Bill's Garden June 2010

I thought it was kind of late but Bill finally put his garden in. Tomatoes, peppers and okra. The fence is supposed to help keep the rabbits out. It may be kind of "redneck"--chicken wire with boards from an old picnic table--but Bill used what he had--that's eco-friendly, right. He also set some marigolds around the edges thinking that might help keep them away.

Even Xena isn't keeping the rabbits out of the backyard. Of course she prefers being inside in the heat of the day lying on the nice cool tile and just looking out the door. Isn't that a "It's too hot, why don't you go chase them," look?

Of course I haven't mentioned the moles. I have no idea what they might do. This whole subdivision is full of them. If one person tries to get rid of them, they just move on to the neighbors till the coast is clear to move back, leaving some of the family behind just to keep things up in case they have to return. The only one that kept the moles at bay in the back yard was Kendra's beagle, Shelby, when she spent about 6 weeks here.

Memorial Day 5/31/2010

We started the day by putting the flag out in honor of all our veterans, past and present. Bill had worked Sunday night getting the flagpole holder fastened to the front of the house so we could display the flag. Connor happened to be with us while his Mom & Dad were out with friends so he helped "Papa" get it fixed. When he finished there he came into the kitchen and helped "Nama" bake a pie. He spread milk on the top crust and sprinkled it with sugar. As he was working, he kept saying "this is going to taste good!" Then he helped roll out the leftover pie crust and sprinkled it with cinnamon sugar. He was so thrilled to get to eat it when it came out of the oven. He stayed busy helping both of us while he was here.

Flying the flag / Honoring our troops Past and Present

Tami, Tony, Connor and Adam came over Memorial Day. Tami and Tony decided to forgo going out on their boat because of the threat of rain and naturally it didn't rain. Tami brought marinated (organic) chicken to grill as well as feta green beans with dill and corn on the cobb. I fixed a pasta salad, banana pudding, rhubarb pie and tea. Tami also made fresh lemonade. We ended up not eating outside because it looked like it might rain and we didn't want to have to dash in carrying soggy food. Again, we were fooled. As soon as we had everything in and were sitting down it cleared up and was nice the rest of the day. Still it tasted just as good inside or out.

Later because it was so nice outside, we went out and Connor had a good time swinging in the swing while Tami and Adam decided to help out by giving Pepper and Shadow a bath and haircut.

Can you believe it takes 2 people to cut the hair on a 9 pound dog?

They do look better and feel a lot cooler now, thanks Tami and Adam. Life is hard when you are a 15 & 16 yr old dog. Both are partially blind and deaf but they still get around good if slow.

Pepper, age 15 Shadow, age 16

Kendra and Rory's Visit--5/28-29/10

It is so nice having Kendra so close so that we can see her often. She has been making trips here every 3 weeks while Josh works his full day weekends. Of course we get the best end of the deal having her here but it means she can also visit with Adam and Tami, Tony and Connor. Kendra and Rory arrived as usual about 8:45 Saturday morning and we had blueberry pancakes together.

It was such a nice day although somewhat overcast so we took a walk. Should have thought that one over; the sun came out strong shortly after we started and we got way too hot and had to cut it shorter than our normal 2 miles.

Later in the afternoon, Adam & Aliza came over and stayed for pizza.

It was pleasant enough to swing and talk.

Kendra, Adam & Aliza

In the evening, Kendra showed Adam & Aliza Rory's Baby Book that she had made.

Aliza found out how to make friends with Rory by giving her a treat.

Although she had intended to go back home Saturday night, Kendra decided she was too tired and stayed the night. That meant she got to go to church with us and we got to show them off again. They also got to hear Grampa sing a short solo. We remembered to take some church clothes pictures just before getting lunch. After lunch, it was time to leave and head back to Madison.

Kendra and Rory

A rare picture...Grandma and anyone, but this one is with Rory.

Pat & George Visit--May 13-19,2010

On the morning of Thursday May 13 , Pat and George called to say they were about an hour from us having just exited Route 40. And sure enough by noon they were pulling in, but not without some advance preparation to make sure their "home" would fit in our driveway. We had emailed pictures and measurements back and forth to have them "look" and see if everything would work out and of course it did.

Question: Will one Big Motor Home fit through this gate and be able to park in the back?

Answer: Yes it could!

It was a great visit, we visited the Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the US. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too cool. We got in a good walk and enjoyed the spacious grounds and the mansion.

Beautiful staircase at the entrance to the mansion.

Now for the burning question: Who is buried in Jackson's Tomb? Why Rachel & Andrew.

Kendra had just been here on Sunday, but she since she seldom gets to see Aunt Pat and Uncle George she wanted to see them while they were so close, so... she came up again on Friday with Rory. Adam, Tami, Tony and Connor were also here a number of times since they were in nearby Nashville and could run out easier.

Pat, Tony, Bill & Kendra

Tami, Adam & George (with Connor on the floor by Tami)

Tami, Connor, Rory & Adam

Xena is especially fond of Pat and has been ever since she was a puppy. So she would wait outside the motor home until Pat came out and then follow her wherever she went.

Is she ever going to come out?

Yeah! Pat, Pat, hey Pat I'm behind you.

Shadow and Pepper figured Xena shouldn't get all the attention and naturally Pat had the goodies.

All good things must come to an end and so did Pat & George's visit. Very early Wednesday morning they got up and began the process of pulling up camp to head for Ohio. We had such a good time it was sad to see them go. But.. we look forward to the next visit!

Kendra and Rory's Visit--Mother's Day weekend 5/8-9/10

Kendra & Rory were here for Mother's Day weekend. It was a little cool as you can see from the way they are dressed but Rory loved swinging in the swing Grandpa and Uncle Adam had put up.

Kendra swinging Rory from the big tree in our backyard.

Rory is happy as she can be and thinking if not saying "higher, higher"

Tami, Tony, Connor and Adam were all over also and enjoyed being together for a while.

Sitting around the picnic table while Xena puts her 2 cents in.

Like Rory, Connor is fascinated by Uncle Adam's motorcycle. Connor wants to know what every part does.

Heavy Rains and Flooding in Nashville area 5/1-3/10

Tami and I travelled through heavy rain all the way back to Nashville on Saturday afternoon. 5 miles from our exit, traffic came to a slow crawl. We thought it was an accident but when we finally got up to the flashing lights and police cars, what we saw was apparently dirt and debris left behind from water which had covered the Interstate. It had subsided from the northbound lanes but was continuing to hold up southbound lanes. Tami dropped me off at my house in Franklin and headed off for her home in Nashville, a 15-20 minute drive. Almost 2 hours later she finally got home, having to continually detour around flooded roadways. The following are pictures from our neighborhood, more particularly across the street and 2 houses down the street. All the pictures are of our street. We have had 13" of rain since Saturday. Downtown Franklin is under water also.

The water is coming from behind the house. It is a raging river. This house and the house to the right of it are under water.

Believe it or not this is where the entrance to the subdivision is located. The For Sale sign and mailbox are in the front yard of a house on a road perpendicular to the entrance road. You can see the highest part of the road in the distance, the rest is under water.

Neighborhood residents keep a close watch on the water.

Up close and personal with the rising water. We don't expect it to get any closer to us but we're watching too.

Monday morning brought a day without rain. Starting with fog in the morning it was eerie. And what a change from morning to evening.

There was still water and the fog lay heavy over the road as Bill, Xena and I walked at 6 am.

This was the street at the front of the subdivision early Monday morning, 2 cars seen in the distance, caught in the flood waters.

By early evening this same road was clear except for the one car still marooned on the side of the road.

It doesn't show very well in this picture but there is a pylon in the road just before it turns ahead and that is where the flood waters crossed the road. Our house is the brick with the red shutters showing on the right

Rory's 1st Birthday Party 5/1/10

Today we celebrated Rory's first birthday with a party in Madison, AL at Kendra and Josh's house. Tami, Connor and I drove down on Friday afternoon to help out with preparations. Bill was not able to go because of a bad case of Shingles. Adam did not go either but spent the afternoon with his Dad to keep him company. Before the party Connor & Rory enjoyed some relaxing time on Rory's back deck.

Connor & Rory having a conversation about how to handle difficult parents.

Rory's Birthday cake

Rory enjoying her "smash" cake. It must be good!

This is what was left of the cake, that is, what didn't make it to the floor or onto Rory's face, hands or dress. You really didn't think she wouldn't need to be cleaned up, did you? And in the kitchen sink no less. It took 3 people to accomplish the task.

The day was a success with friends and family together. And best of all, everyone went home and all was peace and quiet again at the White household. It was a rather "hairy" return home for Tami, Connor and I but more on that tomorrow.