♪♫ Georgia, Georgia...♪♫

Because of this post, I have only one song on my Playlist today: "Georgia"

In the early 1960's I was introduced to Mr. Ray Charles. It was by way of record albums being played on our big, blonde, wooden hi-fi. (That thing weighed a ton. Saturdays were cleaning days, and I only dusted around it because I couldn't lift it, and besides.....there were records being played on it....mostly Ray's.)


My older sister, Jo Ann, loved his music. I mostly didn't. I was into The Beatles and MoTown. And I swooned whenever I heard Johnny Mathis, even though my crushes were only that....unrequited love.



As I got older, I first learned to tolerate, then kind of like, then enjoy, and finally love Ray's music, whether they were ballads or the ones you just couldn't sit still listening to.

Little known fact: For years, I thought "Georgia" was about a woman named Georgia. ☺


Why am I writing about this today? Because I just returned from the beautiful state of Georgia. Because some of my family and I had lunch at Wolf Mountain Vineyards on July 16th, which would have been Jo Ann's birthday. (It was also my niece Kate's wedding anniversary.) And because Jo Ann loved Ray Charles so much.

For years after Jo Ann's death, I couldn't listen to any of his songs, especially the ballads, without shedding tears. If one came on the radio while I drove to work, I usually changed the station right away. Other times, I felt the need to go ahead and let myself grieve.....Oh, the healing process...

I took this photo from the window of the plane.

Once I got started on this, I wrote more than I'd planned. SO, I promise that tomorrow my post will be about meeting my Georgia Blog Buddies...and the one I didn't meet!

**Oh, and what famous author did I see on the plane to Atlanta......Maya Angelou! I didn't get the chance to speak to her, but she was lovely and stylish and chic and unpretentious.

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" -- Maya Angelou

* More Georgia Info *

All these photos were taken at Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia.

I'd totally forgotten there was any wine country in this part of Georgia.

The building in the photo below is where they have weddings and receptions.

Although it was a little overcast that day, I still got some pretty good photos. The one below was taken from inside the restaurant, thus some spots and glare in the window.

We were told the family who owns the winery and restaurant live in this beautiful home.

Tomorrow I'll post information and pictures about meeting my Blogger Gal Pals!

AND, here's a little tease for ya...... a famous author was on my flight to Atlanta!

"Friendship is the wine of life." -- Edward Young

♫♪ So Much to Say ♫♪

I'm back from the beautiful state of Georgia. As my title says, I have so much to say about my vacation, but it will have to wait a while. I also have so much to do around the house, and some of it includes writing!

I'm refreshed, revitalized, and rejuvenated!





 North Georgia Wine Country

"More than just yearly rituals in which we connect with friends and family, vacations are also exercises in self-definition. In affording time away from the demands of everyday life, vacations disclose what people choose to do rather than are required to do." -- CINDY SONDIK ARON

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for another Nostalgic Sunday

Even though I'm away on vacation, I just couldn't let Nostalgic Sundays roll by without writing something. Especially since blog friend Patti, of Fill My Cup with Beauty, also posted about feeling nostalgic today. Thanks, Patti!

(Since I'm not on my own computer, I don't have my usual photo to post today, but I'm pretty sure y'all won't mind!)

Visiting my sister and brother-in-law, two grown nieces, a great niece, two great nephews, etc. tends to make a gal feel nostalgic! We've looked at OLD photos and reminisced about all kinds of things.

How have so many years gone by in such a hurry? Slow down, World! I want to savor all my memories and all my current adventures!

"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself." -- Maya Angelou

* This 'n That on a Tuesday *

I'm leaving this Thursday for a little vacation in the beautiful state of Georgia, visiting relatives and friends! I'm not dragging my laptop along, mostly because it's not one of the lighter weight models, but also to take a break from blogging. I'll have my Blackberry, though, so I'll still be able to send and receive e-mails. I'll certainly tell y'all about it, and have pictures to post, after I get back!
On my Nostalgic Sunday post, I hadn't located the pretty note card that Patti mailed, so I couldn't include it. WELL, today I found it while going through items on my desk. It's amazing the things you can find when you're not even looking for them. It's like watching little Theodore Cleaver pull all the contents out of his pocket. Anyway....here's the pretty note card. Thanks again, Patti!

I discovered Patti's card while rummaging around files and folders, looking for something else. I also came across some old quotes and jokes from years past that I'd printed to save. Some actually made me laugh out loud, with a genuine laugh, not a chuckle or smile, or a semi-silent, that's cute.

These are supposedly real questions and answers from the old Hollywood Squares game show. (Some might be considered off-color. I hope I won't offend anyone by posting them.)

Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?

A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?

A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.

Q. What are "Do It", "I Can Help" and "I Can't Get Enough"?

A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the apartment next door.

Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?

A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh.

** Also welcome to my newest follower: Working Man. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

I'll "see" y'all when I get back home!

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

Thanks to Toby Speed's blog post of May 19th, "Things I miss about the low-tech life", I've begun writing snail mail letters/note cards again. And, it was the inspiration for my Nostalgic Sundays, too.

When I was a young girl, I had lots of pen-pals. I loved writing and receiving letters. How exciting to open the mail box and find envelopes addressed to me. As an adult, I wrote to my mother, sisters, brother, friends, etc. when I lived out of the state or country. Shopping at a stationery store was one of my favorite things. The boxes themselves were lovely, and then all the varieties of beautiful paper: parchment, onion skin, papyrus, vellum....all with matching or coordinating envelopes. Some women love shoes. Some love purses. I love paper!

The note cards above are the three I've received in the past month or so. The one on the left is obviously a beach scene. Ahhhh, beautiful and restful. The one in the middle is Nurse J. Rosebeetle, a wheelchair and a cliff. It came from a box titled: Neglected Murderesses. (isn't that a hoot?!) And finally the one on the right is a handmade card with tissue/parchment paper art. (And Patti, I couldn't find yours at the moment. I apologize. I will blog about it later, ok?!)

So, on this nostalgic Sunday, if you would like to receive a handwritten note from me, just send me an e-mail with your mailing address, and I will be happy to write one! (my e-mail is on my profile page)

P.S. It didn't occur to me until recently that writing letters WAS writing! Especially since I write personal essays and memoir. So, I guess I have been a writer for many years...and didn't even realize it! And....although I did type this blog post and I do type 99% of my writing...I believe I can handle both centuries!

** Also welcome to my newest followers: septembermom and Jo W. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

“I can envision a small cottage somewhere, with a lot of writing paper, and a dog, and a fireplace and maybe enough money to give myself some Irish coffee now and then and entertain my two friends.” --

Lt Richard Van de Geer

* Saturday Centus *

It's Saturday Centus time again.

In a nutshell, Jenny Matlock gives us a prompt from either herself or a guest submitter and then we have to write 100 words or less related to the prompt, (the prompt doesn't count toward the 100 words) in any style of story you choose. The only restriction is that your post must be PG! It's open until the following Saturday, so that means you have all week to participate by either reading or writing. The prompt this week is "..and the sign read..."

My take is below:

Wandering along a beautiful tree-lined trail, deep in my thoughts, I completely lost track of time. I realized though I should turn around and go back to my car. Ahead, though, a small sign caught my eye and I was curious about it. It appeared to be homemade. As I stepped closer I felt my knees get weak….and the sign read… Darling, I made a terrible mistake. I’m sorry. Please come home.

That was all it took. I literally ran back to my car and raced home. I wondered how many other broken-hearted lovers that sign had brought back together, even with no names.

(exactly 104 words including the prompt)

** Also welcome to my newest followers: Judi and joyful. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

* I WONDER *

Time for another "I Wonder" blog post.

I Wonder: Are any of you writing for any anthologies or contests? I mentioned this last Friday and I'm happy to say that I submitted a story on July 4th for Storm Country. That's kind of appropriate isn't it? Sending it in on our country's birthday.

I Wonder: Will I be able to write two stories to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul before July 31st? I do believe I will. I've already begun one for the "Say Goodbye to Back Pain" book, and I have my eye on a couple of others. 

I Wonder: What books are you reading right now? I just picked up a book from the library (remember...no more buying books...at least for a while!) that I had to wait a couple of weeks to get. That's always a good sign when all the copies are checked out and on reserve, don't you think? The name of it is "Best Staged Plans" by Claire Cook. I happened upon Claire's blog and/or website last month (I have no idea how I arrived there.) She's having a give-away and other things going on. If you want to be inspired, you really must hop over and read about her. She has an amazing story...one that sounds dream-like, but is real. *Hint: one of her books was made into a very popular movie! 

** Also welcome to my newest followers: Diane, Deb, and Harry Goaz. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."-- Henry David Thoreau