SFC Fair

LK and I had lunch at the SFC Fairgrounds today. The Country Kitchens has been air-conditioned recently, so along with some good food we had comfortable surroundings. We saw several friends and acquaintances. Steph was one of the ones I photographed.

We took a stroll through the exhibit hall and looked at the photo and art entries. We will probably go back on Friday and check out some of the other exhibits.

Birthday Visit

Today was Lauri's birthday. Lynda and I drove over to Memphis yesterday to have an early birthday supper with her and Jeff. I had asked Lauri earlier what she wanted me to fix for her birthday, so I cooked Steak Parmesan, and a flan. I also fixed a lemon congealed salad that is one of her favorites (she didn't know I was fixing that). I asked if she would make some mashed potatoes and we rounded things out with asparagus and some bread I had baked the day before. Over all, it was a good meal and a very good visit.

Some Rain

We had a pretty good shower this afternoon. I'm not sure how much rain fell, but it was welcomed. We had no rain in June, a little in July, and there was none in August until today. I had the water on in one of the flower beds, but I didn't turn it off until it stopped raining. So maybe the roses got their fill this time.

Home Again

Lynda and I are back home after a week-plus trip. We spent the first night in Chattanooga and drove around in the battlefield area before we headed out. We went to Atlanta for the first time and visited the World of Coke, the High Art Museum, CNN, and the Georgia Aquarium. Then we drove to the gulf coast.

Rain

We are finally getting some rain. Maybe it will be enough to do some good this time. I don't believe that it has really rain since the last of May. We may have gotten a few sprinkles, but not enough to keep us from having to water the plants.

This is one of the zinnias that I'm growing this year. Lynda has always liked having zinnias to make flower arrangements, but I usually plant them too late and they don't do much. Or I plant the wrong type.

The rain has just about stopped. It was a good little shower, but we probably could have used some more.

A Warm June

June has been very warm, but today it cooled off a bit. The temperature was only 90 degrees or so.

This past week has been an eventful one for Lynda and me. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on June 25 (Friday). On Wednesday we got one or two cards wishing us a happy anniversary from friends. On Thursday we got 18 cards. Then on Friday we got 24 cards. In addition to the cards, we also got comments and well wishes on Facebook and email. At some point I scanned twenty or so of the photos from our wedding and posted them on Facebook.

Wedding Album

By Monday we had received 80 or so cards and notes through the mail.
We had decided to go to Mike's for catfish on Friday and we invited Joan along with Mike & Betty. Before we got to the restaurant, Joan insisted that she was paying for the meal--and she didn't want to hear any backtalk! Four of us had catfish while Mike settled for chicken and vegetables.

On Saturday we drove to Memphis and Lauri and Jeff treated to dinner at an Italian Restaurant. The food was delightful and we had a very good visit with Lauri and Jeff.
We didn't get home until about 10:30 p.m.


On Sunday we went to Sunday School and Church. On teacher, Beverly, was gone for a few days so Lynda lead the Sunday School class. Keith had a good message for his last sermon as our pastor.

Taking Life Easy

Lynda and I went to Little Rock on Saturday for a wedding. We stayed the night in a Days Inn motel but I wasn't able to get on the internet. It irritates me when that happens, but I didn't call the front desk for help.

We had a late breakfast and got back to Forrest City by early afternoon. Had left-overs (along with some fried squash) for supper. Today I went to the civic center at noon to hear Blanche Lincoln in her campaign for the senate. I had already voted for her, but hadn't met her.

Tonight we are having brisket, potato salad, pinto beans, and cole shaw for supper. Mike and Betty are coming to eat with us. They leave tomorrow morning on their trip. They take each grandchild on a special trip the summer of the grandchild's 12th birthday.

Spring Time

I have been enjoying this week; the weather and the blooming flowers. This unusual flower is the blossom of the sea holly. Our friend Joan gave the plant to me two or three years ago.

Today I harvest the first zucchini form my vine. I'm hoping that the other vines grow some and began producing.

A Little Bit of a Hail Storm

A few minutes ago we had a brief hail storm. It was the largest hail that I have seen in a long time; in fact it may be the largest I've ever seen.

There wasn't a lot of the stuff, but it did make a noise hitting on the roof.

Springtime in East Arkansas

I think that spring is my favorite season. I love the blooming flowers and the crops that are coming up in the fields along the highways.

I posted a new header for the blog today. The photo of the old barn was taken somewhere in east Texas along I-30 (I believe it was near Mount Vernon).

Back Home

Lynda and I are back home in Forrest City, but we still think of the fantastic bluebonnets that we saw through out central Texas and beyond. The area must have had rain at the correct times and we were lucky enough to be present at the peak of the bluebonnets.

Some of the highways had bluebonnets and other wildflowers blooming along the sides for miles.

We took some county roads (thanks to the columns from the San Angelo Standard Times that were published on their web site) that allowed us a chance to go slower and even stop at times and take photos.

The county roads (back roads) were interesting for the most part.

The yellow flowers were also abundant in places.

Blubonnet Visit

The bluebonnets this year are lovely. We have seen more on this trip than ever before. And, I believe we came at the right time.

Tulip Time

We took a day along with Mike and Betty on Friday to visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs. The last time that we had gone to see the tulips we were a little late and got to see the tail end of the blossoms. This time we were more fortunate--we saw lots of lovely tulips.

A Visit to Mena

Lynda and I drove over to Mena on Thursday of last week. The weather was good and the visit with Lynda's aunt Frances was wonderful.

While we were there we went over to Rich Mountain and picked up a few rocks and looked around the outside of Eric's place. We had been on a drive to Little Missouri Falls looking about.

All together the visit was a very relaxing one. The walk to the falls wasn't far but it gave us a bit of exercise.

A Cooler Weekend?

The weatherman has indicated we will have a cooler weekend. At the moment the sun is shinning brightly and the temperature is springlike. I'm eager to plant somethings in the garden. I've already planted some lettuce and spinach in containers. Basil, zucchini, and Porter tomatoes are growing indoors waiting to be set out after it gets a bit warmer. Our forsythia looks better than it ever has. And, the daffodils are looking pretty good, too.

Daffodil Time

We made an afternoon visit with the Lindseys, our friends who live out from Caldwell. Their daffodils are just coming into their prime. Mary Ann and Clara came out to gather some of the daffodils to be used as decoration for our family night supper at church on Wednesday.

Spring is on Its Way

The past few days have been lovely. Now it shouldn't be too long until the daffodils are blooming. I was out yesterday and noticed that the neighbors' plum tree is beginning to bud. If you look closely, the green is visible. Maybe I'll get up the nerve to ask if I can pick a few of the plums this year. Usually they just fall and go to waste.

Lynda and I are hoping to go to central Texas in mid April to see the wildflowers. We've been advised that the flowers should be good this year. They have had good rains in the area. We're also eager to visit with our Texas friends in the area.

A Teasing of Spring

Yesterday the temperatures were spring-like here in Forrest City. But, it isn't going to last very long. It was a bit windy this morning and this afternoon it rained. Less than an inch of rain fell, but it seamed like a lot more. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler--in the 40s. That's better than it was about two weeks ago, so it shouldn't be too bad.

The glass in our door has been replaced. Someone took a wicker coffee table from our front porch last night. Lynda noticed it missing when she looked out through the new glass to check on her cat. That is the third table that has been stolen from our place.

We have spent a lot of this week watching the Olympics on TV.

Covered with Snow

Lynda and I went to Paris, TX last week to visit with Ray and Carolyn and to see the play (The Music Man)that Ray was directing for Paris Community Theater. We also got to visit with Jo Helen and her friend, Shelia. We did not get to see the production on the night we had planned to--the lead was sick and unable to perform.

Ray got the final word that Michelle was too sick to perform as we were eating supper.

We had planned to come home on Monday, but decided to wait when Lauri called early Monday morning and said, "You are not driving to Arkansas in this weather." She said that there was five inches of snow on the ground and she didn't like the idea of us driving.

By staying an extra day we were able to enjoy the play and drive home over a clear highway with the sun shining. On the way, we got a call from Betty inviting us to come to their house for supper.

The ground is still pretty much covered with the snow and we may get a bit more on Friday. This is a shot of a friend's house.

Continuation of Winter

The ground hog indicated that we would have six weeks more of winter weather. Today is a dreary, cold and rainy day. I'm planning to pretty much just stay inside. There are several projects that I could work on, but if I don't watch out, I'll probably just goof off again.

Winter's Revisit

We are getting ready for old man winter to come for another visit. The forecast is calling for possible ice Thursday night or Friday morning. If there is one thing that southern drivers don't need, it's ice on the roads. If at all possible I avoid driving when the roads have ice. Thank goodness the forecast is for only a short period of time for the conditions to stay.

Our security system is up and working. We are still waiting for the dinning room door to be repaired.

The Santa is packed away and is no longer standing guard by the door. (Little good he did).

Undecorating

We are still in the process of taking the Christmas decorations down. C.L. came by the house the other day and started taking things down before I realized he was here. He had passed by earlier in the week and decided it was time for us to get the thing down. I told him that I was waiting for it to get warmer--like spring.

Today we got the Christmas tree out of the house.

We got the van back from the shop yesterday. It looks as good as new. The total repair was $2700+. I'm glad that the guy who rear ended us had insurance. Now to get the dinning room door repaired.

The situation in Haiti sounds very bad. The earthquake killed at least 50,000 people and many more who are trapped in the rubble will probably die before they can be rescued.

Winter in Forrest City

It has snowed a bit more today. And it is still too cold for me. I believe that the temperature is supposed to get above freezing sometime tomorrow. And I am ready for it.



We haven't taken down the decorations, yet. We were gone to Texas for several days and then it has been too cold. Also, Lynda heard the forecast for snow and wanted some photos of the house with decorations in the snow. Maybe next week . . .

Well I started writing about the use of nauseous to mean feeling sick to the stomach, but in checking the internet it appears that the usage has changed from what I was taught back in my school days. My American Heritage dictionary gives the definition of nauseous as causing nausea and nauseated as feeling sick to the stomach. But it seems that most people use the word nauseous instead of nauseated to mean feeling sick to the stomach.

This is an example of the way in which the language can change within a generation or so. It can be very annoying (nauseating, even) for somebody who has painfully learned a distinction between words to find that usage has changed and their knowledge is out of date. Think of it as language evolution in action.