Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

26 May

Country Living

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

I have always been a little bit country, but I have never lived in the country.  Even now we do not live that far out of the city, just far enough to enjoy the things that country life offers.

Like the soft cackle that our neighbors hens make as they go about their day.  And looking at the chickens as they get ready for bed.

I didn’t know they like to sleep like this….

Seeing wild flowers regularly— like this beautiful Queen Anne’s Lace.

Watching the animals interact with each other…no doubt in my mind they communicate in their own sweet way.

Enjoying fresh produce, like this cabbage, straight from the neighbors garden.

Using Mason Jars for many other things besides canning…..like for iced tea, flower vases and…..even candles.

Having the animals greet me when I come into the pasture.

Just wanting to be petted and talked to.

Then not wanting me to leave…..as they follow me toward the gate.

Watching the different generations of neighbors exchange stories and ideas.

Each learning new things from one another.

Seeing beauty and resourcefulness in things that grow from the land

…like these dried gourds, now used as bird houses for the Martins.

Seeing all ages of our family enjoy the land and animals.

Walks with my husband in the cool of the day and being able to fish whenever we want.

Oh..and….I don’t always look this good….Billy caught me on a good day.

I think Ellie likes living in the country too!

24 May

Oh…Mabel…Mabel…Mabel

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

So little Mabel developed another lump on her side two or three days after surgery.

We went back to the Dr. and they had to open her back up and put a drain in due to a pocket of infection.

They kept her overnight.  So the next morning I went to pick her up.

She had three different kinds of bandage wraps on.  They were trying to keep her from pulling out the drain.

The doctor said if she left it alone she wouldn’t have to wear all that stuff.

She acted like she felt really good, but I took her to work with us so I could keep on eye on her.

She kept going back to the water bowl.

The bandages were not staying in place.  Kinda hard to wrap a FAT puppy tummy!  You know that fat belly they get after they eat.

So….Billy and I got creative and made two leg holes in this bandage so it would stay on.  Looks kinda like a dog sweater.

Is that CUTE or what…..  We are working on Potty Training soooooo….there have been lots of trips outside.

Especially after drinking all that water!

She was so tired when we got home she crashed pretty early.

She really is like a baby.   I picked her up and put her in her crate and she hardly noticed.

She has been a real good patient.  So far she hasn’t bothered her boo boo.  She did get pretty tired of the bandage today so I took it off.  But it sure looked cute on her…Blue must be her color!

Ellie has been sweet.  I think she might have even missed her the other night while she was at the vet.

Well….maybe not….but she has still been sweet to her.

Hopefully they will really enjoy each others company in the days to come.    I guess we will see.

I still can’t believe we have another dog.

 

 

 

21 May

She stole our heart…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

So I can’t explain how it happened….it just happened.

I told you about our new goats.  Well, when we were putting the goats into the pasture we were approached with a puppy.

Oh, I think puppies are just about the cutest thing there is….BUT….they are puppies.   They are like having a baby….your whole life gets rearranged.

I am very quick to love on them for a minute…but I don’t get the itch to take them home.

This person ….not only had one puppy…she had seven of them!  Oh my ….they were sooooo adorable.  I looked at them and oooed and ahhhhed and then one was put in my arms.

They are free…. Oh well they are cute but….

I oooohed and aaaahhhhed again and then….that’s when Billy took me by surprise.   Pick one out….I think at that point my neck must of looked like it was made of rubber.

I whipped my head around as he was walking off…..WHAT….What do you mean…pick one out.   WHAT??????

Billy wait …come here….don’t walk off….come here ( as he turns around and smiles)…what do you mean….pick one out????????

This is MABEL.   Needless to say…she came home with us that night.

She is a great pyrenees and red bone mix.  Pyrenees are good to be in with goats.  They will protect a herd from coyotes and other things of that nature.  We have a lot of coyotes around here.  It is not unusual to hear them howling in the woods late at night.

So far she he has been a real home body.  We try to get her to come for a walk with us….but no way.  She wants to stay on the porch.  Totally opposite of Ellie.

The other night she must have squeezed through the critter fence.  When I saw her she was trying to get OUT of the goat fence in the back yard.  When we got her back on the correct side she had a huge bulge on her side.  We immediately started looking for a snake bite or something.  She was breathing heavy and had a little blood in her mouth.

By this time it was getting pretty late.  We thought she would not make it through the night.  All we could figure is that maybe one of the goats hit her or something.  However none of the goats were anywhere around her when we got her out of the fence.  It just didn’t add up.

Billy and I neither one got a wink of sleep.  We kept getting up checking on her.

The next morning as soon as the vet opened Mabel and I were at the office.  They looked at it at said it looked like a hernia.  After checking her out they determined that she would have to have surgery.   Apparently, when she wiggled through the fence she tore her little tummy on the inside.  She did not have any cuts on her at all on the outside.  The blood that we had found in her mouth…well they found she had broken a few baby teeth.  The vet said she probably tried to bite the fence wire to get out.

She was able to come home the same day.  Doesn’t she look pitiful.  The doctor said that it was much bigger than he first thought.

Amazingly enough she is really bouncing back.  She wants to play most of her waking hours, just like a puppy normally does.

She knows she is cute…notice the look she gives.

Good grief…after all she has gone through how can you not baby her.

It’s all Billy’s fault….he is the one that fell head over heels.

She takes every advantage she can to make sure he stays wrapped around her finger.

Now Mabel is supposed to protect the goats…hmmmm….I may have to remind Billy of that in the days to come.

And Ellie…well, she is being really good about the whole thing.  She even shares her bed…every now and then.

18 May

Goats….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

We have separated some of the goats.

Jed is the son of Violet and the big brother to Jethro.

It is time for Jed to move out on his own….

He is a handsome boer goat.  He is gentle and kind.

These pictures were taken in March.  Jethro likes to play with him…and Jed is usually a good sport and plays back.

Just like brothers they like to hang out together.

And just like brothers, sometimes a little brother can be a little aggravating.

Last Saturday we picked up two new goats.

This is May.  She is now Jed’s wife.  She is supposed to be expecting within the next two or three weeks, according to her previous owner.   We will see.  I hope so!

She ran away from Jed the first day…but then she decided he was alright.  Now they stay together and they seem very content.  The two of them now live back in the pasture.

This is Freddy.  He is a male goat, obviously with the name Freddy, and he now resides in the back yard.

Violet, Jethro, Pearl and Hoot n Nanny are still adjusting to him.  They let him hang around, but haven’t  fully welcomed him just yet.

I think he is really pretty.  He almost  looks like a deer.  I’m predicting beautiful babies coming our way one day.  Ya Hoo!!!!!

As I have stated before, every animal that comes to our farm….has to have a name.  We called the girl May, because we got her in the month of May and we thought it suited her.  We named the boy Freddy, because the man we bought the goats from was named Freddy.  I think he looks like a Freddy. OH….. Not that he looked like his past owner Freddy…just that he looks like a Freddy.  Whoo….I just about got myself in trouble there.  I try to name the animals something that I can relate to where we got them or when we got them…it can get harder to remember those things the more animals you have.  So, I have found that if I have a meaning behind the name it helps.

He and Ellie are similar in color.  We have found that he is a lot harder to find in the backyard with the trees, compared to the other goats.   He really blends in with the surroundings.

And is about the size of Jethro….so it may be a little while before we have any more babies here in the back yard.  That is alright.  They have a lot of eating to do!

Jethro is a wether….meaning we banded him when he was small.  He cannot have babies.  Yes, Billy and I did that ourselves.  It is a little hard making those decisions.  However, you cannot have a lot of male goats running around.  So in order to be able to keep him and enjoy him for a long time, that is the choice we made.  It was still hard.

I am learning the terminology for all the critter procedures as I go along.  We have a local Feed store we use.  I have learned so much from these guys.  They are so sweet and they don’t mind me asking a million and one questions.  The owner often tells me a story about an animal while I am there.  I love hearing them.  They have all become my buddies.  Unlike most of the chain stores…I usually see the same people no matter when I go.  I like that.  It is a family owned and operated store.  Pretty neat to see several generations working together while sharing the same passion.  The other workers are close friends and just good ole country boys, with manners!  They still say Yes Ma’am and No Ma’am….and carry everything to the car for me. The kindness and respect they show, sure  makes my day.  I never hear one ask another….Hey, when is your break…Hey, what time do you get off work…or I can’t wait to get out of here.  Maybe it is because they are doing what they love.  I think that makes a huge difference in attitude toward work.

I just got back from the feed store,  the guys loaded the car up with a few 50 lb bags of sweet feed and I loaded up on a whole lot of animal knowledge!

16 May

Just a Blurrrrrrrr….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

I was fortunate enough Monday night to attend Layla’s performance from her gymnastics program.  It’s a good thing we have digital camera’s these day.  I sure would have wasted a lot of film otherwise.  Almost every picture I took was a blur.  Not necessarily from my camera….which I am still trying to decide if I like or not….but from the action of these little ones.  My mom used to say….I wish I could bottle some of that energy….I understand what she was talking about.

For Layla’s Birthday in February, her Aunt Nicole and her Great Grandma gave her a gift certificate to this little gym class.  I don’t believe they could have picked out a better gift!  Layla has LOVED going.  She has always been a little climber and jumper.  This provided a great way to burn all that energy up….just her style.  From the time she was able to pull up in her baby bed, she would raise both legs up and plop on her tail end from standing height…..then she would just giggle and giggle…and do it all over again.

So pardon the blur…but this was some of what they showed everyone they have been working on this season.

This is Layla and her Aunt Nicole….who is one of the teachers.  This was done to music.  Each activity teaches a variety of learning skills.

There are flips….

And balancing….which can be difficult when you are four….or Forty Nine…HA

Once you get it on the lower level…you get to step it up a notch……

Then you get to add a flip or roll to it…with help

It is a good program…The teachers are great at working with the children.  Here is one of the ways they rotate from one station to the other and not have kids on top or each other.  Kinda reminded me of SOUL TRAIN..HEE HEE.

They really do call this the train and they sing a song as they move to the next station…IT works!

Then there was more climbing…

Hey…you have to admire that….I’m not sure I can do that anymore….

The instructors show the kids what to do at each station.

Then it is the kids turn.

I’m sure it is rewarding for the teachers to see how much progress the children have made since the beginning of the program.

You’ve heard of kids climbing the wall……well

They really did.  This is where they practice a hand stand, by walking their feet up the wall.

At the end, they told the children they could join their families….this is the part of being a grandmother that just blesses your heart.  She runs to me smiling, calling my name with that sweet little voice.  AHHHH….be still my heart.

Now with great Anticipation we await the award ceremony…….

They received…a certificate and as Layla so proudly stated….”A Golden Medal”!

The graduating class….

A graduation gift of “PINK” ice cream was given.  Layla actually wanted to treat me to Ice Cream….she brought her little purse filled with pennies, nickles and dimes.  She said Me Me…I”ll buy it…I have enough money!  What a sweet gesture, makes all the other worries in life….disappear.

It is always fun to be with the little ones.  Layla’s talks are getting more and more interesting as we travel in the car.  She told me something that raised my brow.

About 30 minutes into class I heard her tell her Aunt Nicole the same thing…I waited to see the response on her Aunts face.  I suppose mine must have looked like hers….I had to chuckle to myself.  Aunt Nicole however manage to continue on with class.  When the program was over Layla went to hug Aunt Nicole.  It was then that Nicole looked up at me with that PRICELESS look and said…Layla told me that she was getting a baby sister?  I laughed and said …yeah…she told me that too on the over here.  I assured her that I would be asking about that one.  As we both gave a nervous giggle.

Garrett and Ashley both had to work so I couldn’t wait to inquire when we got home.  However on the way back to her house I began the process of questioning.  I asked if Mommy was going to have a baby?  She said NOOOOOO.  I said well, is Daddy going to have a baby? She said NOOOOOO.  Well then…I asked…where are you getting this baby sister?

And well…Silly me….I should have known the answer…

At the Baby Sister Store, she says.   WHEW!!!!! That’s all I needed to know.

Garrett laughed as I told him and I informed him he might want to ease Nicole’s mind as well!

It is always an adventure when kids are around!

15 May

Plants and Animals

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , .

I’ve been watching a few of my plants lately, the ones that come back every year.  I tried to guess when it was that they were going to bloom.

I thought it was around this time last year, I happened to guess right.

I planted these several years ago.  They continue to produce more plants, so they are starting to really make a statement.

Same thing with these Hydrangea’s.  I think I mentioned before that I had moved this plant, it didn’t do much of anything last year.

While the plant itself is still small.  It is already giving me some beautiful flowers.

I love the different colors on the same plant.  I believe it likes it’s new place in this flower bed!

I had a new daylily I was trying out last year, but I noticed that Billy thought it was a weed and got it with the weedeater a couple of times.

Billy bought me a “just my size weedeater”.    It is easy to handle and  battery operated  (Billy laughs at it).   It is light weight enough for me and I don’t have to mix up the additives and pull on it…and pull on it…and pull on it, and beg it to start.   I just push my little button and off I go.  Granted the battery doesn’t  last a longtime, but does little jobs just fine.  So he did the big areas with his MANLY WEEDEATER.  And I did the little areas with my girly one.

All that to say…..my daylilies survived and actually bloomed this week!

Ah….now that’s pretty!

I love the water lilies in the gold fish pond. I have three different kinds.  Whenever I see this particular one…it takes me back to rowing a boat at my Grandma and Grandpa’s.

It was all around flowers like these that we would catch those big ole bull frogs that my grandma would fry up the legs for us.   We actually have quite a few frogs that like to hang out in our pond as well.  When you walk up to the pond they will jump in from the edge and sometimes they skip like a rock across the water.  Ellie loves to make them jump in.

This is another one I have.

It has not spread as much as the other one.  If you look to the right there is another bloom getting ready to surface.  Maybe this year it will do better.  The pads tend to be  purple unlike the green pads with the other lilies.

It was as if the yard was saying “Happy Mothers Day” to me.  I thought their blooming time was perfect!

I happened to catch some of the Mama animals with their babies this weekend and thought you would like to see them too.

Starting with our newest Mama and baby.  This is Zsa-Zsa and 3 week old baby girl…Joy.

This is Punkin and Toot.  Toot is about to two months old now, and growing like a weed.

This is Brandy and her 9 month old girl….Lee.  Lee is always loving up on her Mama, it is really sweet.

I couldn’t get a picture of Cupid and Chuck together.

He is a boy and you know how boys don’t really care for all that stuff.

But the baby girls decided to pose for me.

I am seeing them hang out together a good bit.  Lately when the cows are in the pasture the two of them are always together playing while the Mothers graze.  Joy is the one on the left and Toot is on the right.  I think they will be close.  I’ve noticed that Chuck and Lee tend to do that too, they are 3 weeks apart in age.  Toot is starting to turn more brown than she was.  It is fun to watch their markings develop as they grow.

These aren’t the greatest pictures of the goats, but when they see me they come running to the fence and picturing taking is all over at that point.  So this was taken as I zoomed in from behind a tree.  They looked right at me…they just think I’m a little bit nuts, hiding behind a tree.  I suppose I am…come think about it.

This is Pearl and Hoot n Nanny.  Hoot is really growing and Pearl is a good first time mother.

This is Violet and Jethro.  He is changing so much, he’s getting so tall and his horns are really growing.  He looks a lot like Pearl.  Violet is the mother to both of them….at different times of course.

The temperature has been a little cooler this week, they have all been enjoying it.

I hope it won’t be much longer before we welcome a new addition to the Farm.

I absolutely can’t wait to see this baby!

This is Zippy, she came into the pasture last May.  It takes about a year for them to carry their baby.  So hopefully…we are getting close.

I know Moses will be glad, Zippy is a  little grouchy toward him these days.  Poor Moses….he just tries to walk away.

It has been a really good week, watching all the new Mama’s and Mama’s to be.

I love getting to be around all the new life here on the Farm.

 

 

 

 

 

14 May

My Mom

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

This is my mother when she was just a little girl.  Isn’t she a cutie.

She couldn’t wait to grow up, get married and become a Mother.

She dated a good bit…but she just couldn’t find Mr. Right.  UNTIL….she met…. HIM.

They both fell in love and within months they were married.   What a good looking couple.

They both wanted lots of children.

God gave them four.  This is where I come into the story!

Tommy, Charlotte, Sonya (me) and Debbie.

They were only married seven years when my daddy passed away, so Mom raised us by herself.  She did a great job and I know that my Dad would be so proud of her.

I forgot that all this digital stuff really became popular after she died.  I have a few scanned pictures, but I need to learn how to post them differently.

Meanwhile…I can tell you about her.

She loved God and she showed us how important He was in her life.

I tell you that first, because that is what molded and shaped her into the person I knew and loved.

She told us that after going through hard times, like losing  daddy, you either get bitter or better.

She chose to let God bring out the best in her through the situation.  She ran to God…not away from Him.  Trusting Him through the good times and the bad.

My mama had beautiful blue eyes, and velvety soft skin.

She taught us girls to be feminine, she dressed pretty and liked to wear high heels.  We grew up loving that too.  When I was a little girl I loved the way she would blot her lipstick with a tissue.  Often she would kiss my cheek and leave a lipstick kiss.   She was pretty and her perfume smelled good.

As a child she often woke us up for school with the song -“Rise and Shine, give God the Glory, Glory” .  It still echoes in my head and makes me smile. ( A sprinkle of water was next if you didn’t rise and shine!)

She loved to celebrate our birthday’s, it was our special day.  We didn’t have elaborate parties, but we had friends and neighbors over for homemade cake and Ice cream.

She read us bedtime stories, prayed with us, and tucked us in bed.

She gave us a million kisses and hugs and told us she loved us so many times I couldn’t even count them.  And she meant it… each and every time.

I have fond memories of home cooked meals, that began with prayer, thanking God for providing for us and allowing us to gather together as a family.  There was lots of laughter and conversation at the dinner table.  It was a time for us to share our day.   She was interested in the things that interested us.

She made sure we all did our homework and worked with us if we needed help.

Mom had three dishwashers, me and my two sisters.   We had a lot of fun working in the kitchen with her.  She taught us how to cook and clean.  We learned how to sort, wash, dry, fold and put clothes away.  We all helped with cutting the grass, edging the lawn and trimming the shrubs.  We swept the driveway and sidewalks and took out the trash, although that was mainly Tommy’s job.  We didn’t always like the chores at the time, but we were a family.  We worked together as a family.  It taught us responsibility.

She was a people person, she enjoyed having company. Growing up, our house was the house that everyone wanted to come to.  All our friends loved our mama.  Besides that she made the best sweet tea in the world.

She was talented and creative.  She made  pajamas, clothes, curtains, table cloths, embroidered pillow cases, crocheted purses and afghans!  Just to name a few.  If she wanted a room painted…she painted it.  Since we helped, we learned how to do it too.

She taught us how to change a tire on the car and check the oil.

She taught us manners and expected us to use them.

She took us to church as a family, and taught us God’s Word in our home.

She stayed up at night, preparing things for the next day.

She rose early, fixed breakfast, packed school lunch boxes and got us to school on time.

She was patient and kind with us.  But she also expected us to obey and disciplined us when we didn’t.

She spanked me when she thought I needed it, but not near as much as I deserved!

She took care of me when I was sick, kissed my boo boos, and wiped many tears from my eyes.

She showed us love and respect.

She couldn’t and wouldn’t go to sleep until we were all in for the night.

I could talk to her about anything…well almost…

As a teenager I remember sitting on the edge of her bed when I would get home.  We would laugh and talk about things that most people would find boring.

She encouraged me when I failed and walked with me through difficult times.  She mentored me and helped me become a better person.  When she didn’t approve, she corrected me, but loved me as I found my way.

She had a tender heart.  If we were happy, she was happy for us.  If one of us hurt….she hurt.

We were happy when she was happy and when she hurt….we hurt.

We all grew up, healthy and happy!

One by one we moved out.

It was hard leaving her in that house all by herself.  The home she and daddy had hoped to retire in.  She had devoted her whole life to us, guiding us, training us.  Giving us an awesome childhood.

It was hard for her too.  But she continued to show us where she got her strength, by relying on God to help her make the transitions.

I had the first grandchild.

Garrett was the only one for 10 years.  Needless to say…they were very close.  She thought he hung the moon!

Then my sisters started having children.

Mother loved each and every one of them dearly.  Showing each of them the same kind of love.  She kept the pictures they drew for her.  She saved their sweet voices on the answering machine.  She spent time with them and kissed them every chance she got.

She always looked forward to getting together.

The beach was a special place for her.   This was the last time we were all there together.  I am so glad we were able to spend that time with her.

I treasure this picture!

I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood.  Sure we had hard times and heartaches, every family does.

But we had more good times….than bad ones.

I’m not sure that we fully realize the impact our parents have on us until we are grown.

I miss her everyday, especially on Mothers Day.

As I reflect on her though, I smile, because I have so much to be thankful for.

I DO love my Mama!

13 May

Mothers

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Today is Mothers Day…and I am so thankful for two young mothers in our family.

This is our daughter Lindsay.

She is Andy and Riley’s mother.  Without Lindsay…we wouldn’t have Andy and Riley.

This is Ashley

She is Layla’s mother.

Without Ashley…we wouldn’t have Layla.

Meaning, I might have had other grandchildren by other people, but the personalities would not be the same.

I am so thankful for these two moms.  They have blessed my life tremendously.  I have loved watching them grow into their roles as mothers.

Motherhood is a hard  job, but it is also the most rewarding job you will ever do.

Now that I am on this side of child rearing, I suppose I see things differently than I did when I was younger.  I realize what an influence a mother and father have on their children.  I also realize that time goes by so quick, that you need to seize the days.  And you can’t go back and do it over.

I am glad that you stop and smell the flowers along the way, spending time doing things together.  You talk with them, sing with them, laugh with them.

Listen to them, discipline them, teach them, pray for them and with them.

I still pray for my children everyday, even though they are grown.  I also pray for their partners and all those precious grandchildren that have come into our family

Most of all, I pray that my grandchildren will grow up to love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

I have always loved this verse.

Happy Mothers Day Lindsay and Ashley.

Happy Mothers Day to every Mother of every age.

12 May

Motherhood

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Almost 27 years ago……I was blessed with this little fellow, Garrett.

Sometimes it seems like yesterday

Sometimes it seems like it was all a dream.

But then I look at these pictures and all the memories flood back quickly.

The things that were just day to day normal activities…changed little by little year after year.

When Garrett was about 10….Billy and I married.  I gained two more children.  Holly12 and Lindsay 10.

I always wanted more children…now I had them!

And before I knew it….they were all grown.

This is even an old picture…everyone’s lives are so busy, I never get a picture of just the three of them anymore.  But that’s alright, because now they have brought more people into our family to love.

Funny how when kids are young, you really think these days are a long way away, but they aren’t.  The years go by so quick.

I miss those days.  The days that drove me crazy way back then.  The noise, the dirty clothes, the dirty dishes, the tea pitcher ALWAYS being empty, the temper tantrums and mood swings in the teenage years.

I miss them at meal time. I miss them watching television with the family or going for a walk together.  I miss them on vacations, I miss being able to kiss their forehead when I would check on them before I went to bed at night.

I miss it…..but I am thankful for all the years we had with each and every one of them.  I am so glad that they now have their own homes, and now are making some of these same memories with their families.  And yes, they will miss it when their children grow up too.

When Garrett was little I tried to always enjoy each and every stage he was in at the time.  Looking forward to the milestones, I tried not to miss infancy, the cuddly stage, the crawling stage etc.

So… I will have to say that now I am really enjoying this stage of having grown children .  I love to watch them be parents.  I am so happy for them, because I know how special it is.

And although I miss all that…… I am glad that I don’t have to cook much anymore, It is a little quieter but Billy and I can watch whatever we want on the television, or go for a walk and not tell anyone where we are going, we get to take more vacations and don’t have to plan around school schedules, I kiss Ellie on the head before bed, and I like having ALL my clothes caught up.  I have very few dirty dishes and a pitcher of tea last several days!  So there are some perks to this stage after all.

I love being a mother and I love being a grandmother.

I thank God for the precious lives HE allowed me to share my life with for all these years.

I am blessed!

11 May

The Race

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .

Since I have been sharing this week on going to the races, I have heard from my Aunt and my Uncle on my fathers side of the family.  I love to hear what they have to say.  Thank you Aunt Janet and Uncle Fritz for taking the time to read this silly little blog.  Thank you for sharing with me things from the past and present that helps me know what makes me….me.

Aunt Janet brought up the fact that my Daddy’s side of the family camped a good bit.  I didn’t know that.  I do remember very clearly another one of my Daddy’s sister, Aunt Pat and Uncle Dick took us camping while we were visiting with them one summer.  It was fun!  Interesting, even as I reflect on that memory, one of the things that sticks out is the smell of that bacon wafting through the air.  I am not a true sleep in a tent and enjoy it person.  I like a camper of some sort, but whatever way one chooses to camp it surely offers a lot of fun.

I remember my brother watching the races when I was younger.  I thought…OH MY GOODNESS…..that is the most boring thing in the world!  Why would someone sit and watch cars go around in a circle?   One day, many years later, I started getting a little more interested.  I went to a short track race, it was loud but fun.  A few years later I was able to attend a race in Talladega.  WOW…that was on another level.  I preferred that kind of racing.

Being a girly girl…I pick out things that interest me probably different than what some would.  I LOVE the colors of the cars.  You may think that is silly, but if you ever get a chance to see the cars lined up in person,  you will understand what I am saying.  They are beautiful.

This is an older picture…but it gives you an idea of what the cars look like.  I didn’t take any of them in line this time.  Notice the drivers name is above the window of the car.  My Billy is a HUGE….. Bill ELLIOTT fan. Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill.  He ran this week, but only for a little while.  He isn’t in the races for the long haul these days, and you won’t see him race very often any more, but we always cheer for him.   He won NASCAR’S most popular driver award like some 16 times or so.  He even withdrew his name one year.   I think he still holds the track record in Talladega for a qualifying speed of 212 mph.  and in Daytona at 210 mph both were back in the late 80’s.  Bill Elliott was a Ford man.  I personally always liked that about him.

There are many drivers that Billy and I like.  Matter of fact there aren’t many we don’t care for.  And we definitely admire all of them.

Then there is the ROAR of the engines.  When they say GENTLEMEN….START…. YOUR…. ENGINES.  There is a tingle that runs through your whole body when those engines crank up.  I usually am not impressed with a loud engine at a stop light or wherever, but this is different.

They bring the flag around the track and chills run up your spine.  I know the flag is touching the ground here, but trust me…they are very patriotic and I don’t think this is the norm.  Great respect for God and Country is found at the track.

National Anthems and Prayer is said over the loud speakers.  It is very moving.  I am so proud that they still pray…they don’t just have a moment of silence.  They pray for the safety of the drivers and for the people who have come to watch.  They pray in Jesus’ name.  That is very rare these days.  I am always humbled that this still takes place and pray that it never changes.

There is the FLY OVER.

That brings the Patriotic chills to a tear in the eye.  It makes you so proud of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.  WOW.

For some it is time to put on some ear protection.

For the rest of us it is time to hear the ROAR…..as Darrell Waltrip always says….Boogity Boogity Boogity….let’s go racing boys!

I caught one complete lap on video.  There is no way to really capture the sights, sounds and smells as the cars circle the track.

My Uncle Fritz shared with me this week about how he has followed Nascar since the 50’s.  He worked with Ford Motor Co., and had the opportunity to work on an experimental engine that Ford only made two of.  It was installed in a 1964 Ford race car, that was driven by Ford’s Driver on the Nascar Circuit at that time, Fred Lorenzen.

How exciting is that, for two reasons.  One because that was MY UNCLE who worked on that project!  The second is that I didn’t know that…maybe that is part of the reason why I love the roar of the engines!  It must be in my genes.  My Uncle was involved with a lot of things that took place with Ford Motor Co., in various areas.  I am very proud of him.

I have to show this picture because this is one of the laps where we were able to see Bill Elliott race.  He is in the 97 here….GO BILL!!!!!!

Sometimes we sit in front of the pits which is very exciting.  I am amazed at how quick they gas up, change tires and do all they need to do on the cars in seconds flat.  This race we sat in a different section on the back stretch.  We have tried different areas through the years.  Every seat has been a good seat.  You just get different views.

I haven’t experienced the infield yet.   That is where you can literally camp and/or watch the race from inside the field.

These campers are in the infield.

This was a bad wreck that took place in turn three.  The driver had to be cut from the car

and a helicopter flew him out for medical attention.

Talladega is known for “the big one”  there is usually a wreck that takes out a big part of the race cars.  I have seen tires pop off, hoods fly, cars roll end over end and amazingly enough the drivers usually drop their window net, signaling that they are alright.

It is scary and exciting at the same time.  We always hate to see a driver injured, thankfully that doesn’t happen very often.

I like to see a real battle for the finish in the end.

It doesn’t always end that way, but all in all it is usually a very good race.

I still don’t really like to sit and watch it on television, but being there is a different story!

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