handfulofrubies

National Day of Prayer

Thu, 07 May 2009 14:28:25 GMT

Eternal God, our only hope,
our help in times of trouble:
show nations ways to work out differences.
Do not let threats multiply
or power be used without compassion.
May your will overrule human willfulness,
so that people may agree and settle claims peacefully.
Hold back those who are impulsive,
lest desire for vengeance overwhelm our common welfare.
Bring peace to earth, through Jesus Christ,
the Prince of Peace and Savior of us all. Amen

----------------------------------------------------

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:00:28 GMT

Easter flowers are blooming bright,
Easter skies pour radiant light,
Christ our Lord is risen in might,
Glory in the highest!

He Is Risen!!
Hope you all have a happy Easter!!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Getting abducted April 25th

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:24:54 GMT

Getting abducted April 25th http://www.invisiblechildre...

Have you heard of the organization Invisible Children? Are you familiar with the child soldiers in Sudan? Go here: http://therescue.invisiblechildren.com

Watch the video!

April 25th, people will come together in several locations around the world to abduct themselves to raise awareness and bring justice for all the abducted children.

Sign up and look for a location in your country.

We Have DSL - (faster internet)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:43:55 GMT

I love this picture - its my cocoa, and i used my seven up semi-filter

I'm so excited!!!!!!!
What has taken sometimes hours will now only be minutes or even seconds - i Can finally upload lots of pictures.

Thru the bottle - when i get bored i get creative

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:06:18 GMT

color splash - yellow forsythia bush in my backyard

self portrait with the seven up semi-filter

Cheerwine - drink Up

Big Bad Wolf - she just ate your Grandma for breakfast, lol

I've been practicing taking some photos through various plastic bottles. So far, I've liked the outcome.
Its fun to do, plus you see things a little different and learn to notice details. What color plastic do your sodas
and water come in? We have the clear, and light green. Do soda bottles come in any other colors?? Let me know!!

"Stress makes you stronger, but inside that tough exterior lurks a potential explosion"

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:04:25 GMT

Have you ever heard of Prince Rupert's drops? Do you stress out a lot?

"If you want a scientific display of the dangers of pent-up stress, Prince Rupert’s drops are it. After the trauma of being dropped molten-hot into a bucket of cold water, these glass balls, named for a 17th-century amateur scientist, turn into bundles of high tension. They’re impervious to even the strongest blows, until you find their hot button: Flick the tail, and they explode.

When molten glass hits cold water, its outer surface cools rapidly and shrinks as it solidifies. Since the center is still fluid, it can flow to adjust to the outer shell’s smaller size. As that center eventually cools and solidifies, it also shrinks, but now the outer shell is already solid and can’t change its shape to accommodate the smaller core.

Hot Head : When molten glass drips into cold water, the outside cools—and shrinks—faster than the inside (still red-hot in this photo), creating pent-up tension. Mike Walker; special thanks to Glass Lake Studio

The result is a great deal of internal stress, as the center pulls the outside in from all sides. Like a tightly wound spring, the glass is set to release a lot of energy. If you break the thin glass at the tail, a chain reaction travels like a shock wave through the drop. As each section breaks, it releases enough energy to break the next section, and so on, shattering the whole drop in less than a millisecond.

Paradoxically, the same tension also makes the Prince Rupert’s drop stronger. Glass breaks when tiny scratches pull apart and spread into fractures. Since the surface is compressed by internal stress, scratches can’t grow, and the glass is very difficult to break. I took a hammer to the thick end of some drops, which I got from a local glassmaker, and they stayed intact. Even the tail is stronger than it looks."

"Its the hap-happiest time of the year"

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:04:00 GMT

Merry Christmas, from Pilot Mountain!!!

Charpiat's Christmas lights - they used rope lights and created
the Pilot Mountain

I absolutely love the lighted, Christmas balls that hang from the trees - the Charpiats decorate
with 100,000 lights

Have A Very, Merry, Christmas!!! Happy Holidays!!!

Chocolate candies I like, and some non-choc. candy

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:14:07 GMT

assorted hershey's: HERSHEY, Mr. Goodbar, Krackel, Reeses

M&M's, Peanut M&M's, Snickers, Almond Joy, Kit Kat, York Peppermint Patties, Baby Ruths, Reeses,
Reeses cups may be my all time favorite, I mean, who doesn't enjoy chocolate and peanut butter?

Dove Chocolate bars, dark chocolate -

Butterfinger, these are the miniature bells which I think are really good because its just a bite, plus they're usually softer

regular butterfinger bar - a favorite, definitely my mom's favorite - i just hate when they aren't fresh, because i like the crunch, but a fresh crunch

Fifth Avenue - I forget that these are good

Hershey's Cookies and Creme - when these first came out like 15 years ago, my sister and I really liked them, and I think I had them too often and now I hate to even see the packaging, but I use to love them

This isn't necessarily chocolate, rather a chocolate dipped apple, covered in nuts, or candy pieces - I see them at fairs and stuff and I've always wanted to try one

I get these at the movies, the rainbow, various flavor nerds

Jolly Ranchers hard candy - I love the sour apple and cherry versions of this candy

Werther's Orignal Chewy Caramels are tasty

Do you get these at the theatre? Everyone has had these at the theatre growing up.

These aren't usually my first picks, but I like them around Halloween; they have that "crunch" lol

I haven't had them in years, but my sister use to eat them a lot and I picked up liking them from her

My sister's favorite non-chocolate candy probably - but, she just eats the red and blue ones and gives me the orange, green and yellow

These are around for when I want a quick breakfast, which is a lot, and I HAVE TO eat them milk, nothing else is good with them

Godiva Chocolates are really good, they even have a store in the mall, but they're usually out of my price range, or what I WANT to spend on chocolate. Sometimes, maybe once every two years, lol, I might go in and get a chocolate covered strawberry, but those are like $2.25, for a strawberry!

Can't imagine what something like this would cost. I don't even want to know. Sometimes, outside of the store, in the mall you'll find a bar of Godiva chocolate for sale, and the bars run about $4.00. Someday I'll treat myself to one, but when I can stop by the store and get a Reeses cup for .39, I'm going to choose a Reeses.

I'm sure I have missed some things, but these are a lot of the candies that I like - which ones do you like? I want to see candies/snacks that you like
Oh, I did see that Dairy Bar you were talking about Tom, made by Cadbury it looks to be good too

Thanksgiving

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:15:22 GMT

1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?

For years we went to my Grandmother and Granddaddies house for Thanksgiving and celebrated with my Aunt, Uncle and two cousins. When my Grandparents' health started failing, they had to move into an apartment and traditions changed. There were big family drama's and the past 3-4 years we've eaten with my Grandparents' and now we have my Grandmother and Grandma over to our house. I would love to be able to go back to having it like we used to, but having it at our house is pretty fun too.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?

My mom bought a fresh turkey breast this year, but she has done the fresh/frozen whole turkey many times before.

3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind?
My mom makes apple/sausage dressing

4. Sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie?
Neither

5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?
I love leftovers

6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family.
Stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn spoon bread, green beans

7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier?
A larger table that could seat 8 comfortably. We can make it work, but it really seats six, unless we add the inserts.

8. If/when you go to someone else’s house for the holiday, do you usually bring a dish? If so, what is it? Corn Spoon bread

9. What do you wish one of your guests would bring to your house?
My aunt is bringing her layered pea salad, yummy

10. What do you wish one of your guests would NOT bring to your house?
no fruitcake

11. Do you stick with a particular menu from year to year, or do you mix it up?

We like traditional foods - i don't ever want to see just finger foods or sandwiches - no making it easy

12. Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday in your home?

Both, I guess. More secular, but an individual can make it whatever they want

13. Share one Thanksgiving tradition.
Some of my cousins and I try to get together and see a movie - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. The Day after, my mom, sister and I go to the Craftsman's Classic Holiday market each year.

14. Name five things you’re thankful for.
God's many blessings throughout the year.
Having family to spend holidays with - I feel bad for anyone who has no one to spend the Holidays with and we saw that a lot in assisted living centers over the years
My Parents
My sister
Clarity - to see some people for who they are truly are
New friends when I least expected them, and penpals that I cherish :)
Music - what would life be like without my favorite artists?

Christmas meme 2

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:53:21 GMT

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? He use to do a little of both. Some of the larger gifts were just left out, unwrapped to get that instant ahhhhh moment. Then some of the smaller things were wrapped. -- Now, almost all of our gifts are wrapped - I love wrapping!!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I love colorful lights!! I like white lights twinkling in garland and white candles in the windows.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? We used to hang fake mistletoe at my Grandma's. I've never seen the real stuff because apparently it grows high up in trees and you have to shoot it down to retrieve it.

5. When do you put your decorations up? A couple of days after Thanksgiving at my Grandma's. My sister and I do my Grandma's decorations for her. Our house, usually the first week of December, and then we leave it up to mid to late January.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Honey Baked Ham

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Watching the Rudolph tracker, Christmas Eve, at my Grandma's house when my cousin, my sister and I were all young. We have pictures of us all in matching nightgowns. --- I specifically remember getting a signed Carolina sweatshirt from the 93 UNC Championship Basketball Team for Christmas from my Grandmother and Granddaddy - that was a great gift. --- I also remember getting a Scarlett Ohara doll from my Aunt and Uncle and I love/d that doll - I don't see them anymore, so its one of the few things I have left from them. --- Lots of great presents from my mom and dad. I remember one of my first easy bake ovens being absolutely GREAT!!! -I would fix that small, 4 inch brownie/cake and make my mom wait until my dad got home from work, so we could all share it :)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I found the basketball goal that "Santa" had hidden in our tack room. Thankfully, I didn't let my sister see it, so she kept believing for a few years. That's what you get for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we open our gifts from my dad's side of the family.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Varies from year to year. Usually red and gold balls are on there. Sometimes we put red berries, and we have a lot of fragile, glass ornaments that go on every year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it.

12. Can you ice skate? I used to be able to get around the rink without falling much - like when I was 12.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I don't have one favorite - I have several that mean a lot to me.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Getting to spend time with family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Just one thing? My mom's amaretto pound cake, or my mom's Chess or Pecan pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to pick out the tree at a lot in Winston - we go to the same one usually.

17. What tops your tree? We have an angel.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Well, I live receiving, but I like picking out gifts for everyone and seeing their reactions, so giving is more fun.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? too many to list, but O Holy Night ranks right up there.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I don't really like peppermint.

A Christmas meme

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:31:33 GMT

Christmas is enchanting [fill in the blank with ONE WORD] - 4 years ago I would have answered with depressing. I don't think Christmas will ever go by without thinking about the Christmas where we lost my Grandpa, and then two years later when we were losing my Granddaddy through the Holiday season.

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past? Having all of my family around. I miss the family that we don't see any more; on both sides of our family.

3. Was Santa ever good to you? [describe how and what] Sure. I got all sorts of great goodies from Santa.

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both? Christmas Eve, we open gifts at my Grandma's house. Christmas Day, my grandparents come over to our house and open gifts. Sometimes a couple of days before Christmas, we go to my Grandpa's sister's house and have a Christmas breakfast.

5. Is there something you make each and every year? [craft or recipe] Sourdough Bread, crab stuffed mushrooms, cookies

6. What are your favorite five[5] Christmas songs/hymns?
Rudolph
Mary Did You Know
O Holy Night
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
*I've got so many favorites, I could list my top 40

7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days? Now, we have family over to our house on Christmas Day

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. [whether it's across town or across country] Well, we used to go to my Grandmother and Granddaddies house (35 minutes away) on Christmas day and there would be around 15 of us there. It was really something to look forward to. But things change, and you have to move on.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day? I try to wear something festive and comfortable. When we were little we had our favorite Christmas outfits, usually a dress or a Christmas shirt.

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa’s lap? I did as a child.

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year? i don't know. Usually, its just a mix of ornaments. My mom might have a theme in mind, like rustic, or cabin or pinecones this year, but I like colorful lights and big, pretty balls, something full of color.

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas? We usually put lights out and a wreath on the door, but if we put anything in our yard our dogs would have it chewed up in a matter of minutes (they're so destructive.) Thankfully, we have a new porch and maybe we can deck it out in lights this year.

Thanksgiving right around the corner

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:05:50 GMT

So, I've made the starter for my sourdough bread and I'll be feeding it this afternoon. By tomorrow afternoon we will have Sourdough Bread. So excited - I haven't made it since last Christmas and its sooooo good. Debating on what else to make for our Thanksgiving meals. Of course we'll be having Turkey, I'm still not sure what kind yet. My mom will make her sausage and apple dressing/stuffing. We'll probably have mashed potatoes, my bread, green beans or green bean casserole, and something else. I don't do the cranberry sauce but I figure my mom might have some for my grandmother and grandma.

I like to make appetizers and desserts, so what should I make? I found a recipe for chocolate truffles and I've never made them, so i might try. One year I made crab stuffed mushrooms, one year I made some sugar, cinnamon pecans. We'll probably have some kind of pie or cake or both for dessert. I think we should have a pecan or chocolate pecan pie. Maybe my mom will make her amaretto pound cake.

Getting the Christmas music out. What are your favorite Christmas songs?? I like a lot. All sung my multiple/various artists.

Winter Wonderland

Let It Snow!

White Christmas

Sleigh Ride

Silver Bells

Frosty the Snowman

Baby, Its Cold Outside

Jingle Bells

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Happy Holiday

A Holly Jolly Christmas

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

A Tennessee Christmas

Christmas in Dixie

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Noel

Mary Did You Know

Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Oak Ridge Boys

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

Jingle Bell Rock

I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

Up On the Housetop

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Angels We Have Heard On High

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

O Come' All Ye Faithful

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Good King Wenceslas

O Holy Night

Christmas is here - in spirit at least

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:26:35 GMT

Here is the Christmas window my mom, sister and I decorated today. I love the red curtains. I would have loved for them to have spanned the entire window, but the store owner wanted customers to be able to see in, so we just had them frame the window. We only had a foot wide ledge, so we had to be creative and think small to get things to fit, and still seem balanced. We're not quite finished yet. Where the pinecones are hanging down, I'm going to put a green, painted window, with a NC map behind the panes. Its going to have Santa's path, marked with red ribbon. And the Santa figure will be pointing at the map. I'll have to put up another picture when its finished.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Preparing for Thanksgiving

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:40:29 GMT

<---my favorite

So, I started thinking about Thanksgiving, and one thing I instantly think of is The Macy's Day Parade. If you're not in the States to watch it, it might not mean that much, but its definitely interesting and you should definitely check out some pictures of the floats and balloons. There is nothing else like them - all those cartoon characters we love, and the traditional floats they have every year, like the big turkey, and Santa at the end - oh, it warms my heart just thinking about it.

I also think about movies and television shows I grew up on as a child. Here are some links you might want to check out.

Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Berenstein+Bears+Big+Paw+thanksgiving&search_type=

you can download it in three parts - 1,2,3

----------------------

1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (DVD) (1973)

An Emmy-award winning special, with Charlie Brown in charge of the Thanksgiving dinner where everyone drops by unexpectedly. This DVD also includes "The Mayflower Voyagers" special, a Peanuts rendition of the Mayflower Voyage and the first Thanksgiving. NR

-----------------------

5. Garfield: Holiday Celebrations (DVD) (2004)

Three cartoons featuring the holiday adventures of the lazy, lovable, Garfield. First, Garfield and Odie get stuck in a haunted house populated by spectral pirates in "Garfield's Halloween Adventure." "A Garfield Christmas" features Garfield and Odie home alone while Jon visits Grandma on the farm. Jon has a hot date for Thanksgiving dinner in "Garfield's Thanksgiving" when Liz the veterinarian agrees to come over. Meanwhile, Garfield's on a preparatory diet to get ready for the feast. NR

-------------------------------

Thanksgiving Movie: Miracle on 34th Street

There are several versions of this movie; the best is the original black and white 1947 classic starring Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Glynn. It’s the classic tale of whether Santa Claus is real, and the story takes place on Thanksgiving Day at the Macy’s parade in New York. No matter how many times you see it, it’s a truly heart-touching movie and a perfect way for the whole family to kick off the holiday season at Thanksgiving.

------------------------------

The Wizard of OZ
Everyone has probably seen this, so I assume there is no need to summarize. I remember it playing on or around Thanksgiving each year. If you can, also check out the Wizard of OZ cartoons; they're also interesting.

TRL ending soon

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:51:07 GMT

Carson Daly, TRL

The end of an era. I watched an episode of TRL today, and found out that in 10 days, TRL will have its finale show and it will be over. I can't believe it. I'll have to admit, I'm not an avid TRL watcher these days, but back in 1998 when it started, and even before it started when Carson Daly was hosting another show (MTV LIVE 1997-98), I was its biggest fan. Those were some great years (1998 -2001). Those were the Backstreet Boys and Nsync days. The crowds were so massive for those bands that they had to shut down entire streets (in NYC) just because they were coming on the show. Carson Daly was a great host and once he left, it went down hill. Some of the hosts they had since then were good, but for me, it wasn't the same. Though, they still drew the bands in and I have watched when my favorite bands of today have been on there.
Does anyone remember Carson on a Pre-TRL show called Motel California - circa 1997 . I don't remember much of the details now, but thats when I first heard of Carson and started to watch MTV.
ahh, those days were great - ahhh, I'm getting a little nostalgic, but I don't care. It was when MTV actually played music videos and that was when i was really starting to get into popular music and I would watch the music tv shows for hours, singing along to my favorite artists. 1997 will always be a good year.

Here are a couple of Halloween photos

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:35:08 GMT

SO, here are some pics that I promised would go up sometime. WE put the yard up in about 2 1/2 days. It was fun, hope you like the photos.

Due to a slow ass server, these are about the only photos I could end up getting up today - if you're on my facebook, i was able to put up more pics over there -

SC plane crash last night

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 02:11:18 GMT

Mid day, heard over the internet about Travis Barker and DJ A.M's plane crash in South Carolina last night. Out of six people, they were the only two to survive. Two pilots and Barker's business partner and bodyguard died. Different people are reporting diff. stories, but supposedly Travis sustained burns from the waist down and is in critical condition and DJ AM sustained burns over 50% of his body and they were the worst on his face and is critical condition.
They don't know as of yet what caused the plane to crash other than that they're saying it outran the runway while taking off, hit some things, ran across a road and hit an embankment and caught on fire.

Its beyond sad. I had never met them, but I still find it upsetting. Plus, I feel sad for all the family members of the four that died. It just makes you think how quickly things can go wrong, when you don't expect it, esp. with planes. And how many of our favorite bands take these kind of trips all the time, thinking its just going to be a quick plane ride home?

bored, thought i would create some signs

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:16:42 GMT

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:05:13 GMT

Went to see SOTP2 tonight. I love late afternoon movies; can't beat $4. Anyway, I expected the movie to be good and it didn't disappoint. The jeans look even better (decorated) than the last movie. All the girls are older and are moving on and with that comes learning how to grow as a person and to grow with your friends. (Something that has been on my mind lately.) I absolutely love seeing Greece in this movie and I would love to go visit some day. I love all the white-washed buildings where they film that part of the movie. Of course, I cried throughout the movie. Not only at the sad parts but at the happy ones. <--What can i say, i can cry at a song or commercial too.
Go check it out if you like chick flicks, romance, or just movies about friendship.

"Things We Carry" - i want to see what you carry in your pockets or purses

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:20:16 GMT

I wanted to go with something a little bit more glam and shiny. This is one of my favorites.

this is my summery bag - its like a picnic basket - i painted and decoupaged it myself - it commemorates one of my favorite places, Blowing Rock, NC. The purses were popular in the 60's. This purse was a blank, leftover -probably 40+ years old. I found it when we were cleaning out my grandmother's house and knew it could become something cool.

party purse - i wanted something colorful

These are some shots from my JPG page. Every week they have a photo challenge and they wanted to see what people carry. So, I have many bags/purses/pocketbooks . I took several different shots. They are of course staged to make the shot look better. I should have taken one with all my stuff just dumped out of my current bag. I carry a lot more stuff than what these pics accuarately show. What do you carry? I'm interested!

they do exist...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:03:53 GMT

Isn't that cool? it was born in a conservancy or protected area. They said it was pretty rare and for the extra horn/antler to be in the middle makes it even more special.

Best $1 spent on staying COOL

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:04:33 GMT

Doesn't this look fun? Its Sliding Rock In Asheville, NC. Its all natural and about 60 ft long. 11, 000 gallons of water rush down the wall a minute. I remember going there about 12 years ago when we use to go camping up in the mountains. Even in the summer, that mountain water is freezing cold, but during these 96,97 degree days that sure does look fun and refreshing. It costs a $1 to enter and you can stay as long as you like.

"I wanna get lost in the rock and roll and drift away".......feels like summer

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:46:20 GMT

"Give me the beat boys
and free my soul
I wanna get lost in the rock and roll
and drift away

When my mind is free
you know a melody can move me
When i'm feeling blue
the guitars coming through to sooth me

Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
rhythm and rhyme and harmony
has helped me along
and making me strong"

- Drift Away - lots of artists sing it - google it 


Songs of Summer - in no particular order

Dancing In the Streets - Martha & the Vandellas
Sweet Southern Comfort - Buddy Jewel
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems - Kenny Chesney
Summertime - Kenny Chesney
Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter
Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Where's the Love - Hanson
Mmmbop - Hanson
Summer in the City - Lovin Spoonful
WipeOut - The Surfaris
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett
Watermelon Crawl - Tracy Byrd
Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
Fishin' In the Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Bitch - Meredith Brooks
Semi - Charmed Life - 3EB
Hows It Gonna Be - 3EB
If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow
Where Have All The Cowboys Gone - Paula Cole
Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
Quit Playing Games - Back Street Boys
Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
Don't Speak - No Doubt
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Killing Me Softly - Fugees
The Sign - Ace of Base

+lots of beach music - too many to mention 

wow, i need that as a summer playlist

some more pics ....recent but random

Thu, 22 May 2008 22:16:56 GMT

The Dario - Serves Hotdogs, Ice Cream and Milk Shakes - Its been in King for several year. It
only has outside seating - I enjoy having a hotdog here

Strawberry Cobbler --
There's only one small slice/serving left :( and its not mine .Everyone eats my cobbler.

We're having a cookout at my Grandma's house Saturday.. Yumm! Do any of you eat Turkey burgers? We don't eat beef hamburgers at our house, we only use turkey. I actually think turkey is much tastier. Anyone doing anything fun or exciting for Memorial Day?

PETT ~ People for the Ethical Treatment of Toms - this is funny!!

Sat, 17 May 2008 20:46:14 GMT

t's time to end the shameful use of the ‘t-word'

Published: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:50 PM CDT

I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss the plight of a downtrodden group in America, yet another cause worthy of having a support group named for it - or at least a new syndrome.

An aid group to further the rights of the forgotten, unfortunate victims that I am concerned about should have a fancy name just like other such organizations do. I hereby propose that it be called the Society for the Protection of Guys Named Tom. If you're really into acronyms, we could instead call it PETT - or People for the Ethical Treatment of Toms.

Whatever.

Regardless of the title ultimately picked for it, the sole purpose of my organization would be clear: to eradicate the slanderous and heinous injustices associated with the abuse of our good name.

Whether it's used to identify a sicko who peeps through a window or to describe a male cat, I am sick and tired of having the name Tom dragged through the mud for such purposes. Sure, those uses might seem innocent and non-threatening on the surface, but trust me, they come across as crude and totally insensitive to the long-suffering ears of us Toms.

I would venture to say that nearly everyone reading this column either has a Tom in their family or else knows someone who carries the burden of that name. And while our years of abuse might have been unnoticed to others, we've painfully endured in silent shame as the “T-word” has been exploited so callously.

Take, for example, the term “Peeping Tom,” which is used to define a man who looks through windows at night. Now that's a fine thing to be linked to, is it not? Couldn't the Founding Fathers or whoever chose such terms have used a different name?

It is my understanding that that the original “peeping Tom” was that legendary individual who ogled Lady Godiva as she rode naked through the streets of Coventry. That's all well and good, but it looks to me like the man could just as easily have been known as “Peeping Fred” or “Peeping Walter” and had just as much effect, over time.

Then there's “tomfoolery.” That word is applied to behavior that is silly or foolish. Here again, why did they have to pick on the name Tom? I certainly have been guilty of silly and foolish behavior from time to time - so have guys named Ralph and Mike and Marvin. Ralph-foolery, Mike-foolery or Marvin-foolery might not have the same ring to it as “Tom-foolery,” but you get my point.

And now for a personal favorite: “tomboy.” That is what you call a girl whose behavior or pursuits, such as in games or sports, is considered more typical of boys than of girls. Personally, I think it's really cool when a girl does guy things such as sports. My only complaint is that, once more, they chose the name Tom to designate such a girl, and why?

It is my contention that if they had been worked into our language at the dawn of civilization and used constantly over the centuries, the words “Phillip-boy” or “Doug-boy” might be just as acceptable today for describing females who play football or climb trees.

Sadly, I would be greatly neglectful if I did not mention one of the most shameful designations of the name Tom, and that is its use in the term “Uncle Tom.” An Uncle Tom refers to an African-American who is considered by other African-Americans to be subservient or to curry favor with white people. Just like those whom it is leveled at, I find that description somewhat disturbing, especially since it represents yet another bashing of the name Tom.

This unfortunate phrase originated with the anti-slavery book “Uncle Tom's Cabin,” written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in the pre-Civil War era. I don't want to criticize a great author or anything, but I would certainly feel better if she had named her famous work “Uncle Robert's Cabin.”

My list of wanton disregard could go on and on and on, including such words as “tomcatting” (referring to man chasing women - as if no fellow named Bill or Jim ever chased a woman), but by now the trend should be clear. It is my conclusion that no name in the English language has been cheapened more so than Tom.

So as my new support group gets up and running, we will not be seeking any tax-deductible donations or non-profit status. In these politically correct times in which we live, our group simply wants a little consideration. Our creed will be the same as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), except that the word “Toms” will be substituted in place of “animals” in our mission statement.

We will, therefore, attempt to educate Americans that Toms are not theirs to wear, experiment on or use for entertainment.

By Tom Joyce. Opinion section of Mt. Airy News