Alabama

See that statute, that would be Hank Williams, country singer of Montgomery Alabama - which is where I have been this week.  FYI,,  brother Mark another country song is "Your cheatin' heart" Hank sang that and many many more.  So Mark, now you know the name to two country songs.  Hank is much celebrated in Montgomery - note below.

See there is the Hank Williams museum, with life sized cardboard cut out set out front.  You know who went in.  Cost was the equivalent of 100 Chinese RMB (not going to tell you exactly how much it cost), but I paid and went in to see Hank's actual 1952 Cadillac convertible.  I paced that baby off and I think it is about 29 feet long.  Talk about one fine car !  and Hank died in it too !  of course music was being played throughout the museum.-- and I enjoyed it- especially the old films that had June Carter - now she could sing.

Below is a 2 second film of Senator Shelby of Alabama, two friends of mine from Mississippi who were at the same meeting I was, and me.  I met the good senator in a bar, yes, a bar and asked if we could have a group photo, well, I set the camera on video, not photo.  (Pure accident- the evening was young). At any rate, I felt good about diverting him from getting out and pressing more Alabama voters for votes in two weeks.

We went to a BBQ restaurant off Tallapoosa Street - I like that name - anyway the restaurant received the compliment as it was referred to us as one where it was generally believed that the banana pudding was vegetarian.  It was a good western style evening.

The traditional view out my hotel window - that is the Alabama River.  And by the way, we are getting more information on the proposed coal ash regulations from the EPA.

a ride up 49 and 64

Last Sunday afternoon just as the Panthers were losing another close one --(yeah, close, sure) --I left Charlotte after visiting with Patt's Mom, I headed north and east on NC 49 and then US 64.  As nearly always a delightful drive.

This view below is one of Patt's and my favorites on the trip, the sun was a little low to fill the whole valley and when it does it is even more beautiful than this. The Uhwarrie Mountains ( a really ancient mountain chain are in the distance)  This is a really very pretty place on the trip.-- and welcome sight as the road again become 4 lane.-- and you know how I feel about 4 lanes.   

Note camera in shadow at bottom of photo below, the top was down and wind was blowing my hair.

This farm in southern Chatham is starting to show a lot of wear and tear over the 40 plus years I have driven past- and is now part of new 4 lane on 64.  The trip has gotten a lot easier over the years - and I sure do enjoy it.-  In the past we really did like stopping in Pittsboro and visiting Granny, Hazel and Clyde so many, many times on these trips too.  We often interrupted their watching of 60 Minutes on Sunday evenings though on most trips we tried to come by earlier.   

Now there is a bypass so we do not even go by their old house - which this, of course is not.

And as I get close to the big City, traffic and my favorite feature - stoplights - show up, though at this one was a 55 Chcvy station wagon.

And we know where this is.  

two birthdays, and part two (which comes first for some reason --like in email)

Same afternoon, same birthday boy just after the soccer game - noted in previous blog - - (note the clever segue) pictured here with noted restaurant reviewer, social critic, political theorist, famed explorer, man who normally does not drink beer.

 

 Scene of birthday party and site of future restaurant review - food was worth noting and returning for more.  Almost foundered but did not.

 Below is the pre- bash gathering crowd - balloons and other decorations displayed

 The additional birthday GIRL -- gamely participated in the festivities and with boy wore hat and festive celebratory pin.  Hat stayed on about 1.4 minutes - perhaps I over estimate.

 Birthday boy and girl with special from Aunt Barbara cup cakes - the rest of us had still warm pound cake with little pumpkins on the frosting. -- really really good too.

 Note how all the crowd joined in the wearing of hats and participation with birthday boy and girl's festivities.  We had a wonderful time, Thai food is as expected outstanding, company great, lots of laughing, jokes, all in good taste of course - right Eric ?  -- and wonderful evening

 and when noted blogger seen below found out he could not keep his hat, he was distraught- and somewhat displeased to learn that he had to give it up.  It appeared that he alone felt that said hat helped make the evening dignified - being a social critic and all - he would know.

a high school soccer game: a two part post

On a beautiful fall afternoon in piedmont North Carolina, fans thronged to a regional rivalry soccer game  with significant import to tournament seedings.  Co-eds were out in colorful dress, (including a few who were related to some of the players. -- note below seen in accompaniment of friend in photo below.

 The action was fierce amongst the forwards, as seen here with birthday boy - seen here with 3 inch vertical leap to (note actual ground clearance) to direct soccer ball toward goal with his head, out "leaping" two of the opponents.  Perhaps it was a 3.8 inch vertical leap and the photographer missed the apex with inaccurate timing of the shot -- while unlikely - it is possible.

 Below is photos of a noted female sports photographer seen in attendance.

 Birthday boy in attack mode in fast developing offensive play for the home team.  Reference to birthday boy is to sync with two part post.-- having never done one - believed to to have a link.

 Just a portion of the huge crowd following the action.

 Birthday boy is the tall blond.

 An uncle and Dad, following the action.

There was a wedding

Guests were dressed.  Ties were order of the day for the men in the crowd - some were happier than others about the attire, but adjustments were made.

 Seats were set up in a rural corner, well not quite all that rural, but it sure was a pretty corner of our fair state

 and nuptials were said.  Rings exchanged.  Vows made.  Bride of course beautiful, and the weather wonderful and service went off just as it should.

 Guests were lined up on the previously identified seats, a few snapping unauthorized photos, (I even know of one or two who checked iPhones for ball scores and such -someone relayed that State was ahead of Tech at this point in time but I would not have known)

After the wedding ceremony, photographers gathered by the hundreds, adjusting equipment and arranging the likely subjects.

This guy below seems happy the ceremony is over or is really happy to have his daughter on his arm.. or do you think both ?  

 Some cousins stood around looking cool, see below -- of course they are

 while others played pretty hard -- and they did

 Mothers-of-the-birde seem to have endless duties and the groom seems to have figured out what he is supposed to be doing too.  Seems helpful doesn't he ?   Like most grooms !

The entrance to the reception hall - barn ?  - was well decorated and surprise - the table on the right was loaded down with candy.  Like wow.  talk about your basic good ideas.

Dancing - especially for the young went on quite late.  Arm waving, foot stomping, girl swinging, beach music dancing.

and Mark and Marie have added one more to their small little family.

we are talking fire truck ! !

Today we are again in Charlotte, visiting Patt's Mom.  On the way to the hospital we went by a yarn shop.  Guess who does not go into yarn shops ?  That would be me.  

Instead I saw a fire truck and like most boys, I went to look at it.  The fire station - getting ready to celebrate its 75th birthday looked interesting too, and so I waved to the firemen and walked right on up.

 

Sure enough, this being such a big world and all, Patt's cousin Art is the Captain at the station - I think station number ten --out of  74 (that is how many Charlotte has - I asked).  Art and I many long years ago, used to chuck bales of hay, pull timber from a  sawmills, and do other genuine real work on Patt's family farm.  -- had good times together too.

Art gave me the Captain's tour of the station, got to open the chute to see the slide pole from the dorm area to the truck parking area too --  I did not slide down (I kinda wanted too though) and I did not get to drive the truck ( and I really wanted to do that).  I did get close.

restaurant Review #10 --and a bonus review

If you like outdoor patio seating in a climate controlled atmosphere, let me recommend this particular restaurant for your dining enjoyment.  Patt and I have eaten here several occasions.  The down side is that it is not particularly close to our home.  It is however on a well traveled trail.  The MSP international airport.  (the big airport in Minneapolis.)  The outdoor seating affords the weary (why is the traveler always described as weary?) traveler a semi-quiet fake sun-shinny place to read a newspaper 

and enjoy a beverage of choice and a have a pre-flight meal.  As is obvious from the margarita container, this is not a high end establishment with cover charges and high end prices.  But Patt likes the margarita, and for three dollars more they will make that scotch a double - and now we are talking bidness.  The location is in terminal one, the old Northwest building, but now the Delta end of things and is a Chilly's (misspelling intentional) and the menu is what one expects at a Chilly's- without airport pricing -- so we have actually been to this particular patio dining area several times as this is a frequently used airport for us.  We both hope to return again too.

As you can see, Patt got first choice when seating was offered, with a full view of the terminal.  Being a bit off the beaten track, it is not to overrun by those en-route travelers walking to various gates, which we, of course eventually join in order to become weary.  I should add the extra three dollars on the margarita makes it a large.

Now The Bonus Review as promised.  Last weekend while in Charlotte at the hospital, low and behold lunch time arrived.  Of course, hospital cafeteria food was off the table as an option, and _____'s Sports Bar and Grill,  ( I really can not remember the name) is nearby.  Big screens everywhere - with volume turned up on all of them.  With a little work and selective listening you could sort out your game of interest and listen sort of, (OSU v Miami to the back of Patt -- I had first choice of seating in this establishment).  Patt was thrilled to be here.  She just about would not come in.  I had already selected my table and was looking around for her and she was still at the door.

"This place is loud" Patt astutely observed.  "You noticed", I shouted back.  "We're staying?"  she yelled.  "Have a seat", "you will enjoy it" I said loudly and hopefully.  In fairness this was a bit of a culture shock to Patt, as she had spent the last 8- 15 hours or so in the hospital where the noise level is a bit less than _____'s Sports Bar and Grill.  and I just think "Sports Bar and Grill" is in the name too.  Can not remember----- it was loud.   lots of OSU fans there - they were loud too.  Did I mention that in addition to volume on the teevees loud, people were speaking loudly and yelling too.  Patt wants to go back.

a time visiting in Charlotte

Earlier this week, we were visiting Patt's Mom, who has been in the hospital.  Laura and Isaac came down from the far northlands to visit Laura's Grandmother.  The two of them (Laura and Grandmother) had wonderful visits and Grandmother got to meet Isaac too who made his first visit to North Carolina.

As a part of the routine slaughter of the fatted calf, I found and took to Patt's Mom's home with us for Laura and Isaac to play with was Laura's old grocery cart.  For being almost 30 years old it did well hauling around balls and trucks.

Note in the two photos below:

Patt and I were enamored with the simple things with Isaac, like feeding 

and bath time, -- gosh he is fun- look at that smile.  Shoot, all he had to do was sit, and I thought it was special.

Now looking at Grandmothers puppies with the young girl who helps take care of them was really special

Though the puppies were interesting, 

what really got Isaac's interest was a physics problem I was working on with my computer.  No it was not physics, it was a Russian article on exploration of Siberia (in Russian) , no it was ......

his sisters and Dad on Skype.  The look on his face was awesome.  He sure did enjoy looking at and talking to his family back north.  and we sure enjoyed having him visit us with his Mom here with Laura's Grandmother.  It was a very good couple of days indeed.