Drivin' 55

Third Wheel

As of late, I’ve been a little lax in the photography department.  I promised myself that I will break out the camera and snap away tomorrow because I recognized that time passes too fast.  For without photos to freeze that moment in time, that memory may be gone forever.  How often do we look at a photo from 10, 20 or even 30 years ago and say to yourself, “I remember that day as if it was yesterday.” On this perfect day, my BIL stopped at this lovely park his parents took him to when he was just  a boy.  How special I thought that he wanted to share it with his family.  For this day will forever be frozen in my memory, thanks to my need to travel with camera in hand.   As evidence in this photo, I love people shots.  Over the years, I’ve taken my share of landscapes as evident in my Disney photos from years past.  If I have 1,000 shots of the EPCOT geodesic dome is probably a conservative number.  Recently, thanks to Jack, I want my photos to be up close and personal.  Sub

The hustle and the bustle of the Big City.  People abound.  Stopping for lunch at Dick’s.  Street vendors everywhere.  Even the nostalgia Babe Ruth drops in for a visit.   In the midst of the tall buildings and millions of people, the farmer’s market comes to NYC. The harvest of fresh produce matches my little farmer’s market across the river.  These tomatoes of varying types, look good enough to just take a mouthful.  Several made their way home to NJ and were presented for dinner. Kirby cucumbers!  Little joke for a few to acknowledge.  So fresh that you had to dust off the dirt right from the farm. More to come!

Visiting my family was the best medicine to heal a stressful couple weeks.  Meeting a blog friend was the topping on the cake.  Combine these two elements and you have a perfect mini getaway. My husband truly loves his mother in law.  He’s a big kidder and there he is assisting my mom with a little lunch snack! Don’t you think is a really attractive shot of my twins and my sister’s twins?  Hubby always manages to do a boob shot when ever I turn over the camera to him.  He seriously needs some help! Giving the camera to my hubby usually creates some interesting shots.  Now that he focused on something other than the boobs, ceilings are often in 70% of his photos.  (I have to learn to open my eyes) On Friday, after a short trip to NYC, Lauren and I met at Heartland Brewery for a really delicious lunch.  Meeting a blogging friend or Blister (blog sister) for the first time face to face, feels as though you just picked up right were you left off.  Lauren asked about J

So much to say, so little time… ran off to Barnes and Noble bright and early today to purchase South of Broad.  I’ve already read the prologue and first chapter and am enthralled in the way Pat Conroy writes. got my necessary pedicure and eye brow wax (what’s the big deal about  a little hot wax?) off to Ulta to replenish my supply of Bare Mineral’s fairly light powder finally completed my Fall Box  Click Here To View   (I am considering taking orders) bought my Mega Millions lottery ticket (wish me luck) Here’s a photo I want to share from the archives of the American Falls taken from the Canadian point of view.  Note the hot air balloon on the horizon.

Can you say obscene? This is one, I'll mention it again...1 potato, The plate was too small for this guy. Did I eat the entire thing? Hell no! Where might they serve such a monster? Gibson’s in Chicago…. Bring a shovel! And oh, my memory of the dirty martini was out of this world.

  …and it was here at this point that I wanted desperately to turn around… for my fear just about crippled me… but my resolve was stronger… and I was sittin’ on top of the world.

There are days that whiz by so fast that it makes your head spin.  It seems like it was only yesterday we celebrated the new millennium.  Gosh, that was 9 years ago!  I remember exactly what we were doing that night.  Lots of friends and family over.  Good times.  Good food.  So much concern over computers, banking and finances.  Luckily, no problem recorded, but I did have my gallons of water tucked away and manual copies of all important documents.  Can you say paranoid?  However, much changed in that time both privately and publicly for our Nation.  As much as I don’t want my blog to be a place of story telling of life altering events in an effort to gain public support, I just have to say that I know I am not alone in dealing with adversary as many Americans are struggling.  Not that I am gaining any pleasure in that, mind you.  These are different times we live in today.  Times will get better.  We will rebound, become stronger and independent once again. I remember the da

While in San Diego last year this time, camping at the most beautiful KOA Camp Site , we ever stayed at, we managed to do some sight seeing.  Granted, we visited San Diego once before but traveling with small children, we did the typical outings suitable for our babies.  This time, we could stop and see what ever struck our fancy.  Visiting some of the finest sea food restaurants in the area, we welcomed the San Diego water front parks.  Our excursion led us to  USS Midway which turned out to be a very informative and very much fun.  As we wandered the many decks of the ship, I couldn’t help but wonder all those that had crossed these floors before me.  The sleeping quarters were the most shocking to me.  The size of the mattress was smaller than a typical twin.  Comfort was not a word that came to mind.  The mess halls and galley kitchens were outstanding.  I believe the Navy took serving food very serious! This 3 story statue is reminisce of the famous photo taken of a young

Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity. ~John Ruskin This photo was taken last year in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The town itself is very charming filled with galleries, restaurants, cafes, Pikes Peak, mountain vistas and gift shops galore. I particually remember "The Mona Lisa" fondue restaurant and wine cellar. Ahhh...good times.

On our first trip to Hawaii, we were fortunate enough to travel to three islands, Oahu, Hawaii, and Maui.  All of Hawaii is like paradise but I grew especially fond of this particular place.  It is on the road to Hana along about mile marker 11 and a good 3 miles off the highway.  It is because I purchased the CD “On the Road to Hana” at the sandwich shop that we even discovered this little hide a way.   A quaint little church lies at the bottom of a twisty road.  Looking towards the ocean, black lava rock clutters the beach front.  Drift wood scattered everywhere yours for the taking.  I didn’t need to go further.  This tree stands so strong against the elements, perhaps that is why I am so drawn to this little tree.  I am c ontent.   Serenity is heightened.  If the good Lord wanted to take me home at that very moment, I would have been happy to leave Mother Earth because this is my heaven on earth.  As we sat on our open convertible, munching on our great deli sandwiches, i

I tried to stay away. Really, I did. But I love to change things up a bit. I’ve fallen back into my Cutest Blog on the Block hole. Just because I can, here’s a photo of Niagara Falls. Can you hear the thunderous one million gallons per second falling below? Just know that you have been warned!!!

With the sun shining brightly, I ventured out to do a little sightseeing right in my own backyard. This new neighborhood is loaded with Pre-Civil War history. Being somewhat of a history buff, I can now cross off my list The Founders Cemetery. Driving north on Highway 9, just after crossing the Chattahoochee, the history of Roswell, Georgia begins to unfold. The founder, Roswell King , was originally from Windsor, Connecticut before staking his claim to this area. I find reading up on local history to be quite interesting. If you are interested at all, click on the link to Roswell King above. Click on the photo to enlarge the photo for better reading. I happen to have old eyes and need everything and anything enlarged! In the lower right portion of the photo, you see graves marked with a mere rock. It was in 1985 that these graves were found during a historic dig. More than likely, these were the unmarked graves of slaves buried with their then owners. Mr. Roswell King owned as man

We are embarking on some of the coldest weather to hit the South in six years. As I watch the TV weather wander around the country, it reminds me why we moved away from -25 actual temperatures and wind chills from Chicago. If you are dealing with such cold weather, and we all are to some degree, close your eyes and think of warm weather. Tropic breezes. This fruit tree grew naturally in the yard of a home we visited in Maui. Our friends let us pick one. Little mini bananas about the size of your palm. We found these were much sweeter than the Chiquita variety we are all used to. Trees are abundant in Hawaii. This one in particular is located on Maui in Up Country section of the island. The agapanthas in the foreground impressed me a lot because I made a feeble attempt to grow such flower in my own garden. The Islands are full of natural God's beauty. Honestly, I don't need to schedule every minute of the day when in Hawaii. I love to drink in the beauty and then think of ways

My hubby and I took our very first cruise for our 25Th anniversary. Hubby tried many attempts to go on a cruise, but I always thought of one hundred fifty two reasons not to go. Secretly, I was a little uncertain, well, I'll confess, the word was scared. I was scared to step foot on a ship. He finally broke me and I succumbed to his wishes. In November of 1997, we sailed on The Splendor of the Seas. There was much preparation for this trip. Lots of shopping. Dieting. Yet, more shopping. The most important aspect of this new life experience was that we decided to jump in with both feet and have the best time humanly possible. We planned on being the life of the party. We both agreed, after all, we would never see these people again so why not? Or so we thought... And party we did! We danced the night away. Gambled for the very first time. Took wild and crazy excursions. Experienced Carlos and Charlies' in Cozumel. Made friends with every bartender on the ship. In the midst of al

Almost two years ago, my husband and I were shanghaied on Interstate 10 in New Mexico. While everyone sat in their cars or trucks...I made lunch in the RV. Yes, I made this snowball. It is not perfectly round, but I didn't see the Snowmen Police anywhere around. Where is that sweater? Hmm... Can you tell what this is? I mean, besides snow. Look closer. It's a Snow Angel made by my husband. He's a big kid at heart. What husband isn't? Am I right?

We made it to NJ.  What should have been a 7 hour drive turned into a very ugly 12 and 32 minutes.  Traffic was a nightmare on the NJ Turnpike.  We were in stop and go traffic for 3 hours. Did I mention that "Gabby", our GPS system took us smack through Washington DC right up Pennsylvania Avenue....North of where George and Laura live.  I thought about stopping in for tea but we were really in a rush. Needless to say, we arrived safely, despite the constant dreary weather and continuous rain. Goodnight, Peeps!  I am very tired....(yawn) An Update:  upon leaving Atlanta, we decided to call it quits in Henderson, NC. This portions of the drive took about 7 hours.  On Sunday, we hit the raid at 7:11 and did not arrive at my sister's house until 7:45.  The NJ Turnpike was overloaded with "volume".  

So, we are Drivin' 55, (well, actually 70) and I finally found something decent to listen to on the the drive up. It was a country station and I knew Mom would approve of country. Mom is a little hard of hearing. Well, maybe a lot...but I had the volume up to a low medium volume. The only reason I recognized the song playing on the radio was because I recently caught a little of the CMA awards. Kid Rock's new song, All Summer Long begins to play on the radio. Surprisingly, I like this song. Secretly, I am wondering what my Mother will say. I am certain she will ask me to change it or not hear it at all. The conversation goes like this... Mom: Is that Rid Rock? Me: Yes, it is. Mom: He stands for everything I hate. Long hair. Drugs. Alcohol. Sun glasses all the time. He's even been married many times. He's disgusting. Me: Yeah...(trying to sound like I slightly agree with her) Mom: But there is something about him...(long pause and then a smile on her face) tha

Last year, I had the pleasure and opportunity to take a lovely 7 day Scrapmap Scrapbooking cruise with Lisa Bearnson around the Hawaiian Islands with some of my friends. It was the first time I had ever gone on vacation without my husband. Granted, I traveled quite a lot in my former life/career, but nothing like this. No business meetings. No contract negotiations to be concerned with. The only things on my to do list was meet Lisa, absorb as much of her creativity as I could, not get sea sick, and oh, yes, have fun. This post is not entirely about the cruise itself, rather the beautiful murals in the main dining room aboard the Norwegian Cruise Ship Pride of America . I found these murals quite mesmerizing. Each one was approximately 12' x 8' in size. There colors so brilliant. The stokes of the brush invisible to the eye at first but upon closer inspection so delicate. The Hawaiian Islands remained unknown to Europeans until he late 1700s. For nearly a decade, Englishman