extra innings!

Thanks to two rain-outs this weekend, and the Sand Gnats playing only the Augusta Greenjackets this final (ever) home stand, we were afforded a double header tonight. Two games for the price of one!
Tuesday will see two more games, with good fortune in the weather.
Two games tonight meant I had a good chance of seeing a full game, even with my teaching responsibilities.
By the time my students were done with the first test of the semester, I knew I had missed most of the first game, if not all of it. I'd already heard from my co-season ticket holder Bill; he would be joining me for the second game. Okay, that gave me time to drop the tests off in my freezer and grab a munch before heading out to the stadium for the final (ever) Dollar Monday with my boys of summer.
[FYI, on Dollar Monday, entry to the game can be had for solamente un dollar, simply with a coupon from the newspaper or by flashing your Kroger loyalty card. Hotdogs, chips, small sodas, and small beers can also be had, just one buck each. Great night out on the cheap for families!]
Ordinarily, I just show the grocery card and a Washington. Not tonight. I went ahead and traded in one of the unused former game tickets. Then, I collected three hotdogs, a bag of Cheetos (a treat!), and filled my season ticket holder cup full of icy soda and hurried into the stands.
You see, that first game was still in progress. Instead of stopping at seven innings, as it should have, play continued as both sides struggled to break a score which had been tied since the third inning.
Just one run had been obtained for each team, both early on, and we were now in the ninth inning of this pitching duel.
Hooray!!! Extra baseball for me!!!
On and on the game tipped. Batters would manage to get on base, just to be stranded. The tenth inning passed with no change.
The eleventh inning looked as though it might do the same.
Vicente Lupo - out.
Patrick Biondi - out.
Then diminutive Jonathan Johnson stepped up.
omG!!! The ball is going... it's going... it's OVER THE WALL!!!
Home run! Home run! Home run!

And the Gnats jubilantly swarmed home plate to meet him!
I tell you, I almost burst into tears.
What great comraderie!
And justthatfast, the game was over, marking another win for my boys.

Afterwards, I visited with the Engler women, aka the "Sweet Caroline" mother-daughter duo. We talked about the game, of course, then about a movie they had recently seen.
Talk about love of men for each other and you really need to speak of "Straight Outta Compton". If we three older white chicks "get" the message, then you know it was done well and with great respect for the players. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre have produced an homage to the late Eazy-E, chronicling not only their escape from a gangster environment into a better life, but also their incredible influence on the music today.
(For the record, we span mid-40's to mid-60's in age.
We all remember when this movie was real life.)

By a quarter past nine this evening, the second game was underway. The crowd had thinned greatly, leaving only us diehards to cheer on the team.
No problem - I can be LOUD!
(smile!)
Honestly, I don't recall Augusta's at-bats during that second game. Bill and I were playing catch-up with our lives, talking about my wreck and poison ivy and school, talking about his impending retirement and possible move to Chico, CA, and his beloved companion Tucker.
I remember our times at home plate, because Bill and I were both shouting encouragement as each took his turn.
"Get a hit, hit, hit!"
"Bring 'im home!"
"Over the wall!"

After the 2-0 shut-out, it was almost 11:30 PM. Time to go!
Until tomorrow, sports fans!

last batting practice with my boys of summer

Trust me, I really am trying to keep up a bright and shiny face these last few weeks.
Especially for my boys of summer, and all the folks who continue to share that experience with me, week after week, month after month, year after year.

This morning, I held a special test session for a student who is to be naturalized tomorrow - with her mom, too!
Afterward, I headed for the ballpark. I had mistakenly scheduled the test for the start time of this last-ever batting practice for season ticket holders and their beloved team.
There had been no way around it. I had resolved to go ahead with my plans made with the student. That is, I would be shouldering my responsibility as a teacher instead of shouldering a bat.
Sigh.
But no worries!
I arrived right on time to Grayson Stadium! As good fortune would have it, the start had been delayed about an hour. The practice was just starting!
I was the second person at bat!!!
I took my leave of the batting cage just as soon as I had "put the wood on the ball", as Willie would say. Go out on top with what would surely have been a pop out! Still, I'd had at least ten pitches before I hit it.
Lynn did much better than I did. She was first at bat, with her very own bit of ash for swinging.
The other "Sweet Caroline girl" took her turn after me, choosing to use the same Louisville Slugger bat that I had swung.

See all of those balls behind her? Those were the "swing and a miss" pitches for me.
She hit nearly every ball!
So, I guess I can't blame the bat.
(smile)

Afterward, we joined the folks
under the picnic canopy
for the luncheon.
Grilled chicken breasts!
Grilled burgers!
Grilled beef hotdogs!

And look at my Coke can!
"Trendsetter" - haha!

Lynn's was right
on target, too!
"Mom",
it proclaimed,
in bright red letters!

laurie's had her designation
absolutely correct, too -
"Sweetie"!
All cans were randomly selected -
I swear!
I guess this was a grand joke
from the universe!
(smile)



And now I am home again.
The game was called off, rescheduled as part of a doubleheader for Tuesday. The field, both in and out, were sodden and slick from the deluge early this morning, as well as all that fell yesterday.
Again, no worries!
I came home laden with leftovers after a very successful morn!
Now, to wait for the games on these weekdays... and hope for a cessation of rain...

Cassadi and Olive Garden

For her eleventh birthday, she didn't want one of her regular parties, with folks coming to the house bearing gifts and playing games and slipping on a giant slide.
No, not this time.
Cassadi preferred to have everyone join her for lunch at her favorite place: Olive Garden.
Seriously! That's what she wanted.
And that is what she got!
Here, we see her grandmom looking off as her maternal uncle and her mom use crayons to play the game sheets provided for the children. Well, technically, they are the children of the woman on the left!
Trust me, I was laughing out loud!
The four under-21 children who were present couldn't be bothered with coloring and puzzles, not when there were electronic gadgets at hand. At least everyone put their phones away!
Well... you are still allowed to bring them out for photos, ya know!

Here, the birthday girl is talking about something - perhaps a contemplation on the lovely strawberry cupcake she is holding - while her paternal uncle and paternal great-aunt look on.
Perhaps she was debating the merits of having birthday cupcakes instead of a big sheet cake.
Perhaps she was wishing aloud for leftover cupcakes for her breakfast and lunch the next day.
I wish I could tell you.
I do.
But I was busy taking photos.
(smile)

But know this: we had a great time visiting with each other!
And, guess what?
My lunch ended up being free!
The restaurant/kitchen/staff forgot to ever bring my soup, then they forgot about my meal, then they listed the soup as an upcharge on my bill, because I was having it to go.
Thanks to Angela's dad, the manager comp'ed my meal!
What a very nice surprise for me!

I gave Cassadi a "SMILE" card for her birthday. It's to remind her that every time she looks at it, she is thought of with love.
That sentiment is even more true now!

dancing the night away!

Oh what a night!
We ladies of the 40+WSN had united for one of our own!
A dance benefit had been selected as the option, with all of us to meet over at Doubles Nightclub for an evening of music, dancing, and raffles - most def count me in!
Above, I'm with Kim - our creative group organizer - and Mindy, showing off our smiles!
I had not been to Doubles in years! Once upon a time, my BFF and I were regulars there, but that was during our college years, back in the mid-1980's. The place has changed a bit, having two "cages" and a stripper pole, but the disco ball still reigns there, along with a fabulous light show.
So much music!
So many dances!
Mostly, I danced with one or more of the women in our meetup, including my karaoke friend Sandy.
But, as the night progressed, a lone pony-tailed man, clad all in black and with a distinct sense of rhythm, caught my eye. The song was "Dancing Queen" and I went out and tentatively joined him, matching his every twirl and backstep and all. Very nice!!!
That was the first of several outings on the floor with Tim the Dancer.
I dipped and swayed and twirled until I could feel my tired legs giving out... but I simply could not resist! It has been so very long since I danced with a man who knew how to move!
What a treat!
And you know what?
I think we managed to raise a little money for Julie, too.
Such a good night!!
Sweet dreams, y'all...

wild things!

I had sent this to my dear friend and guess what?
She posted it on facebook!

See...
I knew she would love that comic!

dresses for baseball!

Honestly, if I didn't have poison ivy all over my abdomen, I doubt I would have worn dresses two nights in a row.
However, I most assuredly do have the rash, dying though it is after nearly a week.
I've taken to adjusting the ride of my undergarments to allow the least possible contact between my itchy - but not oozing - skin and any man-made materials.
Such as the cloth in clothes, whether natural or synthetic in origin.

Friday night, I arrived in this little Hawaiian cover-up.
It had one pocket, which was really all would have needed.
Well, ordinarily.
You may not be able to tell, but my left arm is slathered in calamine lotion.
I carried my butterfly totebag just in case reinforcements were needed.
It also carried my Prednisone dose for the evening.
Friday was the first day of a 14-day regimen on the steroid.

Last night, Sandy came with me!
We posed for this photo prior to the game.
Like, very much prior to the game.
The rains came before the boys could even start.
We ended up at Christa's video party in Pooler after all.
"Vampire's Kiss" was screened, with dragonfruit and various cheeses and deli meats, courtesy of Steve.
All of us were rather nonplussed with the dragonfruit.
Pretty to look at, but rather slimy and bland.
Barbara thought if might lend some interest to a smoothie.
Not for me, thanks, but how nice of Steve to bring it!

What about my dress?
Well, this gold dolphin-bedecked little number also hails from Kuaui.
It has two pockets!
This dress, as well as the other, came from Mother Pat's closet.
Both are loose and so very comfortable and the fabrics are quite soft.
My gratitude for her taste being similar to my own!

Am I wearing a dress again for my Gnats?
Yes, a loose, gauzy, dark green that makes my hazel eyes shift.
It's one of my own, an old favorite.
Maybe there will be a photo of it sometime.

Now, I'm off to the doubleheader today. That noon start is almost here!

17 wins in a row!!!

Woohoo!
My boys of summer have been on fire all month!
This is only the 22nd of August and they have a seventeen-game winning streak going for them! Go, Gnats!
Last night, I ended up with fourteen free tickets, courtesy of St. Joseph's and Candler Hospitals. I "cashed in" 19 soaps, bath gels, and sets of shampoo and conditioner from my travels to DRI properties over the past two years. They would have given me more tickets if I had asked!
I used one for myself, then sent out the word that I had 'em for anyone who wanted! The Woods' family were my only takers, arriving just in time for the home run smashed by Michael Kets! Wow!!! That made this yet another Papa Murphy's Pizza game! I gave them extra tickets to share with others, including Jason's coworker. I even picked up three pizzas for myself, all to go into my freezer for now. No time to cook them, as the Gnats play again in less than two hours!
Sandy should be here soon, too... later!

home runs! home runs! three days straight!

What a weekend it has been for my boys of summer! They now have thirteen games in their winning streak!
I am so thrilled to have been able to go to these games this weekend!
I am so thrilled to have my car back!
I am so thrilled the weather has mostly cooperated!

Let's start with Friday, shall we?
Oh, yes! Let's!
(smile!)
I made sure to have my photo taken this time!
It was a rare give-a-way night, so I was there extra early to get the replica of the current Grayson Stadium.
Nice, isn't it?

Mister Willie Smith, Jr., was there, too.
Hooray!
His health has been a bit dodgy this summer, with two hospital stays for his heart.
I was so glad to see him, I gave him a big hug!

The boys of summer
were glad
we were both there!
Here is my favorite
right fielder,
#31 Wuilmer Becerra,
trotting over the plate!
He just hit a home run,
bringing in
#13 Luis Guillorme.

The very next man
in the batting order was
#28 Eudor Garcia.
Home run!!!
My favorite
third baseman
floated across the plate,
adding another run
in the first inning!
What an exciting start!
And the game ended
as a pizza game!
Hooray!

Come Saturday,
Willie and I
were back
and in our seats!
(Inside joke, y'all!)

The game was a bit of a back and forth tussle until my favorite
center fielder,
Patrick Biondi,
had his at-bat after the seventh-inning stretch.
(The stretch was for us fans, not for him.)
(smile)
His home run
brought in first baseman Michael Katz and shortshop J.C. Rodriguez to cinch the win.
More pizza for us and their 12th win!
(I celebrated by joining Barbara for "Ricki and the Flash"! Both of us were dancing in our seats and singing along with the music in this private screening just for us! Thanks, Regal Cinema!)

Yesterday, for the first time ever, I saw a pitcher hit a man on second base.
John Mora may have a cracked rib from that.
This Sunday game saw
no such harm.
Tyler Moore,
a man of many hats,
hit a home run
in the third,
making him the last man to score today.


No pizza for this ticket, but the boys now have 13 wins!!!

walking the floor over you

Wow! You should have seen the game last night!
What a night for the Rome Braves.
Not a good night, mind you.
Their pitcher is directly responsible for the majority of the runs the Sand Gnats attained.
How many runs, you ask?
A total of twelve, an even dozen.
Of that dozen, one-fourth were directly due to our men scoring on wild pitches.
Of that dozen, one-fourth were directly attributable to the pitcher walking in runs after loading the bases.
That means exactly half of the runs were because of pitcher errors.
Wow.
You have to wonder about a coach who leaves a man in during such circumstances.
But it was a win for my boys none the less.
A ninth win in this streak they have ongoing!
Moreover, it was a pizza win, so guess who will have pizza pie today?
Me!
Also, my niece, because Bruce gave me his ticket from last night's game.
Hooray!
In fact, she and I have just come from Papa Murphy's, so I have it in hand.
She and I spent the day together, mostly.
Hooray!
Later, y'all!

making chemistry fun!

Anything here look familiar?
Go back and look at this post, though you may need to scroll just a little bit. That particular photo shows five balloons, brought by my first niece to surprise me at the ballgame on my birthday.
That was on May 29th, just so you know.
Seventy-six days ago.
Sure, three of the balloons have succumbed some time ago.
All five made it at least until the end of June. Then, as the hot days of summer passed one by one, three of the balloons drooped to the table. By the middle of July, only these two remained aloft.
Aloft they remain, but they are clearly losing volume and are not the sleek, sassy vessels they once were.
Want to know why?
Oh, come on, you know you want to say "yes!", so just do it!
(smile)
When I sent the photo to my first niece, she had queried whether they were the ones she had given me.
Then she had remarked on their age.
AHA! I thought to myself! Time to trot out some more gas law knowledge and parade it around!
(Seriously...check out the link to see just what a nerd I can be.
Or just keep reading to draw the same conclusion. Seriously.)
(smile)
Here goes!

Is there magic air in those balloons?
Maybe, but doubtful.
The balloons have probably lasted so long because my house is hot. Cold air would make them contract faster.
Decreased temperature means less energy for the gas molecules, leading to less volume in the balloons.

Her response was priceless!
"Wow! Love having my own personal chemistry geek... I mean that in the best possible...
You make chemistry fun."

Mission accomplished!

flotation devices in a troubled sea!

I don't recall which of my friends posted this on fb, but it couldn't be more appropriate for an ocean-loving girl like me.

"An entire sea of water can't sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship.
Similarly, the negativity of the world can't put you down unless you allow it to get inside you."

That resonated with me.
Ever since the hit-and-run driver slammed into the back of my car, disabling it and stranding me, the deep sea of the sadness in the world has been swamping my decks.
I have been flailing around, struggling to keep my chin up and my eyes dry, trying not to drown in its vast depths.

Fortunately, I am blessed with friends and family who swam to my rescue, braving the breaking waves to carry me to safety.
Literally.
On Monday afternoon, my first niece and her husband came by to take me to their house for dinner and company and many, many hugs from both of them and their foster son. We ate spaghetti, always a favorite of mine. I didn't even care about the freckles of red sauce on my shirt.
(smile)
On Tuesday, my first niece again picked me up, this time for lunch with her foster son, her mom, her little sister, and her brother's twin girls. Yeah for family!!! We then re-convened in Guyton, at my outlaw Melinda's house, for some time in her pool. Very nice!
After the swim, she and I returned to Savannah, talking all the way. Just what I needed - a distraction from my own troubles! We two joined her husband for "Vacation", laughing at the trials and tribulations of the younger generation of the Griswold family.
After they dropped me off, my nephew Michael called and we talked for almost thirty minutes! Very nice! (Believe me, that was a treat! He really doesn't talk much on the phone, preferring to text.)
My mood was so good that I even mowed the front yard!
(smile)
On Wednesday, after a frustrating day of phone calls with 911 staff and police officers, a welcome voice sounded from the murky depths. It was the librarian! Would I like for her to come and pick me up for dinner at her house? Would I like to see "Phantom Lady", a film-noir treat from PFS at the Sentient Bean?
Yes, yes I would!
So she came and fetched me and took me to her house, to play with her bouncing baby boy, to dine with her and her man and his mom on beef and broccoli. Then she and I went to the movie, greeting friends there, greatly enjoying the 1944 mystery.
Then my facade of "I'm okay" crashed and burned, right in front of everyone there. The librarian arranged for a lifeboat to carry me off for companionship, Cape Cods, and comic relief at Pinky Masters. By the time I was rowed back home, sanity was restored and I was sailing on an even keel again.
(smile)
On Thursday, the police report was personally delivered to me by the reporting officer! I called my insurance company and they sprang into action! Then Barbara the math teacher texted. "I'm headed out to run some errands. Want to join me?"
Yes, yes I would!
She picked me up and we had a leisurely lunch at Kayak Kafe (the midtown one) before hitting Home Depot. Then we bopped over to the garden shop on Victory Drive. What nice ocean-themed yardware they had! I treated myself to three strands of clam shells and starfish. Then she dropped me back at home.
Just in time, too! Sandy came by less than thirty minutes later, to take me out for line-dance lessons and karaoke with Living Out Loud! Most excellent! Folks from Post 36, my American Legion chapter, were there and we all had a great time! Steve, the KJ, even asked me to sing a Beatles tune ("Across The Universe") with him! Later, he and I and another woman sang "Life In A Northern Town"; she had really wanted to hear the song and I was the only one there who knew how it started. We got a nice round of applause afterward, too!
(smile)
Friday was awesome!
Marjorie the architect picked me up in her convertible to join the Lunch Ladies at Al Salaam Deli! Jackie, Debbie, Colleen, and Betsy joined us, making it a cool half-dozen dining on falafel and baba ganoush and comradery!
After she returned me home, I wasn't here for long. My stepmom Bonnie was in town from Beaufort! She grabbed me and we saw "Mr. Holmes", a new twist with a look at the aging sleuth. Fabulous! We both found it to be very enjoyable!
Back to home again, again not for long! The Lucas was screening "Road House" and long, tall Don had volunteered to be my driver. Hooray! How wonderful to see Patrick Swayze dance and to watch Ben Gazzara wax evil! How fabulous to hear Jeff Healey singing and joking!
Yep, definitely a very good day all the way through!
(smile)
Yesterday was an excellent follow-up to Friday! The insurance adjuster came by in the morning and I had a check in hand, for repairs, by 11 AM. Incredible! What a fortunate break for me!
That afternoon, Sandy picked me up to carry me downtown. I was joining some of my Lunch Ladies, as well as my first niece, for the 8 PM screening of "Dirty Dancing" at the Lucas. (It was "Swayze Crazy" weekend there!) Sandy was on her way to the 6 PM JavaFlix Savannah film, which I had already seen. She had sweetly agreed to be my taxi, allowing me to dine at Kayak Kafe's original location. Hooray!
My first niece took care of me after that, joining me for the movie, reveling at more dancing Patrick Swayze! Ah, what joy! She even took me by the CVS on the way home!
(smile)
Today, my first little brother swung by with ribs and brunswick stew! Woohoo! I do so <3 ribs!!! Then, Barbara and Sandy picked me up and we three saw the latest Woody Allen film, "Irrational Man". Joaquin Phoenix was excellent - as always - as an aging philosopher besotted with one of his manipulative and nubile students, played to the hilt by Emma Stone. Oh, what fools these mortals be!
Afterward, we dined at Jalapenos. Hooray! I do so enjoy their food! And my companions really enjoy sharing my dessert: churros! Happiness for all!
(smile)
All in all, this has been a blessed week!
Tomorrow, I pick up my rental car and will be able to ferry myself around.
I do believe these tumultuous waters are beginning to subside and the beach is coming into view.
i thank You, God.

jellybeans and pumpkin for Ally!

After the visit in Summerville, I headed to Louisville.
Georgia, that is, not Kentucky.
My dear great-niece had turned six and I was late for her birthday.
Very late!
LOL!
Her birthday is in the beginning of June and I was already in attendance at an out-of-town birthday party. No clone, as of yet, so I can still only be in one place at a time.
(smile!)
Once I finally made up my mind to go to the wedding in Tennessee, I contacted my niece in Louisville.
me: "I am going to a wedding in Tennessee, then visiting Tony on the way back. Would it be possible for me to stay with y'all on Sunday night?"
her: "Yes! That would be awesome!! You can have Ally's room!! What time do you think you would be in?"
Good! I should have done that earlier!
Especially as this visit with the Blackmons has been not only long overdue, but such a blessed experience for all of us!
I came laden with gifts for Ally, from Christmas, for her birthday, and from the baseball park in Daytona.

We all started with the book I had written, the book which was directly inspired by her.
Got Pumpkin?
Her cover, like that of the other great-niece who has been with me at pumpkin-carving parties, is lilac.
So very lovely!
We sat right there and read it, too, with me pointing out my outlaw Bunny's presence with the ghost pumpkin. Hahaha haha!
(For those keeping count, that means four of the books have ventured into the world now! As well as the ones to the two girls, one went to my older nephew in Beaufort for his birthday and one was bequeathed to the hosts of the parties I have attended with Ally.
[I gave it to her at the Soup Party, in thanks for her allowing my bfe to tour their Halloween-bedecked yard in October. Read the story here.]
I still have my copy and I have one for my great-niece Carissa. I hope to see her for Christmas this year!

Next up?
The elephant in the jellybean jar bracelet!
You know, from the little shop in Ormond Beach?
Miss Ally immediately used it as an anklet! She is such an -outside-the-box girl - how fabulous!

Then it was time to spread out all the gifts from Daytona!
Since the boys of summer there are now known as the Tortugas, I simply had to get her a membership in their Tiny Tugas club!
(Hey, love of turtles is an inside joke with us, just so you know!)
In addition to a cool (and official!) T-shirt and membership card, she also received a pack of baseball cards and some other cool treats! Some of those cards really caught her dad's eye, too.
Nice!
Then we all had dinner and a long talk on the front porch, with me getting the porch swing, sometimes with Ally right by my side.
THAT is how you know they are in a good space. Their house may be near the road, but it has a front porch that gets used for socializing.
Yep, even in the summer.
Life is so good!

can you spot 7 differences?

I just visited my youngest brother for the second time this summer.
The upper photo was taken on Sunday, June 7.
I was between the birthday trip to Alabama and the North Carolina adventures with the BFF's dancing daughter.
The lower photo was a bonus, really. Tony had two photo tickets for that earlier visit, but one of the pictures was misprinted. So, on the visit today, we had this new one taken.
Another Sunday visit.
This time, I'm between the wedding in Tennessee and a belated birthday trip to Louisville to see my great-niece Ally.
It's amazing to me that the two photographs could have so many differences! Trust me, there are at least seven, but you may espy as many as nine.
Have fun finding them!
(smile!)

wedding in monteagle!

What a beautiful couple!
Here they are,
taking their first twirl
on the dance floor
as wife and husband!
The song?
Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love".
Wonderful song!
You should notice that
the groom, Daniel,
is clad in a summer linen suit
and the bride, Stephanie,
is wearing her long hair down
with a lovely clasp.
Very nice!
That's how you know
this was a Southern wedding!
(smile)
Held in the mountains of Tennessee,
in the small town of Monteagle,
it most assuredly was.


As an outlaw cuz'n, I was privileged to be there as a witness. I had received TWO invitations, so I made sure I came! I have been staying at the Dubose Conference Center, site of the reception this evening. (Hey, with that family name, I pretty much had to come, right? What a way to link this wedding of cousins to the earlier one in Augusta!)
I've been here in Monteagle since Thursday. I had wanted to come early, to avoid the madness of Friday afternoon traffic. Mission accomplished!

I had known the Davidsons would already be there, arriving early like myself. That first night, I had baked sketti at their rental house with them and Auntie and Uncle, then got my butt kicked, repeatedly, while playing Metroid Blast with the girls. The last game ended with me as a winner in a three-way tie. Yep, that was my cue to bow out!

The next morning, I drove over to the Dutch Maid Bakery in Tracy City. It had been years since I'd been there with Mother Pat for the cowboy bread! That bread was no longer there, but I did have a country breakfast to get me through the day. I bought some goodies and headed over to Steph's to help decorate posters for the reception.
I then headed out to explore. You know - find the church for the rehearsal later. Not only did I find it, I also ran across Jim Oliver's Smoke House Restaurant! Too bad his daughter Nancy couldn't join me at the buffet, but I understand about "construction season" in areas that get snow. I went ahead and dove in to the fried fish (it was Friday, after all!), the ice-cold RC Cola, and the bread pudding. Good eats!
A quick change of clothes and back to the Morton Memorial United Methodist Church. Rehearsal was to begin at ? 5:15? 5:30? Eventually! The groom was the last to arrive, but he was determined that all should go well. He even requested a third rehearsal to make sure!

Reverend Barton made sure everyone knew where they were to congregate.
The precessional was first, with the bride's party to be seated on the left.
The groomsmen would sit in the center pew, when that time came.
The readers could sit anywhere else.
Now, all to the rear for the first practice!

Hey! Do you see that pink orb???
Off to the lower right, near the
seated woman's head?
I do believe Steph's and Chris's dad was present to share the gladness of the day!
Perhaps Rev. Barton was responsible?
Or maybe David's need to share his love with his children?
What a joyous occasion!

I wonder if Brian's camera picked up the orb, too?
I certainly hope so, as well as the two pink orbs above the lights gracing the wedding couple.
How very fortunate that this branch of the Kopek clan had arrived from Minneapolis in time for the rehearsals!

Here we go!
The groom and his men are in place.

The bridesmaids are all in place, too.

Then the "Wedding March" begins!
The radiant bride enters
on the arm of her
one-and-only brother,
both in glad spirits!
Woohoo!

After the Declaration of Consent and an opening prayer, the couple sit to the side for the three readings they have chosen.
The Song of Solomon verses of love are followed by Colossians' call to forgive and be thankful.
Then Chris read Psalm 127, for the couple to be blessed with children.

After the readings, Rev. Barton addressed the couple with a simple homily.
Then, it was time for the marriage vows!
The exchanging of the rings!

The presentation of the couple
as husband and wife!
Woohoo!
And, of course, the kiss!
But we weren't quite done.
Auntie Arlene then read her nine prayers for their new life, while the pink orbs lent their rosy glow to the proceedings.
Amazingly, no tears... only smiles and joy!

Then the party moved to Dave's Modern Tavern for the rehearsal feast!
Thanks to Jenna's selfie wand, we were able to get our entire table in the photo...plus a few more folks!

The wedding party's table got their own selfie, too!
That Jenna is one talented - and busy! - lass!

I even managed to grab a pic of just me and the bride!
It's even an action shot!
(smile!)

Saturday, Saturday!
What to do, what adventure today?
Well, as I had told the folks from Canada, I wanted to see a train while I was here. I had thought about the Incline Railroad, but my concern was it would take too much of the day.
I opted for the Cowan Railroad Museum, as Sheldon Cooper would have. But first, how about an early lunch? That English muffin and grapes was wearing thin...
After driving and driving, the smell of barbeque lured me to John T's BBQ Smokehouse in Winchester. Hooray! Fabulous ribs!!!
Hunger sated, I cruised back to the museum, exploring it thoroughly.
It was a work of love and rather small, but full of local history,
Then, back to Monteagle!

Great timing!
Kathy had arrived from Paris!
I dressed and joined her, riding to the church together.
There, she regaled Daniel with the tale of how the Kopeks came to the mountain, thanks to her dad and Auntie's sister Pat getting married.
Brian got it all on his videocam, too!


We were all there early, mostly so the wedding party could get the photographs taken. But, also, it gave us a chance to visit with everyone, share some laughs, share some hugs.
Very nice!
I even met Amy, my ex's girlfriend of the past three years (or so). They had driven down from Michigan and had arrived just an hour earlier.
Then, it was time for the main event of this glorious afternoon!
I had two photos that I really wanted to take...
and I managed to get both of them!

Here comes the bride,
on her brother's arm,
smiling and happy!

And there she goes,
on her husband's arm,
smiling and happy!

Then we one and all convened to the Dubose for the feast and the dancing and the cake and the fun photographs and the cigars and the talking and the laughing and the chandelier!
Kathy and I sat with Jeff and Amy and Lynn (one of Steph's coworkers).
What a wonderful time we had!
I missed the departure of the bride and groom, as I skipped out after several hours of dancing. (Hey, I have an early morning tomorrow, if I'm to visit Tony and my great-niece!)
What a grand trip this has been!
G'night, all!
Sweet dreams!