September Whirlwind

Trying to keep a positive mindset each day

 Bead and string spree

 NACC Jazz Band reunion in honor of Dr. Knox was amazing. We both have so many good memories of that time of our lives.

Hot hubby and Tele

Jack's wife Lillian

Gigging like crazy. Heath playing dobro for Dad's bluegrass band Stillwater at the Lumberyard.

Stop whispering, Start shouting

Winston Ramble

Heath started playing dobro for Winston Ramble a few weeks ago. It has been a fun experience so far, and I am looking forward to seeing what these guys accomplish in the future.

The set-up at a barn party in Cullman.

Beautiful vibes on a damp night in the pasturelands.

People were really digging the music. We had an amazing night on July 18.

Blurry close-up.

The band playing at Moe's BBQ in Birmingham.

Us after the gig on July 25.

WR Fan Club

Heath makes magic music with this thing.

Happy birthday to both of my grandparents

I painted some 4x6-inch watercolor postcards with a note on the back as a little birthday gift for my precious grandparents. Their party is tomorrow.

Grandaddy's card

 Grandmother's card

DeSoto Falls 7-5-14

It was exhilarating to drink the wild air all afternoon with our sister and brother.

We climbed down to the shore and swam across this lake...

...To sit on the rocks underneath this waterfall.

Reading Spree

I picked out three incredible books at the library three weeks ago, and I can't believe I am finished reading all of them before time to turn them back in. Usually, I will borrow three at a time, and I am lucky to finish just one of them. Maybe I can ready even more next month, because finishing a great book is a good feeling. I believe it expands your imagination, and also helps you to unwind and escape from reality.  I would definitely recommend the following four books in the adult fiction genre.

The Sky Unwashed by Irene Zabytko

This novel is a fictional story set during a true moment in history- April 1986 when the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred. It is about the devastation and separation of one family and community, and how they make peace with everything in the end. It is also revealing about the ways of the communist Soviet Union.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

This novel tells the story of a twenty-something woman heading West for a new life, and while in the Great Plains a stranger asks her to accept guardianship of a Native American toddler. The young traveler, Taylor, unofficially adopts the child, Turtle, and this is the story of their determined survival with the help of several genuine characters who form a diverse community.

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

This quick-read novel takes place over a 24-hour period in the early 1960s. It is about a couple's first honeymoon night that does not turn out as hoped or expected. However, during this one day, the two characters recall their courtship period and their families' histories that led up to this day.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

I actually read this book back in April on a four-day trip to the beach. This novel is about two scientists, a husband and wife, who raise their son and daughter alongside an ape, as if she were human, for a science experiment. The human daughter, Rosemary, especially has issues from this odd family situation. The novel is set mostly during her college years with childhood flashbacks, and then briefly reveals what happens with the rest of her life.

My Vinyl Collection: Most Frequently Played

I have never counted them, but I know we have hundreds of vinyl records in our collection. We have always enjoyed digging through bins for hours at thrift stores, antique stores, and used music stores to find those hidden jewels. I picked 14 records that I always seem to favor over the others. These are my most frequently played vinyl records. They make me feel good.

Ry Cooder: Paradise and Lunch (1974)

"Jesus is on that main line. Tell him what you want. Call him up!"

"True love can be such a sweet harmony if you do the best that you can."

I find this album uplifting and comforting.

Pink Floyd: Obscured by Clouds (1972)

This was a gift from Heath. This album stirs up my imagination with spacey and tribal vibes, and all songs are equally good. Good music for mystical and wonderful nights. It is the soundtrack to the offbeat French movie "La Vallee," which I also love.

The Byrds: Ballad of Easy Rider (1969)

This is also a movie soundtrack to one of my favorite movies starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson. Perfect music for daydreaming about a road trip to California. This album was a constant companion to me during my last year in college. Favorite songs include the title song, Oil in My Lamp, and It's All Over Now Baby Blue.

Ryan Adams and The Cardinals: Jacksonville City Nights (2005)

A double vinyl treasure. I bought this brand new at Oz Music in Tuscaloosa. A good time to listen to this album is when you need to simplify your complicated feelings about life. Perfect amount of folk and twang. Favorite songs are Trains, A Kiss Before I Go, The Hardest Part, and Peaceful Valley. "Lord take me home to the peaceful valley down the winding river to your city your soul."

Stevie Wonder: Inner Visions (1973)

This was a souvenir from a family trip to New York City at Bleecker Street Records. I love Stevie's Moog sounds. So many spiritual songs. So much groove and funk. Stevie provided the soundtrack for the very first few weeks Heath and I spent together.

Tom Petty: Damn the Torpedos (1979)

This is a positively upbeat, clean-the-house-in-an-hour, do-something-productive record. Bold and to-the-point. Favorite songs are Here Comes My Girl, Shadow of a Doubt, and Don't Do Me Like That.

Graham Nash David Crosby: self-titled (1972)

I listened to this album often after college when feeling reflective and somewhat apprehensive, wondering what the next few years would hold. 

Favorite song is Southbound Train. 

The Faces: Ooh La La (1972)

What an amazing piece of art. Listening to this album reminds me of many different happy memories. My favorite songs are Fly in the Ointment, If I'm on the Late Side, Glad and Sorry, 

and of course Ooh La La.

The Rolling Stones: Let It Bleed (1969)

This is the first vinyl I ever bought, which is right after I got a vinyl player. It was a happy time of finding a new group of friends, and leaving another group of so-called friends behind. 

I felt free. 

"This record should be played loud" is printed on the inside label, which is totally true.

Favorite songs are Gimme Shelter, Love in Vain, and Monkey Man.

The Band: Music from Big Pink (1968)

This album reminds me of the time Heath and I spent in Rainsville, Alabama. The music fits the rural mountain setting. I have listened to these songs probably more times than any of the other albums in this post. Bob Dylan painted the cover art. Favorite songs include To Kingdom Come, We Can Talk, Long Black Veil, and Chest Fever. 

The Grease Band: self-titled (1971)

Just some good psychedelic rock and roll. Makes good background music on a sunny summer day. Favorite songs are All I Wanna Do, Laugh at the Judge, and Let It Be Gone. 

The Byrds: self-titled (1973)

This is the last studio album recorded by an iconic band, a band that is definitely in my top five favorite bands. This album is naturalistic, introspective, elemental, and a breath of fresh air. My favorite songs are Full Circle, For Free, Cowgirl in the Sand, and See the Sky About to Rain. 

The Stanley Brothers: Folk Song Festival (1975)

Excalibur Vintage store in Decatur always had several Stanley Brothers albums, and he sold them for around $3 usually. He didn't know what he had, or maybe he did. I bought about eight of their records at that store. This music makes me think of a brief time in my life when I spent some time in Cleveland, TN. We love Carter and Ralph's voices and instrumental talent. Favorite songs include Still Trying to Get to Little Rock, String, Eraser, and Blotter, The Drunken Driver, and Thy Burdens are Greater Than Mine.

The White Stripes: Icky Thump (2007)

The wife of Heath's good friend in the NACC jazz band, Stephanie, gave this double vinyl to us. This is carefree, jump-around type music. Avant-garde entertainment art at its finest. We listened to this album the mostly during the summer of 2009. My favorite songs are You Don't Know What Love Is, I'm Slowly Turning Into You, Little Cream Soda, and Catch Hell Blues.

Lord heal my mind

Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Huntsville Botanical Gardens Trip-- A Summer Tradition

This summer, the theme at Huntsville Botanical Gardens is Alice in Wonderland. This imaginative story has always been one of my favorites. And Granny has always loved to take us here.

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole

Granny and Andrew entering the door maze

Painting the roses red

"Don't come around here no more." Is this Tom Petty as the Mad Hatter? I love it.

"We're all mad here."

"Off with her head!"

"Who are you?"

Alice in Wonderland, a Lewis Carroll classic

The Looking Glass tree

It was a beautiful day with the perfect breeze.

The plumber's bouquet

The shovel flowers

The blue bottle tree

I volunteered to be Dum.

A "tractor" made from an old sewing machine

In the lily garden

All this color is heaven to me.

Granny and I laughed that we wore the exact same shoes.

The Cheshire Cat in the trees.

Snapshots in the butterfly house

Fun day

The turtle is swimming towards the waterfall.

Sunbathing

He stared at me for a while with only his head above water.

Who cares about the time?