random reflections

Busy

It’s amazing to me how fast this summer is going. I had lots of time to blog the first few days of our trip, but once we arrived at Adam and Sarah’s we were too busy, and it has seemed that way here, too, since we got home. We had a great time in Atlanta. Matt flew in on Thursday and on Friday was fitted for new golf clubs (his February birthday gift, and part of next Christmas as well!) and the three of us spent a VERY hot afternoon at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Tracy, Sarah, and I were at the ABG two years ago for a Chihuly glass exhibit. His work was amazing, and one of his glass sculptures is still in a fountain there. This year the exhibit was of Niki De Saint Phalle’s sculptures. So different, but fun. It was good to get some more practice with the Digital Rebel as well. I uploaded a bunch of new photos from the ABG as well as the Atlanta Aquarium in the Photo a Day weblog on the sidebar. Took so many pictures on the trip, but haven’t had either camera out since we returned.

Matt, Tracy and I visited Ikea on Saturday. The big purchase for us was a CD tower for my study. It fit the tiny space between my bookshelves and the door in my study, and I was able to organize not only my CD’s but also the ones in the living room. We picked up a couple of stools for Sarah and Adam’s kitchen and replaced Adam’s plant that had scorched (or been overwatered) on the patio. Then all five of us went to the new Georgia Aquarium. Tracy and I had been there in April, but it was almost as much fun this time. (It was a lot more crowded this summer than it was in April.)

It’s been a busy week here:  unpacking, organizing (more below), working on school work with my fifth grade colleagues, scrapping with a friend, and working on a variety of projects.

So organizing. . .  Today I was looking through the latest Scrapbooks, etc. magazine and saw a layout where someone listed organizing as a hobby. I was SO glad to read that. Now I don’t have to feel guilty again. This week’s project was to reorganize my stash of paper for scrapbooking:  carstock by color and patterned paper by manufacturer, and then put in alphabetical order. I weeded out a lot of stuff I bought early on to give to a friend, and when I’ve needed paper this week for projects, I’ve known just what I have and where it is. So nice to know I have a “new” hobby.

A Flexible Schedule

Today we left Cincinnati and drove to Berea, KY. One night after we had set our new route to Atlanta, I recalled going to Berea, KY as a kid and that the college there supported a craft community. I found Berea right off I-75, and the web site made it look worth a stop. It was. We had a nice time looking through some really lovely craft cooperatives. We started our Christmas shopping and found a few other gifts as well--in addition to a few things for ourselves.

One of the nicest things about this trip has been our flexible schedule. I read a little blurb in the guide book about the Cincinnati Zoo, so we went. Today I read another short piece about Cumberland Falls in the Kentucky guide book we picked up at the Welcome Center, so off we went. The falls is the only one in North America where you can see a moonbow on a clear night with a full moon. The park reminded both of us of several New York state parks we've visited. We also changed our plans for tomorrow. Tracy loves to drive the "back roads," so we'll be leaving the interstate and driving some "smaller roads" across northern Georgia and heading into Atlanta on route 400 instead of driving all the way in on I-75. We had reservations in Knoxville, but changed those too. So here we are in Cleveland, TN. Who would have thought?

More Fun With a Camera

It was another great day on the road. Left Cleveland this morning and arrived in Columbus around 10 o'clock. Did some shopping at three of my favorite stores:  Archivers, The Container Store, and Nordstrom's. We'll hit all three again in Atlanta, but were able to find several things on our lists in Columbus. Then we headed over to the Ohio State campus. I was 16 the last time I was on campus. Much has changed, but I was able to remember where the department of music was located.  (My dad taught there for nine years.) The Oval hadn't changed except for the incredible growth of trees which now obscure all the buildings surrounding it. Drove down High Street past the Capital building and on out of town to Cincinnati.

Arrived in Cincinnati in time to spend about an hour and a half at the Cincinnati Zoo. It was over 90 degrees, but we had a great time anyway. Took some great photos, and then headed off to Mt. Adams for dinner. The view of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline can't be beat from Mt. Adams. (Check the Photo a Day log.) We were both happy campers with our little digital cameras. Looking for a good shot changes how you look at everything--for the better.

Rock 'n Roll

We arrived in Cleveland around noon, checked into the downtown Hampton Inn, and walked down to the lake shore. Cleveland has done a wonderful job of developing the downtown lake shore. There's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Browns stadium all located next to one another.  Today there was a display of tall ships as well. Lots of folks, despite temperatures in the 90's. We spent the afternoon in air-conditioned comfort in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Great place, lots of music to listen to, and an almost overwhelming display of memorabilia. There was a fascinating special exhibit about Bob Dylan, and smaller exhibits about Ricky Nelson (I'd forgotten all about him and "The Garden Party") and Roy Orbison. My favorite activity was listening to many of the 500 songs that influenced the development of  Rock and Roll from the 1930's to the 1990's.  We listened to a lot of songs I'd forgotten about. It was fun to see clips of Bob Dylan in the early 60s as well. I'm going to need to get a copy of Highway 61 Revisited. I would have loved to have found a compilation of the songs they chose for the 60's and 70's as well.

Not far from our hotel is the Warehouse District--many nice restaurants. We chose the Cleveland Chop House and Brewery and weren't disappointed. It's been a good start to our road trip to Atlanta.

West Wing

The 2peas topic for bloggers today was a question about which retired TV show you wish they'd bring back. My favorite (and just about the only show I watched faithfully) was West Wing. Loved the characters, the stories were intriguing, and there wasn't the inherent nastiness I found watching Commander-in-Chief. So although it hasn't been gone long, I wish it were coming back this fall. Aside from the nightly news, nothing much else seems to hold my interest.

Practicing

I took my Digital Rebel to Chautauqua, did a bit of reading, and experimented with the Av Priority setting. Learned a fair amount, and am doing some more reading. One of my goals this summer was to post a picture a day on my Photo-a-Day weblog, and I have them uploaded now. I'm pretty happy with most of them. Went outside to our garden this morning and captured today's photo after the rain last night. I took a few of a new hydrangea that I like as well. I'll be taking both cameras on vacation so I can keep up the practice. There's no way to justify the expense of an SLR if you don't learn how to use it!

Better Than the Book

My friend and I went to see The Devil Wears Prada this afternoon, and although I rarely say this, the movie was much better than the book. Sarah and I listened to the book on tape two years ago driving to Atlanta. I remember thinking the story line was OK, but the writing was poor--but it's been awhile. I do remember that I wasn't impressed. The movie, however, was wonderful. Meryl Streep couldn't be better. Tracy and I saw her in Prairie Home Companion a week or so ago and she was great in that role as well. They are such totally different roles, and she is terrific in each. This role is a lot meatier and she should get an Oscar nomination at the very least.

Happy Fourth of July

We drove through the rain to get to The Chautauqua Institute this morning, but it has since cleared. It's been 12 years since we've been here, and I'd forgotten how much I love this place. If there have been big changes here, none of them are visible. We came here several years in a row with Sarah and Matt and as we walked around this afternoon, so many memories came flooding back:  shuffleboard at the Sports Club, Ampitheater concerts and church services, trips to the book store, ice cream cones on Bestor Plaza, bike rides around the secure and beautiful grounds. Sadly, I don't think we have any photographs from those trips. What were we thinking?

Our room at the Carey Cottage is wonderful and has access to a long porch on the second floor just above the WiFi connection in the lobby so we have WiFi in our room! Thus a blog entry from vacation. Have a wonderful Fourth!

Making Progress

I've gotten a bit accomplished these last few days before we take off for three days at The Chautauqua Institute. I finished a scrapbook for my daughter and made this travel journal to take on our trip to Atlanta later this month. (Thanks to Ali Edwards and her article in Creating Keepsakes.)

Yesterday Tracy and I drove to Keuka Lake to pick out a campsite for our trip in  August with our friends, Bob and Cathy. It was a windy, off-and-on rainy day, but we located a good site and then went to visit a few new wineries on Seneca Lake. Came home with two new whites and one new red to try. Had a good time at both of these:

Anthony Road Winery

Fox Run Winery. They have a nice looking cafe that might be worth a return trip.

Also finished a book I didn't have on my summer reading list:  Reading, Writing, and Leaving Home by Lynn Freed. A memoir of sorts and ruminations on the writing process.

Looking forward to three days away. I'm taking my Digital Rebel and hope to get some practice using the manual settings. Also looking forward to some reading time (back to the list) and some time at the beach. Enjoy your holiday!