Zoo memories

Zoo's are so much fun! Casey and Kate took a road trip to visit with Anna this past weekend, and spent the day Friday at the Atlanta Zoo. Such cute photos, and Casey said Kate loved it -- especially the petting zoo! She thought Kate was going to climb on the pig, because it was the same color as their dog Cherokee, and Kate climbs all over him!

When the kids were smaller, every time we'd go to Memphis to visit, we always took a trip to the zoo and Pink Palace with Nanny and to the Children's Science Museum with Grandpa Hank. They always loved the zoo. I remember one time when Casey was still small in a stroller, we were looking at an ostrich -- and Casey kept calling "duck!" It was hilarious, and everyone around us laughed! The monkeys and gorillas were always a favorite too, but their homes smelled pretty bad.

When I was a kid, we always took a trip to the zoo before school started with the Goodfellow kids (there were three of us and five of them)! Back then, they had rides at the zoo too -- the little boats that went in a circle in about an inch of water and a small train you could ride on. One time, they were moving a white rhino -- I don't remember in or out -- but they had him in a huge crate, picking him up with a crane. I got my picture in the paper that time with the crowd watching. We joked which way we'd run if they dropped the crate and the rhino got loose!

Even when I was in high school, we liked to go to the zoo! When my sister was about 13 or 14 (before she could drive), Kathy, Rose and I took Susan and some of her friends to the zoo. We got tired before they were through, so we went back to the car (a light blue Rambler station wagon, no less) to listen to the radio and watch for cute boys (like we were cool in a Rambler station wagon)! Then here came Susan and her friends with a policeman! I thought, "What on earth have they done now?" But it wasn't them, they had a flasher! Oh my gosh, it was hilarious! He didn't try to abduct any of them, and I don't think they were scarred for life -- but the parents had to take them to the police station to look at a line up and mug shots. I don't even remember if they ever caught the guy! But what a memory!

Just a couple of things . . .

I've been remiss in my blogging, so I have several things to add today.

MawMaw's birthday was April 12, and Gary and Carolyn were home the weekend before. We all got together for dinner on Sunday. She insisted on cooking -- but at least we did take her out to eat at the Old Mill the night before. We didn't have enough candles for the cake, ha ha! Happy birthday, MawMaw! We wish you many more!

Stacy's been waiting for five years to get a chance at tickets for the Masters. He went with Jimmy Ralph Brannon the year before he passed away. This year he was able to get four tickets to the Monday practice round. He took Vernon, Tony and his principal Harold (that's how he was able to get off from school!) They all enjoyed their "man trip"!

And last, but not least, it's Cystic Fibrosis Walk time again, and this is a reminder of Eleanor Guilford, who has CF. She is the daughter of Robert and Coleen, and the granddaughter of Buddy and Patricia. Check out Eleanor's blog, and donate to CF if you are able. It's such a wonderful cause, and it is through their research that the drugs that keep Eleanor healthy are available. Isn't she precious -- and such a joy to her family. If you would like to read Coleen's letter about Eleanor's day, email me and I'll send it to you. It is so touching, and Eleanor has such a big heart!

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Loving Savannah!

Savannah, Georgia, is my new favorite place! Since I had a conference there a couple of weeks ago, Stacy and I traveled a day early to take in the sights. Words can't describe how much I love that place! The architecture, the parks (squares), the old warehouses on the river, the history -- and the homes! Beautiful - enchanting - mysterious - delicious - shabby cool! The flavor of New Orleans without the seediness.

We walked from our hotel the first night down to the river-front district -- and ended up on the bluff at Moon River Brewery (named in honor of Johnny Mercer who wrote the lyrics to the same-named famous song from Breakfast at Tiffany's - he was born in Savannah). Although they turned the lights out on us right after we were seated -- participating in "Earth Hour" to demonstrate their "greenness" and tribute to their idol "Al" -- we tried to read the menu (black with tiny white type) with one little battery-operated (are batteries really green?) tea-light. But the food was really good -- I had the Awesome Ossabaw Dip (cream cheese, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes & scallions baked) and a chicken Caesar salad. But trying to eat my salad in the dark and not knowing what I was spearing with my fork was a challenge! And the NCAA basketball championships were on TV -- and they turned it off! There were some unhappy people in that place! We laughed and told our waiter that we all worked for electric companies (a group of us co-op communications people), and that we loved electricity and thought they should be using it! I had to try one of their beer specialties -- Wacky Wit (a hint of cinnamon with an orange slice) -- loved it!

The next day (Sunday) we took the Old Town Trolley Tour of the historic district to get a feel for the layout of the area. First we rode the entire circle (takes about an hour and a half), then got off in a couple of areas we wanted to explore. I love to read southern fiction, and so many of those books have been set in Savannah -- none more famous than Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil -- and of course the movie Forrest Gump! I didn't get the see the famous "bird girl" statue from Midnight -- but I did get to see the Forrest Gump bench (it's in the Railroad Museum at the end of the tour)!

That night we all ate at One-Eyed Lizzie's on the river -- then took the Ghost Tour from Moon River. We didn't get to see any ghosts -- but it was fun hearing the stories! Had a delicious Po Boy sandwich with fried shrimp and a mango/something margarita. Yum!

Monday began my conference, and we were tired that night and stayed in after the conference reception. On Tuesday, Stacy went to the Fort while I was in meetings all day. I had to give a presentation on "Engaging Our Employees" that afternoon. I had begged my co-op friends (I called them my groupies at the meeting) that they had to put "fantastic" on the review even if I sucked! I didn't choke and they seemed to like it -- so I survived my first conference presentation!

Since Tuesday was our last evening there, we wanted to eat someplace that would be really good -- not necessarily expensive, just good. Someone had recommended The Cotton Exchange, so after the group Riverboat Cruise, several of us decided to eat there. I had one of the nightly specials -- Shrimp and Grits, one of my favorite dishes! It was wonderful -- and our waitress was so nice.

I didn't get to visit any of the antique shops there, but I did get a couple of original pendants (for necklaces) -- one an aluminum diamond shape and a the other a fossil stone with interesting silver scrollwork! Usually I get a coffee mug for my souvenir, but we're kind of overrun with coffee mugs right now, so I got a tiny "Waving Girl" statue to diplay in my printer's box. I got to check out a couple of the many artists' galleries there -- and of course, we had to get some chocolate praulines! Ummmm! I can't wait to go back to my newest favorite place!