LOL #18

The day was long and busy and the smiles were few and far between. It was 8:30 at night. The kids had been given some semblance of dinner earlier in the evening while I busily tried to "catch up."  They were now into the nightly shower and sulk routine because I was forcing them to get ready for the impending doom of bedtime.  An umpteenth load of laundry had just been folded and put away. The hubster had just arrived home from work.

We talked for a bit, catching up on the day's activities. I tucked and prayed my little nutter butter into bed and secretly hoped my older two would soon be ready for the same so my evening could begin to wind down. 

With my stomach rumbling a bit, I walked to the kitchen and reached for my easy go-to dinner when it's really too late to be eating - cereal.  I poured myself a rather unexciting bowl of mini wheats and turned to the frig, opened the door, and reached for the milk jug.

Instantly, I was jolted by surprise at the site of a Cheesecake Factory bag on the top shelf of the refrigerator!  I quickly shut the door, making sure my children weren't around to see my decadent discovered treasure.  And when I realized the coast was clear, I opened the door again. As I did so, my knight in oh so shiny armor walked into the kitchen.  My eyes met his and a smile grew across my face like you wouldn't believe!

I walked straight to that bowl of cereal, opened the box back up, and dumped that strawberry coated shredded cardboard, uh, I mean wheat back inside.  With fork in hand, I want straight for the dairy again - this time in cheesecake form, of course.

After my first bite, I jumped back up from my chair; looked at the confusion on the hubster's face; and exclaimed, "I've got to take a photo!"  The result - this week's LOL shot. 



Tribute

Part I

After five or six years of use, my Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 never lets me down.  This was the first lens I purchased beyond the kit lens for my DSLR and while many "pros" wouldn't touch it, I have simply adored the results I have gotten - definitely a huge amount of bang for buck at around $250.  It is one of the least expensive Canon zooms but the results for general use certainly don't look cheap.  Sure, I would like to have a 70-200mm f/2.8 for those great low light shots but who has an extra $2000 dollars sitting around?  To me, the fact that I can clearly see the pilots of the Blue Angels in my shot that I took while standing on the flight line tells me that the lens is doing it's job.  Between the zoom capabilities, the image stabilization, and the fast focus, I couldn't ask for more from my $250.  The shot above is a cropped version of the one below.

All of today's shots, with the exception of the two with my brother-in-law and my nephew, were taken with my 55-250mm.  So, the first part of my tribute today goes to my trusty go-to lens, my 55-250mm.  From sports to landscapes to nature to airshows, it's always in my bag!

Part II

After almost twenty years of being around a family with such a strong military history, I have yet to become immune to the pomp and circumstance, the dedication and sacrifice, the tradition and honor, and the valor and bravery the military represents. 

I had the amazing honor of being part of my brother-in-law's retirement ceremony last weekend.  After thirty years of service in the United States Air Force, he was saying goodbye.  While his commander spoke at the ceremony, I learned facts about my brother-in-law's service and his life that he, like so many of those who serve, had never told about himself.  His voluntary life of service to our country reminded me that my life is the way it is, free and protected, because of the many that are just like he is.  The many who serve everyday both here in the United States and abroad.

I sat at his ceremony with Kleenex in hand as I watched and listened.  Watching our country's flag being ceremoniously folded and presented. Hearing congratulatory letters from commanders and former presidents being read.  Watching my sister-in-law pin a medal to the lapel of her husband that she often was without while their children were so young.  Hearing the names of so many family members, there to support my brother-in-law's accomplishments, being introduced.  Hearing the applause of appreciation and admiration from a filled-to-the-brim room of military personnel.  Watching father and son pass along tradition.

So, Part II of my tribute today goes to our military.  Every single day, this is what they are doing - serving so willingly and selflessly with such precision and perfection as unseen in any other organization or business in today's world.  Every single day, may we never forget that we have what we have in this country because of them!

LOL #17

I love college towns.  I haven't, however, exactly pinpointed the attraction I have to them.  I think it's a bit of nostalgia and tradition that goes along with them.  Mix that in with the academia that surrounds the campus.  Through in the flashback to youth.  Add a dollop of old traditional houses and mature trees lining both sides of street usually named College Street. And finally, top it all off with a giant pink elephant wearing sunglasses!

This past weekend my family and I drove over 1700 miles in a round trip to attend a family event.  This week's LOL photo was part of that long, long trip.  My husband graciously (or selfishly, I'm not sure which) stopped along the way to look for a WalMart after we discovered that the AC adapter we had for the car wouldn't power my laptop.  He was either being very nice and humoring me or really didn't want to hear me whine for next 1500 miles.  I'm going with his generosity and graciousness.

When we stopped, the town happened to be Cookeville, TN - home to Tennessee Tech University - land of the Golden Eagles and apparently, land of the giant pink elephants as well!  This blushing pachyderm stands along side one of the main streets into town.  Behind her are some small businesses which don't seem to have any connection to pink elephants.

The librarian in me had to research, of course, and I came up with nothing but some other photos of her, sometimes donning a bikini and standing atop a pair of water skis.  When I couldn't find any information explaining her existence, I went to a source that I thought might be able to help - the Cookeville Chamber of Commerce.  I sent them an email asking about the lovely pink animal and the next day had a very nice reply!

Here's what she said:

The Giant Pink Elephant was purchased by the owners of the first shop that went in that location.  A children's clothing store "The Pink Elephant" thus the name and the landmark.  The store closed a few years ago but the elephant remains.

She then bade me "best wishes for a wonderful week!"  I've got to give kudos to the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce - informative, courteous, and prompt!  Like I said, I love college towns...

Cacophony

Cacophony - {kuh-kof-uh-nee} noun, a discordant and meaningless mixture of sounds

Laughing, crying, yelling children; barking dog; singing voices; spinning washer and humming dryer; tapping computer keyboards; slamming doors; ringing cell phones; sizzling saute pan; pick, pick, picking of a banjo...  Woah, yes, I said banjo!

The cousin of the drum and the descendant of African instruments brought to America by African slaves, the banjo is considered by many to be the only uniquely American instrument.  Ask most people about the banjo and the words bluegrass music aren't far behind.  The truth be known though, the banjo has been the chosen instrument of many minstrels, vaudeville entertainers, and jazz, country, and folk musicians as well.

The popularity of the banjo is credited to Joel Walker Sweeney who in the 1830s traveled the east coast performing with and leading the Virginia Minstrels.  Many stories exist regarding his banjo playing and while it's hard to tell if his banjo playing toes were fact or fictional lore, the truth remains that his playing prompted a widespread popularity of the instrument.  With its beginnings in the south, the banjo soon was being played up the United States' east coast, even in New York.  Europe jumped on the banjo wagon as well beginning with performances for Queen Victoria and working its way through Scotland and Ireland.  By the 20th century the instrument's popularity seemed grounded in both Europe and America.

Now into the 21st century, the banjo has found its popularity again in the South - with none other than my oldest one-of-three.  since last winter she has talked and talked about wanting to learn to play the banjo.  As her 14th birthday present, she was given banjo lessons.  This summer she has been finger rolling and finger picking her way through a varied repertoire - Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Dueling Banjos, Rainbow Connection...

  

 

So, yes, the banjo is now another sound that has been added to the plethora of sounds in our noisy home.  Quite honestly, I wouldn't have our home be any other way.  When I look at that definition of cacophony, I have to think that maybe Webster made a typo.  Because in our cacophony of chaos, my definition would be "a discordant and incredibly meaningful mixture of sounds."  Sweet music to my ears -