Fun times

My BFF Becky and her daughter Lisa came to town for a few days. While Lisa visited high school friends Becky and I visited Garvan Gardens. The flowering trees were lovely on the side by the waterfall and koi pond.

The highlight this time of year are the tulips which are just a couple days past peak. We also enjoyed the end of the camelia season and noticed the azaleas and dogwoods are just beginning to bloom.

My new purse from Florida is very handy if I want to transport a beverage. We had a delicious supper and a great visit with Marge at J&S Italian Restaurant overlooking Lake Hamilton. We first were entertained by Mark Ayers, who was quite busy at the piano bar pleasing a good Wednesday crowd.

I always enjoy visiting with Lisa. 

Leon, Becky, Lisa and I ventured on to the Big Chill  so Lisa could hear a really good twelve string guitarist. Dayton Waters is a regular here and although we planned to be there for a couple of songs it turned into 3 1/2 hours. I can never walk away from his music.

It was nice how he left the stage and wandered among the crowd. We were going to leave when he took a break but midnight came first. Lisa is a new fan!

Dashing to the tulips!

We are two days past peak for the tulips at Garvan Gardens and are eager to see them (again for me) before they wilt. But first sustenance at the Filling Station in Red Oak before we wilt. This was once waaay out in the country... now, not so far.

Since I spent many years rv'ing in a volkswagon I really liked this sense of humor.

Chris had a little Photo Uploading 101 lesson with Barbara.

Any excuse to share a cake is good and today it was two days before Diane's birthday!



Happy Birthday, Diane!

A full moon with Chris, Diane, Cissy and Darla. We enjoyed the flowering trees and shrubs near the koi pond. Soon the azaleas will burst into full bloom.

Barbara rode along the trail with Kay and her new knee.

And then we arrived at the tulips!!! The fragrance in the air and the rows of blended colors just take my breath away. It was the third time in a week for me.

Well over sixty years of librarian / media specialist duties between the two of us. No wonder we know how to make bookends!

That Chris sure knows how to spot a snake in the wild. We had a big discussion and the concensus was it is a speckled king snake.

Big Smith

The Valley of the Vapors Independent Musical Festival began today at the Low Key Arts Center.  The center, housed in an old warehouse, is a favorite of many of the younger artistic types in town. I thought it would be a fun and different adventure for the day.

The opening act, Big Smith from sourthern Missouri, has been a favorite bluegrass band for me since I saw a documentary about them and heard them perform several years ago. Several friends met us for breakfast at the crowded Colonial Pancake and Waffle House before we ventured further north to listen to the band.

It was nice to run into Amy and her dad enjoying the excellent musicians.

 Cissy and Kay seemed to enjoy the outing though I worried this might not be Cissy's cup of tea!

The venue is small and the seats are limited. There was an eclectric group of young and old and all seemed to enjoy the sound.  Why the younger group stood in front of the older seated people the entire time I will never understand.  Maybe it is just a generation thing!



Tiptoeing thru the tulips again!

Garvan Gardens Woodland Gardens

The tulips are breathtaking each year.





The redbuds blooming above the daffodils in the distance made a nice view.









Always progress being made at Garvan Gardens



Happy St. Patrick's Day

Yes, that really is the official name of the parade!!! It takes place on Bridge Street which has been proclaimed as the shortest street in the United States. The parade is 98 feet long!

Right off the bat I run into three high school classmates! What a treat.

There was a sea of green on Bridge Street and Ned was spotted giving the channel 7 weather .. even without him we knew it was perfect!

The Spa City Pacers entertained us before the parade started as if we cared what was under their kilts .. they have no shame!

We parked near the end of the parade and hopped up on the tool box in the truck for front row seats!

Why there come Pat and Butch! They seem to make all the parades.

I was impressed with the lucky librarians and their bookcarts .. kinda quirky .. kinda in keeping with the theme of the parade .. it just gets quirkier each year.

OMG! Is that really Clyde? Why yes it is!

There were even several nice floats. 

Amy hoola hooped through town.. she looked mighty festive in her green.

When you are a championship coon dog and have been to major dog shows then you don't have to walk. Elvis recently won best of breed at the Westminster Dog Show!

As dusk descended along came a group representing our sister city Hanamaki, Japan.

And who was on the front row but Joy and Chris. I bet they had that much fun in Japan also.

The crowds remained in town for a street concert which was a really big hit!

John Corbett was the grand marshal for the parade and then the John Corbett Band entertained afterwards. It all made for a fun evening on the city streets. We are already looking forward to the 9th next year!