Fond Memories

It's Christmas morning and TravelLady is traveling down memory lane. I'm thinking of happy times past and hoping for happy times present and future. I chose Niagara Falls......

and my favorite image of my mother.....

Merry Christmas to all.....
May you spend a happy day with your family.....
.....TravelLady

Land of the Blowing Snow

I-80 Westbound with Blowing Snow

We encountered no problems on the road from Cheyenne to Laramie. But about 2 miles west of Laramie the snow and ice appeared. With the speed limit down to 35 mph, it took 2 1/2 hours to go 100 miles. The eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed for several miles and the snow plows were out.
For James and the TravelLady, these snow scenes were new and amazing. They were both beautiful and a bit scary to drive on. When we have snow in Tennessee, our city shuts down for a day. On the next day after the snow has melted, we resume our normal lives. If we move to Wyoming for our retirement years, we will need to learn a new normal.....

.....TravelLady

Nebraska Ice Fog

The starting location was North Platte, Nebraska and it was the beginning of our third travel day. The first two days were uneventful but our luck was about to change. When James took Toni out for her early morning bathroom time, he discovered that every surface was covered with a thin coating of ice. It was named Ice Fog by the LaQuinta front desk person.
Our usual custom is to get an early start - about 6-7 am but we waited until 9 to leave North Platte.

We could see traffic moving on I-80 so we decided to start out for Wyoming. The above image was taken from a rest area - one of many that we visited this morning. The ice in the trees was beautiful.
The temperature was about 28 degrees and by this time the skies were clear and blue.

These two semi trucks came from the other side of the road. They must have hit an icy spot at the top of the hill and jack-knifed and crossed into oncoming traffic. We counted a total of 5 cars and 3 semi trucks off the road in this area.

Our all wheel drive Honda did not skid or slide......
.....TravelLady

The Summit

The Summit - Elevation 8,640 ft

Bronze on granite

These images were taken on our trip home from Thanksgiving with Cindi and Keith. Of all the photos taken, these are my favorite two. I have used the top image for my desktop background.
On our coldest day the temp was -7 with wind chill to -22. (Being from the south we did not have warm clothes or shoes for these temps.) My summer trips to Wyoming have been a pleasant respite from the hot, humid south. But the winter temps with wind chill were the coldest that I have ever experienced. The coldest temp that I remember in Tennessee was 14 degrees. (That is in my lifetime and memory.)
James and I were both short of breath at this altitude and temperature, but we quickly recovered by the time we reached Laramie and Cheyenne. I did some shopping with Cindi in Cheyenne. Then we all had lunch at the Olive Garden. After lunch James, Toni, and I headed for Nebraska and home.

more to come.....
.....TravelLady

Fall 2010 Part II

TravelLady and James took a fall trip to Kentucky to visit kids and grandkids. I always take an extra camera for the little guy to use. He was taking a photo of me as I was taking a photo of him. There was much talk about Christmas wish lists. For the preteen - clothes, shoes and play make-up - made the list. For the middle guy - pants, shirts, marbles, etc - made the list. For the little guy - 3 Lego magazines appeared and about half of items in the magazines made the list. He really made me laugh!!

Also, Target cards will be greatly appreciated.

Front facade of the new rest area I-65 Tennessee.

When we traveled to Kentucky in the spring, this rest area was closed for repairs. Oh, what changes were made! I could just move into the place. It looks like a fancy cabin in the woods. It was a beautiful day to travel with blue skies and waving flags! God Bless America!

There is also a place for Toni.....
.....TravelLady

Fall 2010 Part I

After saving for about a year, we finally had the funds for a new roof and garage door. Dealing with the roofing company had its ups and downs but we are extremely happy with the results.

The roofing is light gray in color and textured to look like wood shingles. It is also guaranteed for up to 80 mile per hour winds; we do have those winds in Memphis at times. The new garage door has an outside keypad and great inside lights. (No problems were had with the garage door; the men were very skilled and done in a day!)

We also dog sat for Winston. WOW! Toni was very happy to see him. (We didn't tell her that he was coming so it was a total surprise.) Christi and Jeff made a trip to Nashville to see Aaron and the grandkitty.

more to come.....
.....TravelLady

A Luncheon With Laura Bush

The event was the 9th Annual Cancer Center Luncheon with Former First Lady Laura W. Bush. My sweet husband bought two tickets for the event using his PTO hours. Christi and I were at table 43 - about three tables out from the podium. These were great seats. The Grand Ballroom at the Peabody Hotel was packed.

The Soulsville Charter School Orchestra provided music - a selection of soul songs from the sixties and seventies. This charter school opened in 2005 and will have its first graduation in May 2012.

The former first lady wore a bright red wool two-piece suit.

This beautiful bouquet included her favorite flowers - yellow roses.

Mrs. Bush spoke about her family, current events, Sept 11, and her current projects. After her talk, there was a question and answer session with written questions sent to the front from each table. Several questions were answered but not enough for me!! I could have listened to her talk for a much longer time. She was delightful with a great sense of humor; she read some of the tabloid headlines reported about her during the time she was First Lady.

Each of the round banquet tables had an arrangement such as this and they were for sale. Christi bought one! She plans to redo it for Christmas.

Christi and TravelLady.....
.....we had a great day!!

The Spot Card

Perfect to the last detail - even a dog stamp.

Very Creative - by Hannah.

TravelLady received in the mail today a most perfect card. It was handmade by Hannah.
Thanks so very much, sweet Hannah!!

I am blessed to report that my cataract surgery went well! I did not realize how bad my sight was until I regained my sight in my right eye.

A cataract is defined as a clouding of the lens of the eye. This clouding causes a decrease in the amount of light reaching the retina. Also, it causes a decrease in the brightness of colors especially blue. There are many causes; old age, environment, and the one cause for me - genetic factors. My father had cataract surgery at age 48; I am 59. Most of the patients in the MD office were 70ish.

in the future - surgery for my left eye.....
.....TravelLady

Buffalo Valley Ranch

After leaving Teton National Park, our caravan of 2 vehicles decided to proceed at different speeds; Billy and family wanted to get back to Rawlins and get supplies for their trip back to Kentucky. Keith, Cindi, Christi and TravelLady decided to stop at the Buffalo Valley Ranch for a hamburger and milkshake. We were greeted with these beautiful vistas of the ranch with the Tetons in the background. I failed to get a photo of the sign face on......

Buffalo Valley Ranch
Cafe - Cabins
Fly Shop.

There was a screened porch on the front of the cabin; and this sign over the door.

Tetons in the background.

Another view of the Tetons. Breathtaking!

the food was good but the scenery was better.....
.....TravelLady

The Shadow

"Memaw - Look at my shadow!"

"Memaw - Take a picture of my shadow."

"You don't see that everyday."

It was our last day in Yellowstone; we stopped at the Black Sand Basin. David was with me while the group walked and took photos. The morning sun was bright and David enjoyed seeing his shadow. The bottom image is of a boiling, gurgling opening in the rock and sand and David's statement was priceless.

Booknote: I am currently reading Dracula by Bram Stoker on my Nook. It was a free book and I thought that I would try it; so far, it has been interesting.

.....TravelLady

The Nook

The Nook
With Pink Leather Case

A package arrived today from Wyoming. I knew it was coming; and I was patiently waiting.
It was a Nook and it came with the cute leather case and a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Also important and greatly appreciated was the Hoops and Yoyo birthday card.

With the letters set on the extra large size, it is easy to read my first Nook book - a Walt Longmire mystery. It is love at first site and first book.

thanks to Cindi and Keith.....
.....TravelLady

August Book Review

We did our errands early this morning due to the extreme heat and humidity; 100 degrees and 77% humidity. WOW. It just about takes my breath away!

We went to Lowe's to buy every incandescent 3 way bulb that they had after deciding that we are finished with fluorescent bulbs. They may be good for the environment but they are not good for reading with old, cataract laden eyes.

Then it was on to Barnes and Noble for a new stash of hardback books. Since I am no longer safe to drive, James takes me to work and I have about an hour to wait for him in the afternoon. (By the way my eye appointment is on Wednesday.) I spend this extra hour reading and I finished the Craig Johnson book last week. Junkyard dogs is set in Wyoming during the winter. I really enjoyed reading this book with the description of the snow, zero degrees, and wind. The main character of the book says that his words are blown to Nebraska in the winter.

I may have already reviewed Every Last One. My advice is do not read if you have any problems with depression. It is very intense and sad!

Heart of the Matter - HO HUM. It is bland; don't waste your time.

State Fair - I loved this book! It was like a cool watermelon or refreshing glass of iced tea after reading the Mary Sutter book.

In line for reading are Foreign Body, Death's Half Acre, and Made in the U.S.A.

not in the mood for Laura Bush just yet.....
.....TravelLady

Hannah in Yellowstone

Christi the "Warden"
I believe that this image was captured by Hannah.

Old Pen windows in Rawlins, WY.

Hannah in Yellowstone
Image by TravelLady

Using the Kodak camera.

Hannah's image of the landscape at the Paint Pots.

TravelLady could usually tell who had taken the picture by the height and perspective of the image. Hannah did not do a self portrait; I will try to get a self portrait the next time we travel to see the family. About a month has passed since the Wyoming/Yellowstone vacation and I can still enjoy the memories of the trip every day.

thankful for vacations and family.....
.....TravelLady

Elijah In Yellowstone

Elijah using the Kodak camera.
Image by TravelLady.

Elijah's image of the bison. Very good!

Self portrait. Always a must.

Old Faithful. By Elijah.

At the sleep over. In Sinclair at the gray house.

What a great time we had in Wyoming; these are just a few of the hundreds of images taken.
TravelLady loved the time spent with her grandkids on vacation!

thankful for grandkids and vacations.....
.....TravelLady

The New Juicer

New Juicer from Wyoming

I have fond memories of my grandmother using a juicer just like the one pictured above.
For breakfast this popular appliance was used for orange juice - fresh squeezed! The grocery stores in the 1950's did not have the variety of fresh juices that one can find today. Orange juice concentrate was found in the freezer case and reconstituted with 3 cans of water to make juice,
Grandmother Wimpy also used her juicer for lemons; she made delicious lemonade and lemon ice box pies.
These juicers were made in the 1920s and 1930's hence the name depression glass. They were manufactured from colored molded molten glass and were probably used every day by the home cooks of that era.
Cindi bought this juicer and another smaller one at a yard sale in Sinclair, Wyoming. She then mailed them to me. Thank you Cindi! (I would also love a juicer in pink.)

My New Book

After James got home from work, we went to Starbucks for coffee and tea. Then we went to the book store. We took Toni; so, we took turns going into the book store. Earlene Fowler is one of my favorite authors; I hope her new book does not disappoint.

thinking of Cindi and Wyoming.....
.....TravelLady

Images by David

Sad Faces

Happy Faces

Happy Self Portrait

While we were waiting for Old Faithful to erupt the second time, David took these images with the Kodak C613 digital camera. All three of the grandkids used the camera during the trip and TravelLady has some priceless images!

Remembering our happy times together.....
.....TravelLady