Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

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Our World: Opryland’s Nativity Scene

January 6, 2014
Scripture at the Opryland's Nativity Scene. December 19, 2013.

Scripture at the Opryland’s Nativity Scene. December 19, 2013.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Yesterday was the last of the twelve days of Christmas, but today is the Day of Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Wise Men to the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.  So I think one more Christmas-themed  post is appropriate.

Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem. Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. December 19, 2013.

Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem. Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. December 19, 2013.

On December 19 Betsy and I visited the Opryland Hotel in Nashville with my daughter Kelly and her husband Chuck.  One of the attractions at the hotel this time of year is a Nativity Scene with life-sized figurines.

Wise men, angels and shepherds gathered around the manger. Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. December 19, 2013.

Wise men, angels and shepherds gathered around the manger. Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. December 19, 2013.

When we first saw this display many years ago, it was set up in a courtyard between two wings of the hotel.  Now it’s set up in front of the hotel.  While that gave more room for a large stable and manger, it definitely tied up traffic.  Fortunately there were officers to direct traffic.

Another look at the manger. Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. December 19, 2013.

Another look at the manger. Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. December 19, 2013.

If you’re ever in Nashville during the holiday season, I think you’ll enjoy seeing the Opryland Hotel, especially at night.

There are many other beautiful decorations at the hotel, but I’ll probably save those for another holiday season.

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Posted in American Life | 20 Comments »

Our World: Fried Turkey

December 16, 2013
Bob injecting Cajun marinade into turkey breasts, Palm Harbor, Florida. November 28, 2013.

Bob injecting Cajun marinade into turkey breasts, Palm Harbor, Florida. November 28, 2013.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them).

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

My son Robert and his family planned to come to Tennessee for Thanksgiving, but when their plans changed Betsy and I travelled down to Florida to have Thanksgiving with them.  One advantage of making the trip was that Robert agreed to make some of his fried turkey for us, a treat that neither Betsy nor I had had before.

The process started with Robert injecting some Cajun marinade into two turkey breasts and a whole turkey (he must have thought we were hungry!).

Robert and Darron putting turkey breasts into the fryer. November 28, 2013.

Robert and Darron putting turkey breasts into the fryer. November 28, 2013.

The turkey breasts then went into the fryer with the help of a friend.  While these two played around fixing dinner, I worked hard as the official photographer.

Turkey as it came out of the fryer, Palm Harbor, Florida. November 28, 2013.

Turkey as it came out of the fryer, Palm Harbor, Florida. November 28, 2013.

The turkey was fried after the breasts were done, and it came out of the fryer a beautiful golden brown.

Thanksgiving dinner, November 28, 2013.

Thanksgiving dinner, November 28, 2013.

While we were busy slaving away outside with the fryer, Melissa was busy in the kitchen.  The result of all this work was a feast fit for a king.

Robert's pumpkin cheesecake with caramel topping. Palm Harbor, Florida. November 28, 2013.

Robert’s pumpkin cheesecake with caramel topping. Palm Harbor, Florida. November 28, 2013.

Robert topped this delicious Thanksgiving dinner with a marvelous homemade pumpkin cheesecake and caramel topping.

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Posted in Our World | 16 Comments »

Happy Birthday, USA

July 4, 2012

The room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them once or twice.)

It was 236 years ago that an amazing idea was put into words and a new experiment in governance was begun.

… We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in the room shown above in Independence Hall, Philadelphia.  If you look closely you can see Benjamin Franklin’s walking stick on the table on the right.

‘Militiamen’ firing a salvo, Williamsburg, Virginia. June 22, 2007.

In the war that followed American militiamen took on Europe’s strongest army.  For several years the Americans lost more battles than they won, but they persisted.

Fife and drum corp, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Finally, in 1781, a British army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia.  For all practical purposes that ended the war.  ‘Yankee Doodle’ had won.

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The experiment continues to this day.  The nation hasn’t always lived up to the ideals expressed all those years ago, but it does keep striving toward the goal.

Fireworks, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. July 4, 2010.

Happy Birthday, USA!

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Posted in American Life | 15 Comments »

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

December 23, 2011

Our Christmas Tree, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. December 25, 2009.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them once or twice.)

Betsy and I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year.  We hope that Santa is good to you, and all of your memories are happy ones.  We’ll see you in 2012.

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Posted in American Life | 15 Comments »

Our World: Christmas Lights

December 20, 2011

Pigeon Forge Holiday Inn, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. December 11, 2011.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)
This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Earlier this month Betsy and I went to the Smokies and, after enjoying a day in the mountains, we met our friends Judy and Charlie for dinner and then a tour of the Christmas lights in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Some of the lights were very straightforward and welcoming, letting us know exactly where we were.

The Old Mill in Lights, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. December 11, 2011.

We spotted an old watermill up on a mountainside.  There were even trees and a stream in lights.

Hickory Dickery Dock, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. December 11, 2011.

Other displays were more fanciful.  We spotted mice running down a clock,

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, PIgeon Forge, Tennessee. December 11, 2011.

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, PIgeon Forge, Tennessee. December 11, 2011.

and a cow jumping over the moon.

Christmas Tree, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. December 11, 2011.

But in many ways the prettiest lights were on a traditional Christmas tree.

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Posted in Our World | 18 Comments »

Happy Fourth of July

July 4, 2011

The room in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Does the Fourth of July mean anything more than picnics, fireworks, and a day off work?  I have to admit that I sometimes wonder.  Now don’t get me wrong — I enjoy a picnic as much as anyone, and I absolutely loved a day off from work before I retired.  But even then there was something special about the Fourth of July.

This day commemorates the day when The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia in 1776.  The Declaration, containing the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”, is one of the most profound documents in history.

It used to be that most people felt this was a pretty special country.  We learned the history of our country — the people and places.  We said the Pledge of Allegiance in school, and the Star-Spangled Banner was played at school events.  We also learned how the song came to be written.  We learned the text of the Gettysburg Address, and knew the words to “My Country Tis of Thee”, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and “America the Beautiful”.

I grew up on a farm outside a small town in Indiana.  Almost everyone in the area turned out for the Fourth of July parade, and the program before the fireworks display.  The fireworks themselves almost always included a representation of the Liberty Bell or the American flag.  We all felt we were a part of something very special.

The title of this blog is “Senior Moments”, and I’m getting more senior with each passing day.  I guess I’m rapidly becoming a curmudgeon.  If so, please forgive me.  I only wish my grandchildren realize that they, too, are part of a very special country.

I hope you all have a very wonderful — and happy — Fourth of July.

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Posted in History | 8 Comments »

Memorial Day

May 30, 2011

The flag in our front yard, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. June 13, 2010.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  There are many stories about the beginnings of Memorial Day and it is hard to say where it actually began.  Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The first state to officially recognize Memorial Day was New York in 1873.  By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states.  The South refused to acknowledge the holiday until after World War I (when the holiday was changed from honoring just those who died fighting the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).  In 1971 the official date of Memorial Day was set by act of Congress as the last Monday in May.

For most Americans Memorial Day is celebrated as the unofficial start of summer.  The original meaning of the day has almost been forgotten.  But please, as you enjoy the holiday, take a moment to remember those who made it possible for us to enjoy it.

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Posted in American Life | 13 Comments »

Happy Thanksgiving

November 24, 2010

At this time of Thanksgiving, Betsy and I have so very much for which to be thankful.  I’ve pictured just a few of them in the collage above.

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Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

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Betsy and I hope all of you have a happy, blessed and safe Thanksgiving.

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Posted in American Life | 22 Comments »

Fireworks at the Glade

July 6, 2010

The start of the fireworks display. Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. July 4, 2010.

This is my post for the My World meme.  It is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, and Fishing Guy.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Fairfield Glade is an interesting community.  Most of the full-time residents are retired, but it is also a time-share resort with plenty of visitors in the summer.  The Fourth of July is a big celebration for both groups.  People here on vacation like to find things other than golf and the visiting grandchildren of residents need to be entertained.

For a relatively small community the Glade puts on a pretty good fireworks display.  I couldn’t resist the temptation to join residents and visitors at the Druid Hills club house to see the show.  All of these pictures were taken Sunday night.  I learned some things about my camera while taking these, so hopefully I’ll do better next year.

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Posted in American Life | 18 Comments »

A New Year Is Dawning

December 31, 2009

Sunrise on Mount Nebo, Arkansas. December 4, 2008.

It’s hard to believe that 2009 is drawing to a close.  It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating the new year, watching football on TV, and eating Betsy’s special Hoppin’ John, a New Year’s Day tradition at our house.  Now we’re getting ready to do it all over again.

Life certainly didn’t slow down in 2009.  We seemed to have more projects in our yard rather than fewer.  (I wonder if we’ll ever get it looking the way we want it to?).  Sometimes the work was downright hard, but it became worthwhile when we could see new roses for the first time or enjoy old favorites again.  The other flowers didn’t seem to cause as much work, but they sure brought a lot of enjoyment as well.

We managed to enjoy our families in 2009.  We were able to see four of the five children in person, along with their children.  We didn’t make it out to Las Vegas, but we were able to virtually visit thanks to phone calls, text messages and video calls.  Our faithful Prius took us to Hendersonville every other week (sometimes more often than that) to help my folks.  That involved a lot of miles, but my parents appreciate each and every trip we make.

We managed to get in some waterfall trips.  We ‘discovered’ Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia and fell in love with the waterfalls and the trails.  We enjoyed our first trip in June so much that we went back in October.  We also visited new waterfalls in Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.  We revisited some old favorites in each of those places as well.

We also got to do quite a bit of virtual traveling through all the wonderful people we have met in the blogosphere.  I can’t begin to tell you how much we have appreciated your visits to our blogs and how very much we have enjoyed visiting with each and every one of you.

What will 2010 bring?  I don’t know.  But if it’s anything like 2009 it definitely will NOT be boring.

We’re going to Hendersonville bright and early this morning (Thursday).  We want to help the folks finish up a few year-end details and get the new year off to a good start.  I’ll try to visit you as I get a connection, but I don’t expect to post myself until Monday morning.

So until then let me wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year!

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Posted in American Life | 18 Comments »

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