Up, Up and Away!

I’m not crazy about heights, but I’ve always thought it might be fun to go up in a hot air balloon just to see the world from a new angle. The following article in the Evansville Journal of Wednesday, 1 March 1876, has me wondering if maybe I should keep my feet on the ground.

Earlington, Ky., Feb. 28, 1876 – Professor Perry attempted to ascend in his balloon here on Saturday, but the distance was short, as in the rise the balloon caught on a corner of a building and after gaining an altitude of about 100 feet, his flying car began suddenly to descend and lodged in a tree only 100 yards from the starting place. The gentleman came down on a ladder, glad to reach Mother Earth once more.

The craft sailed off and fell in a neighboring yard, where it frightened an old lady and a darling baby nearly into spasms. The old lady ran into the house and called for help as only a frightened female can do. A little camphor and some thorough argument on the part of her friends convinced her that a planet had not arrived from on high.

So much for the balloon ride.

On the Menu

This photo will prove that my town has an establishment of haute cuisine. Nourishment for the gourmand, you know.

Old Woman Blues

I've been shamed! I've been slandered! Twice within the past week I have been called Miss Brenda. Can you imagine? I know; calling a person Miss whatever is supposed to be a sign of respect, but for your elders! Couldn't they have chosen another way to show respect - like opening a door or some other simple gesture. Oh no! They had to call me Miss Brenda - out loud, too! Those two words were like a stab in the heart. I'll never recover - might as well get some old-woman, black lace up oxfords, a hair net and find a rocking chair. I'm done.

Autumn 2009

I know, I know. It's too early for the leaves to be turning. That usually happens toward the end of October. Tell that to Mother Nature. She seems to have a mind of her own these days. The photo above was taken along the Western Kentucky Parkway, probably Hopkins County, Kentucky, this afternoon while driving home from the dedication of a monument to Revolutionary War soldier Longshore Lamb and his wife, Sarah, in Caldwell County, Kentucky.

It was a chilly, damp, blustery day until about 2 p.m., when the sun came out and the temperature went up. Mother Nature isn't done with us yet, though, as she is sending the temps down to 40 tonight, reminding us that she is in charge and we are only along for the ride. Well, at least it isn't snowing ...

A Gaggle of Canadian Geese

How many Canadian geese make a gaggle? I don't have the slightest idea, but this morning I met up with a bunch of them in an area near my home where new condos are being built. After squawking at me, they turned and scurried toward a pond. They aren't my favorite of the geese family as they have an attitude and leave messy calling cards, but they made an interesting picture on an otherwise ordinary morning.

Remember 9-11-2001

Many of us can remember where we were and what we were doing when important events occurred. 9-11-2001 is a perfect example.

I was just pulling into the parking lot of the post office when I heard an announcement on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Maybe it was a hunch that something momentous had happened, but whatever it was, I dropped my plans for the day, turned the car around, and went home and turned on the TV. Along with the rest of the country, I watched as the nightmare played out over the next few days. In spite of a feeling of helplessness and anger at what had happened, there was also a renewed sense of pride in our country and the way we dealt with the events and our grief.

Those of us who have lived a good many years have witnessed other events that have changed the world, but none as quickly or as completely as 9-11. It is hard to believe it has been eight years.

In memory of the approximately 3,000 people who perished, let’s take a few minutes to reflect of what happened, how it changed us and our world and pray it never happens again.

Only For The Gourmand!

For those who prefer fine cuisine, now being served at Hardee's, corner of the Lloyd Expressway and Bell Road, Newburgh, Indiana 2 September 2009. What's next? Spam souffle?