An Anniversary

... just sayin'

And closing in on 500 posts.

More to follow...

Something On A Sunday

Wilson County Fair August 2009

I don't go to many fairs.

I suppose I am spoiled. I go to Walt Disney World often enough and thought of fairs simply isn't that appealing to me. Plus, I am old enough to remember a small amusement park once had in Nashville called Fair Park, which was a delight as a child to go to. I still miss it. I also, still miss, Opryland U.S.A. It was music themed park that occupied many of my days as a teenager and young adult.

So, I don't go many fairs, but did visit a county fair a few years ago. It is called by some, the best county fair in area. I could agree with that, though honestly, I don't have much of a basis for comparison.

A Sign Its Saturday

A scene from a bygone day...

The last show I saw there was during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in '08. A nice parting memory.

Editor's Note: my regular readers, those I lovingly call "The Fear - The Proud - The Followers", will have noticed my absence lately. First, I apologize. I have been quite busy with my work and have not had the desire to do much more than rest when I get home. Hopefully life is returning to my particular brand of normal. I still haven't enjoyed two-days off in a row for more than a month now, but that looks possible next weekend.

So, I just want to say thank you for continuing to check in from time to time. I plan to get back into a normal flow of updating here. And so that you know, I have some things I have been working on that I have not been able to complete and post. Maybe I can get those finished soon. There is also a trip to Walt Disney World on the horizon next month. Maybe some new photos.

More to follow...

A Sign Its Saturday

Just under this sign is the entrance to yet another danger zone in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. My home has become home to more than a few items found inside these walls. Next time you visit the WOD, take time to look at things other than the merchandise. The decor is also a treasure.

15 years is a long time...

For my son's graduation from high school I took him to Walt Disney World; sort of the father / son trip. There were other trips with family, but never just the two of us in the World and goofing off. Looking back, I think that is what my son and I did best - goof off. I think most parents wished they had the ability to stop time; to capture it in a bottle. I wish I could have stopped time during that week. That we could have just kept on being two kids having a blast in my happy place. But of course, that couldn't happen.

It wasn't long after we returned from that trip that life caught up with us. His adult life began. He got married and had three great children and has gone about the business of providing and caring for his family. He served our country proudly, including a tour during the Gulf War. He sacrifices being with his family in order to provide for his family; in that he travels extensively with his job. He has a very proud father!

It is hard at times watching your children grow up. You know that their love is always there, but there needs are fewer and fewer as the years go by. You learn a different type of parenting when your children are grown. True, you have time to pursue the things you always wanted to do and perhaps you come up with a few new dreams along the way. I know that I have. But most always you're looking forward to those times you can spend with your children. You look for those occasions when new memories are created.

We just finished enjoying a Labor Day weekend and I am reminded of Labor Day two years ago. It was an occasion for new memories! I had the opportunity to fulfill two wonderful dreams that weekend. One was to take my grandchildren by the hands and walk down Main Street U.S.A.! The other was to once again to be in Walt Disney World with my son; my grown son. It took 15 years for it to come to pass, but it did, and it was wonderful!

I cried a little.

We goofed off!

A lot!

Where In The World: Adventureland

Alright. So perhaps the last installment of Where In The World was not as difficult as I thought I might be. April Baker of Scrapping the Magic didn't take much time at all to share that it was from the Adventureland. Congratulations.

Now, let's see how you do with this one. Where In The World would you find this?

Yeah I know, probably not that difficult.

Something On A Sunday

Choices

Gatlinburg, Tennessee 2007

A Sign Its Saturday

For me, no trip to Walt Disney World is complete unless I have the opportunity to visit The Art of Disney. This then gives me the opportunity to share some of my money with the Disney yet again. It is also is in keeping with a suggestion my wife gave me years ago, in which she said, and I paraphrase, "If you are going to collect things from Disney, they may as well be some really nice things." A good suggestion indeed.

Lately I have been scaled back my pin purchasing (I am not a trader, but a purchaser) and have focused on the Robert Olszewski Galleries of Light. But there are three other items that I have been considering during my last few trips: the Olszewski Cinderella Castle, the replica of the Partners statue, and a particular cell The Art of Disney - Disney's Hollywood Studios location. It is quite possible that at two of these will make the journey home with me following my October trip.

So, here's to The Art of Disney and to collecting "some really nice things."