Mitchell Gets a Pet

We have been looking for quite a while for another dog. Mitchell was so happy when Samson was here, so we've been looking for another pet; a pet for Michell.

I found Annie through Craigslist. She was an american eskimo mix. She was being fostered through a private group that rescues abused animals, rehabilitates them, and then finds them a home. After corresponding with Annie's foster mom, we decided to have a meet and greet at the dog park. There is a great off-leash dog park that is also home to a disc golf course that is just a few miles from us.
It was funny. Once we got to the que area we reluctantly took Mitchell's leash off. I think even he didn't know what to do; he just stood frozen for a moment. Soon he was running and chasing the other dogs including Annie. She obviously has the ear marks of an abused dog; she acts like every meal is her last, she cowers if you raise your hand and prefers you not to pet her head. But she was very sweet. After about an hour of watching the dogs play and asking a bunch of questions, the girls both excitedly told me they wanted her. While there, one of the other dog owners handed out lemonade. Now this was not ordinary lemonade. This was his Great Aunt Fannie Mae from August GA's recipe. He told us there was a secret ingredient and everyone took turns trying to figure it out. He told us he had to take the recipe to his grave and that just fueled the fire of speculation. I think I figured it out but didn't tell; who am I to go against the great Fannie Mae.

Everyone congratulated us as I announced we would take her. Her foster mom was teary eyed (is that a good or bad thing!?). We took her home and she has done great. We have to be careful not to make sudden movements or loud noises, and I don't think Mitchell will ever eat again. But she is doing well and the girls just love her, Mitchell....I think the jury is still out. -Tina

Call It Almost Gone.....

This weekend has been quite busy. Late Friday night I had to do my monthly 3rd shift visits. This requires me to visit nine residential homes and monitor staff. I must fill out an unscheduled visit form to document my findings. I started at 11:00 Pm and finished at 3:00 Am. Saturday morning Tina had to work. I mostly just lounged around. About noon, the girls and I started to take apart the wall that separates our dining area and the living room. We've wanted to open it since we've moved in. I finally got the courage to start tearing it up.
Mitchell, our dog appears to be lonely and needing a buddy. After I got all the sheetrock and dust up we went to the new Union County Animal Shelter. The girls found a dog they would like so we filled out an application. We are waiting to hear.

Last night, I went to hear The Hinsons. Back when I was in junior high and high school I enjoyed the music of the Original Hinsons. Ronnie, Kenny, Larry and Yvonne Hinson made up the original group. They are probably best known for their song "The Lighthouse", said to be the most recorded gospel song in history.

These days the group consists of Bo Hinson (Ronnie's son), Kym Calvery (Ronnie's daughter), and Shawn McDougal. It was a trip back to my roots, but to the tune of modern country. I hadn't seen the Hinsons in probably 27 years. While in California, I would at times take my mom to southern gospel concerts when groups would come through the area. While not a big country music fan, I did enjoy last night's concert. In my opinion the best song of the night was "I'm Still Here".

This morning at Crossings, Mark gave a great talk. God has a big "kabot". As His creation we are small, but to often decide we do not need to trust him because we feel we are self sufficient (bigger than God). Trust/faith plays such a big part in the life of a follower of Jesus. This was a very good and much needed reminder. The talk was followed by a time of worship. Like I said, it was great.

Following Crossings we went shopping and had lunch at Sam's Club, EarthFare, Borders, and World Market. Today has been kinda weird for me. My bearings have been off all day. I went the wrong way on Kingston Pike while going to Crossings. Went the wrong way while going to World Market and then to EarthFare.
Thankfully, I am home now and not going anywhere. -Norm

A Look at K-Town

Norm invited us downtown to a concert at the visitor's center. It was a bit nostalgic; when we first visited Knoxville, this is where we came. A great blue grass band was playing (yes, I have some love for blue grass) as we mapped out our visit. This time, Dishwater Blonde, a Christian blues/rock band was playing. They host these concerts Monday through Friday at noon in the Visitor's Center and they are always packed; it's called the Blue Plate Special and showcases local bands of different genres. After the concert, I got the notion to check out Old City.

Old City is an area smaller than downtown and has more local stores and is less commericial. It's eclectic; looks a bit like the French Quarter/Ireland towns (I told you it was eclectic). Once we walked from downtown to Old City, I found some great looking stores and restaurants. My first find; Magpie's. I remember Magpie's from an article written about Knoxville by the New York Times. We walked into a storefront with the on-site baking visible, beautiful display cakes not to mention a cold case to drool over. As we were choosing our cupcakes, a customer entered pointing to the mini cupcakes. He told me to watch out for them; they were dangerous. After trying a cupcake sample I understood what he meant; they were fabulous.

Cupcakes in hand, we left the store. I noticed across the street Old City Java. Along with Magpie's, it was voted Best of Knoxville. We ordered some drinks and dived into our cupcakes happily chatting. The coffee house had a great vibe, very art house-y. As Grace, Hope and I were sitting being silly, I noticed Norm (too late, of course), driving by. We finished walking around Old City and headed back downtown.
It was Farmer's Market day, but I could only stare since I decided we would just stay here for the day. We started just walking around and discovered the East Tennessee Historical Society Museum. A sucker for museums, we checked it out. It was fun with a pharmacy/soda fountain and a trolley. We left and discoved little parks and squares and historical houses that were really cute.
Hope was going to participate in a improv acting class held at the main library downtown. While she joined the class, Grace and I checked out the library. After she was done, we left and went to Market Square. Market Square was hosting a Shakespeare in the park and a troup of actors were performing Merchant of Venise. I called Norm to join us. We enjoyed the play but were starving so we went to a great local restaurant; Tomato Head. Obvisously an Italian restaurant but is also know for vegetarian/vegan organic foods. It was great. We all had a great day learning for about our little K-town. When we got home Norm told me HE had gotten some cupcakes from Magpie's. Great minds..... -Tina

Wanna Play Disc Golf?

I recently discovered Disc Golf (a.k.a. Frisbee golf). There are three courses here in Knoxville and they are all free to play. I have driven past one of them at least once a week. Sometimes more often than that.

While trying to learn more about this game, I discovered my friend Mark and his sons play. I joined them for the first time a week ago. I wasn't very good, but it was great just to be there. I agree with Mark, it's not about the score, it's about community.

Prior to the game, I purchased an Innova set of discs that included a Leopard fairway driver, Shark mid-range driver and an Avitar putter. I've read about a couple more discs I'd like to buy. The discs average about $10.00 each. Some are more, some less.

If you have never played I would encourage you to give it a try. It is good exercise, challenging and great to be outdoors. It seems there are courses all over the country most of which are free to play. Morningside, Victor Ashe, and Admiral Farragat are the three local courses. We played 18 holes at Morningside. Soon, I would like to try Victor Ashe. The first hole is throwing across water. I've heard players frequently misjudge that hole and have to go swimming. -Norm

Here's a link on how to play.http://www.disclife.com/whatis.shtml

Tina's Birthday

My birthday is July 7th, but I was sick on my birthday. So when I got the Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary calls, (I not only share my birthday with my dad-RaChael and Buck's anniversary is the same day-RaChael said it's because she has a poor memory for dates, and that's why she got married on our birthday) I kind of think of my birthday is our family's all-purpose day. Anyway, when the calls came, I announced I didn't know what they were talking about-it was not my birthday. After some long pauses, I explained that I could not possible be sick on my birthday therefore, it must not be my birthday.

We celebrated my birthday on Saturday. Norm and I went to a local farmer and bought tomato plants and then bought pepper, squash, mint, eggplant and zucchini plants to grow in our garden Norm finished constructing. Yes, I know how late in the game it is, but I wanted to try my hand at it before fall planting. Norm had to hurry and get it done, so we could catch the rainfall.

I have been completly jonsing for sushi again. I had purchased the special stuff to make it, but just hadn't tried to do it. Why not on my birthday. For my first attempt I made very simple rolls: California rolls and Smoked Salmon rolls. (Hope made herself some spaghetti) Okay, so they weren't as pretty as the rolls at the Stir Fry Cafe, but they turned out wonderful. I am inspired and am excited about expanding my menu. So good.

Afterwards, we went to a drive in movie theater to see Meet Dave and Wall E. The girls had never been to a drive in movie and I think Norm and I were first married when we saw our last one. So we made homemade popcorn (you have to-it's a part of the fun), grabbed my store bought cake (sad, I know) and headed for the movies. It stopped raining on the way which was good. We got a good spot. Nowadays, you just tune in your car radio to the station to hear the movie. This I am sure is much more cost effective, but I missed the clunky speaker you hang from the window. Next week they are playing Journey to the Center of the Earth. Hope announced we would be seeing this one as well. Forget the fact that she was at the premere and that we saw it just yesterday-hey, at least we still have our 3-d glasses. It was a lot of fun.

Happy Independance Day!

We decided to go to Pigeon Forge for the 4th of July. It was hosting its 18th Annual StarJam (whatever that is). It sounded like fun so we traveled all of 30 miles to the birth place of East TN's queen, Dolly Parton. What should of took about a 30 minute drive, didn't. Little did we know this was a big event. And of course, we thought we would be the only ones attending and the park would be super easy to find since we've been there once before.

After creeping in the car for a very long time (and having to ask for directions-I guess the en masse of people didn't tip us off), we found it. It was a stunning sight; about seventy-five thousand people showed up for the event. It looked a little out of place. For anyone whose hasn't been to Pigeon Forge it is like Branson MI. For anyone who hasn't been to Branson, it is like a country-fied Reno but with no gambling. Ok, a better description would be a big, long carnival with more shows. Sorry if anyone loves Pigeon Forge. It is also the gateway to the Smokies. There, I said something nice.

The reason we decided these firework show over the one in World's Fair Park in Knoxville was simple: the bands. The bands we saw were Ace Young (no idea-I don't watch American Idol, but I saw American Idol under his name-I drew my own conclusion), Metro Station, Boys Like Girls and Good Charlotte. If you don't know these bands, ask a teenager. They were great. Anyway-hold on to your mullet-Paris Hilton was there!!!! I asked Hope and Grace if they knew she Paris Hilton was-they didn't know-I have done my job. She, incidentally is dating one of the band members from Good Charlotte. I know this because it was in the Knox Newspaper. Oh, and one of the band members in Metro Station is Mylie Cyrus' brother-that I know from Hope.

After the concerts, we were a little concerned; the clouds looked pretty wet (I am getting to know clouds better now). Come to find out they had to postpone Knoxville's fireworks an hour due to rain. What was really funny was the bands kepy saying "hello Knoxville!" This didn't sit well with the crowd. The fireworks (I understand were the biggest in East TN) were great. They were synched up to the radio station that put on the concerts so you could hear it well. Of course it wouldn't be Tennessee if they wasn't a tribute to the UT Volunteers (They play the UT Volunteers song while orange and white fireworks were displayed-inspiring) and course Dolly wished us a happy fourth and sang the Star Spangled banner (may I remind you she has a statue). All in all it was spectacular.

Afterwards we hung in Pigeon Forge (the carnivel city that never sleeps). This morning we woke up to rain. -Tina

Sweet Carolina

Our nephew David, was getting married on June 28th in North Carolina. Our 21st anniversary was June 27 so we decided to make a weekend of it in Raleigh, North Carolina. We drove up Friday and the next day while the girls slept in, Norm and I went to a farmer's market. It was huge! The biggest I have ever been to and had great produce. We bought some beautiful eggplant (the girls' new favorite meal-eggplant burgers), peaches and blueberries. We got back back and got ready for the wedding.

Now the directions were a little dubious; turn left at the propane tank on 65W. We got lost wouldn't you know (hey, we weren't the only ones) and were late. Well, we made it for the pictures at least. It was great seeing David, his new bride Lila, Norma, Richard, Michael and Hallie along with Richard's Uncle Bob and Aunt Sis. It was more humid and hotter than Knoxville but not too bad.

Before we left Raleigh, we went to an old fashioned pharmacy soda fountain just like the Andy Grifith days (we even visited the Andy Grifith statue-the show was based on the area around Raleigh-remember Barney getting a job in Raleigh?)

We also visited the Museum of Natural History which was terrific along with the Musuem of History that housed the Musuem of Sports. We saw a replica of the Wright Bros. plane and Richard Petty's car is on display.

We had a great time and could have spent more time there. When Norm told one of his coworkers we were going to North Carolina they said it looked like East Tennessee; they we sure right-very pretty. It's great have a little family close by. -Tina