Sunday is for Family

Daddy

1952

Guam

(my birthplace)

Still Smiling

The Bulldogs lost but the pack is still happy.

Congrats to the Yellowjackets and Kelli!

Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate

"Hate" is a strong, offensive word that I rarely use. However, it is acceptable when referring to the rivalry between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, which dates back to 1893.

Two cheers that might be heard today:

Bulldog cheer:

“What’s that comin’ down the track?

A big machine that’s Red and Black!

There ain’t nothing finer in the land,

Than a drunk, obnoxious Bulldog fan!”

Tech fans may respond with:

“Differential ‘X’!

Differential ‘Y’!

'A’ Square, ‘B’ square

Integral of pi!

Engineers touchdown!

Engineers yell!

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets!

Fight like hell!”

Sassy Says

If your dog doesn't like someone,
you probably shouldn't either.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thomas Merton wrote:
Fill us then with love, and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways, united in this one spirit which makes you present in the world, and which makes you witness to the ultimate reality that is love. Love has overcome. Love is victorious.

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

Reunion after 14 months in Iraq.

Look Who's Coming to Dinner

Can you imagine setting the table(s) for this group on Thanksgiving?

Meet the ~ C Family, all 34 members of them. Recently, the patriarch of the family, Papa ~C, was inducted into the White County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
(Congrats!)

I was introduced to this wonderful family when I moved to White County in 1975. "Doodah" and ~M became dear friends (as well as so many other wonderful folks in this community) and I knew that I had found my new, forever home.

With so many coming to Thanksgiving Dinner this Thursday, you wouldn't think anyone would notice if one member were missing. There will be a huge vacancy this year, as ~S (Daddy to triplets and ~E) is in Iraq, serving our country. Thank you for this sacrifice.

This family, like all of us, has not been without its heartaches and sorrow.
However through the circle of Faith, Love and Strength, this family has not only survived, they have thrived.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

To keep up with the "Girls": http://www.foursillysisters.blogspot.com/

I am Thankful

When I taught first grade, Thanksgiving was one of my favorite holidays. Teaching the concept of "Thankfulness" is not as easy as one might think. Six year olds tend to be thankful for "things" (toys, pizza, soccer, etc). I believe it can take a lifetime to truly appreciate the meaning of "thankfulness".

If one could only learn to appreciate the little things...A song that takes you away, for there are those who cannot hear.The beauty of a sunset, for there are those who cannot see.The warmth and safety of your home, for there are those who are homeless.Time spent with good friends for there are those who are lonely.A walk along the beach for there are those who cannot walk.The little things are what life is all about.Search your soul and learn to appreciate.--Shadi Souferian

Sunday is for Family

Grandpa Kemp

1916

End of a Chapter-Not the Book

No one wanted the season to be over. Not the fans, band, cheerleaders, parents, players, and especially, not the North Hall Trojans Senior players.

Some say, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game." I'm sure that's not how the seniors felt after playing their last high school football game last night. These young men are leaving behind one of the most memorable and important chapters of their lives.

You might say, "What's the big deal? It's only high school football?" If ever there was a time when we need high school sports for our young adults, it is now! There are too many inappropriate, dangerous alternatives luring children in the wrong direction these days.

In this cynical, superficial, pessimistic time we live in, it is heartening to see young men playing sports not for money but for their school/ team pride. Both sides playing hard and showing enthusiasm, character and sportsmanship-all traits which will take them far in life after high school football.

Through high school sports, school administrators, coaches and parents have a unique opportunity to work together, to model or "teach" motivated athletes the value of cooperation, respect, integrity, responsibility, fairness, communication, caring and good citizenship in the game of sports and life.

As winners of three of the past four region titles, the NTH seniors have made history and memories on and off the field. Last year's team played in the Georgia Dome during the state Class AAA semi-finals.

I feel certain that each of these young men will go on to do great things in his life. Whether or not that involves playing football, who knows? But I do know that the values and character they have developed through the opportunity and privilege of being a Trojan will give them a head start in the right direction.

I wish them all the best.

Sunset on Denali

If the clouds will pass, there should be a beautiful sunset this evening.

Sunset will be 3:24 PM AKST, which is 7:24 ET.

Check it out. It's an awesome sight:

http://www.talkeetnaair.com/webcam/index.html

Sassy Says

Don't mind criticism.

If it's untrue, disregard it;

if it's unfair, keep from irritation;

if it's ignorant, smile;
if it's justified, learn from it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIGI!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HONEY!

Followers and Feedjit

Blogger has added a new gadget (or maybe I just noticed it) called Followers. It is a list of folks who visit a blog on a regular basis. I would love for any visitors to please sign on...thanks!

Just look in the right margin.

My Feedjit gadget allows me to monitor locations of visitors to my blog. It's amazing to see where some people are reading my blog. It's quite a geography lesson for me...

Again, I would love to receive comments from visitors, wherever you may live.

I have made it very easy to make comments, so give it a try and please tell me where you live.

Thanks!

So Close...

I snipped this picture from Panda Cam yesterday. The cub's muscle development is improving daily. Right now he can only go in circles and backward.

Lun Lun is smiling because she knows he can't get to her, YET.

http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4

Wordless Wednesday

Star-Gazing in New Mexico

D and Sassy spent the past month star-gazing in an extremely remote spot in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico.

The Observatory-Western Style

(safe from the cows)

New Friends

Home At Last

They're home.

They're tired.

They're safe.

I'm happy.

Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids meteor shower happens every year around Nov. 17, spilling across the sky from the constellation Leo, which is in the southwest portion of the night sky.

From EarthSky:
Historically, the Leonids have produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history, with rates as high as many thousands of meteors per hour. These storms often recur in cycles of 33 years. In 2008, we anticipate more of a whimper than a growl from Leo the Lion, with a maximum of perhaps 10-15 meteors per hour. Like the October Orionids, the Leonids produce swift-moving meteors, and tend to put out the greatest numbers just before dawn. The peak, however, on November 17, also features a large bright waning gibbous moon in the sky after midnight. Forget the Leonids this year, unless you are a serious meteor observer – or unless you happen to spot a few whizzing past in bright moonlight!

Sunday is for Family

Mother, Grandma, Grandpa,

Uncle Jack, Uncle Carson

Savannah

1939

Panda Watching

I haven't posted a picture of the baby Giant (oxymoron) Panda from Zoo Atlanta in a month. Look at that big baby draped all over poor Momma Bear. Don't forget to vote for your name choice .
http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4

North Hall defends Brickyard

The North Hall Trojans defended the Brickyard last night when they took a 10-9 lead in the last three minutes of a Class AAA playoff battle with Hart County.

According to Access North Georgia:

Kicker Jake Dunn proved the hero this time around, when he stepped up and nailed a 29-yard field goal to give the Trojans a 10-9 lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans advance into the second round of the AAA state playoffs to face Dunwoody next Friday.

GO DAWGS!

Sassy Says

Don't be content with being average.

Average is as close to the bottom as it is to the top.

Check out this creative Breast Cancer Awareness event being held in Fairbanks:

http://newsminer.com/news/2008/nov/14/mile-bras-volunteers-sought/

Headed Home

My husband and Sassy Dog have been in New Mexico for the past month. (explains why I've made so many blog posts recently, huh?)

They left October 18 and drove straight through to NM...only stopping for gas and to let Sassy do her "business". Poor Doggie, we don't travel like that when I'm along. I start "biotch-ing" at 3pm about where we should stop for the night.

D is an amateur astronomer and this has been the trip of his dreams. He researched the area and found a remote spot in the Gila National Forest, guaranteed to have dark skies. What he had not planned on was the wolves. He sees wolves daily and he says they "want" Sassy.

OMG!!!! Bring my puppy home!

They are starting home today and knowing D, they should be here in time for dinner tomorrow night. YAY!

Wordless Wednesday

Getting Ready for Holidays

I love this time of year. It was always an exciting time in the classroom. I enjoyed teaching units on Thankfulness and Friendship in November. That was one of the wonderful things about teaching; it was my job to teach morals, values, the things that really matter in life-not just the 3 R's.
I found it difficult not to be thankful and friendly myself, spending the day discussing such topics with a bunch of eager first graders. And believe me, they are watching us, their role models, very closely.
I do miss the classroom sometimes, but then....

it's nice to be retired too. There's never a dull moment around here. It took me forever to hang this swag this morning. I only used one, teeny-tiny, white nail and you can't even see it...stop looking!

Speaking of Thankfulness, just a reminder (again)...If you are an Arctic Cam fan, please send them a card (any kind) telling them how much you enjoy their site. A fan of AC suggested this several weeks ago and the Newsminer has commented on how much they appreciate the cards.

Mailing address:

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, P.O. Box 70710 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707-0710

Zack's New Bed

I bought Zack a new bed yesterday. His previous bed consisted of 3 "chewed-up" pieces of egg crate mattress that I covered with a sheet from Goodwill. I cover all the dogs' beds with sheets from Bon Wille'.
When the sheets get dirty, I throw them away. Also, the sheets prevent the dogs from chewing and destroying beds. (most of the time)
WHY DO THEY EAT THEIR BEDS???? They love their beds.

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

Top of the World

Two of my favorites: Jim Cantore and Alaska

Be sure and watch Jim Cantore's account of life in Barrow, AK tonight on The Weather Channel, 10pm E.




http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?clip=12613

Sunday is for Family

Grandma Kitty

1900

Same Spa as Emmylou

Last week when I was visiting Mandala Wellness Retreat and Spa in Sautee Nacoochee, I overheard the ladies talking about "Emmylou's arrival".
I jokingly said, "Oh, what time is Emmylou Harris arriving?" Linda gave me one of her knowing looks and smiled.
Yes! Emmylou was driving from Nashville and was due to arrive in 2 hours.
Emmylou knows North Georgia is beautiful this time of year!

From The White County News:


























http://www.mandalaretreat.com/index.html



http://www.lucillesmountaintopinn.com/

Almost, Perfect Saturday

It's a beautiful, sunny, cool, windy day. The leaves are blowing off the trees. I have a cozy fire going in the woodstove and chili cooking in the Crockpot.

Georgia is playing Kentucky on TV and the Dawgs just scored!!!!

Sounds like a perfect day, huh?

Only a couple things missing...

Can you guess?

Trojans in Playoffs!!!!

The North Hall 35-17 win against Lumpkin County was the Trojans' last game of the "regular" season.

The Trojans finished as the second seed from Region 7-AAA and will host Hart County next Friday, at the Brickyard, in the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs.

North Hall quarterback Blayne Gilmer

GO DAWGS!!!

My Photo

A friend of mine, with the technology department, asked if they could use my photo on school system webpage...Cool, huh?

http://www.white.k12.ga.us/

Sassy Says

A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours.

Lucky the Dog

I received this from my new friend in North Dakota-thanks "countryliving"...Keep shoveling that snow, Honey.

(Have a kleenex handy).

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact , she was just sure it was fatal.She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards ...

They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours!

Live simply.

Love seriously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

Wordless Wednesday

Mt. Yonah

My Neck of the Woods

http://www.southeastclimbing.com/climbing_areas/georgia/yonah_mt.htm#des

Vote

If you voted early for President and just feel the need to vote again today, you can!

Cast your vote to name the baby panda at Zoo Atlanta:

http://www.zooatlanta.org/zoo_news_panda_cub_name_vote.htm

Does anyone know how to translate "Bubba Cubba"?

Program schedule change:

Iditarod:Toughest Race Discovery Channel) has been moved to Friday, 8pm E.

Mush On!

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/iditarod/iditarod.html

Six-Man Football

From NPR:
There is no six-man league in Wyoming, so the Meeteetse Longhorns had to join a league in neighboring Montana. But that will change next year. Wyoming recently decided it should have its own six-man league, which will start up next fall.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96394797

Aurora Cam

I snipped this from Aurora Cam yesterday morning.

http://salmon.nict.go.jp/live/aurora_cam/live_aurora_cam_e.html

Sunrise on Denali

http://www.talkeetnaair.com/webcam/index.html

Animal Abuse

Somebody needs to call the ASPCA, because what the Florida Gators did to the Georgia Bulldogs yesterday qualifies as animal abuse.

Ouch!!!! 49-10

Sunday is for Family

Mother

First Grade

This is an interesting article about Southern girls and bows from the G'ville Times:http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/archive/9509/

Fall Back

Lun Lun and "Bubba Cubba" set their clock back one hour-did you?
http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4