Thursday Thirteen

It was 30 years ago that my husband and I said our "I dos" and he and I became "us." Thirty years is a long time. Our anniversary is this coming Monday.

I wanted to share this with my Thursday Thirteen readers, so I hope you will forgive me for this once-in-a-lifetime indulge me as I offer up photos of my wedding. It took place on Friday, November 18, 1983, at 7:30 p.m. I'm afraid that instead of 13 photos there will be 26. Also, some of the photos have little spots on them from dust from scanning.

My wedding invitation.



Napkin.

My colors were silver and purple. I wore an ivory wedding gown; my bridesmaids were in purple (and we all wore hats as I refused to wear a veil). My husband and his entourage wore silver tuxedos.

 

I had more than 150 people at my wedding. It was huge.

 

My maid of honor putting the garter on my leg.

 

 

Final preparations for the big day.

My mother-in-law (left) and my mother (right). 

My bridesmaids, from left: Revonda, Robin, and Jennifer (my husband's sister). 

 

My husband's father was his best man. This is an especially poignant photo for me since my father-in-law passed away in 2010.

 

From left: My father-in-law, my soon-to-be husband, and the minister, John Mason.

 

 

Ushers Alan and Michael (my husband's cousins).

Me and my father.

My cousin Michelle, who served as my flower girl.

My brother, Loren, who sang at our wedding. My husband's close friend, Chris, played the guitar. 

My future mother-in-law being escorted to her seat by Alan. 

The main event begins. 

 

I insisted on a unity candle even though neither of our religions really called for such a thing. Our wedding was rather eclectic; I pulled what I liked from various services and we wrote our own vows.

 

 

Introducing the Mr. and Mrs. 

 

 

The wedding party

 

 

Another sentimental photo: the grandmothers.

 

 

At the reception with the cake.

 

 

I dared him to smash it in my face; he didn't!

 

We drank from a traditional silver wedding cup sent to us by a relative in Germany.

 

 

My husband tossed the garter to the unmarried men.

And I threw the bouquet to the unmarried young women.

 

Meanwhile, this is what they did to my car.

 

 

The newlyweds leave the reception in a barrage of rice. Little did the mischief-makers know, we had never planned to take my car. We left in my mother's.

This is how I remember my parents and brother when I think of them. My mother, who passed away in 2000, and my father still young and handsome, and my brother, just growing into manhood.


Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 319th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

Bovinely Autumn

Books: Chesapeake Blue

Chesapeake Blue
By Nora Roberts
Copyright 2002
Read by James Daniels
9 hours
Unabridged


This is book 4 in Nora Roberts Chesapeake series. I didn't know it was a part of a series when I picked up the audiobook, but no matter. The book stands alone as it is.

Seth Quinn is a famous artist who returns to his home in St. Christopher, located somewhere along the Chesapeake Bay. Seth has a troubled past, thanks to an abusive mother who essentially sold him to his grandfather so he could take the boy away from terrible circumstances.

At home, Seth discovers that Dru Whitcomb Banks, granddaughter of a famous senator and all that goes along with that, has escaped from Washington DC and opened up a flower shop in his hometown. She has troubles of her own, though nothing as bad as Seth's.

Dru doesn't love or trust easily, and Seth's past has left him a target for blackmail, something he keeps a secret. Can these two find love amidst all of this stuff?

That's the premise of the book, and one that Roberts readers will enjoy.

Veterans Day

Provide for the common defense

 

 

Secure the blessings of liberty

 

 

Make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

 

 

the right of the people peaceably to assemble

 

 

the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial

 

 

Article IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

 

 

to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

 

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

 

 

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

 

 

The above words are from the Constitution of the United States.

 

Happy Veterans Day

That's Interesting

The What's What Meme

From Sunday Stealing


Q. What is on your bed right now?

A. My favorite set of sheets, a blanket, and a bedspread. I don't use comforters as they will not stay on the bed and I hate chasing after the covers.

Q. What’s your favorite word or phrase?

A. I say "That's interesting" a great deal, either to elicit more commentary or because I have no idea what someone is talking about. It works for both. Some of my favorite words are chagrin, snickerdoodle (which is a type of cookie), and hasenpfeffer (pronounced hossenfeffer). I don't like to eat hasenpfeffer, it's a code word in my household.

Q. What is the best ice cream flavor?

A. I don't think hot fudge Sundae is a flavor but that would be my favorite. I haven't had it since I was 12, so ... 38 years.

Q. Did you wake up smiling this morning?


A. I woke up screaming, actually. I've been having night terrors lately. I think it's caused by a new medication I'm on.

Q. Is there something in your life you used to have, and now miss?

A. Yes. I used to have one and at the moment I do not.

Q. What major company would you like to work for?

A. None of them, really. But if I must pick one, then I would like to be a bestselling author for a major publishing company.

Q. What time do you wake up on a typical morning?

A. My alarm is set for 6 a.m.

Q. What holiday makes you sad?

A. What's to be sad about, it's just another day.

Q. Where does a good night’s sleep rank on your priorities?

A. Very, very high.

Q. One song that makes you cry?

A. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night), by Don McLean. Here's a link to it on youtube.

Q. How old was your mom when she had you?

A. She was 18 years old when I was born and she was 56 years old when she passed away.

Q. When is the last time you went to the beach?

A. October of last year.

Q. What is the most random object around you?

A. Geez, my whole home office is kind of random. I have a used yogurt cup and a spoon in front of me (my Saturday night dinner). Does that work?

Q. What is your favorite sushi?

A. The cooked kind. I don't eat sushi. Actually I don't eat fish; I've developed an allergy to shellfish and have stopped eating all fish as a precaution.

Q. What food do you find disgusting?

A. Sushi!

Q. If you could have any type of dog in the world, what would it be?

A. A teacup poodle, provided there was some way to make a hypoallergenic model.

Q. What was the last meal that you made for yourself?

A. I fixed a really mean pot roast for my husband and me, along with some Basmati jasmine rice and peas.

Q. Is the hard drive on your computer full or getting close to being full?

A. No. It's only about 1/3 full.

Q. Are there any songs that you prefer the acoustic version over the regular version?

A. Not that I can think of it. I like the acoustic versions of most any song if it well done. But I like the usual sounds, too.

His Shy Smile

Don't worry, my fellow and I of 30 years are doing all right! No Potential New Boyfriends for me!

Saturday 9: Potential New Boyfriend

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here. 

1) In this song, Dolly Parton locks eyes with a definite maybe. What's the first thing that attracts you to a potential new boyfriend or girlfriend? If you're currently in a relationship, what first attracted you to your partner?

Me with my husband of
30 years. Isn't he
adorable?

A. The first thing that attracted me to my husband was his shy smile and brilliant blue eyes. Then we started talking and I loved his intelligence.

2) When Dolly was still a very young girl, she met Johnny Cash, who told her to follow her instincts and pursue a music career. Obviously this worked out very well for her. What's the best advice you ever received?

A. To pursue my four-year degree at Hollins College, now Hollins University. I received my BA there in 1993 and my MA in 2012. Had anyone told me to marry my husband, that would have been number one, but no one did. I made that decision on my own.

My Hollins Bear
with my 2012 MA
announcement

3) Dolly enjoys telling interviewers how she met her husband at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Do you have a load of dirty clothes, or some other household chore, waiting for you after you finish this week's Saturday 9?

A. I always have laundry waiting on me. To be two people, we go through a pile of clothes. And housework never ends, you know.

4) Dolly's Imagination Library is a charity devoted to children's literacy. What book did you enjoy as a kid? Or, if you're a parent, what book did you enjoy sharing with your own children?




A. I loved every book I read, I think, but one of my favorites was Miss Osborne the Mop by Wilson Gage. I bet you never heard of it. Apparently it is out of print.

5) Dolly's theme park, Dollywood, is a very popular vacation destination. When you have time off, would you rather travel or have friends/relatives visit you?

A. I would rather have visitors so long as they stay in a motel. It would have been the other way around before the bedbugs returned. Now I'm so terrified of bringing those back home that I tend to just ... stay home.

6) Dolly is godmother to Miley Cyrus. If you could advise Miley, what would you say?

A. Grow up. Go to college. Keep your clothes on. You ain't no Madonna.

7) Dolly has earned a reputation for being very warm and friendly to the public. Have you ever had a celebrity encounter?

VA Senator and former
governor Tim Kaine speaking
with Hollins U. President
Nancy Gray

A. I don't know if politicians count, but I've met several of the governors of Virginia (Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (now also state senators), Bob McDonnell, Doug Wilder) during the course of my work as a news reporter. I've met some prominent writers, too - Lee Smith being the most famous one who comes to mind. I also know several local television celebrities, local artists, and local writers, but that's about it.


8) As you can see by the photo, this song was originally released on vinyl. Do you still have any old-school LPs or 45s?

A. Yes. I still have all of my LPs. Even Captain and Tennille. My husband has all of his Rolling Stones albums. But we have nothing to play them on.

9) Sam simply cannot stand Dish TV's Hopper commercial, where hysterical grown men hide under the bed and up in a tree house because they're afraid of ... something. What commercial just bugs the beejeesus out of you?

A. All of them.

Sunrise, November 3 (Rare Eclipse)

I attempted to capture the eclipse on the morning of November 3, but I had no solar filters and the photos I took do not show the actual event. We also had cloud cover.

We went up to Uncle Bill's to take these pictures, as there is a better view of the sunrise from his house. (I was dressed in my nightie, mud boots, and an overcoat. It was chilly!)

They are pretty photos, even if they didn't catch the eclipse.

 

Predawn.

 

Dawn.

 

The sun still hasn't risen.

That's the Peaks of Otter. 

The sun is just coming over the rise; it's that bright orange behind the trees there just to the left of the middle.

 

There's the sun! 

Ol' Helios took his time rising. 

 

And of course he was lifting up straight into the clouds.

 

The eclipse apparently was nearly over when I took these shots around 7 a.m.

 

This one is my favorite.

There may be a bit of the eclipse in this one but it is hard to tell.

Thursday Thirteen

1. Why can you not return technological items (cameras, iPods, whatever) back to their original packaging so that it looks just like it did when you opened the box?

2. Would you rather play a game with someone who is more talented than you, or someone who is less talented? Would it matter if anyone else was watching?

3. Is there something you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?

4. Why do we yell?

5. When you try something new, does the fact that you've never done it before increase its appeal or decrease it? How does it affect your anxiety levels? Does it depend on its importance?

6. If you knew that you would completely recover, would you accept a year of paralysis below the neck in order to save an endangered species?

7. Why is it so hard to say no? Do you have trouble saying no?

8. Why do we lose things? How often do you have to look for your keys, glasses, etc. (I bet few people misplace those smartphones.)

9. Why do things have to be either/or? Can't we have both? Do we always need both?

10. If you could get rid of your memories, would you do it? What if you could be selective about it?

11. What would you do if you could do anything you wanted?

12. How would you like to spend the last three months of your life?

13. Would you risk your life for somebody else? Would it depend on who it was?



Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 317th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

Open Studios: Dreama Kattenbraker

The Open Studios Botetourt Tour for 2013 had 11 stops on it, but unfortunately I only made it to a third of those. But I am very pleased to show you Dreama Kattenbraker's artistic creations.

Dreama moved to Fincastle about nine years ago and I have been so happy to make her acquaintance. I enjoy her whimsical artwork - but don't be fooled. There are vital and intriguing messages inside these beautiful pieces.

Her work even adorns her outbuildings!

Her studio, which is inside her home, was rather like a Dreama Kattenbraker fairy land, filled with her lovely pieces.

She makes wonderful images of women doing interesting and fantastical things.

I will leave you to your own interpretation of her art.

Isn't the above pretty? I love how she mixes words with her creations.

I adore the fantastical nature of these pieces.

Isn't this lovely? Kitty lovers should be thrilled with this one!

And here is the artist herself, my dear friend.

Open Studios: Ed Bordett

Ed Bordett is one of Fincastle's wonderful artists whose studio I visited during the recent Open Studios event (October 26 & 27). I have known Ed for a long time and have a lot of respect for his work.

I almost bought the painting below:

Now take a look at this shot from Godwin Cemetery that I took on the same day I saw this painting:

Pretty cool, huh? Ed's painting was done, I think, before so many trees grew up. I remember the view being more like the painting than my photo.

Anyway, here is Ed's picture of a cow:

And another of a city scene:

And here is the master artist himself, Ed Bordett.

I really liked this picture below. I think it is beautiful in its simplicity of subject matter.

Ed's shop is located in the heart of Fincastle, on Main Street next to the drug store. Check him out for some local art for the holidays!

Open Studios: Bret LeGue

This artist was new to me on the Open Studios tour, which took place October 26 & 27. His studio is in with Ed Bordett's.

LeGue paints in acrylics and he likes cows. His website is here.

Changing All the Clocks

From Sunday Stealing


1) Do you think Daylight Saving Time is still necessary?

A. Probably not. Kids don't play outside anymore, or even ride the school bus. They stay inside on their Xbox and Mom takes them to school. But maybe it meets some need that I am not aware of.
 
2) How long does it take you to adjust to the time change?

A. A day or two, though I have noticed as I get older that it seems to take a little longer.



We received this clock as a wedding
gift 30 years ago.

3) What's the hardest part of the time change?

A. Changing all the clocks.
 
4) How many clocks are in your house?

A. Three in my office, three in the bedroom, four in the great room, and then there's the stove and microwave clocks, too. So ... twelve, not counting our two wrist watches. I really like clocks. Oh, wait, I forgot the cuckoo clock, so 13 clocks in our tiny little house.

My friend gave me this clock.

 
5) Are you generally early, late, or on time?

A. I am either a little early or on time.
 
6) If an invitation to an event listed the time as 8-11pm, what time would you arrive?

A. No later than 8:05 p.m. But I would not stay until 11 p.m., either.
 


The Alice that came with
my very first watch.
Alas, I don't have the
watch anymore. It had
a blue band.

7) Do you wear a watch?

A. Yes. I am naked without it. I have worn one almost every day for more than 40 years. My favorites were a Waltham that had the moon and stars on it, and my Alice in Wonderland watch that was my very first watch. I prefer a watch in both silver and gold with a stretch band. My current watch is a Timex, and I like a dial face and not digital.
 
8) Have you ever glanced at the time and had to glance again because you didn't pay attention the first time?

A. Well, of course.
 

My cuckoo clock.

9) Are most of your clocks digital or dial?

A. About half and half.
 
10) What does your alarm clock sound like?

A. I wake up to the local adult contemporary radio station.
 
11) Do you use the snooze feature on your alarm clock?

A. On occasion. But not generally.
 

My newest clock, an antique I bought
at the estate auction of my
husband's aunt, Ginny.

12) Does clock ticking drive you nuts?

A. No. I like the sound of it and find it comforting.

Saturday 9: Twilight Zone

Saturday 9: Twilight Zone

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here.

1) This is one of the first songs to see a bump in sales after its video was shown on MTV. Do you ever watch music videos?

A. I used to when they actually showed music videos. I was a big fan of VH1 in the early to mid 1990s.

2) Golden Earring is from the Netherlands. The average life expectancy there is 79 years old. Who is the oldest person you know?

A. Probably Joe Johnson at present, who is in his 90s, but I had a great-great aunt who died about five years ago at the age of 107! She was born in 1900 and died in 2007; she saw the entire 20th century! Her name was Pearl. She was my great-grandfather's sister on my mother's maternal side of the family.

3) The song's composer says the song and especially the video were inspired by the 1980 book, The Bourne Identity. The espionage thriller was finally made into a movie with Matt Damon in 2002. Do you have a favorite secret agent/spy?

A. I was always very fond of Nancy Drew when I was growing up. These days I like Sue Grafton's books about Kinsey Millhone and I like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.  As for TV, I was a big fan of Charlie's Angels (the original) and Cagney and Lacey.

4) The song's title comes from The Twilight Zone TV show, which ran from 1959 to 1964. Are there any old shows that you enjoy watching in reruns?

A. I like to watch The Golden Girls, Andy Griffith, Frasier, and The Big Bang Theory, which is not old but has been around long enough to almost qualify. I also like to watch Little House on the Prairie, JAG, and The Waltons.

5) "All guys cheat on their girlfriends, so yeah, I forgive him." Sam heard a young woman say that into her phone as they waited in line at the drugstore. While Sam is always surprised by how much personal information people share in the public, that's not what we're concentrating on this morning. Do you think that it's true? Do all guys cheat on their girlfriends?

A. No, they do not all cheat, and if a man cheats the woman should dump him and run far, far away, especially if they are in the girlfriend/boyfriend stage. If they're married (or common law live-ins) then there must be some exploration to see if there is something salvageable, but if those ties that bind are missing, then see you later, you cheating-ass alligator.

6) Whenever Sam goes to the grocery store she picks up Snausages  because her dog looks at her with sad eyes when she tries to reward him anything else. What product has your brand loyalty?

A. Charmin bathroom tissue. Yes, I know, it is toilet paper. But it very, very important and the thing I most worry about running out of.

7) Do you have a piggy bank or a coin jar?

A. I do, yes. Except it is shaped like a fireman, not a piggy.

8) Sam knows that she's always supposed to wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days, but she sometimes forgets. What do you know you should do, but sometimes don't?

A. I know I am supposed to not eat chocolate but I do, which is the opposite of the question, isn't it. I know I should exercise 30 minutes every day, but I sometimes don't. Lately I've been too ill to manage it.

9) Retailers report that sales of Halloween costumes for grown-ups are strong. Since Halloween was earlier this week and there will be parties this weekend ... What's your costume for Halloween 2013?  If you aren't dressing up this year, tell us about one of your favorite outfits from a Halloween gone by.

A. I am not dressing up. I guess my favorite costume when I was a child was the year I dressed as a hobo. But my favorite Halloween memory is the one where I was trick-or-treating and a witch answered the door. "Won't you come in, my dear, I have goodies for good little children," she said. And I held out my bag and said politely, "No thank you, my mother told me not to go into the homes of strangers."