Odds and Ends-4 or so

The thunder beings visited NC this weekend and caused lots of death and destruction.  I was very fortunate here to only have heavy rain and winds.  All my family and friends in the Raleigh area are fine and had no damage, as well as my friends in Boone.  My son's office may be gone but he won't know until tomorrow.  He works on Saunders Street near downtown Raleigh and that area suffered extensive damage. 

On Saturday I went to see the movie "Win Win" and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Paul Giamatti played the lead role and did an excellent job as always.  the young man who played the troubled wrestling star was also excellent in a very difficult role.  It was a very good story, well written and well acted.  I would see it again.

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As I left the theater and walked up the street, I was window shopping when I spotted this cat napping in the window of a jewelry shop.  He looked so warm and comfortable, I just couldn't resist the shot.

Pack Square was my destination, where an Earth Day Festival was happening on a gorgeous spring day.  There were lots of parents with young kids, dogs, music, food and beer.  It was a great day for people- watching and just "being".  I remembered going to my first "be-in" when I was in college at Carolina, and this reminded me of that for some reason.  Just being there. 

I was lucky enough to be there when a group called The Broadcast did their thing.  The lead singer, Caitlin Krisko, was pure dynamite!  You can get more info at http://www.caitlinkrisko.com/.  And if you're given the chance to see them, take it!  You'll be glad you did!

Jubilee! spoke to me very clearly today, as it usually does.  An early quote grabbed my attention, though my notes failed to capture the source:  "As you get older, find something crazy to do to keep your sanity!"  Okay.  I can do that.  So I'm seriously considering a much larger mobile home (actually a 40 foot 5th wheeler) and a bigger truck to pull it.  I've been shopping online like a maniac and thoroughly enjoying it!  And I've test driven a 40 foot motor home and 3 big pickup trucks.  The theme at Jubilee! today was the legacy of sheer enjoyment and how that can connect us to the divine.  Since I'm still crazy-in-love and it brings me sheer joy, it is connecting me to the divine. 

When the service was over, I mentioned to Howard that last weekend I'd had a beer with an old friend who wanted me to give his regards.  When Howard asked "what's his name?"  and  I said "Alan Briggs", he said with a big smile "A blast from the past!.  I'd sure like to give him a hug!"  I said I'd invited him up and hoped that would happen.  That would make a very fine picture!  Here's hoping...

After Jubilee! I did my usual walk through Asheville and came across this cutest little puppy enjoying the sunshine and his master.  This little guy was so friendly and couldn't get enough of licking my fingers!  And he had more cute than the law allows!

Wandering a little further I came to this church which I'd driven by countless times as a teenager and young man, but I'd never stopped to really look at it.  Oh my, what a beautiful place!  It's the Basilica of St. Lawrence, built in 1909, by the same man who built the Biltmore House.  This was told to me by a passing stranger who saw me trying to get a good picture.  He also told me the builder was buried in the basement. 

The outside of the church is square, but the inside is circular and under a tiled dome.  It's one of the prettiest churches I've ever been in, and I've been in quite a few throughout the world.  It was the first time I've been in a Catholic church since LaVerne's memorial service, so a few memories of her came to me and they were all happy ones and none of the sad ones.  That has been a prayer for a long time and today it happened.  And I am very grateful. 

Of all the street musicians I saw today, this was my favorite.  He was playing a banjo, one foot beat the drum he sat on, the other had a tambourine on his ankle, and he either played a harmonica or sang.   His playing had couples stopping to dance, others to tap their foot or sing along, or others, like me, grinning real big and singing along when I could.  It was sheer joy!  And I was connected, again!

Lunch today was at the Biergarden where I enjoyed Andouille sausage served over green chili cheese grits, grilled scallions and creamy roasted leek sauce.  And was it good?  OH YEAH!!!!!  And the portions were so large I brought half of it home. 

What a day!  I love being here and experiencing all these good things.

Special Note:  My nephew in Sarasota lead his baseball team to their 18th win this season by going 3 for 4 with a homerun and 3 RBI.Go Jason!  Go Jason!  Oh yeah!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!