Yes, I am finally here and it is no small miracle that I am posting since my computer has been behaving badly, refusing to enter the 21st-century wireless connection and clinging to the old dinosaur dial-up of the woods. I'm sitting on a big porch in the twilight drinking Mountain Dew and eating lemon curd cupcakes and recovering from sleeping on a plane-sized bed with 200 other people. There was really very little sleep involved, partly because the man next to me was behaving badly and snoring loudly. In the middle of the night I woke up and almost elbowed him and told him to roll over, then remembered I was not home and he was much bigger than Randy and there really is no rolling over on a plane. So I just let him snore. I wouldn't mention it except he doesn't know me from Adam and the idea of really sleeping on a night flight is a huge joke!
The trip to Panera's for quiche and coffee made me forget I missed 8 hours sleep. And being home again is heavenly. I'm actually warm and going barefoot as we speak (or I post or whatever you want to call it). So I've just done a wonderful jumble of things in the last 24 hours - consumed vast quantities of garlic cheese grits and pork, toured a 200 year old log cabin, bought that dogwood bracelet at the Log House, listened to a live banjo concert outdoors, been to Wal-mart for deodorant, visited a Spanish bakery, toured the Mitchell Tolle gallery and bought one of his log cabin prints. Oh, and I've even had some time to sleep - 12 hours last night. Finally tonight I realized my throat was getting kind of sore from all that talking. My mom and I haven't stopped since we first saw each other at the airport. Our family has never been one for long, poignant silences like Randy's. This afternoon I realized I only have 7 days left so began to compile a list of all those things I have yet to see and do.
Good thing nobody reads this blog except for family mostly as this is just the silliest post. Forgive me if I'm still sleep-deprived and not making sense. Tomorrow we drive to Frankfort and see Daniel Boone's grave (and Rebecca's) and stay at an old inn. No rest for the wicked, I guess, and the righteous don't need none. Isn't that how the saying goes? I've never understood it till now. Hope to post again from downtown Berea soon - specifically Ground Effects coffee shop. Till then!
Showing posts with label Kentucky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kentucky. Show all posts
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
anticipation
Anticipation is a great gift - it's simply enjoying something before it starts. Another heaven-sent ability, I guess. And I've been anticipating my trip to Kentucky for a quite a while now. Looking forward to things like:
*having Panera's divine quiche and coffee
*wireless internet as opposed to dinosaur dial-up here in the woods
*driving to Indian Fort and looking up at the Pinnacle as opposed to actually climbing it
*sitting on the front porch or on the back deck at Granny's and hearing the train whistle
*having a super-sized iced coffee at McDonald's in iced coffee appropriate weather (HOT)
*visiting the new Berea public library
*hearing Pastor Kevin preach at Berea Baptist church
*perusing all the great books at the Berea College store
*sitting quietly in Danforth Chapel
*touring Boonesborough (again)
*driving to Louisville to a historic site
*shopping for old license plates for Randy
*trying not to miss the boys or wonder if they're homesick at camp
*seeing family!
I also realize that a hundred or more years ago, moving to Washington from Kentucky meant never seeing your family again. Although I'm no fan of flying, it does beat a covered wagon. Only five more days now ...
*having Panera's divine quiche and coffee
*wireless internet as opposed to dinosaur dial-up here in the woods
*driving to Indian Fort and looking up at the Pinnacle as opposed to actually climbing it
*sitting on the front porch or on the back deck at Granny's and hearing the train whistle
*having a super-sized iced coffee at McDonald's in iced coffee appropriate weather (HOT)
*visiting the new Berea public library
*hearing Pastor Kevin preach at Berea Baptist church
*perusing all the great books at the Berea College store
*sitting quietly in Danforth Chapel
*touring Boonesborough (again)
*driving to Louisville to a historic site
*shopping for old license plates for Randy
*trying not to miss the boys or wonder if they're homesick at camp
*seeing family!
I also realize that a hundred or more years ago, moving to Washington from Kentucky meant never seeing your family again. Although I'm no fan of flying, it does beat a covered wagon. Only five more days now ...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
wanted: one violin teacher
Recently we had to say goodbye to Ms. Helena, Paul's violin teacher, as she moved to Seattle. It's a good move for her as she will be able to play with the Seattle symphony and not commute to concerts like she was doing. For us it means sticking the violin in the closet or trying to find another teacher. As you can guess, there are few classical violinists in the big woods. Paul thinks he would like to make the leap and fiddle - just like on Hee Haw. I know I wouldn't have a problem finding a fiddle teacher in Kentucky but here ... hmmm. Paul has all the moves down to play fiddle - he likes to play fast and he holds his violin in a lazy, drooping, fiddling wannabe way which earned him no points with Helena. So this might work.
Only 7 more days till Kentucky! I will be taking my laptop as this is sort of a working vacation. I'll be visiting some interesting places - at least from a historical perspective. Can't wait!
God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.
Psalm 67:1
Only 7 more days till Kentucky! I will be taking my laptop as this is sort of a working vacation. I'll be visiting some interesting places - at least from a historical perspective. Can't wait!
God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.
Psalm 67:1
Friday, July 25, 2008
kentucky countdown
Yahoo - I leave for Kentucky in just 13 days! I'm taking a night flight from Seattle to North Carolina and then to Lexington. For nine heavenly days I get to drive by Cracker Barrel (there's no such thing here) and get hot and sweaty and have one bad hair day after another and sit on my folk's front porch and stock up on grits which I've been out of for some time.
I have all these wonderful plans and would even love to climb the Pinnacle but last time I went in the heat of summer with Reba Fothergill of Berea, Ky. we got lost (wonder what Daniel Boone would think of that?)! And Reba, being one very gracious southern lady, turned to me on that sweltering trail and told me that if she had to get lost she couldn't imagine being lost with anyone she liked better. I'll always love her for that. By the way, we forgot to take water along and might have even been hiking in high heels for all that I remember!
The good thing is that the airlines have curtailed your luggage limit so I can't stuff my suitcase and bring it back to Washington. I have a terrible hankering for Cracker Barrel giftshops - every item on the shelves practically jumps up and shouts at me to buy it for family and friends (and myself). So there's no doing any of that this time.
I do need to visit the Log House in Berea and get a dogwood bracelet. Last time there I purchased a little dogwood ring like the one I had as a little girl which I lost long ago.
While I'm gone the boys are going to camp for the first time and Randy will be working, as usual. The first of the garden will be coming in about then so when I get back I have to start canning. And getting ready for school. And editing that 2nd book again. But for 9 days I won't have to think of those things and just be with family.
In the 18th-century there were two sayings about Kentucky, one of which is still heard today:
Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place.
What's all the buzzel about Kaintuck?
I have all these wonderful plans and would even love to climb the Pinnacle but last time I went in the heat of summer with Reba Fothergill of Berea, Ky. we got lost (wonder what Daniel Boone would think of that?)! And Reba, being one very gracious southern lady, turned to me on that sweltering trail and told me that if she had to get lost she couldn't imagine being lost with anyone she liked better. I'll always love her for that. By the way, we forgot to take water along and might have even been hiking in high heels for all that I remember!
The good thing is that the airlines have curtailed your luggage limit so I can't stuff my suitcase and bring it back to Washington. I have a terrible hankering for Cracker Barrel giftshops - every item on the shelves practically jumps up and shouts at me to buy it for family and friends (and myself). So there's no doing any of that this time.
I do need to visit the Log House in Berea and get a dogwood bracelet. Last time there I purchased a little dogwood ring like the one I had as a little girl which I lost long ago.
While I'm gone the boys are going to camp for the first time and Randy will be working, as usual. The first of the garden will be coming in about then so when I get back I have to start canning. And getting ready for school. And editing that 2nd book again. But for 9 days I won't have to think of those things and just be with family.
In the 18th-century there were two sayings about Kentucky, one of which is still heard today:
Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place.
What's all the buzzel about Kaintuck?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
garlic cheese grits
Kentucky's Derby Day is the first weekend in May and it is a fun event for horse and hat lovers - and those who like to eat. People here have never heard of it, sadly. So forgive me for reminiscing a bit.
Years ago, I attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky and was a member of the flag corp in the marching band. We were the 50 girl team that dressed in jockey silks given to us by the many horse farms of Kentucky and waved heavy flags around and performed routines. None of that foo-foo stuff - this was really athletic and I have the bad knees to prove it! Try marching in 100 degree heat smothered in silk and you'll know what I mean. I think I wore the Darby Dan silks most of the time.
One May we were invited to the governor's derby breakfast and so we dressed in our silks and went. I remember the big white awnings, the mint juleps that we weren't allowed, and big pans of garlic cheese grits. Heavenly. Lots of pretty hats and fresh flowers and smiling people. My Old Kentucky Home was played again and again. I remember not wanting to leave. I thought being governor of Kentucky must be a good thing. Sometimes I wish I was 17 again and sitting in that fancy tent eating grits.
By the way, there is no such thing as Yankee grits out here. Or grits period. When I fly home I bring a suitcase of them back with me. Hallelujah!
In honor of Derby Day for all you Kentuckians out there, here is a recipe for garlic cheese grits:
1 cup quick-cook grits (not instant)
4 cups boiling water
1 stick butter
2 eggs, room temp, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon seasoning salt
12 oz. Velveeta cheese
garlic powder, to taste
sprinkle paprika lightly on top
Add grits to boiling water and cook as directed. When thick, add butter, cheese, garlic powder, and stir till melted. Stir in eggs and seasoning salt. Pour into 9x13 buttered pan and bake in 325' oven for 1 hour. Happy eating!
Years ago, I attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky and was a member of the flag corp in the marching band. We were the 50 girl team that dressed in jockey silks given to us by the many horse farms of Kentucky and waved heavy flags around and performed routines. None of that foo-foo stuff - this was really athletic and I have the bad knees to prove it! Try marching in 100 degree heat smothered in silk and you'll know what I mean. I think I wore the Darby Dan silks most of the time.
One May we were invited to the governor's derby breakfast and so we dressed in our silks and went. I remember the big white awnings, the mint juleps that we weren't allowed, and big pans of garlic cheese grits. Heavenly. Lots of pretty hats and fresh flowers and smiling people. My Old Kentucky Home was played again and again. I remember not wanting to leave. I thought being governor of Kentucky must be a good thing. Sometimes I wish I was 17 again and sitting in that fancy tent eating grits.
By the way, there is no such thing as Yankee grits out here. Or grits period. When I fly home I bring a suitcase of them back with me. Hallelujah!
In honor of Derby Day for all you Kentuckians out there, here is a recipe for garlic cheese grits:
1 cup quick-cook grits (not instant)
4 cups boiling water
1 stick butter
2 eggs, room temp, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon seasoning salt
12 oz. Velveeta cheese
garlic powder, to taste
sprinkle paprika lightly on top
Add grits to boiling water and cook as directed. When thick, add butter, cheese, garlic powder, and stir till melted. Stir in eggs and seasoning salt. Pour into 9x13 buttered pan and bake in 325' oven for 1 hour. Happy eating!
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