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How neat is it that you can take sand and turn it into a translucent panel that can be so inexpensive and used in countless ways? In homes to view the grandeur that is nature, your vehicle to shield you from oncoming beetles and the occasional pebble that falls from the back of a dump truck. And even something as simple as protecting a beloved photo in a tiny, green wooden frame that sits on your desk at work… it never steals the spotlight. It lets the World shine through it.
My poem for the fall…
Sweet Cascade
Fall lends us a fresh death
It rids us of all the summers’ weeds
They fall slowly to the ground
But as they die
Autumn shines brightly through eager eyes
And for a short time, nature reveals her weakness
Her strengths
In a colorful eulogy, she glows
So many witness the last moments
As the beauty falls to the ground
She’s gone
But not for long
Sure to live again!
Although she’ll never be as magnificent
As she was towards her end.
It’s been a little while since I posted so I decided to do my lunch break at Panera (plug) and get in some quality blogging time. I’ve been a few places recently, traveled to the Smokey Mountains for the 4th of July with Jason and to Savannah/Tybee Island with my lil’ sis. Both trips were amazing. It’s kinda nice to live in Atlanta because it’s 3 hours to some of the most gorgeous mountains in the South, 3 hours to the beach, not to mention it’s a huge metropolitan city with tons of different things to do and lovely weather. I would like to live somewhere else though eventually as I’ve lived here all my life…
The Smokey Mountains were relaxing. And we had a time playing in the mountain streams! We arrived in Gatlinburg July 3rd and got a little room right off the main road. We had a sample of beers at a local brewery and then headed down to the Peddler Steakhouse (which has to be one of the best meals I’ve ever had!) They had the best salad bar… we dined on filet, NY strip and an entire bottle of wine right by a pretty mountain river. Our waitress was a sweetheart (I ended up running into her on Tybee Island just a few weeks later!!) and she gifted us with a large piece of pecan cheesecake. After the restaurant, we wandered aimlessly around the streets of Gatlinburg in a drunken stupor, did more shots, laughed at locals, ate our cheesecake and passed out. Such a fun evening. 
I have pics at home, I will have to edit this entry and post a few later on…
Savannah was a blast – we stayed at a hotel called the “Thunderbird” that was pretty interesting. It was an old 60’s themed roadside hotel with a receptionist/Elvis impersonator. We had dinner at the Chart House restaurant on River Street where I treated my boo to Cesar salad, shrimp, crab cakes, several sides and a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream w/ mocha chocolate topping. We had the most fun at the beach. OH, if you want to eat at Paula Deens, make sure to reserve WAY in advance b/c we tried to go on a Sunday and there was a 4-6 hour wait. Yikes!
You ever noticed how sometimes in life you’ll meet someone and even though there may be a huge gap in your age, differing opinions on politics, social & wealth status – - the two of you just seem to be poles apart from each other in most ways but for some unknown reason, you instantly connect with them? You look into their eyes and it’s as if you knew them from some distant time, long ago and you’re right back to being buddies again. Even upon your first meeting, conversation and jokes come easily making your life a little bit more pleasant and something just clicks. They get you.
Those types of people don’t come around often.
But one did. Then he left. And now he will be terribly missed.
Damn you, I never got to find out exactly how old you really were! If there’s such a thing as reincarnation, you’re gonna be a snapping turtle in your next life!
Your Terrorist
I recently completed a book titled “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer. I loved it!!! I was compelled to purchase this book after reading “Into the Wild” and I’m so happy I did. This book is about a journalists’ harrowing climb to the top of Mt. Everest and the sequence of horrible events that go along with it.
Nature stories always spark my imagination and by reading this book, I felt as if I were part of the team climbing the mountain. I would read a lot on my lunch break and at certain parts of the book, it was painful to put it down.
*Do not read any further if you don’t want the book spoiled for you*
The part where the climbers continue right on by the dead bodies without a glance shocked me. I guess a lot of them were accustomed to this and it was just another part of the scenery; as normal as a boulder. There’s a lot of controversy /questions surrounding the events and decisions made while in the “death zone” of Everest but I personally believe that while on that mountain, you should ultimately be responsible for yourself and make the smartest decisions possible. There were a few individuals who probably had no reason to be on that mountain other than egotistical purposes and were not properly trained. Some sacrificed their own lives to help others.
Money can you buy you lots of things (even an ascent to the top of Everest) but when you’re in a tough situation like they were in, it cannot buy you experience or strength. That situation was truly a fine example of survival of the fittest and some luck. Many people died on Everest that year and it goes to show that Mother Nature ultimately rules and she will take you down if she wants.
I would love to be physically able to climb a mountain like Everest someday – after proper training of course; but at the end of the day you have to ask yourself… is it really worth possibly losing fingers, toes or even death?
This past weekend I had a last minute vacation to Santa Rosa Beach, FL. I’ve always stayed around Panama City area (my family would vacation there every single summer) but this place was gorgeous! It was more quaint and private than P.C. The weekend started off a little rough with some heavy rain but the weather eased up here and there, especially on the last day of course, and we were able to enjoy some time on the beach.
We ate at a few different restaurants while in Santa Rose my favorite being a little place called “Stinky’s.” I ordered a Crab cake benedict from the brunch menu and it was amazing!! I would definitely recommend that and the clam chowder soup.
http://www.stinkysfishcamp.com/stinkysfishcamp/default.htm
Another tasty place was “Goatfeathers.”
But the best story of the trip comes from an elusive toothbrush and a pillow fight gone bad. Gather round everyone and let me tell you the tale of the most disgusting injury. I was brushing my teeth after lunch and walked into the bedroom to find my sweetie was lying on the floor with a pillow and playing with his dog. I jokingly said something and we played around for a few seconds (all the while I’m brushing away) and he pretends to toss the pillow up at me.
My hands go up in front of me to block it and I leave the toothbrush in my mouth, biting down with my teeth to keep it in place. It was a fake toss but the next toss caught me off guard. The pillow hit the toothbrush causing the damn thing to launch towards the back of my throat/mouth and thus leaving a gaping hole (probably a little over a quarter of an inch) in my soft palette RIGHT by my throat.
I immediately knew something was wrong and my fingers went in my mouth to discover a small hole and blood. I realized my breathing was fine so there was no larynx damage but I was scared and crying of course. The bleeding didn’t last very long but we were still worried so we headed off to the emergency room where we spent 3-4 hours of our Saturday night. Nothing like an emergency room trip while on vacation! And boy was there some characters in that Ft. Walton emergency room!!
I was released with nothing more than a poking with a cotton swab (which hurt badly!) and some pain meds/antibiotics. And how lucky am I that it was just my soft palette? My boyfriend felt so bad but I told him that it’s just an accident and a cool story to tell for the rest of my life. How many people can say they’ve had a toothbrush puncture their soft palette? 
Overall, I had a good time and I can’t wait to visit FL again! Hopefully next time there will be no emergency room visits.
A friend of mine has this written message on their wall and for the past 6 months, I’ve been waiting for a moth to alight near it. Well, I must confess… the moth didn’t actually land there – - he had a little help. Help being me picking him up, walking him to the image and gently nudging him off my finger for his moment of fame.
The heat is rolling in! It’s supposed to reach 85 today in Hot Lanta, I’m ready for it! I thrive in the heat and the cold corrals me indoors like an insect. On my lunch break I’m gonna go get some of my favorite chips, Dirty Chips w/ garlic, walk out to the park and absorb some much needed Vitamin D on my regular picnic table. I REALLY need to go take some more pics sometime soon to post. Maybe I’ll take a trip to the beach…
Enjoy this sunny day everyone! I’m getting outta this office – for now.
p.s. I must’ve been drunk when I wrote the below poem, even though it seems like I must’ve been on a more powerful drug/hallucinogen! I re-read it this morning and laughed so hard. I will not dare delete it though, it’s too funny.
I quote myself:
Eyeballs glued to them
A pretty violent tinge (s/b violet tinge, apparently my veins are angry)
The biggest veins
Ciao!!
Happy Earth Day to all! I think I’m going to sign up for some project at www.handsonatlanta.com to comemorate this special day – even though the project may actually take place in a few weeks… 
I also came up with a short poem about my veins. They were begging to be heard tonight so I decided to give them the spotlight for a moment. Here goes nothing.
Eyeballs glued to them
A pretty violent tinge
The biggest veins
I can’t help but stare at them
My eyes never strain
They stare back at you
Bulging within view
Transparent my skin
They shine right through
Laughing all the while
They make my World seem askew
I take a look at them
They look right back
Always reminding me to stay on track
They will go away
But not anytime soon
I want them for now, leaving would be inopportune
So I watch them
And they stare back
Bulging within view
They laugh at me, my platelet carrying sacks
I jotted down a little spring time poem this morning…
Hello Ms. Blue Jay
My! What pretty wings
But they momentously lack in compare
To the way you chirp and sing
The highest pitch, you carry with such pride
Expressing your love of just being outside
You’re brightly colored and flying free
Please won’t you sing your song for me?
The one with the ever changing melody?
Thank you for the song, it sure was nice
Custom made for me, never to be heard twice
Goodbye Ms. Blue Jay, I enjoyed your pretty song
You’re a very busy girl now, so hurry on along
Your gift is too precious to be beheld by just one
Open your wings and fly little bird
Fly into the sun!
