RWB set a record...

A heat record that is. When the parade stepped off Saturday at 4pm it was 96 with a heat index of 105. The crowd was down due to the heat. But I would rather folks stay home than come out and get sick or worse.
It was a great festival. I received many compliment's on the food, crafter's and opening ceremony. Opening ceremony was a little different as in years past. I never know for sure what I am going to say. I have a theme and a outline. The rest is just what ever the Lord puts on my heart.
My friend Kevin from Columbus came down with his Bag Pipe and folks really enjoyed his music.
My new little buddy Wyatt and I began to play with a small ball through out the day Saturday and I kept telling him don't run.....well, come evening he was chasing his ball and stumbled and bit through his bottom lip. We packed up him, Mom and Grandma and sent them to the ER. She called me bout 10:30pm and said he received stitches inside and outside of his lip. He was a little groggy but was going to be ok. He was a sweetie.
Bout 9:15pm, I received a call from the sheriff's office that a tornado had been spotted on Slab road in Ewing (Brownstown)and was headed our way and we had bout 30 minutes. I began informing folks and preparing my vendors. Thanks to Vaughn Isenhower for getting the Baptist Church basement opened. Mike Carothers (sheriff deputy) was a vendor and kept me informed also and said it was now just strong winds and heavy rains. Boy when the rain came, it came hard and cold. But those of us loading up our vehicles didn't mind to much cause it kinda felt good after being hot all day. My phone kept ringing and I wasn't about to open it in the rain and all the messages were telling me to take cover. I guess I'm like the ship's Captain I have to make sure all my folks are ok before I go and that makes me leave last.
But it was a good festival and I'm already working on 2011 and going to try some new events, that is if I can get people to help...there is just so much I can do..... most of these events don't require you to attend meetings. Heck, nobody shows up so why have meetings. We can just talk over the phone. Let me know how you would like to help with your community festival.

Number 35

It's the 35th Red, White & Blue Festival and it's my 27th time to be part of it. For 27 years I have heard it all and been called it all. But I never let those who complain dampen my spirits. Some have tried their best to run me out of town, heck they had already taken over and was calling the shots. But little did they know that I don't give up that easy. Some have gripped, complained, whined and threw a fit that the festival is nothing more than nasty Carine folks. Well, those people need to look back at the many kids and adults that have benefited from festival funds. Why, some folks have spent many a year in a booth serving up food so that their child could have an awesome prom or have a chance to go on the senior trip. How soon they forget.....Look at the thousands of dollars that Phi Beta Psi has sent to Cancer Research, it's over $30,000.00.
But, having the festival is more than this. You have no ideal the pride that I feel when I stand on the stage during opening ceremony and honor our veterans. It's not about me nor you. It's the opportunity that we have as Americans to be able to hold a festival in our community and pause for a moment and say thank you to those Veterans who have been shot at, wounded or came home in a body bag fighting for their country so that we can have the freedom that we have.
So many folks have gotten caught up in the, "look at me" attitude that they just want the glory of saying, I'm in charge and I'm the boss. They have no ideal what being part of the Red, White & Blue Festival is all about.
Opening Ceremony is at 6:30pm on Thursday night. We are honoring those Veterans that are no longer with us. I invite you to bring a picture of your loved one and place it on the stage along with the others. Let's pause for a moment and simply say, "Thank You".

The Dove Awards...

Diamond Rio was awarded the "Country album of the Year", last night at the Dove Awards.
The song, "The Reason" tells the story of why we are all here. Did you ever stop and ponder on why you are on this earth? What's your purpose in life? Are you living your life to the fullest or are you just putting in your time.
So many of us just go through life on a wing and a prayer. We tell our selves that we're doing good things and being kind to others and over a period of time we convince our selves of this.
I'm neither the judge nor the jury and don't want to be. But we will all answer to a higher being one day. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to hear their answer's when they are asked the questions-on their actions and words....
I'll now step down from my soap box...I had the pleasure of meeting Diamond Rio when I was the florist for Scott & Tammy's wedding. What a wonderful group of men. They have recorded many heartfelt songs over the years. Many country artist have recorded a gospel album and was glad that Diamond Rio had recorded one also. Putting your faith to music is hard for some but Diamond Rio let their life experiences speak for them.

Chicks...won't be long.....

Thomas and I took the eggs out of the automatic turner Saturday evening. We checked the water level and the temperature. We can't open the lid now until we see the first chick. Even then we have to wait till it's completely out of the shell and it's feathers are completely dry. We have set up a box where they will stay for a couple of days. We have to be their Mother and teach them how to drink and eat. It's comical as you take their little head and dip their tiny beak in the water time and time again until they catch on. They are so cute at that age.
Wednesday is the big day.... day 21, we should be able to hear them chirping and the egg will begin to move a bit as they try to peck their way out. Will keep you posted.

Day 14

The eggs are at day 14, only 7 to go before we anticipate the arrival of new little chicks. We have to keep a check on the temperature. As they develop and life begins to form the temperature increases. Won't be long now. I can remember years ago when Sandra was still living at home, we set up most of the night watching them hatch. You can hear them chirp inside the egg and can see the egg starting to crack as their little beak pecks away.
Yesterday was my day off and I spent the majority of it outside, mowing the lawn and working in my flower beds. I mowed around the pond and noticed quite a few bull frogs. Now that the weather is warmer you can hear them into the night. Trust me they are as big as they sound. Daddy has all the Martin boxes up except for a few gourds. The Martins came in last week. As each day passes more come. Last year we counted over 40 birds. That old saying, "there is no place like home" is so true for me. There is no place I would rather be.
Home Sweet Home.....

Cookie Classes....

Saturday evening I helped Sarah make iced sugar cookies. She is like me, enjoys cooking especially baking sweets. Sarah is a good cook and enjoys being in her kitchen. She has made cookies since she was a little girl but sugar cookies takes more time. You have to prepare the dough and then wait 6 to 12 hours for it to chill. She had everything ready when I got there. She was excited, "lets get started, I have everything ready." I taught her the tricks of the trade and showed her some short cuts. After the third dozen came out of the oven I felt she had everything down pat. I headed home to prepare supper for Thomas. I called her later in the evening and she had baked 115 cookies, and had most of them iced. Thomas talked to her and informed her that at least a dozen was his and he would be down on Sunday to collect. They were good but I told her each time she makes them they will get better and better.
She took the majority of them to her boyfriend Pat and his son Jordan. She said when she pulled up to the house they both came out helped their self to a cookie even before she could get them packed inside. Sarah told them she had created monsters. So, now I guess Sarah has to bake the boys cookies instead of me. Thomas said, "now I don't have to share mine with the boys."
Baking cookies and sharing them is a good thing.

Friday's ramblings......

It's exciting to walk through my gardens to see what flowers have popped up. Yesterday, I took Bristol and Lily for a early walk and then again in the afternoon and it was amazing how some flowers had peeked through the soil in just a few hours. I noticed in the afternoon that my Bleeding Hearts were almost ready to bloom. My Magnolia is in full bloom, it's gorgeous
Sarah called and we were talking about her gardens and she wondered if some of her flowers would have made it through the winter. We had to do some digging last fall in one of her gardens to repair some drain lines and she kept telling everyone, "now watch out for my flowers." She wanted Mom to come down and check on them.
So there we were on our knees moving soil with our fingers looking for life, sure enough they made it, their just a little slow. We discussed taking down her shutters and painting them. She had lost 2 due to the high winds last fall. So I guess that's a job for ole Mom on my day off.
The eggs are doing great, Thomas adjusted the temperature this morning, water level was fine. Just a few more weeks....
Sandra called just a bit ago and wanted to know if the Easter Bunny had her basket finished yet and I informed her that he did....but it was not Easter morning yet....she is 25 but she is still a little girl at heart.
Last night at our community church dinner we fried 50lbs of fish and feed 81 people. Everyone pitched in and worked hard. It's work but we have good fellowship. Sunday will be a early day. Sunrise service is at 6:30am with breakfast at 7. So if you all are up, come to Uniontown Baptist. The biscuits will be drenched with gravy, the eggs will be farm fresh and the bacon will be crisp all served with orange juice.