tennessee, day five

Spent a very full day in the Smoky Mountains (picture above taken there), and now I am tired! (But it's a 'good tired'!) Tomorrow is our last full day in Tennessee (haven't decided yet what we are going to do), then we fly back on Thursday.

I probably won't be bloggin' until we're home -- so see you all then!

tennessee, day four

I gotta tell you, Dollywood was a blast! The rides were fun -- especially the ones where you get wet. I also enjoyed the live music performances, the artisans, the food, the shops, and the (mostly) nice, friendly people who work there. I'd highly recommend it. The big bonus was that it wasn't crowded -- Monday was a perfect day to go. (Notice in this picture, just about the only people you see are Offsprings #1 and 2!)
Tomorrow: Smoky Mountain Day!

tennessee, day three

My blood pressure is currently nice and l-o-w. We spent a very relaxing day out on the boat with a delectable picnic lunch. Ah, this is the life...
Tomorrow: Dollywood!

Left: Offspring #1
Right: Offspring #2

tennessee, day two

Went to Chatanooga today. We saw Ruby Falls which features a 145-ft-high waterfall located inside a cave. It is a really cool cave and waterfall -- so I'm not quite sure why they felt compelled to pipe in dramatic music! I can't say I wasn't warned though. The travel handbook had said: "At the falls visitors are greeted with a light show and music only slightly less portentous than that planned for the Second Coming." Yep, it was sorta like that! :)

We also went to Rock City which has winding paths (through rocks and gardens, over bridges, etc.) leading to an impressive overlook -- including a view of seven states. That was a great panorama! The picture above was taken at Rock City.

Stay tuned...

tennessee, day one

We had a great time on the lake today -- boating, swimming, etc. This butterfly patiently posed on my hat while Offspring #1 took pictures. Tomorrow: Chatanooga! (Is it just me, or does just saying 'Chatanooga' start that 'train' song in your head?)

goodbye portland...

AND HELLO TENNESSEE!

We're heading out on vacation tomorrow to visit my cousin for a week. He and his wife live on a beautiful lake (well, not actually ON the lake, but near the shore) near Knoxville. We're looking forward to some R&R and playing tourists at the Great Smoky Mtns, Dollywood, etc. I'll try to post something while we are there...

Stay tuned!


(Picture above taken by me today from the OHSU clinic in Portland where my mom had a doctor's appointment.)

hippo birdie time

Yep, it's my birthday today! Last year I turned forty-ten, so this year I'm forty-ten-plus-one. Geez, it's getting increasingly complicated mathematically to stay in my 40's! :)

That's a picture of me taken 'a few' years ago. I always did enjoy a good book.

who knew?!

I'm taking a little break from my online continuing education classes. And speaking of classes (how's that for a segue?)...

With back to school around the corner, I thought I'd post this handy tip for homework help. Looks like you can just call 911!

CE Crunch Time!

AAAAAAAAAARGH! I have to take 5 (count 'em 5!) online continuing education classes by Monday. Blogging will be taking a back seat.

So, on to my reading: "Pharmaceutical, Laser, and Surgical Treatments for Glaucoma: An Update"

Sigh.

cat philosophy 101

Hmmm.... this just might be the key to understanding cats...


(cartoon from here)

Weekend Update!

OK, this post really has nothing to do with Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, although I'm sure it would be more entertaining if Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin delivered it. (Or, to be more current, Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers.)

In any event, here's the update for my weekend:
Friday morning I took my mom to OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) in Portland -- about 50 miles away -- for a doctor's appointment. The visit went well, and I think we're on the right track with her medical treatment. (Yesss!) On our way out, we stopped at the rest room. Of course that wouldn't normally be a "bloggable" topic, but the sign in the stall was just too weird not to share. It said: "Toilets flush using reclaimed water. Do not drink." Umm.... Do they really need to warn people not to drink toilet water? When was the last time anybody was tempted to refill their water bottle from the stool? (I mean, ewww.)

After that, we headed the opposite direction up to Bellingham (about 220 miles away) so Offspring #2 could participate in the "Summerstart" orientation program for incoming college freshmen. Then on Saturday night, we all went to see Offspring #1 in Twelfth Night (which was the first time Hubby and Offspring #2 had seen it).

They loved the play. It was a hilarious, high energy performance. Offspring #1 was terrific (which was particularly impressive since she had seen a doctor earlier in the day to rule out strep throat)! Adding to the fun was the fact that there were several people in the audience we knew -- some we were expecting to see and some we weren't.

One of those audience members took the time to do an oil painting of Viola (Offspring #1) & her brother Sebastian and frame it!
(OK, so she really took a blurry picture which was converted to a 'painting' by photoshop -- but I like my story better.)


And now ... we're back home again.

on the road again...

but I'll be a-bloggin' when we're home...

the (mostly) optimistic optometrist

I recently saw one of my all-time favorite patients. She's in her 90's, wears a jaunty hat, and often brings me squash. (How cool is that?!) She has developed some significant visual challenges, but does remarkably well due (at least in part, I think) to her really positive attitude.

When I saw an internet quiz on 'optimism' tonight, I thought I'd see how I stack up in the 'glass half full vs. half empty' department.

While I wasn't Pollyanna (missed that category by a point!), my results were pretty positive:

Sunshine with patchy fog: Everything's coming up roses--most of the time. Your outlook is optimistic, but you tend to think more positively in the short term rather than in the long run. You see the good side of the present moment but don't necessarily incorporate that into your overall attitude.

Hmm... I'm not quite sure what that means. Do I go around thinking: "Ah, this flower is soooo lovely... but, *sigh* it will ultimately wither and die." ???

Anywhooo.... you can take the "How Optimistic Are You?" quiz HERE.

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cartoon above by Doug Savage. See his website HERE.

family portrait

Yep, here's the 'Simpsons' version of my family. (We're all ready for a special appearance on the show should the producers ask.) These avatars are actually uncannily good. (Well, Offspring #2 should be taller, but the height can't be controlled.)

Offspring #1 created this family portrait last night. You can create your own Simpsons avatar here!

twelfth night -- the review!

William Shakespeare penned Twelfth Night circa 1600. Four hundred and seven years later, Shakespeare NorthWest presents a delightful, engaging production of this beloved gender-bending comedy.

The story follows Viola (Offspring #1!) who is separated from her twin brother Sebastian by a tragic shipwreck. She assumes the identity of a man (named Cesario) in order to work in the court of Orsino, a good lookin' duke with whom she falls in love. The duke has set his sights on the fair Olivia, and orders Cesario to be the go-between in his courting of her. Olivia instead falls for Cesario, the "man" Viola is disguised as.

To add to the confusion, several people in the court decide to trick Malvolio, Olivia's pompous steward, into believing that Olivia is in love with him.

Twelfth Night has comedy! romance! pathos! -- all played to good effect by the fine ensemble cast. It is often difficult to single out actors in an ensemble, but of course not for this reviewer! Offspring #1 was outstanding as Viola/Cesario! Her comedic timing was wonderful, and she imbued her character with both innocence and charm.

Twelfth Night runs through August 19th at Edgewater Park in Mt Vernon. If you're in the area, go enjoy some Shakespeare under the stars!

bloggin' from bellingham

Heading to the "thea-tuh" soon. Plan on writing a "review" tomorrow. Stay tuned. :)