2024 June 15, 17,18,19, 20 with Ava

2024 June 15, Saturday 

Atlas Birthday Party @ Launch Pad Elgin

 I picked up Ava and we rode to the Elgin LaunchPad 

Atlas is turning 4! Calling all cowboys, cowgirls, and space rangers 

June 15, at 12-2 pm

Don’t forget your jumping socks 

We were served pizza, chips, and birthday cake 

The kids had fun on the launchpad 

We watched Atlas blow out his 4 candles.

I bought Hazel a birthday present because we will be out of town on her birthday, June 29. 

Hazel was having a bad day 

So I gave her her present a very colorful doll

She wouldn’t put it down

I gave Atlas a soccer ball and an Adventure Force Clash Force Combo Auto Advanced with four guns and 20 bullets.

2024 June 17, Monday Ava & River 

Today I rode to Andy’s to see River and Ava 

They were still in the bed but not sleeping 

They quickly jumped into the swimming pool and played 

River said she was hungry and wanted McDonald 

So I said Ask Pawpaw

They dressed and we headed to McDonald 

River ordered a cheeseburger with only cheese bread and meat (which he called ham)

Ava ordered 6 pieces of chicken nuggets with fries 

I ordered filet fish with fries

The kids enjoyed their meal while playing with their kid’s meal toy 

Inside out 2 toy play and score toy

I bought hubby 2 McDoubles and 2 small fries 

We came back to my house and the kids enjoyed playing in the playroom until 1:30

Then we took them back to Andy’s 

River’s mom was on her way to pick up River.

They have a long drive home. 

2024 June 18, Tuesday Ava & River 

River and Ava came over while Andy went to work. 

The kids played in the playroom.

I rode them on the gator

River loved the ride he was pretending he was in one of his video games

They ate hotdogs no bread

Fruit, candy, and snacks all-day

They watched tv 

River’s parents came by around 2 pm they had spent the day in 

Memphis 

They slept late 

A long ride home about 5 to 6 hours 

Andy came for Ava later 

I went to bed early I was tired 

2024, June 19, Wednesday AVA

Today we rode to town.

My two big toes have a fungus and I went to Doctor McCutchens and she gave me a prescription for meds to heal my toes.

We stopped at Ollie and bought some body wash and some oatmeal raisin cookies. 

We took Ava to McFarland Park to play

She wanted to go to a museum but she settled for the park 

She had fun with several other kids 

I did some birding and took pictures 

We ate lunch at Chick-fil-A 

We stopped at Foodland and talked to Ronald he gave Ava some mints 

We picked up my prescription at Killen Drugs 

We rode up to Greenhill and bought some peaches and a watermelon 

Had a fun day 

Afternoon visit near Muscle Shoals Reservation Trail

Today Thursday, June 20, we rode to Rockpile TVA 

Ava and I walked to the waterfalls

Stopping to take pictures 

We saw a red-bellied Woodpecker in the top of a rotten tree

We saw a redtail hawk and a couple Great Blue Herons and we heard several different bird sounds 

Ava played on the playground but it was too hot and no other kids were there 

We rode to McFarland Park lots of kids but none on the playground 

So we walked up the path to a couple of large boulders where I took several photos 

We rode to Panda Express for lunch 

We ordered a large plate 

Ava ate the noodles 

I ate the walnut shrimp 

Hubby orange chicken and broccoli with beef 

Hubby went next to get a haircut 

While Ava and I stayed at Panda Express 

We came home and Ava and hubby watched Sponge Bob 

2022 Jan 15, First Day Hike on Multi-Purpose Trail Wheeler Dam

Today a group of hikers meets at JWSP Cabin Office (24921 Alabama Hwy 101) for a little over the 2-mile hike. We followed in our cars to the hiking spot "The Multi-purpose Hiking Trail" with park rangers Sam and David. The trail is between Wheeler Dam and Fishmans Resort camping and lodge. It is a scenic loop that runs along the Tennessee River and Big Nance Creek.

Bathhouse 

We saw several historic ruins of the 1930s a bathhouse/restrooms. We saw a couple of overgrown Chimneys and Picnic Tables, once used by the people living here during the building of TVA's Wheeler Dam. We also saw a collapsed viewing area that overlooks the Tennessee River. The rangers said they hoped to get a grant to restore the viewing area. We stopped about midway for a group picture. (The ranger David took our picture with his cell phone and said he would email everyone a copy, I have not received mine yet)

This spot overlooking Big Nance Creek is where the group stopped for a picture. We saw several different kinds of hardwood trees, oak, and hickory. We saw a variety of wild mushrooms & berries that feed the animals that are in the park. We saw signs of deer in the soft mud and could hear the many different sounds of Alabama's songbirds.

Open Pit

We also saw a large open grill/pit used to cook outdoor meals for a large group, overgrown with a tree growing in the middle. It was a very overcast day with a chance of rain and snow. The hike began at noon and ended around 2:30 PM. It began to sprinkle as we were leaving. TVA is planning to build a powerhouse to feed the growing community. Hopefully, they will not destroy too much of the walking forest area.

Mushrooms on log 

Everyone received an "I hiked Alabama State Parks New Year's Day." The first-day hike scheduled for Jan 1, 2022, was canceled because of inclement weather. (High winds and threatening tornadoes) and rescheduled for Jan 15, 2022.

Group of hikers

A copy of the group was sent to everyone from Sam and David. We had three dogs, 10 people plus two park rangers. (One not showing took the picture)

2016 April 9, Saturday, Earth Day in Sheffield

I attended the Ninth Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest located on the lawn of the Sheffield City Hall.
I listened to Uncle Shuffelo and his Haint Hollow Hootenanny at 1:30PM

Some of the Green Projects 
Audubon
Climate Change Causes
Defenders of Wildlife
Environmental Education 
Fresh Air Family
Fun and Education Solar 
Healthy Communities 
How to build a raised vegetable garden
Solar Training
Ideas for Green High School
Taking it to the class
the American Solar Energy
the Greens
US Environmental Protection 
Protection of endangered species.

Teaching juggling

Uncle Shuffelo and his Haint Hollow Hootenanny

Sheffield City Hall

Dancing to the music 

Stopped at Ricks Barbecue for a South West wrap

Climate Change: Causes

Childhood Memories!

Memories, My memories

bottled deep inside

children laughing,

children playing 

children going down a slide.

Memories, My memories

stored away for another day

children hunting, 

children swinging

children playing in the hay.

Memories, My memories

write them down 

with pen in hand and

no tablet to be found

guess I’’ll have to go to town.

Memories, My Memories 

bottled deep inside

stored away for another 

guess I’’ll have to write 

them down another day!

Memorial Day Reminders

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. 

Two brothers gave all for their country.
Major Dick Johnson 1831-1864
J.E. Johnson 1839-1864

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. 

In Everlasting Memory, We, the people of Narragansett, dedicate this memorial for the courage, valor, and sacrifices of our Veterans in Vietnam.

Jasper County KIA WWI, WWII, Vietnam and Korea

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. 

Celebrating Veterans from many different Wars! 

Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.