Nashville!

Three weeks ago I was able to get away for 4 days to Nashville, TN. My buddy Holly from Westmont was getting married, and since I got a free plane ticket, a super cheap car rental deal and free lodging – well who could resist? My other buddy Sukie (from DC) met me there and we had an amazing girly time together. Her mom’s friend Roweena, a genteel elderly southern lady, graciously opened her house to us. It was such a blessing to stay not in a motel, but in a lovely warm home, with comfy beds and so much hospitality. Some of our highlights included – a great breakfast meal at Noshville (a New York diner), pedicures at a brand-new and totally empty nail place, and painting the presents for the bride and groom at a pottery store. We also saw a great movie – ‘The Imposter’ – that was a suspenseful and terrifically written period piece – totally satisfying for 2 girls who don’t get to the movies much. We went shopping a tad – and I tried on some boots. One pair got on okay but I could NOT get them off! Sukie had to help and pull with all her might – and of course we needed to document it with our camera. Oh yea – we got upgraded from the Economy car we had paid for to a Kia mini-SUV. We loved driving it so much we kept saying – ‘I’m going to miss this car!’ Holly’s wedding was lovely and fun – buried deep in the TN woods at an old mill. Sukie and I talked our brains out, and seemed not at all to run out of things to say. The only downer for me was the ear infection I got from the airplane descent – yuck. But, all in all – such a super time!

Sukie and some of our great eats at Noshville

Aaaa – the pedicures

Coffee mug painting

With our beloved host, Roweena

Stuck boot on Toby – Sukie’s angle

Stuck boot on Toby – Toby’s angle

Me with my dear Sukie

Holly and Nathan

Me and the beautiful bride

Bit of charm from the wedding site

Happy three gals

Book Review : The Rough Riders, Unforgiving Sun, Magic Kingdom For Sale – Sold


The Rough Riders, by Theodore Roosevelt

3 / 5 – This memoir was written in 1899 about 1 year after the events described. It was interesting to listen to how little emphasis was placed on an action that later became part of American lore. I guess it had not been built up to legend status by the time T.R. wrote the book. Format : electronic download from Netlibrary played at fast speed.



Unforgiving Sun by Ray Malone

3.5 / 5 – An M.D. is injured in the Arizona desert after his horse dies in a rockslide. The story of what he does to survive. 2 interesting notes. First, I could not find this book at Amazon.com ! I don’t have any idea why not. Second, the protagonist is an avowed atheist at the beginning of the book, but at the end he believes that God saved him. At the end, his belief in God culminates in his seeking out how to become an active member at the local church. Maybe his local church is a Bible teaching church and he will come to a saving knowledge of God?? Who knows, but was a pleasant story thread to witness his progression. Format : electronic download from Netlibrary played at fast speed.



Magic Kingdom for Sale–Sold! (Magic Kingdom of Landover) by Terry Brooks

3/5 – This book’s premise intrigued me – a man buys the kingship of a fairy land. The first few chapters were fantastic. My enthusiasm was tempered a bit as the story included heavy handed moralizing on protecting the environment, but it was still a good read (listen). Format : electronic download from LAPL played at fast speed.


Current listening : The Art of the Steal: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Fraud, America’s #1 Crime by Frank W. Abagnale (of Catch Me If You Can fame)

Apple Picking in Solvang

Several weeks ago we went on a neat field trip with our home-school group – the Homesteaders. Max, Lucy and I took our friends Stephanie, Kenna and Lindsay Allen and Tobias Norby in our van up to Solvang. Our first stop was apple-picking at Lane Farms. The Golden Delicious were really that – golden and delicious – and actually so much tastier than what’s in the market. Next we visited a miniture horse farm for a quick looky and pat-pat on a small beauty. We ate our lunch at a fairly new play structure in Solvang made to look like a little town – so cute! There’s an amazing bakery downtown that was calling our name for treats, so we grabbed some for the way home. Yum! A really great day. 🙂

Kenna, Lindsay and Max and Lucy

In the thick of it with Tobias, Max and Kenna

Lucy’s dream cottage

Lunch in the fort with Max, Kenna and Tobias

D’Elia Beach Day

Okay yes, the D’Elia family came to visit in August – but we’re a little crazy or slow around here, take your pick. We just love these guys!

Max was very proud of this castle he helped make

Lucy really liked being buried

Frank and Sheryl with kids Lizzy and Danny D’Elia