Sunrise

Sunrise in North Platte, NE

Love this image of a semi in the sunrise!

We were leaving North Platte for Cheyenne on the third day of our travels.

The sky was clear and blue.  

We love Nebraska.....

.....TravelLady

A Dog Game

Toni and Blazer

Playing tug with the hedgehog....

.....TravelLady

Sweaters for Wyoming

Toni and JD

In their new sweaters for the trip to Wyoming.

They had a great time playing with Blazer!.....

.....TravelLady

Christmas Memories

Christmas Tree at Glen, Mariana, and Thomas' home

James and TravelLady had a nice Christmas dinner today at my brother's home.  

I was about 6 or 7 years old in my earliest Christmas memories.  I was in the Christmas program at the Assembly of God Church on Chelsea Avenue.  All the girls wore white blouses with round collars and black or green skirts.  I wore a santa pin on the round collar - borrowed from mother.  We sang the old songs like Away in a Manger, The First Noel, Joy to the World.  There was a box with a doll wrapped in a blanket and of course Mary and Joseph standing nearby along with some shepherds and the three wise men.  (The older kids were picked for these parts.)  Our program was always the Sunday night before the 25th. 

On Christmas morning Sue and I always woke up early but had to stay in our rooms until mother and daddy awoke.  We usually had 3 or 4 wrapped gifts and 1 or 2 unwrapped gifts from Santa.  After eating a light breakfast and getting dressed  in newly received clothes,  we loaded in the car and traveled to Arkansas.  Lepanto was 50 miles from the Mississippi River bridge at Memphis.  We went to the home of Aunt Bettye and Uncle C.T. - C.T. was short for Charles Thomas - a good southern name!

C.T. was the cook in the family and boy could he cook!!  We usually had a beef roast with all the vegetables and turkey and dressing.  When my grandmother was still living, she made several pies and a coconut cake.

After lunch we would play Monopoly with my cousin David and a few of the willing adults.  When Daddy played with us, I remember him folding the Monopoly money and putting it in his pocket like real money!

Thankful for Sweet Memories....

and the ability to make new ones.....

.....TravelLady

Suggestions, Please!

This can happen when you own 2 pairs of black shoes!!!

We just spent 45 minutes looking for a work badge without success.  We have installed shelves, drawers and all manner of helpful devices to keep up with keys, badges, etc.   My theory is that after six decades on this earth, our brains are too full of useless information.  We are not able to remember the important daily details.

All suggestions will be welcomed.....

.....a pleasantly confused TravelLady

A Day of Thanks for Our Veterans

My father Gus and my son Billy

Thank you to all the veterans!  

My list is too numerous to type them all but I must name a few!

Gus Wimpy U.S. Navy WW2

J.D. Roberts U.S. Army WW2

James Roberts Jr U.S. Marines

Adam Morris U.S. Marines (active duty)

Jerry Roberts U.S.Army

Thank you for your service and sacrifice to our great country!!

..TravelLady

The Plant Shelf

I never knew exactly how to decorate this area.  Since the shelf is so high, a bunch of little chotchkes will not work.  I have discovered after eighteen years of living in this house that only big items need to be placed this high. That framed print was above the sofa and now it has a new home!  I love it there.
The most attractive plant, I think, is the rabbit's foot fern - on the end near the watering can.

Thanks to James for providing the muscle to decorate this area...

I am so thankful that your back is better.....

.....TravelLady

#5 Fix Things or Build Stuff

A view of the old brick and the early mantle.

We painted the brick with 2 colors.

 

The mantle is stained a dark walnut.

My Favorite Dreams Are Of Rooms and Spaces

Pillows By Christi

My first memory of a "room" dream is from my teenage years. I went to a house that was new to me and explored the rooms and decorations.  But there were always 2 or 3 rooms that I could not see or enter.

I have had a variation of this dream in my older years especially in my forties.  I have often wondered if the rooms that I could not see represented my future.  Am I anxious to know the rest of the story?

When I was about 15, my mother let me totally choose the colors and decorations for my bedroom.  I chose light yellow walls, gold carpet and a yellow floral bedspread.  I even had a yellow telephone in my room. This was the sixties and the phone company came out to the house and ran a phone line for my room.  I had a glass vase and some other glass accessories that I painted black.  This room was bright and cheerful to me.

Mother had green carpet in the rest of the house - this was over old oak hardwood flooring - such was the decade of the sixties!

Back to the new living room space.  This room now reminds me of that first room that I decorated.  It is bright, clean, and cheerful.  James and I love it!

sweet dreams to all.....

.....TravelLady

Sweet Dreams

New Living Room with JD

TravelLady

Summer Ribs

Hannah and Elijah requested a trip to Corky's for ribs.  We went after church services on Sunday.
 David did not want ribs but he went with us.  Billy and Melissa went to dinner and a movie - date escape.
Hannah and Elijah each ate a slab of wet ribs.  David said, "that looks disgusting!"  He ate mac and cheese and fries.  We had a great time!!

making memories in Memphis.....

.....TravelLady

Sixty Years

Self Portrait
taken at the neighborhood pool

When I was about David's age, my mother always told me stories about myself when I was a baby. "You were a good baby; you never cried." "When you were two years old, I told you to move the stool (hassock) but to this very day the stool isn't moved." She would say.


I was born in a small country town in a poor southern state. We moved to the big city when I was about two. We lived in one bedroom duplex on Bodley Street in the part of town now called "South Memphis." My parents both wanted jobs and a better life for their family. With hard work and vocational educations they were able to achieve the lower middle class life for us.
They bought a house in the suburbs when I was about five; I lived there until I married and left home. It was the only home they ever owned and I loved my childhood home and neighborhood. It was the 50s and I could ride my bike and play outside all day - my parents had no fear for my safety. My early life was simple but oh so good!

A simple life well lived with family and friends
Fearless of the future.....
.....TravelLady

Birthday Week

This week of August is very special - one of the days is David's birthday.
These photos were taken during his recent trip to Memphis with his family.
David is TravelLady's number 3 grandchild and he is very special to her and James.!

Outside of the Cracker Barrel. I hope the harmonica made it home.

Swimming at the neighborhood pool.
Love the goggles!


Love all the kids and grandkids.....
.....TravelLady

Happy Birthday Melissa

We had a great time at Memphis Pizza!

May you have many more happy birthdays!

Love you lots.....

.....TravelLady

Happy Birthday Cindi

The White House

Sinclair, WY

Happy Birthday to Cindi

James bought TravelLady a new desktop; so, I am unable to scan old photos because my printer is not connected to the new computer. (We are waiting for the geek from KY to visit and help us.) The photo above was transfered to the hard drive and after much hunting and pecking I was able to use it on my blog. This photo makes me feel cool and I need to feel cool today - hot temps and high humidity. This photo also makes me think of Cindi and her home in Wyoming.

We really miss that Southern Girl!

We wish for her the happiest Wyoming birthday ever!

we love you, Cindi.....

.....James and the TravelLady

Happy Birthday

James, Toni and JD

Happy birthday to James!

This image was taken on our latest trip to northern KY. Our first stop was in Murfreesboro to pick up Chadwick now named JD (our rescue dog - not a pit bull as James had hoped for.) Then we traveled on to KY. We stopped at a beautiful rest area outside of Frankfort for a dog walk and a few snapshots.

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

Birthday Wishes

Billy and James
Photo from 1983
Their birthdays are just 4 days apart.

love the guys and love the ties.....
.....TravelLady

Going Green

My old stack washer/dryer was declining quickly. So, we decided to buy new energy efficient appliances. After much research, we decided on Lowes. Since it took 3 trips to Lowes to get the best and lowest price, we had time to walk the aisles and we found these solar walkway lights. I love the pattern of light that they leave on the front walkway!

Whirlpool Energy Star washer and dryer.

Since this photo was taken they have been installed on drawer pedestals. The laundry room has been repainted and the 1980's wallpaper has been removed. The new wall color is called cappuccino. I love it! I wash clothes every day!

saving the earth one purchase at a time.....
.....TravelLady

The Walther 22

The grip fits my small fingers.

When one sees the S, the weapon is on "safety'. When one sees the F, the weapon will fire-ready or not! Today was the first time in my lifetime to shoot a gun. We went to RangeUSA in Bartlett. After signing a legal document affirming that I had not been deemed mentally ill or convicted of a felony by the courts, I was given permission to enter the life round range.


James taught me the basics and stood by my side as I took the first shots. He then praised my shooting ability. (I am sure in hopes that I will want to return and shoot another day.)

The carry permit classes are now half price at the range.....
.....I see a class in my future, TravelLady

I Am A Mom.....

....to these two precious kids. (now grown) It was 1950 day at Oakland School.

I think they look cute - Don't You?
.....TravelLady

Happy Mother's Day

She was called "Great Memaw" by my grandkids.
I think of her every day!
I dream of her often.
She was not perfect but now that does not matter so much.

.....TravelLady

The Old Dell and the Hard Drive

My desktop is getting old. Computer years are like dog years. In the most likely event that the Dell dies, all my photos need a backup. James has a Hitachi Hard Drive and we have started the transfer process. I don't really understand what I'm doing but I can follow directions. One of the rewards of the transfer process is the discovery of long forgotten photos of family. Guess who they are and guess where we are. James did not go but he sent us. From the looks on the faces we are not really having a good time. The kids may be too old to enjoy Disney with their mom; they need friends their own age to really have a good time. What was I thinking?? (I have no gray hair!)

This photo was taken in 1993. Glen and Christi look so young! Mother and Daddy look healthy and happy! I would love to go back in time and give them one more hug and tell them how much I love them! On a decorating sidebar, my living room is so WHITE and BLAND. Colorless walls, beige carpet and dig the navy blue loveseat. Once again, what was I thinking?

This my sweetie, James. The year is 1993 and we are posed in front of our new house. I love a man in a suit and tie. His hair is now short and gray; with the years he has developed much character and wisdom. Hopefully I have learned those same qualities from him.

And finally, what can I say? What was the occasion for the flower? I like the dark hair and the style, but what about those red glasses? They were the style - I SAY!

love the photo diving in the desktop.....
.....TravelLady

Last Day of April

It started with a facebook post and a link to the song How Great Thou Art performed by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill. I went to the site and listened - how beautiful to my ears!
I went to Itunes and looked but that performance was not available. But, I found this album by Randy Travis. Download. Love. Love.

Both my sister's birthday and my mother's birthday are in the month of April. (It was always a special month when my mother was living.) I made this tote bag for Christi for her birthday. We went to Johnsons Fabrics and she chose the check for the base of the bag and a blue print for the lining.
The cowboy print fabric was chosen by Cindi for pillows in Wyoming. The fabric was taken to Wyoming and was vetoed by the resident cowboy there. So the fabric was sent back to Tennessee. Christi and I both love the fabric. She chose it for her bag.

I applied batting and a thin lining fabric and the machine quilted around the design of the horse and cowboys. This photo does not show the quilted texture very well.

The Lining

I was very pleased at the finished product. Happy Birthday to Christi!
oh! for the mental energy (mood) for more sewing.....
.....TravelLady

Navigating to Oxford

It was a stormy, rainy day with tornado watches and warnings. James had a CE class to teach in Oxford, Mississippi at the Hospital Wing hangar. He has no sense of direction - north/south or east/west; so, Toni and TravelLady traveled with him to Oxford. After careful planning with Google Maps, we left Memphis about 4 PM and arrived there about half past six.

Due to the impending bad weather, the helicopter was safely parked in the hangar. The pilots were gracious and welcomed me into their "home away from home." Their at work living quarters were clean and neat - much like a Marine Corp barracks. I spent about two hours chatting with the pilots and flight nurses while we watched the weather radar. They spoke of past bad weather days and those souls lost to weather related accidents. Many thanks to the pilots and nurses!!
We arrived back home safely about 10:15 PM. We are planning to go back to Oxford and spend a day in the downtown area visiting the shops and having dinner at one of the great southern restaurants.

Grateful for brave pilots and nurses of the Hospital Wing.....
.....TravelLady

Saturday Guests

Thomas and Toni

Artwork on the Backdoor

Signed by the artist!

Last Saturday Thomas and Glen came to visit; we had a great time catching up on family news. Toni always likes to have guests that will play games with her. Then Thomas discovered my back door - many years back it was painted with chalkboard paint for the grandkids. I generally use the area for grocery lists; but now I have original artwork.

Thomas - come back soon
I love the artwork.....
.....TravelLady

Ste. Genevieve Part II

Wow, has it been this many days since the last post of Ste. Genevieve. These are the flood gates and after passing through them we were driving downhill to the river.

Coming back from the river we saw this sign in the wooded area; possibly helpful to orient any lost souls disembarking from the ferry.
This drawing is in Missouri state archives. Ste Genevieve may have looked like this in 1735. The settlement was later moved about a mile away from the river due to flooding. A few of these original structures have survived to present times.

Old houses; Narrow streets

The first brick house to be built west of the Mississippi River.

always thankful for safe travels.....
.....TravelLady