospital and was sent home with all the equipment I would need for the next few weeks for home therapy.

I also went to Peak Performance three days a week for physical therapy.

The Sciatic nerve in my lower back flared up, which caused therapy to be excruciating. 

My Orthopedic doctor had to manipulate my left knee, which helped relieve some of the pain in my lower back. 

It took several months before I could enjoy walking, and I was thankful to have my Hubby doing my household chores. 

I could not read or sit at my computer because it was too painful, and it was hard for me to concentrate. 


On June 18, our granddaughter gave birth to a baby boy. 

Only her Hubby could be with her, and her baby shower was virtual. 

(Great-grandson Atlas Ian is doing great; he is growing like a weed.)


River, our great-grandson, turned two on June 2.

We celebrated our great-grandson's first birthday on Sunday, December 13

He and his mother both had the Coronavirus, and both are doing fine now. 

Our daughter-in-law contracted the Coronavirus at work and gave it to her husband (our son); they were quarantined for 14 days. 

Schools across the United States were shut down, and graduation was just months away for seniors.

Our grandson, a senior, graduated in May after his school was shut down for months. 


Our country was in the midst of a pandemic, with businesses, schools, factories, and restaurants shut down.

People are dying, and the virus is spreading like wildfire, causing people to stress out. 

Lowe's was doing a booming business during the pandemic because people were afraid to go anywhere, so many took on home projects and gardening.

 I enjoyed spending time attending to my flowers and herbs. 


The Coronavirus has kept many inside this year, beginning in the Spring. It soared through  

Summer and autumn are now winter, and the Coronavirus is still here.

The CBS bible study that I attend every year is now virtual. It is excellent that we can still see one another through Zoom and be safe. 


We have grandchildren attending Universities, High School, and Kindergarten on odd days.

Every Thursday and Friday in September & October, we kept our great-granddaughter, Ava.

We did the social distancing, and we would take her to our local parks, where she enjoyed feeding the turtles and fish. 

For the last two weeks, Hubby and I have been picking up our great-granddaughter from school. 

Her uncle is a senior this year and usually takes her to and picks her up, but in the last two weeks, he has not gone to school on Thursdays and Fridays. (because of the pandemic)

Hubby went back to work part-time in June and full-time in September. 

Last year was a sad year for my niece; she lost her husband to cancer. 

However, 2020 has brought her happiness; she found another love, and they were married on October 1. 

The Coronavirus is still on the rampage, but the numbers are going down. 

Most states have a mandate that you have to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth before entering a place of business. 

High-risk people are encouraged to stay home and have their groceries & personal items delivered.

Stores limit the number of people inside their stores. Restaurants have spaced their tables at least 6 feet apart. Many places of business have a shield or partitions to protect their employees. 

Some places will only accept credit cards because they do not want to handle money that is often contaminated with germs.

The flu season is just around the corner, and the medical field is rushing to develop an anti-virus serum to distribute to the public and help prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus.

We have missed so much of our annual Halloween parties and Thanksgiving meals with family, and now Christmas is just around the corner. 

Our family get-togethers may be small this year. 

Hubby contracted the Coronavirus from a co-worker, and I got it from him. We missed having a Thanksgiving meal with our families. 

In November, I went to the Mountains with my cousin and aunt. We ate out a couple of times and did a little shopping, but mostly, we just enjoyed each other's company.

We bought a Modular home in July, but it will not be finished until late January. This Coronavirus has put a dent in many aspects of our lives. 

My dad fell and broke his hip and died shortly in November. 

Our family will celebrate Christmas on December 20 and have a sister gathering on Christmas Day.

We just have to take one day at a time. 

This year, we have had a birth (a great-grandson), a death (my dad), a marriage (my niece), and a sickness.

We have been swamped this year, but in a different way. Life as we know it will no longer be the same.

Even in a pandemic, life goes on. 




 









Friday, August 14, 2020

2020 Jan 31-Feb 2, Woman's Retreat Joe Wheeler Lodge ( 3 days)

 Friday afternoon, check in at the lodge & receive a package for the entire retreat. 

We ate a fried catfish meal with salad for dinner, and after dinner, we walked around the lodge. 

Eating Catfish at Joe Wheeler 

Catfish, baked potato, hush puppies, tarter Sauce, butter, sour cream 

We went back to our room until it was time for our pajama movie, "Steel Magnolias."

There were snacks to eat while watching the movie, but I was too full to eat. 

Could not believe that I enjoyed watching an old movie with a bunch of strangers. 

After the movie, everyone retired to their rooms for the night.

Saturday morning, we had a light breakfast, followed by a painting class from 8:00 to 9:30 A.M.

Hello Spring Painting 

Next, we created a bath balm from 9:45 to 11:15 A.M.

From 11:30 to 12 P.M., we danced.

Lunch was a Taco Salad from the food bar. 12–1 P.M.

Self-defense from 2–3 P.M. 

Pontoon Cruise 2–3 P.M.

The women who had registered for the 2 P.M. boat ride loaded onto the Pontoon boat for a one-hour ride on the Tennessee River, where our guide pointed out points of interest and waterfowl

Boats at Joe Wheeler 

Pontoon Boat ride

Self-Defense 4:15–5:15 P.M.  

Went back to our room to rest until dinner.

Roll, Pork Chop, Vegetables

Our guest speaker was Lee Marshall at 7:30 P.M. Kids to love. 

It was a beautiful Sunday morning; the sun was rising, and the waterfowl were stirring. 

Waterfowl at Joe Wheeler Lake 

Waterfowl at Joe Wheeler Lake 

I saw a herd of deer on the road as I was leaving. 

A herd of Deer at Joe Wheeler State Park 







2020 Jan 28, Day Trip to Guntersville, Alabama Parks, & Harbors

Hubby and I rode to Guntersville, stopping at the Guntersville Dam and looking for waterfowl, but we did not see any.


We stopped at Guntersville Harbor & Guntersville Municipal Park, where we saw hundreds of seagulls & double-crested Cormorants.


We stopped at Dollar General for sweets.


It was getting near lunchtime, so we rode to Winzell's Oyster House, where Hubby and I  split a Seafood Broil. $26.69 meal, which consisted of premium white fish, oysters, shrimp, stuffed crab, and scallops.

After a delicious meal, we rode to Guntersville State Park.

Double-breasted Cormorants 

Double-breasted Cormorants 

Seagulls 
Lunch at Winzell's  
Seafood Boil
 (12 shrimp, 4 oysters, 1 fish, 1 crab cake, & 5 scallops) 

A couple of deer come in for a closer look.

Lazy Billy goat

We rode to Lake Guntersville, which is located on the banks of the Tennessee River, where we saw hundreds of American Coots.

We saw a herd of deer grazing on both sides of the road near the campground area. 


We also saw an area with a small enclosed pond, along with friendly petting animals such as donkeys, emus, and goats. 

We had hoped to see an eagle or two, but unfortunately, we saw none. 


The park at Guntersville was desolate, too cold for swimming, but a few were camping.


My sister-in-law had a transmission put in her car, so Hubby and I rode to Decatur, and Hubby drove the car home. 


I stopped at Jack's on my way home in Decatur for a couple of strawberry cheesecake pies. 

Had a pleasant day in Guntersville.



2020 May 25, Parks of Decatur, Alabama

Hubby and I decided to ride to Decatur to stroll through the beautiful parks. We have not been able to make many of our daily trips due to COVID-19.

At Delano Park, we saw Pink Roses, pink, blue, and white hydrangeas, shrubs, hostas, and orange daylilies


We saw several Beale's Barbery evergreen shrubs that are native to mainland China; they were full of grape berries. 

Sitting on a limb of the Beale Barbery Shrub was a Mockingbird

Does he eat Beale Barbery berries?

We saw several squirrels scurrying about in the park. 


At River Wild Delano Park Garden, we saw several magnolia trees in bloom.

We also saw several informative plaques dotted along the path about the animals, trees, & plants. 


Some of the plaques we saw featured the Prothonotary Warbler, Eastern Hellbender, Biodiversity, limestone, turtles, fish, frogs, Eastern Red Cedar, Rabbits, and the Great Blue Heron, among others. 


We also saw odd-shaped boulders. 

We saw a giant carving of turtles you could sit up in the Turtle Cove Story Circle.

We saw a rabbit nearly my height, a frog on top of a rock, a beaver, and a dragonfly sitting atop a pole. 


We saw flowers and shrubs as we strolled along the concrete sidewalk.


Delano Park 

Delano Park Hydragenas

Magnolia Bloom

Turtle in Children's Riverwild Park 

Pink rose, Delano Park 

Red crossover Bridge Frazier Park

Hydrangea in Frazier Park 

In the Japanese Gardens at Frazier Park, we saw a Red Bridge and, beneath it, a bubbling brook. 

We saw Blue and white Hydrangeas and orange Daylilies. Frazier Park is situated near the historic downtown area and is not as large as Delano Park, but it is just as picturesque. 


Hubby and I stopped at Jack's in Decatur for dinner. I ordered a fried chicken, bacon cheese sandwich, fries, and a drink. (It was more than I could eat)

Hubby ordered a hamburger on Texas toast and a strawberry milkshake. 

(We were the only ones dining inside at Jack's)


We both took a nap upon our arrival home. 

Tomorrow will be the last day of physical therapy for my left knee.



2020 Jul 22, History of Cullman, Alabama & The "Katy-Did" Crash

Hubby and I spent several hours doing business in Cullman. When we finished, we rode through the Historic area in Cullman, where we saw several murals that represented Cullman in the 1880s.


City Fire Station & Kullman's Hall

DT Kinney Horse & Mules 

Cullman County Historical Society

We took a different route home and came across a historic marker.

70 years after the 'Katy-Did' fell out of the north Alabama sky, the memorial honors 8 who died


The "Katy-Did" Crash 

Eight U.S. Army Air Corps officers and enlisted men were killed one-fourth mile east of here near the Roundtop Community on Sunday, April 9, 1944, at 2:20 P.M. when their B-26C Martin Marauder bomber, nicknamed the "Katy-Did," crashed nose-down, at full throttle, and exploded. The warplane was on an official flight from Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, to Memphis, Tennessee, when it encountered a severe thunderstorm. Witnesses reported that the plane reappeared from the heavy storm clouds upside down before crashing.

The victims were: 

Col. Lucius B. Manning, base commander, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia

Capt. Howard L. Hardy, pilot, La Harpe, Kansas

Capt. Arthur J. Gratis, co-pilot, Seattle, Washington

Sgt. John W. Haney, engineer, Buffalo, New York

Pvt. Matthew J. Geoghegan, mechanic, Bronx, New York

Pvt. John H. Bailey, radioman, Trenton, New Jersey

Sgt. James R. Smith, St. Maire, Idaho

1st Lt. Hugh Williams, Jr., Megehee, Arkansas.

We saw an Eagle perched on a power pole as we neared Wheeler Dam

Along the bank of the Tennessee River below Wheeler Dam, we saw these shorebirds.



2020 Jul 10, Sunflower Fields of Autaugaville, Pratt Park in Prattville and Peach Park Clanton, Alabama

There is nothing hotter than a day in the south in July.
We had been cooped up way too long; hot or not, we were in dire need of a new adventure. 
 I had posted a photo of a field full of sunflowers on Facebook and told my Hubby that I wanted to go. 
 
We rode for several hours to a sunflower field located at 3301 Hwy 14 West, Autaugaville, Alabama

There were Sunflower haystacks on either side of the drive as we entered the driveway. 
There were already several cars parked and people walking among the sunflowers, and we were directed where to park. 
We got out of the car, along with our bucket and pruners, to cut the sunflowers. 
Sunflowers are $ 1 each or by the bucket. They were also selling T-shirts and other items. 

We saw a patch of Zinnia and a tractor parked near the sunflower field. There were stacks of hay where you could sit for a picture. 

We began our journey into the field. There were paths that others had tread, or you could make your own path. 
We didn't walk too far because it was hot, and there were a lot of beautiful sunflowers nearby. 

I chose two large sunflowers for seeds and three small ones for a bouquet. 

We stopped to take a few pictures at the haystack and a couple at the entrance.

Sitting on haystack with Sunflowers
Sunflower Field 


Sunflower Haystack

Sunflower Haystack

Choo-Choo Cuts

Choo-Choo-Cuts 
Beauty shop in Prattville 

Prattville Vegetable Park

Pratt Vegetable Park Prattville, Alabama 

Hubby and I stopped at Pratt Park in Prattville, where we strolled in the community Vegetable Garden that was raised to help people in need. 
It features a variety of vegetables, including strawberries, tomatoes, okra, watermelons, and peppers, as well as sunflowers planted in raised beds surrounded by laid brick.

There were wire arched ways for climbing vegetables and ten-foot-tall wire walls also for climbing plants, such as squash.
There was a concrete walkway through the vegetable garden.
It is a garden's paradise.  

Peach Pie and Ice cream

Hubby and I always stop in Clanton at Peach Park,
 known to have the best peaches in South Alabama. 
Peach Park is more than a park, it is a Farmer's Market with fresh produce and canned goods, 
RV Park to stay overnight.

 There is an ice cream shop, sweets, bakery, gift shop, and lunch counter all rolled into one. 

There is plenty of seating outside and inside. 

Playground for the kids and walking trails for everyone. 

Lunch consisted of 
 Hot Peach Cobbler covered in Peach Ice Cream, 
Pulled Pork and fried Onion rings 

Peach Park Clanton
The giant Peach statue, a wooden bridge 
at Peach Park Clanton 


This was our first long-distance day trip since my knee surgery in March 2020.

2020 Aug 14, Twister in Arkansas

Last night, I was watching Twister with Helen Hunt when I recalled visiting a museum that simulated a tornado, but I could not remember where. So, my husband and I searched the internet for museums that simulate tornadoes

I take pictures everywhere we go, and when we finally remember where the museum was, I go into my photo file and find them. 

Hubby and I love to travel and visit museums. It is sad right now because most museums are closed due to COVID-19.

The Museum of Discovery's Tornado Alley Theater offers a riveting 7-minute experience for museum visitors, allowing them to relive the tornado that devastated the Governor's Mansion district area in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, in January 1999.

Here, we heard stories of people who survived the storm while watching television footage of the event that was broadcast on channel THV 11 that fateful day.

We could feel the rumble and roar as the simulated tornado passed in the Tornado Alley theater, sponsored by All Clean USA Restoration Services

Tornado
Sitting in the basement room of a house as a twister touches down

A Simulation of a twister
You can stand inside this simulation. 



Tornado Information for Little Rock, Arkansas

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