Monday, July 9, 2018

Life Is As Good As You Make It!


It seems I have neglected to keep this blog up to date...well it has been 6 months since my last post! (Caution, you may want to rest your eyes while plowing through this tome!)

February and March found me quietly doing things around the house and trying to stay out of trouble....although I never seem to lack for things to do! Weekly temple trips, Family History of my own and consulting, spending time with friends and family and generally keeping life and limb together has been a full time job...my take is that I can now get half as much done in twice the time! LOL!
June and I did meet up in Oakland to visit my brother in March...
David looks like he is shrinking- unlike June and I! He was so happy to see us! It was
also delightful to see so many friends from Pleasanton!

Had Liora's birthday in April along with a fabulous LDS General Conference and an interesting few days of jury duty!
Haven made the cutest unicorn cake! Hard to believe this little button is already 5 and headed to kindergarten in the fall!

Now May was a completely different story....Drove to Utah and picked up my sister, June and we went to the BYU Women's Conference. It was a very interesting experience...had a great time with June and we found most of the conference uplifting and beneficial!
 June and I in the Marriott Center.
Ran into several people that I haven't seen in awhile. Was so tickled to see LillyAnn Cotterell, with whom I served in New Zealand! Love this amazing gal!
The Art Museum at BYU had a fabulous collection of Tiffany stained glass on display. This piece was by far my favorite! A photo does not do it justice!

From Utah I flew to NYC to see my kiddos there. Now that three of my gang are there, it takes a little planning to spend time with everyone.
Ammon took us to the top of the Freedom Tower. What a view! Not only can you see all of NYC, but Brooklyn and New Jersey are also visible. It is the tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere and the 6th tallest in the world. 
 Took several pictures, but it was a bit overcast and had to deal with glare- funny they would not let me hang out the window for a better shot...

Have to be careful when you say "cheese" to this gang!
 These two never tire of playing at one playground or another...they are SO sweet! 
 Amaia is the youngest in her ballet class, but is a very serious student of the art!! Following in the footsteps of her Auntie, Caili, who dances for Ballet X!

For Mother's Day the kids all took my to a fun little Irish Restaurant called Neary's. Food was fabulous and we had a great time together! Was nice to be spoiled!
These two were dressed up so cute and were so well behaved!

Then hung out a few days with Dan and Sandra (who seem to be camera shy!)and Autumn in Brooklyn. Autumn was excited to show me her new brownstone apt. She has a great spot!! One bedroom with lots of light and a very nice neighborhood! BTW- she is subletting while in Lebanon!

 (https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sub/d/newly-renovated-1-bdrm/6633656214.html)

From New York, I flew to Memphis, TN to meet up with Carol and Deanna, as we embarked on our "girls trip" to Tennessee and Kentucky. It was a week full of interesting sites, music, history and race horses! 
First stop was Beale Street...home of the blues! This is where Elvis, BB King, Earl Banks and many others got their start!
 Catfish and BBQ were big items in this part of the country!
 Earl Banks was playing in the place where we got dinner. Beale St apparently comes to life after dark! Quite the interesting history here!

The visitor's center had a statue of BB King, but we got our picture by the REAL King!

Our next stop took us to St Jude's Hospital, founded by the actor/singer Danny Thomas.
Unsure of his life’s direction, a young Danny Thomas sought guidance from St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. If the saint would point to the path he should take, Danny vowed to build a shrine in his name. Success followed Danny’s plea and soon after, the legendary entertainer set about fulfilling his vow to St. Jude. The result was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
All services are free to children up to the age of 18- no questions asked. They do a marvelous work in blessing lives!

In the museum area there is a replica of the Dome of the Rock in tribute to Danny Thomas' Middle Eastern background. SO beautiful!

This memorial stands to honor this man and his giving heart!

Then we headed to the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated. The motel is just like it was in 1968, but has now been turned into a museum in his honor.


Another spot in the Memphis area is where we enjoyed spending 1/2 a day at Elvis' Graceland
 A beautiful home with a lot of attention to "quirky" detail!
Here we are reflected in the glass of the entryway.
I loved this living room with the peacock stained glass!
The billards room was of interest as all the walls and ceiling are pleated fabric.

The museum was filled with clothes, cars and a variety of personal items belonging to Elvis....quite the shrine!
Another interesting stop in Memphis was the Peabody Hotel, made famous by it's evening "duck walk"
Carol and Deanna at the Peabody Hotel!
Built in 1925, this luxury hotel has an interesting history. 
Twice a day, the Peabody ducks march to John Phillip Sousa's "King Cotton March" along a red carpet to their place in the hotel's fountain. The ducks live in a rooftop "palace," an elaborately decorated doghouse, at night. Frank Schutt, the hotel's general manager, initiated the Peabody duck tradition in 1933 when he and his friends returned from a hunting trip and put their live decoys in the hotel's marble fountain. In 1940, Edward Pembroke volunteered to take care of the ducks, which by then had been replaced by one drake and four female North American Mallards. Pembroke, the original Duckmaster, died in 1994. The hotel's restaurants maintain "duck free" menus.

Off to Nashville for more adventure...take a break if your eyes are bleeding! 
Stopped for a rest at the Casey Jones shop/museum. He is quite revered for sacrificing himself to save a trainload of passengers!
Then we arrived at The Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the USA.
The home was beautiful with perfect restoration and many lovely stories. The Hermitage even provides a duel for the visitors. A very picturesque homestead!
We could not take pictures inside, but the museum brought much of his day to life!
Replica of Jackson and his wife.
We enjoyed the historical artifacts and information. Was a great stop!

Our travels took us to the Opryland Hotel and Resort...unbelievable place, more like a small city under a glass dome.
With more than 2500 rooms, this place is incredible. You could spend a week and never leave the hotel and have plenty to do!
Exotic plants, interesting lighting and even a river with a friendly tour guide!
One evening we attended the Grand Ol Opry and it was so much fun! Good singing and upbeat entertainment!
Now, Nashville has a lot more to offer than just music...
This American Parthenon was originally intended to be temporary. Built at the tail-end of the 19th century for the Centennial Exposition in Tennessee, the recreated Parthenon served as the festival’s art gallery and spoke to the city’s self-declared reputation as the “Athens of the South.” The attention to detail is remarkable and it is a true replica of the Greek, although the Greek Parthenon has not yet been fully restored.
Inside boasts the 42 foot, gold covered Goddess Athena. Very impressive.

Now off to the races! 
We went to Churchill Downs and although the Kentucky Derby had been the week before, there was still much festivity in the air. We watched two races....and yes, I should bet on the horses because I called both winners!! LOL!

"Come on Dover...move yer blommin'..."
Of course to get into the mood, we had to try on some Kentucky Derby hats!

We were able to go to Old Friends - Thoroughbred Retirement Farm and saw famous fellows like, War Emblem,  Silver Charm, Touch Gold, and Game on Dude. Visitors come to see these beautiful animals, who collectively have made more than 150 million!
This is War Emblem who is double fenced...Mike told us his language was biting and kicking...
When asked what these horses do, Mike replied, "Whatever they want to.."

Last stop was the Kentucky Horse Park. Many current champions here as well as many different and interesting breeds. I did not realize how much there was to know about horses!!

By far the most interesting breed was the Marwari. Notice the interesting ears. Their ears can do a 180 and pick up sounds at a great distance.

Well, this was a fascinating trip...a lot to do in 8 days, but loved every minute of it!!
I will save the summer for another post...go rest your eyes! 
Love to all!