Finally!

We finally got some decent rain. It didn't last long enough, but was better than nothing. It blew in fast and furiously and then calmed down giving us more before leaving. We did have a bit more throughout the evening. It's foggy this morning. We've been watching The Great British Baking Show on pubs for the last few weeks. It's really fun and fascinating. Richard keeps asking me if I could make what they're making. The answer is a resounding "No!" I'm not a baker and these recipes are extremely complicated. Nothing planned for the weekend....later

Very Positive Democratic Convention

Some great speeches and inspiring thoughts and ideas.Now it's off to the real work of making sure a lying, tweet happy unqualified bombastic ego-maniac never gets near the White House. When Trump said he was being sarcastic about urging Putin to find Hillary's emails I about lost it. Believe me when I say I know sarcasm...that was not sarcasm!! Now on to the weekend..rainy weekend ahead..finally! It's also cooler!!....later

Proud, Outraged, Hopeful...

I was outraged by Trumps comments concerning Putin, but was I surprised? I'm never surprised at what lies and venom come out of his mouth. I am surprised that more Republicans didn't come out to criticize. It demonstrates to me that many Republicans are clueless, even ignorant of how dangerous he is! There were a lot of great speeches last night. It was great to hear Bloomberg's take on Trump, Panetta was great and I was very disappointed at the protests. These are people who really don't understand the dangers we Americans face from the forces of evil in a he world. I did like Kaine in spite of his corny jokes and homey delivery. I think he is authentic..a good man. Biden rocked! Who doesn't love him?!? Lastly. Our President...love him, love hearing him....later

Let's Elect our First Woman as President!

I've been watching the convention every night. The Democratic Convention has been so we'll organized and it makes the Republican Convention look like a joke, a three-ring-circus with a bunch of clowns speaking! Tonight President Obama speaks and he knows how to deliver. Another hot day with no big changes in the forecast....later

Compare

The Democratic Convention got off to a rocky start with Bernie supporters vowing not to support Hillary but some change started with Sarah Silverman. By the end of the evening the protests were at a minimum. There were 3  outstanding speeches starting with Corey Booker. Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Warren followed and Bernie ended the evening. They all rocked!! What a difference in mood and attitude from the doom and gloom message of the Republicans to the positive and hopeful messages given by the Democrats. By the end of the evening a significant number of Bernie supporters were realizing how important it is to support Hillary and defeat Trump!!....later

Bring on the Democrats

I watched none of the Republican Convention but got more than I cared to listen to from the news. I watched 60 Minutes last night and Hillary actually let Tim Kaine speak. I just can't understand how any sane, thinking person could ever vote for Trump. I do understand that Hillary has baggage but as serious as I am about exercising the right to vote, I would skip voting rather than vote for Trump. Moving on..We need rain!! I am so tired of the heat. Alcoa schools start classes today. Blount County starts next Monday and Knoxville starts on the 8th. When I was teaching here we started around the 20th of August. In Virginia we started after Labor Day. ....later

It's Over!

The three-ring-circus also know as The Republican Convention with its third rare speakers is finally over! I didn't watch, but seeing highlights on the news was painful enough. I did enjoy seeing Cleveland and the many sites they showed. As crazy as Trump is,his followers are equally crazy!.. The news here is this awful heat. I'll be heading to the post office this morning and getting a carwash, then heading home to hibernated inside where I can escape the heat. .....later

We Need Rain!I

In addition to needing rain, we need a cool down. This weather wears me out. That being said, I need to get going soon. I need gas and groceries. I'm going to make gazpacho for tonight..Pioneer Woman's recipe so will get those ingredients. I'll be soon glad when this crazy convention ends!! Haven't watched at all but do watch the news and Today and that is enough. Time for coffee and attending to a few things before I head out...later

Day out With the Girls

Linda, Bev and I met for lunch and a movie. We had lunch in Maryville at the Lambert Pie Shop and then headed to the movie..BFG. It was a movie Richard wanted to see, but I thought it looked weird. Well, I was wrong. It was really good..sad, funny, touching. I will say I wouldn't be taking young kids to see it! The evil giants were even ugly and scary to me plus the story wasn't one that young kids would follow. After the movie we headed back to the pie shop for ...pie!. I got coconut cream with a butterscotch/toffee slice to go to share with Richard. I couldn't eat all of my coconut cream so Richard got all of the butterscotch and I finished my coconut last evening. Today Richard has an appointment with his retinologist and then we'll head to Knoxville to get something notarized and then have lunch. ....later

Convention Watching

That is something I did not do! I knew I would hear all about it on Today this morning. Now..try to tell me Melonia did.not lift phrase after phrase from Michelle Obama's speech! Common phrases indeed!!..Very hot here today. No major plans just everyday stuff...later

60 Minutes

I turned it on as usual to find Leslie Stahll interviewing Trump. After just a few minutes I nearly gagged with his bull shit. I changed channels but when I returned he was still blathering on. I am very disappointed in Hillary Clinton but will be voting for her. I just am amazed how the Clintons keep shooting themselves in their feet!! Moving on...I made a peach crumble for dessert last night and it was so delicious!! I found a Martha Stewart recipe on line..easy. I love peaches and usually make a peach cobbler in peach season but liked this more..top with ice cream. While peaches are so delicious I need to make peach ice cream. Hot with storms expected today.....later

Pretty Morning but Hot!!

Brunch is over, puzzle solved, laundry sorted and washing. We're watching British Open and I'm about to make peach crumble for tonight. Nothing much else going on. I made the meatloaf yesterday so not much else to do today except try to keep cool. ....later

What's Next?!

Another attack in France..geez!! I'm so sick, as I'm sure everyone is, of shootings, terrorism etc., but sadly, it's the way of our world now...Yesterday we headed to Sam's to have Richard's hearing aids serviced. I had just a few items to pick up and we were out of there by 9:30 so just headed home. The technician there told him she thought he may have an ear infection so he headed to the walk-in clinic when we got home. She was right so he's on antibiotics now. He was at the clinic for over 3 hours!. Today he is headed to Knoxville to have the ramp put on our car. I'll be running to the store and just getting some things done here. The recent storms all around here are missing us. We got just a wee bit of Rain yesterday evening. Keep safe...later

Early Morning

Headed to Knoxville this morning. Richard has an Appointment at Sam's for his hearing aid. She only had a 9 a.m. and while that didn't suit me, I have to deal with it. I guess we'll have lunch while in town and make a stop at The Fresh Market. ..Watched the Espys last night..lots of tears shed. I'm not 100 percent yet this morning so that's all I have....later

Such Sadness!

Even more disturbing is knowing that these senseless killings have not come to an end. I watched our president deliver yet another memorial speech. ...We had another brief storm yesterday evening with more likely today. Richard has an echocardiogram scheduled for today. We'll have lunch at Chili's after I pick him up. A note to my youngest...I thought you were going to post via pictures on FB! I saw all of 1! I may have to ground you from further trips to Columbus!!....later

Welcome to the World, Baby Mary Jo Bell!!

This is the first grandchild for Becky and Jeff..very exciting. I'm now a great-great aunt! I'll get to meet this beauty in October when we go to McClain's wedding. Busy week..Richard has part 2 of his stress test today, another appointment tomorrow and getting the ramp put on our car on Friday. I was hoping to finish up my dressing room today, but Carolyn is coming to clean so will tie up the vacuum cleaner which may delay me. Pleasant morning here but will get nasty later...later

I'm Back

Didn't post over on he weekend and then had Kindle problems. It's fixed but not much to say. Richard is at hospital getting a stress test. It's part of tests to present to his cardiologist at his upcoming appointment. My dressing room is heading to the finish line. I still have some work to do but I should finish by tomorrow. Cleaning lady coming tomorrow so I'll stay out of her way and finish up. Dreary day with rain expected this afternoon. Making chicken and noodles for dinner at Richard's request....later

Holy Cow

Woke up to the tragedy in Dallas. I certainly understand how police brutality is becoming out of control and people are at their wits end about it. What are police all over the country thinking. I continue to respect police while very aware that many unfit people enter the police forces. There are way too many police who are psychologically the wrong fit for this type of job. Moving on...We watched The Suffragette last night. British women paved the way for other countries to respect the rights of women. I don't think the countries following saw the brutality of women that Great Britain did. Thank you ladies who suffered so that future generations had our deserved rights..The rainy pattern continues down here....later

Three Ring Circus

That's what this campaign is like..please save me! Watching the news shows is just plain painful and I find myself muting most of it. The Daily Show last night was funny but sad. He opened by saying it was good Trump and Hillary were running against each other because if either one had a different opponent they would be gone! So true. Moving along...I will spend  good chunk of today working in my dressing room. Richard is taking the car to have a hitch put on it to receive the ramp he is vegging for his mobility scooter. Rainy weather here....later

Uncharged

I was in the middle of my blog when I got disconnected. I was commenting on the Hillary fiasco..Damn..can the Clintons quit shooting themselves in the foot?!? She just got a greatest from President Obama and then this. That being said, I will still vote for her because in spite of her baggage, she will still stand up to the job. There is no way in shell I could or would EVER vote for Trump!!!I don't blame the Rebublicans for being passed, but thankfully, all they have is Trump....later

Damn..Stung

I put food out for hummingbirds and put my hand on railing of deck and got stung. When I lifted my hand I saw nothing, but I've been stung before and no pain like this. That was 30 minutes ago and the pain hasn't subsided at all. It feels like there is a knife in my hand. I called my Dr. but she's not in yet but left a message. I'll ice it and go from there. Richard has appointment this morning so I'll be dropping him off later. Yesterday I started in on my dressing room. I just made a small dent and the room looks like a tornado went through, but I have 3 bikes to drop off at Karma this morning. I'm getting rid of all of my crafting stuff and there is some really good stuff in those boxes. ....later

Happy Fourth of July

Looks like it could be iffy weather wise. We had quite a bit of Rain last evening and we welcomed it. We need more rain and we have no outdoor plans. I will be doing my ribs, but I do that in the oven. I have been making these ribs for several years and they are easy, but somewhat time consuming. I put the rub on yesterday and wrapped them up to hang out in the frig. The cooking process takes several hours at a low temp and turning and adding liquid on and off. It's easy but you have to be around. The first few times I made these, I did them on the grill. That was too labor intensive and required frequent moving them into different positions. Then I got smart and did them in the oven. Much easier but with the same degree of deliciousness. Off that subject to Prairie Home Companion which we listened to over the weekend. The last show and it did not disappoint. I also finished a yummy book...All Summer Long by Dorthea Benton Frank. I have read all of her books which center on the low country of South Carolina and I always love them.Now I'm thinking way back in time to "not so safe Fourths"for my family. I was not hurt, but not so for the kids and their father. One year it was a piggy back race for father and son. Jim tripped on a storm grate and he and Trip went flying. Both ended up in the era with multiple scrapes. The following year Jim and young Muir fell from a horse when they ran into a tree branch. Also a trip to the era. Muir was uninjured but Jim ended up with stitches. After that year I determined we should stay in bed for the holiday. No more disasters, thankfully!....later

And There is Much More...

I was at PIB when I needed to talk to the priest. He directed me to Father Shappelle whom he had first met in the seminary. Then I got involved in St. Leo's where Father Shappelle was the pastor. My kids and I got involved in many things there. I made many friends and eventually Anne and I got involved in the music. The parish house was always open to kids from the neighborhood and felt totally coming in for a drink of water, a basketball or just a rest. They were always welcome. I'm sure anyone who knew Father could relate similar stories. I kept in touch and looked forward to his letter which always came after his busy Christmas duties were over. I got my last one this January...

Father James Shappelle

I just learned yesterday that Father Shappelle had died. I can't begin to say how much he meant to me and my kids. All four of them celebrated their first communion under his instruction and he brought us all such joy and guidance. He was an avid biker and both Anne and Trip accompanied him with other young ones on the 48 mile bike trip to Miami. His Sunday homilies were always so inspiring and I never saw him turn anyone away from any thing they asked of him. He thoroughly enjoyed life and people. He will be missed by so many and this I know. If there is a heaven, he is, without any doubt, at the right hand of God....later

Beautiful Morning

We really have nothing planned for today but I do have a few chores. I want to wash and change bed linen and we need to get the tv that we moved to my dressing room operational. Richard got some pretty, ripe Grainger County tomatoes on Thursday so we'll have BLTs for dinner. We quit listening to Prairie Home Companion several years ago when it became tiresome to us. Tonight will be the final one with Garrison Keilor so we'll listen to that. Chances for rain down here are getting slimmer by the hour for this Fourth weekend....later

Wine in Grocery Stores

It took a long time for Tennessee to catch up with most of the country. When we moved here in 1989 you could only buy 3.2 beer in Grocery stores. Other spirits were sold in liquor.stores and our county had no liquor stores. Buying wine or other alcohol meant driving to Knoxville. Liquor stores finally came about 5 years ago and wine sales start this morning. We're finally catching up! So today is wear orange in remembrance of Pat Summit. I'll wear my grey and orange Tennessee shirt. My only all orange shirt is a Clemson shirt so that won't do today. Plans for the weekend..quiet weekend at home.. I'll do ribs for the Fourth. Be safe everyone!!...later