Big City Tales (a link up for the Blogger Book Swap)

This link up was really difficult for me. First of all, I can be am the most frustrating, indecisive person on the planet and it drives Husband crazy. Trying to decide what book(s) to share today was impossible. I cannot choose just one, so I chose four!

Since it is the first weekend of May, I’ll begin with a tribute to Kentucky, my home state. The Kentucky Oaks was Friday, May 2 and The Derby was yesterday (Saturday, May 4) at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Congratulations to Orb, the winner. For the record: if I ever own a horse running in The Kentucky Derby, his name will be SPANK THAT BASS. Don’t nobody steal that name, it’s mine. Get your own. One of my favorite horse racing stories is Seabiscuit. I love the movie, it makes me cry and cheer and scream, even though I know the ending is happy. Heck, I cry like a baby every year when My Old Kentucky Home is sung at The Derby. Speaking of The Derby, you can’t have the world’s most famous horse race without a Mint Julep, and you can’t have a Mint Julep without Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. If you’ve ever wondered about the history and traditions behind liquid amber gold, this is a great book!

Okay, I admit Texas is growing on me. I’ve lived here since 2003 and I’ve been fortunate enough to live near the Gulf Coast in Beaumont (but it royally stinks and I hated the mosquitoes), the Piney Woods of East Texas, and Husband and I are finally settled south of Fort Worth. Not long after moving here, a friend suggested Same Kind of Different As Me. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is an EXCELLENT book.

Another city I love is Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I’ve been there twice for international mission outreach for post-earthquake reconstruction projects. On January 12, 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and crippled an already suffering, impoverished nation. In Unshaken, Dan Woolley describes the hell experienced when he watched the walls crumble around him in the lobby of Hotel Montana for nearly 72 hours. His story of survival is fascinating and inspiring, while the reality of suffering and death all around him is heartbreaking.

On a personal note, I have met two survivors mentioned in Unshaken: Rev. James (Jim) Gulley, an agriculture consultant and Eric, a Haitian employed by the Methodist Guest House as a driver and interpreter. Minutes before the earthquake struck, Eric dropped off Jim for an UMCOR delegation meeting at the Hotel Montana with Sam Dixon and Clint Rabb, UMVIM and UMCOR leaders who both perished in the earthquake. To read more about Jim and the work he is doing in Haiti, click here.

What city (cities) do you love? Are there books inspired by them?

If you are participating in the Blogger Book Swap, make sure you are communicating with your swap partner and getting to know more about them (i.e. their likes, dislikes, preferences in book genres, etc.) so you’ll know what to send for the swap. Next week’s link up is hosted by Yours Truly and all about your favorite (or not-so-favorite) book cover designs.

Happy Sunday. =)

10 Reasons I Love My Dad

To all y’all fathers out there, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!!

Because I did *this* for Mom a few months ago … because I’m my father’s favorite { and only } … and, because I did not send him a father’s day card, I offer the following to him and hope the rest of you enjoy it.

I apologize in advance for the quality of the photographs.
~N~

Here are 10 reasons why I love my Dad:

10. He’s the hardest working man I know.

My dad never stops. Ever. He works 12-hour-plus shifts, goes home and works on the farm, in the garden, at the neighbors’ gardens, reloads rifle shells, makes homemade wines, or runs errands …. the list goes on. And on. And on.

9. He has a tender heart for puppies and kittens and making pets into family members.

I’ve never seen a puppy or kitten that wasn’t cute. Of course, I fall instantly in love. { who can resist puppy breath?! }

Growing up, I was always around cats and dogs. The majority of them were strays that showed up, were dropped off, or the local dog warden would call with this message: “Hey Greg, it’s ____. Look, buddy, somebody just brought in an Irish Setter who’s very afraid of gun noise. There’s no room at the shelter, I’ll have to put this dog down if you don’t take him”

Let me introduce you to Sir Benjamin of Shady Lane (he’s the liver-colored setter in the top right photo). His life was saved that day and I swear this dog realized his fate. He lives with complete and utter joy, and gratitude towards my Dad.The two cats are the same, they were both rescued and “saved” by my Dad. The boxer is, well, adopted from the neighbors (HA!) and the blue heeler is queen of the castle. She runs the roost.

{ not joking about that either }

8. He taught me how to sharpen a knife. Properly.

Whether or not you like my cookin’, it’s prepared using a razor-sharp knife. Don’t mess with my knives if you’re inexperienced. You will go home with a nub and I’m not responsible for your dumba$$ness.

7. He seasons { almost } everything with salt, black pepper, and red cayenne pepper. And adds jalapenos to {almost } everything too. Including jam.

{ not joking about this one }

6. He taught me how to shoot { really big / loud } guns.

My Dad is an excellent marksman. He knows and understands all the details and descriptions and inner-workings of firearms … and is an excellent shot. Back in my glory days playing competitive golf, I could score lower and hit the ball farther, but I CANNOT out-shoot my Ol’Man at the gun range. Kudos for Husband sticking around when he saw Dad’s gun collection though!

{ did anybody else’s father meet the boyfriend with a handshake and invite to the range?! }

5. He has { somewhat } great style.

I won’t even begin to *try* and explain the bikini top, but at least Dad wears a hat for The Kentucky Derby. He obviously traded *UP* from his usual straw variety.

{ honestly, there are no words for the bikini top … but makes for great laughs }

4. He graciously stocks my pantry in Texas with garden goodies from Kentucky.

Dad got an early start on the garden last spring and the garden is well underway. In fact, my phone rings about every other day and it’s Mom or Dad giving me an update on their progress picking, hulling, canning, and lots of other garden-related verbs. I’m pretty sure this will be the first year Dad’s had sweet corn before July 1. He’s so proud … as he should be! Lord willing, I’ll be going *HOME* as soon as possible to do my share of the work in the garden and corn patch. I actually prefer working in corn than I do green beans. But Husband loves his green beans and we all love Husband.

{ Husband needs to get his butt in that green bean patch and truly appreciate this work! }

3. He surrounds himself with good people.

{ FRIENDS BECOME OUR CHOSEN FAMILY }

He has chosen his family very well.

2. He loves my husband.

Ten years ago, I approached my parents with a *HUGE* announcement: I met a guy online and I think he’s the one.

Fast forward ten years (and 5 years of marriage) and I’m so grateful that they trusted my judgement and supported my decision to follow my heart. He fits right in.

1. He loves my mom.

I said the same thing about my mom:

No matter my age, where I live, or how much I love my Husband, my Dad will always be my number one man. After 30 years of marriage, Mom and Dad are doing things right. They work hard, they play hard, and I know (at times) they drive each other crazy.

But that’s what keeps things interesting, right?

Love you, Dad! I hope you have a wonderful father’s day.

Love you too, Mom!

Fillies, Lilies, and Pink

Today, like most days, I am in Texas. And, like most days, I wish I were in Kentucky. Because today, if I were in Kentucky, I would be at Churchill Downs wearing pink (my nails are painted a ridiculous shade of *PINK*, does that count?!?!), sipping an Oaks Lily® (alcohol, for some unknown reason, is prohibited on school property), and watching three-year-old fillies race for the garland of lilies. Today is a special day for the ladies. Today is the 138th Kentucky Oaks.

A bit o’ history on the Oaks:

The stargazer lily became the official flower of the Kentucky Oaks in 1991, when the Kroger Company was commissioned to create a feminine garland for the fillies who contested the Derby’s sister race. Lite Light, winner of the 117th Kentucky Oaks, was the first filly to receive the garland.

The stargazer lily was selected for its femininity and strength. A total of 133 lilies are sewn into a white moiré fabric backing with a fleur-de-lis pattern, which, like the green satin of the Kentucky Derby garland, is embroidered in white-on-white with the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s seal at one end and Churchill Downs’ Twin Spires and the number of the race’s renewal at the other. The garland of lilies is trimmed with a dramatic border of oak ivy leaves, also symbolic of the Oaks event.

Similar to the Derby’s mint julep, the Kentucky Oaks official beverage is the Oaks Lily®, made with 1 oz. Vodka (preferably Grey Goose), 1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix, 3 oz. Cranberry Juice, and a splash of Triple Sec. When the ingredients are mixed, the pinkish cocktail is placed in an official glass (a stem-less wine glass) with crushed ice, add a straw and garnished with an orange wedge and cherry.

Attire for the Kentucky Oaks is similar to the Derby but with one exception …. everybody wears *PINK*. Everybody, including the fillies (female horses) and jockeys, wear pink for Kentucky Oaks. You’ll see pink dresses, pink handkerchiefs, pink hats, pink sunglasses, pink shoes, pink bow ties, and pink silks on Oaks Day. There’s pink everywhere! Prior to the Oaks race, cancer survivors and their families walk in the special Survivors Parade around the track. It’s an emotional time, but a cause worth supporting and celebrating.

Now, for the most important part of any trip to the race track … betting on a horse. I’m not going to explain the ins-and-outs of race betting, but I’m giving you my pick. Because I’m a fan of gray horses (and my new-found love for Mr. Grey from 50 Shades) … because I’m feeling feisty … and because I’m feeling lucky, I’m placing my Monopoly money on On Fire Baby. I’m a high-roller like that. Don’t hate. If I win, you’ll hear me squeal.

Because I have such wonderful and awesome aunties, they placed a REAL bet at Churchill Downs for me. I have $15 on On Fire Baby to win/place/show. In simple terms, I will win if this horse places first, second, or third.

Photo courtesy of Reed Palmer Photography.

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, is the 138th Kentucky Derby, a day when the boys (mostly) run for the roses. If I were in Kentucky, I’d be watching that too. But, alas, I’m not in Kentucky and my Texas peeps don’t understand all this hoop-lah. They obviously don’t understand my unbridled spirit for Kentucky.

For more Kentucky reading, check out this impressive article from CNNdotcom providing a very indulgent guide to Louisville. Click here.

Happy Race Days!

All photos, unless otherwise notes, are courtesy of Churchill Downs.

the effect of a post about dress alterations

In order for this post to make sense, you should read this.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

{ waiting }

Now that you’ve read about my trip to the bridal boutique, and the alterations involved, I have an announcement:

I won’t be wearing the dress as a bridesmaid.

Maybe you didn’t catch that, let me rephrase:

I will not be a bridesmaid.

Most people (my mother, the ladies at church, blog readers, and strangers) laughed; while others shared their tales of alterations, wardrobe malfunctions, and misfortunes.

‘W’ recently saw a picture of herself in a bathing suit. She gasped, “sweet Jesus!”

I can relate.

‘C’ lives vicariously through my busty adventures.

Her “girls” are smaller and easier to accommodate. She probably has cute bras too.

‘A’ is vertically challenged and must get a long dress altered.

I measure a foot taller than ‘A.’ She’s eye-level to the masses protruding from my chest.

On a lighter note, Dad challenged me to a day at the Shootin’ Shed with the target guns. He says the satin dress will add a touch of sophistication to the facility. He also assumes it will impair my sniper-like abilities.

Challenge accepted.

‘B” says I can wear the dress to the soybean fields. Of course, ‘K’ says I’m still not permitted on the tobacco planter.

My employment in the tobacco patch was immediately terminated when my skills were severely lacking. Planting tobacco, for me, is like patting my head and rubbing my belly at the same time. Impossible.

Good day, Y’all ~ it’s almost Friday!!!!!!!

Speaking of Friday, enter the TOMS *giveaway* ~ a winner will be announced tomorrow evening, April 13.