December Road Trip

And we're OFF! Off on a December Road Trip that took us to Nashville and Mississippi! While I hate to be away from home in December, we sure had fun! Our route took us through Indiana and Kentucky.

The spirit of the season was present!

Rick, of course had to ride...

...so I took a turn in the historic museum of Munfordville, KY.

I'm not sure the person working there has many visitors and she was delighted to have someone to talk with. So was I!

Here I learned that Kentucky was a divided state in the Civil War and that indeed, brothers did fight brothers.

Nashville was next. First the trade show...

Then a wonderful meet-up with blogger Rosemary and her husband. Rosemary was one of the first of about three or four from my original Google art group that encouraged me to blog! It was the best time!

Once the show wrapped, we enjoyed the honky-tons on Broadway in Nashville.

I loved the lights of the city -- even though it was pouring rain!

And the music was pretty good, too! We spent a lot of time listening to this great group.

No matter where you walked, what window you peered in, there was music. Non-stop!

The next day, with threats of ice storms imminent, we took off for Mississippi to see Rick's youngest, Kevin. We missed the ice but drove through torrential rain.

Kevin lives in Laurel, MS. The town has definitely seen better days, bringing an irony to their slogan.

But the Christmas parade was just what we needed!

I think everyone in the county was on a flat bed (all the queens were in the backs of convertibles.)

Of course there were elves. They had to be a little cold (but not as cold as the cheerleaders!)

It was bitter cold and windy. This guy may have been the warmest.

I especially loved the horse brigade. Here, a spectator hands his child up to ride on one of the horses.

Laurel had a great gift shop and some nice spots that had so much potential. If only the businesses hadn't moved out to strip malls on the highway.

It was fun seeing my guys together. Note, there are leaves on the trees! We haven't had those in Michigan for awhile.

After a great BBQ lunch, we headed back home where Kevin made us jalapeno poppers and other good snacks. (We ordered pizza, too, but we couldn't get a large because Domino's had run out of "large dough." I guess combining two mediums to make a large wasn't in the manual.)

Then we settled in for the MSU/Ohio State game! And it was "victory for MSU," just as the fight song says! (Although there were a few trying moments!)

On our last day we went to nearby Hattiesburg where we enjoyed a brew and great food at the Keg & Barrel. A fun time, despite the rain!

We're home now, up to our eyebrows in shopping, wrapping and finishing up the decorating. I just love this fa la la time of year!

Let the merriment continue!

And let the angels sing!

At the Tennessee State Museum

I just wanted to share a few photos from my whirlwind visit to the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

It was whirlwind, because there was a reception going on and a taping soon to follow. There wasn't enough time to explore everything, but I wanted you to get a glimpse -- in case you are visiting (or live near) Nashville, it's a great venue!

Of course, Andrew Jackson is one of the "local heroes" and it was interesting to see the many displays that looked at more than the president's portrait on the twenty dollar bill!

I was fascinated by the display on dueling. The pistol seems to move around the room so no matter where you stand, it seems to be pointed directly at you. It's a tad disconcerting.

The political cartoons were fascinating, too.

Being a state museum, its focus was, of course on Tennessee, and there were many excellent displays.

There was a wonderful furniture collection and some rooms set up to show life in the 1800s.

There was also a "print shop" --

-- and the "Knoxville Gazette was ready to break news!

The Civil War collection is significant. I was rather captivated by this well done staging of the tents in a Civil War battlefield.

But it should come as no surprise to you that my favorite area was the quilt collection.

These are just a few of my favorites.

A number of portraits were displayed in a portrait gallery. Many of the names didn't mean much to me, but they were still handsome -- of another time.

I was rather fond of this glass window...

...the large loom...

...and this covered wagon. Can you imagine making the cross country journey in this?

Of course, Rick is never far from my heart when I travel -- especially when I see things he'd like. And I thought he'd like this scene very much!

Something tells me that if this was the only bike in town, he'd be on it!

The Tennessee State Museum, downtown Nashville: Definitely worth a visit!

Jammin' at Hippie Jack's

There are three things I always enjoy about attending conferences...meeting colleagues I rarely see and those I've never met; learning tons about things relevant to my work and the wonderful hospitality of the conference and the stations who host receptions, hospitality suites and exhibits.

For example, I got to see Joan Lence and Kathie Stull who represent nearly a dozen how-to shows that air on public television (including "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" publisher Pokey Bolton's "Quilting Arts"). I've known Joan for years; Kathie is from the Cleveland area, where their programs are taped. To do list: Call Kathie when I head to visit family and see if they are taping or we can have a tour! (Coming this fall -- remember Matt and Shari from HGTV? They have a new show coming to PBS stations through NETA beginning in October!)

Kathleen Unwin (left) and Dru Sefton (right) are from Current, one of our industry papers. Dru had brownies by her table -- to die for!

I was told I won a painting by this fellow -- Roger Bansemer, who with his wife Sarah will have a new travel/painting show. However, I wasn't "present to win." Alas... (but I had a good reason -- that's another post!)

It's being with colleagues -- Tim Zeko produces our series BackStage Pass, which is now in national distribution by NETA. If it is in your area or you come across it in your TV Guide, let me know -- we're trying to make a station list. Next to Tim is Susi Elkins, our content and engagement manager. Susi was one of the many who had flight/connection problems due to the storm that slammed the east. We were glad to finally see her!

And then there are the parties. WCTE, a station in Cookville, TN invited us to taping of their music series, "Jammin' at Hippie Jacks." (That's Becky Magura, Cookville's GM, with Hippie Jack as they welcomed us to the Tennessee State Museum.)

I'll show you some photos from this little gem of wonder in a different post. Here's a preview from their quilt collection.

Then the show began. Hippie Jack welcomed us from the stage at the museum.

He was followed by a performance from Todd Snider. He was fun, funny, insightful. It was a good show.

It was a very relaxed taping experience with folks enjoying food and beverages during the recording, able to get up and move if needed. Made for one of the more enjoyable concert experiences I've ever had.

Back to bed to look forward to the final conference day -- and meeting a friend I've known a long while!