Sadness Fills My Heart

 Life can sure throw you a curve ball when you least expect it.

Got word yesterday that a nephew had passed. And, I just gotta ask God... why! 

He was 64, healthy, vibrant, needed, talented, a really good guy. Both parents are gone so he and his sister live near each other on a hillside in Eastern Tennessee. They were big buddies and he helped her alot. Neither were married.

The sister drove up the lane to her house, saw his car sitting in the driveway as he was waiting on her to get home. He'd just taken a picture of an upcoming storm and sent it to her. He never got a chance to post it on facebook.... the cellphone dropped into his lap and he was gone. 

He was a talented musician, sort of a country-blues sort of music. He wrote songs, played several instruments, painted beautiful pictures, did wood-carvings, grew mushrooms, loved to garden and cook healthy dishes. I loved to listen to him play the harmonica. He was GOOD! 

He was a mountain man... loved the outdoors, was a spelunker (cave wanderer), worked as a smoke jumper in Alaska and out west in his earlier years.

I just don't understand it. And, I hurt, not only for everyone who loved him but especially for the sister he was so close to. She is gonna be lost. 

Just please say a prayer for this family. Thank you. 

Them Camptown Races, do-da!!

 So much fun last Saturday night...

Don't tell me old folks don't know how to have fun!!

We had races...

One you rolled the die and moved your 'horse' how ever many dots your die had on it.  

There was one where you picked a winner for the Kentucky Derby and placed your choice in a cup... I didn't win.  

Then there was the Rollator/walker race. Some of these gals borrowed rollators to use. And, some definately use theirs all the time. The winners were always those more at a 'disadvantage' than the healthier one. It was a riot. 

Miss P won one of the rollator races.

You just got to know about Miss P. She is 92 years old, always dressed to the hilt, big jewelry, sparkly outfits, hats, and heels!! 

That woman outdid the rest of the gals and she was wearing stilletoes! I mean 4 or 5 inches high. Pointy toes, skinny little heels. We were scared to death she'd fall but she did just fine... and won one race. 

These two girls were so busy, as were several others, making sure the event ran smoothly. 

And, they are such fun to be around... I think you can tell that from this picture.

Derby Party Fun

The Kentucky Derby was run Saturday evening. For the first time,here at Centerbrooke, we had a Derby party. Wow, what fun. A whole slew of gals cooked and decorated, held games and took pictures.... we all had a blast! 

First I will entice you with the food.... 

Kentucky Bourbon Meatballs, Southern potato salad, Pimento cheese sandwiches, Kentucky pasta salad, fruit, cheese straws.... I know I've left stuff out. So hard to keep up with it all. For desert we ate Toasted Pecan Cupcakes and banana pudding. 

Oh good grief.... I thought I had more pictures of the food than just this one. I am sure there are a bunch of pics floating around....I just didn't get them. 

At our "meet and greet" Lois gave everyone virgin mint juleps. No alcohol allowed... oh well, Who needed it to have fun?

As we registered we were given a ticket which we then took to the betting table and dropped it in "OUR" horses cup. I chose Forever Young... wouldn't you know it.. when the race was run that horse came in 3rd. But, hey, it wasn't last!! 

Most of the women wore their fascinators (hats) and some of the men had on hats or bowties. And we sat around drinking our mint juleps and laughing and having a great time. 

I am sorry but I have to break this up into two or more posts. There was just so much going on! 

I'll be back soon with more Kentucky Derby Party fun.