November at home - Nov 13-19

Monday, Nov 13

I was home doing something most of the day.  We had Church Council meeting 5:30 - 7 pm, so I made supper early and left it on the stove for Bill. After supper, I set up for baking bread tomorrow.

Tuesday, Nov 14

This morning the sponge (for bread) did not seem very well developed, so I let it go for a little longer before started.  That may have been due to the cool weather, or to the fact that I haven't used the started in over 3 weeks.  I should have refreshed it last week!  Anyway, the bread was behind schedule, such as it is, all day and wasn't ready to bake until after supper. I still wasn't sure about how it would rise, but it did just fine.  I made 2 rectangles and one round.  I was so tired by the time it came out that I forgot to take a picture.  I am pleased with how the traditional loaf pans (cast iron) are working.

During some of the afternoon down time, I made a connection with Alphonso and Abraham Marquez, who may become involved with the Gospel Justice Center that Pastor Linda and I are exploring.  I also used the time to learn a little more about what might be involved in hosting the Center once a month.  I think that we need to move deliberately and do more investigating before we make a commitment.  It seems like a worthy endeavor, but I don't know how much time I want to give to it.

The collard plant in my garden is still going and I was able to pick enough for supper to go with pan-seared chicken thighs and smashed potatoes.

Wednesday, Nov 15

The Good Samaritan Board met at 9 am, so I was up and out at 8:30 this morning.  The meeting is always productive.  I learned that in addition to being nominated for co-secretary, I am chairing the Policy Committee as well as continue with the Strategic Planning Committee.  Next year will be busy!

Marie C and I had lunch at Little Bangkok at Campbell Station.  Our visits are always good and I am grateful for that continued friendship.  I took him an order of our favorite Singapore Fried Rice for his supper.

Bill and I made another trip to Greer's in Loudon.  I dropped him off and had a short visit with Jim A.  No change. Bill still did not make a decision.

I am having to fill the pond and feeders frequently. I ran out of bird seed today.

Thursday, Nov 16 - Yoga Day

Yoga Day has rolled around again.  Kathy drove us this week because had a lab appointment early this morning.  We had fun as usual and 9 of us went to Sr. Rancho for lunch.

Bill and I had a conversation with Anna S this afternoon.  She had recently shared Jim Whitaker's WWII story with a new friend at Blenheim who is a retired Navy Rear Admiral.  Her friend had encouraged her to submit the document to the Naval Archives.  The conversation sparked my curiosity as I remembered working on the old audio-tape cassette to clean up the sound quality.  I found my recording and was able to convert it to a QT movie and upload to my YouTube channel.  It is an hour long, in Jim's voice.  He kind of rambles telling his story as it was spontaneous rather than carefully planned.  It is a valuable archive nonetheless.

Friday, Nov 17

I went to Food City this morning to get a ham for Sunday Thanksgiving Dinner at Trinity's Meet & Greet.  Bill went to Greer's and bought the chair that he has been thinking about.  He certainly did his due diligence.  We were both home for lunch before I had to go to the dermatologist about a persistent skin inflammation on my neck. I got a new cortisone cream prescription.

Looking out of the window just now I see our resident doe helping herself to a freshly filled bird feeder.  She is why I will have to retire that feeder.  Her young twins are madly dashing up and down the hill just like exuberant youngsters running around excitedly.

Saturday, Nov 19

Cooked the ham, deboned and plated it for tomorrow.  While the ham was cooking, I prepared my Sunday School class lesson, again on the theme of gratitude.  I did odd bits of housekeeping, too.  At 3:30 we went to the Brock's to watch the UT Football game.  Bonnie picked up Subways for our "tail-gate" meal.  We did not expect to beat Georgia and we did not.

Sunday, Nov 20

Our Thanksgiving meal after church was a good success.  All but 8 people who attended worship stayed for the meal. Turkey & dressing provided by Calhoun's.  I did not have any left-over ham to take home.

Amanda got home from UA-Huntsville on Friday night.  Bill went over mid-afternoon for a ping-pong challenge.  We both we back later for fish tacos, sharing vacations pictures and especially catching up with Amanda.

November at home - Nov 8-12

 Wednesday, Nov 8

What a pleasure to wake up at home after two weeks away and after a good nights sleep in our own bed and with familiar routines to follow.  The weather was perfect even if a little warm for November, so I wanted to work outside.  Thursday I would go to yoga, Friday held a promise of rain and Saturday afternoon would be taken up with football, so today was the day garden work.  After some preliminary catching up indoors, and doing a session of yoga with Bill, I was ready to tackle the pond garden right after lunch.  The water irises need to be cut back and other sections trimmed.

As the afternoon warmed, I found that I could work for about 5 minutes and then rest for about 10.  With that routine, I got the work done with a little help from Bill.  I was very pleased!

Work in Progress

Finished for the season and more accessible to our wildlife.  My trusty flamingo keeps guard year-round.

Thursday, Nov 9 - Yoga Day

The day started when Bill spotted a flock of birds at the newly cleared and filled pond.  I identified them as a flock of Cedar Waxwings.  Unfortunately I was not able to get any pictures.  There were about 20 in the flock.  The Waxwings pass through every fall, usually with a group of Robins and seeing them is always a treat. According to the "All About Birds" site at Cornell U, they are year-round in this area, but they are not at my house.

Yoga was fun and challenging andI enjoyed being in the company of friends.  We went to Aubrey's for lunch which I always enjoy.  I had the grilled tuna sandwich with Caesar salad.  Kathy and I had to leave promptly after lunch because I had a dentist appointment.  All went well.

Friday, Nov 10

No rain as we were promised. We are in severe drought conditions and I am continuing to water the garden.  I finally unpacked my clothes and got all the laundry done. I had been putting it off until today.  I hadn't seen Jim A in about 3 weeks, so I went to River Grove, Loudon, for a visit.  He doesn't seem to be doing too well, although nothing specific.  Depression, I think. After the visit, I stopped in Greer's furniture store to see if they might have a sofa I would like.  I actually found one.  I stocked up at the grocery on the way home.  We had Mississippi Fried Catfish for supper.

Saturday, Nov 11

I talked Bill into going to Greer's with me to look at the sofa.  We decided to buy it. He also looked at recliners and found one he liked, but he will do more investigation before making a purchase.

The sofa is light grey, which doesn't show too well in the store light.

The afternoon event was football at the Brock's with Bonnie.  Instead of Subway sandwiches, we had Kathy's Italian beef sandwiches.  Delicious!  We are always glad when Bonnie brings stuffed eggs.  We were too stuffed with all the good stuff for pie.  UT was stuffed by Missouri.

Sunday, Nov 12

My Sunday School lessons are deviating from the lectionary for a 3-week series on gratitude, "Our Hymn of Grateful Praise."  This week's scripture was Psalm 100. Laura came over after lunch for a short visit and walk around Melton Hill with us.

On Our Way Home - Nov 6-7, 2023

 Monday & Tuesday, November 6-7 

Leaving is always bittersweet. We checked out of the condo at 8:30 local time.  The clock in the X-Terra read 10:30 because it had not been adjusted for zone or time-change, so it reflected our time back home.  Our first "beach" stop on Oct 26 had been Joe Patti in Pensacola for seafood.  Our last "beach" stop was Joe Patti to stock up on shrimp.  The price cannot be beat and we will have 10 pounds in the freezer for at least a dozen meals plus some for Kathy, too. The drive through Alabama was thankfully uneventful.  We decided to stay overnight at DeSota Falls State Park, just outside of Ft. Payne, instead of our usual hotel in Gadsden, AL. We were glad we did.  The state park is one of the CCC era, with many original, remodeled structures.  The room was basic but comfortable with a nice little back balcony.  Unfortunately, the restaurant now only serves on weekends, so we had to piece together supper with leftovers and a salad from Zaxby's.

Tuesday morning we didn't try to get an early start, but we didn't have much on-hand for breakfast.  We made-do.  Before leaving the park we took time to visit the falls.  It is a beautiful spot, in some ways like our favorite Fall Creek Falls.  After many weeks of drought, there was barely a trickle of water over coming over.  It must be spectacular in spring when the water is full.  Maybe we'll come back.

At Chattanooga, we took Hwy 27 to return home.  We wanted to eat at a favorite Chinese (traditional) restaurant in Dayton that we discovered when Mike and Laura lived in Hixson and we often traveled that highway.

We made it home by 3 pm, in plenty of time to unpack and settle in before dark. We had enough lunch left-overs to make our supper.

DeSoto Inn Dining Room/Deck

Beautiful view from the deck, but no real sunset views

Lodging as seen from our back deck.  Basic but comfortable.

Bill looking into the basin of the falls

The steps up and down from the parking lot to the top of the falls was decorated with a John Muir quote: 

November 7, Sunset back home

On our way home - Nov 5

Sunday, November 5

Last OB sunset, last beach walk, last sand between the toes.  The last day is given to packing and preparing for the trip back up north, to home, to 1633 Woodlawn Rd, Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee.  It is always a bittersweet day.  This last day was sweetened with a long visit with Deborah Phillips Clifford, one of my best friends since childhood.  She is the reason I went to New Orleans in 1970 where I met Bill at UNO. Our parents were friends, the connections are deep. She and husband George live in Orange Beach and we connect with them whenever possible.  This year George is recovering from hernia surgery, so we didn't get to see him.  George is a Sunflower native, so I don't remember not knowing him. Deborah came to our condo and we caught up on news of family and friends over the course of a couple of hours  She is that friend that no matter how long it has been, our connection is immediate and secure, as if we saw each other just last week.

Before she arrived after lunch, we got most of our stuffed packed.  While she was here, Bill got most of it loaded in the X-terra.

After she left, Bill and went for a last sunset walk on the beach.  With the time change today, sunset was at 5 pm!  We had ample leftovers for supper.

Just the Two of Us _ Nov 4 - Our Anniversary

Saturday, November 4

Just Two of Us - We can make it if we try... 

We have made it 51 years so far!

 I didn't take any pictures on our beach walk this morning, or of any of our meals, or of us sittting on the deck just being the two of us and remembering.  

I didn't take any pictures of our beautiful, delicious dinner at Louisianna Langiappe with glasses of complimentary champagne because it was our anniversary.  I had group, pan-sauteed and topped with lump crabmeat.  Bill has oysters baked with a savory cajun topping.

I was too busy being in the moment.

Just the Two of Us - Nov 2-3

Thursday, November 2

The morning again started too cold and windy for a beach walk.  I had some ripe bananas and everything else on hand for banana bread, so that was my morning project, along with working on this blog, catching up the days that were too full for reflection.

I didn't have a loaf pan, so I baked in a square corningware dish

After lunch, we went for a walk at the Catman Rd Trail just off 180 in Orange Beach.  OBA  offers a number of walking and biking trails, both boardwalks and inland trails.  We walked in and out for a total of 1.5 miles of flat paved walkway.

Catman Rd Trail

For supper, I used the last of the Joe Patti Shrimp to make my favorite Charleston Shrimp Gravy over grits - my version of Shrimp & Grits. It was sooo good!

Shrimp & Grits

For the past few days I have been reading "Sustaining and Disrupting."  I finished it today.  It is has very good lessons for our church as we confront who we will be in the future. Pastor Linda and I have discussed the need to update our vision for Trinity and this book would be very helpful for leaders.  I don't know how many others will be willing to engage in the discussion.  I conceived of the 2030 Project, a visioning and strategic planning project to address the questions of who/what/where do we want to be in 2030 (the vision) and how do we get there (the strategy).

Friday, November 3

The weather is getting better every day.  Today I wanted to go to the park where I've seen the pitcher plants and go again to Fisherman's Corner for lunch.  We left late morning on this quest.  Tarklin Bayou Preserve State Park is less than 15 in Florida, so we headed east.  The Park is known for being the home of four species of endangered pitcher plants as well as other rare and endangered plants.  We enjoyed seeing and photographing the white-topped pitcher plants in the bog midway along the Bayou Trail.  The trail, a combination of pavement and boardwalk was about 1.5 miles in and out. It terminates at the Tarklin Bayou Bay which empties into Perdido Bay.

We were ready for a delicious lunch after our hike and Fisherman's Corner did not disappoint.  I had the Fried Gumbo Salad again and Bill has a Fried Oyster Po-Boy on Gambino Italian Bread, a New Orleans favorite.

The day wasn't done yet! After lunch, we stopped at the Perdido Seafood Market next door and bought 2 pounds of shrimp, most to eat and some for bait.  We also got a loaf of Gambino bread.  

Back at the condo, the afternoon was perfect for the beach - not too hot, not too windy, just right!  About 4:30 we carried a couple of chairs and fishing gear down to the beach.  We stayed until sunset. Not much happened at first, but finally, Bill got some bites and caught a double of whiting.  (He was using a double hook surf rig).  A little later he got a big bite, but lost it right at the edge of the surf before we got a good look.  It was probably a sting-ray.  

It was a lovely day, start to finish!  At the end is my beach poem for today.

I am much happier than I look!

The Next One

Fisherman and Farmer
Hope and expectation
For the next cast
For the next crop
For the next big one
that won't get away

Hope and expectation

Just the Two of Us - Oct 31 - Nov 1

 Tuesday, Oct 31

Trisha had packed everything while were we at the museum on Monday.  David was up by 6 to pack the car.  The family pulled away at 6:30 am and made it home around 5 pm.  

It was a cold and windy day so we didn't even leave the condo.  We spent the day with housecleaning (minor), laundry, reading and resting.  I started reading the book "Sustaining While Disrupting - The Challenge of Congregational Innovation," written by F. Douglas Powe, Jr. and Lovett H. Weems, Jr.  Pastor Linda preached from this a couple of weeks ago and I was intrigued.  It could potentially be a valuable resource for us at Trinity.

Lunch was left-over tacos.  For supper, I pan-sauteed a flounder fillet and make a sauce of the small amount of leftover Shrimp Alfredo, served over reheated pasta.  A salad completed our left-over meal.  While here, Owen had a lot of Latin homework to catch up.  I learned that the Latin word reliquary means remains or that left behind.   So we had a reliquary meal!  Since our days will be quieter with no grandchildren to record, I will resort to posting more meal photos. 

Wednesday, Nov 1

We faced another chilly and very windy day, not suitable for even walking on the beach, although a few intrepid beachcombers made the effort.  After a quiet morning we went shopping in the afternoon.  We drove to the Bookstore in Gulf Shores (no purchase) and on to the outlet mall in Foley.  I usually like to check out the Vanity Fair outlet.  Unfortunately, it is not more and the store sells on Wrangler and Lee. I didn't buy anything there, either.  We drove back through Gulf Shores and along the beach road.  It looked very nice out, but remained very windy and cool.  Last stop was Rouse's market in Orange Beach.  That is now our go-to grocery - nicer than Walmart and not as pricey as Publix.  Supper was another reliquary meal - left-overs of hamburger steak, mashed potatoes and broccoli with the addition of brown gravy.  

Satisfying comfort food for a chilly night.

We can't see a full sunset from the condo deck, but still get a beautiful evening sky.

Grands Galore - Oct 30

 Monday, October 30

We started the day as usual with a trek to the beach.  We didn't start as early today, though.  Nevertheless, I did catch the sunrise!  After beach and pool time and another remora (sharksucker) we had an early lunch and David and I took the kids to the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola.  We do that almost every year.  John is old enough now to enjoy the experience.  All the kids had a good time.  I've been many times and I always enjoy it.  We were back mid-afternoon with plenty of time left for beach-going.  People sometimes ask what all we do when we come down here.  The answer is simple: go to the beach and sometimes fish. Occasionally, we even catch a fish or two.  On this trip we haven't caught many.  A couple of remora, a few whiting and a couple of jacks.  And of course, the big one that got away!  Sunday night supper was hamburger steaks, twice-baked mashed potatoes and broccoli.  It is not what I consider a beach meal, but everyone enjoyed it and Bill and I will get to enjoy it again in a day or two.

Morning:

As the days went by, the kids got braver in the water, but not too daring.

Lots of time and energy was devoted to making the elaborate "boxes" or "rooms."

Mid-day:  Pensacola Naval Air Museum

The museum has added two large movie theater size screens near the entrance that show a fighter jet flying in over Pensacola sound on approach and another showing the take-off and landing of the plane.  Photo opp!

It is tradition and mandatory to take a picture underneath the "shark plane."

Blue Angels up close.  We had a real formation fly-by at the beach this morning!

Owen and John trying the controls.  I don't they missed a single plane cockpit that was open for climbing.

Allison and Evangeline were equally enthusiastic about climbing aboard.

Afternoon:

Last time at the beach and another fish on the line.

David had lots of help reeling it in.

Another remora!  We had lots of fun, but no significant fish were caught.  Not for lack of trying, though.