Feb 14

Meet a real life Dr. Doolittle

DSC_0228Sunday, Valentine’s Day 2016 – Maranda (my eldest child) is a real life Dr.Doolittle. She has had a zoo of animals all her adult life and lately has been participating in endurance races with her horses. I wanted to spend some time with her and talk about her passion of horses, so I watched as she tried to teach patience to the new young four year old Arab.

Mmmm….I will not be doing that again! I simply do not know how to describe it, but it was much more intense than expected, and I was left crying my eyes out because I am overly sensitive to any beings suffering, even if it is necessary for training them correctly. Continue reading

Feb 13

Luzianne, Going a Bit More Inland

Baton RougeFrom Rowdy to Rest, we love both in the right measures.

Got up this morning to the smell of breakfast. Brian was a busy bee in the kitchen. My plate was laden down with eggs, bacon and toast. This vegetarian was sorely tempted to eat the bacon because it smelled “oh so good” but I refrained and Han happily removed it from my plate. lol

We visited a little while longer, packed the car, bunches of hugs later then Willie Nelson’s song began playing in my head “On The Road Again”, no not really, but it sure should be our theme song at this time. Continue reading

Feb 12

And Then There is French Quarter

leathervoodooOn Friday it was Brian’s turn today to play hooky and he took us to French Quarters and the famous Bourbon and Canal Streets.
We had a yummy breakfast at Cafe Pontallsa which is located just caddy corner to the front of the Catholic Cathedral, to your left if standing facing the cathedral. Brian and many born and raised Nolans are in uproar that the city has decided to remove 4 confederate statues, they call a “perversion of history”, dealing with civil war and slavery issues. Just wondering if they will abandon the Christopher Columbus perversion as well.
In any case I had “crab cakes benedict” accompanied by a mimosa and oh my, it may have been one of the best breakfasts ever, so I highly suggest you try it if you get the chance.

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Feb 11

New Orleans is One Beaded City

beads on the gatesOn Thursday Brian had to work out of town, so Nancie finished up her work early so she could show us around the uptown and downtown areas of New Orleans. We picked up Brian’s mom on the way and took off on another adventure.
Most of the sightseeing, including the wards and areas that were severely flooded by hurricane Katrina in 2005, was done from the car, but the two stops we made were especially wonderful. One being lunch at La Boulangerie and the other was Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

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Feb 10

We Made New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras

TJ and NancieMonday 02/08/16 to 02/10/16

We safely and happily arrived in New Orleans because the wind was horrendous on the way down. Made us all the more thankful to see Brian and Nancie, hugged them a whole bunch, talked excitedly while drinking wine then went out to grab some sushi.

The rest of the evening was for relaxing because tomorrow is the exciting day of Mardi Gras.

Fat Tuesday on a Float

Memphis to Destrehan Continue reading

Feb 07

Memories of Elvis and Graceland

TJ and Han at GracelandSunday 02/07/16 A good nights sleep is NEVER overrated. It surely helped me enjoy our day even more.
My last and only previous visit to Graceland was around Christmas time in 1978. My mom and dad were visiting me, when I lived in Millington TN. (a military gig). That was 3 years before the mansion was opened to the public, so only the memory garden was available to visit. As we were walking down the driveway on that, Vernon (Elvis’s dad was driving up to the mansion and he waved at us all, but specifically to my nine month old daughter who was riding on my dad’s shoulders.

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Feb 06

Not Every Travel Day Is Excitement Filled nor Meant-To-Be

Soda FountainWednesday Feb 3rd – Location Montague-MI
Did not sleep too well last night. Went to bed fairly late because I was waiting for the nightly phone call or text from my daughter on her progress to Washington State. She had a very dangerous and close call with a semi-tractor trailer and that made for a restless sleepless night for me. For her too as she did not drive again on that long way out to their new home. Weather is almost constantly on our mind these days. Nothing like in Florida or our days in the Caribbean.
We decided to wait out winter storm Kayla, rather than trying to make it to Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and our friends Amy and Jeff.

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Feb 02

It’s A Wonderful Life – Stepping Back in Time

Book Nook Montague

The Book Nook in Montague

Last night we decided to pull the sleeper couch out and Han being a gentleman, decided he would sleep on it. Due to interior heat, we have both been snoring like hybernating bears. A little distance between us is necessary at this time if we want to have a good nights sleep. LOL

We explored Montague today by car. It is snowing heavily. Stepped into a store called the “Book Nook” and it was the perfect start of our day.
A book store with plenty of books to peruse while enjoying a glass of (morning) wine and listening to an impromptu concert of classical music on a baby grand piano. I purchased four books since my Nook has recently died on me.

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Feb 01

The Day of Boots Versus Slippers, Fire Alarms, Hamburgers, Grandchildren and Heartache

TJ and LenaWe checked into the Weathervane Inn yesterday, to have a couple of nights sleep on an actual bed instead of air mattresses, to ready us for another drive across this vast country. It was a beautiful comfortable room with a fireplace and jacuzzi.
This morning we woke up to a fairly decent continental breakfast and lots of coffee.
The sun was shining so we decided we would walk across the bridge into Whitehall (the bridge that separates Whitehall and Montague) and check out some of the cute little shops. Also took some beautiful photos, saw a pair of swans on the lake and showed Han the sledding hill.

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Jan 31

A Great Mattress is Magical

Weather VaneWoke up to a flurry of activity. The grand kids are such a joy, even when fighting over the TV. : )
Greg, David and Liam went to Grand Rapids for a gun show.
Jeabet, Lena and Aria also went to Grand Rapids to pick up Phil at the airport.(Jeabet’s dad) He and Greg are driving out with the kids to Washington, so they can take turns driving and it really makes me feel better to know they have extra support as they travel.
We are re-packing “again” and heading over to the Weathervane Inn for three nights.
We really need to sleep in a regular bed, since we have been sleeping on air mattresses for the past 10 days, and some extra relaxation before hitting the road will immensely help.

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