There Goes Connie

Headed to NYC for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Here are some tips.

11/02/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

In 2008, Steve and I realized that all of our “people” had made other plans for Thanksgiving, so we decided to mark something off MY Bucket List that had sat untouched for years — seeing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live and in-person. For a couple of small-town Alabamians, it might come as a surprise that we love New York City. But, after an amazing trip for my 50th birthday, we really wanted to find an excuse to go back. This was it. We found out some things during that visit that might help if you decide to make a similar trip.

M & M’s are watching for the parade, too.

Macy’s balloons

DO YOUR HOMEWORK. If you can possibly swing it and if you make your reservations early enough, do your best to stay in a hotel that is on the parade route. Basically that means along Central Park West or 6th Avenue to 34th Street. Here’s the 2015 Macy’s Parade website – https://social.macys.com/parade/#home. That’s a good place to start your research. Choose one of these hotels and hope, hope, hope that they have a room available. Eight are mentioned in this article. https://www.nycgo.com/articles/thanksgiving-day-parade. Unless you are Donald Trump’s long-lost cousin, you are not likely to want to splurge enough to book one of the rooms that are on floors 2-10. In those, you can stay in your warm comfortable room and just watch the parade go by, BUT you will pay triple the normal price for your room. No, the reason to stay along the route is to be able to get a spot as close to the police barricade as possible.

Pilgrims

Honest Abe

cornucopia

2. GET UP EARLY. DRESS VERY WARMLY. DON’T DRINK MUCH. As soon as the hotel starts serving breakfast, be there waiting. If it’s after 6:00 a.m., that will be too late. Don’t drink much coffee. Now, you might want to put a bottle of water in your backpack, but wait until you get really thirsty to drink it. Why? Bathrooms, of course. Once you get in your spot, you will lose it if you leave. Yes, even if you have someone holding your place. The barricades start going up about 6:30 a.m. Be out there and ready. Steve and I were there, and we still only made it to the second row. Then, you start waiting, and it will likely be cold in New York on Thanksgiving Day. It hovered between 31 and 32 degrees the morning we were there. Think toboggan, gloves, two pairs of socks, etc. It will NOT matter what your hair looks like. 🙂 Depending on your hotel and how early you get your spot, you will likely not get your first glimpse of the start of the parade until 9:30 a.m. We were VERY fortunate. The people waiting around us were fun and friendly. We actually had a great time laughing and chatting.

3. MAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!! Yes, you’ll see it on television in years to come, but that will not be the same. Plus, the celebrities and the most popular balloons could change from year to year. You will enjoy the costumed people walking beside the balloons and floats almost as much as the actual floats. They add so much to the pageantry.

Buzz!

Princess float

4. When the parade ends, go back to your room to 1) use the bathroom, 2) drink lots of water, 3) warm up, and 4) take a nap. After all, you got up VERY early. Then, spruce yourself up nicely and GO OUT FOR A MEMORABLE THANKSGIVING DINNER AT A GREAT NEW YORK RESTAURANT. No. They won”t serve you every single one of your usual Thanksgiving favorites, but there WILL be turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Here’s a link to popular restaurants for this special dinner. https://www.nycinsiderguide.com/thanksgiving-dinner-in-new-york-city#.VjU5vfmrShc. Pricey but worth it. Steve and I were fortunate to go to Tavern-on-the-Green in Central Park in 2008, but it closed the next year. It reopened about a year ago, but the reviews haven’t been good since it was remodeled and put in the hands of new owners. Maybe the restaurant you choose will be within walking distance of your hotel. That will save a taxi fare.

5. ORDER TICKETS FOR A GREAT HOLIDAY SHOW to see either the day you arrive or the day AFTER Thanksgiving. Here’s a link to this year’s offerings for November 2015. https://www.newyorkcitytheatre.com/common/monthly_events.php?year=2015&month=11&category=Big%20Site%20Top%20Show

6. WINDOW SHOP and GO TO ROCKEFELLER CENTER. The displays are spectacular, especially in the most famous stores. You don’t have to skate, but at least watch the skaters for awhile. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/76359 The famous tree will probably be in place, but it is not lighted until later in December.

7. SHOP. Yes, buy a few things. If you fly to NYC, you can always have your treasures shipped home. That’s especially true if you have 12 grandchildren and find lots to buy at FAO Schwartz.

M & M’s in disguise

Yankee Doodle Dandies

So, in summary, attending Macy’s Parade is not for the weak or “faint of heart.” It’s physically taxing, but I believe you’ll be glad you went . . . . once. You’ll feel like a kid again. That’s worth a lot. P.S. If your visit to NYC puts you there through a Sunday, PLEASE, please, please take the subway to Brooklyn and attend a service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. What a blessing that will be.

Santa at the end of the parade

October Days — Lured by Lookout Mountain

10/28/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

You wake up one crisp, fall morning, and you want to see some colorful leaves.

But, you don’t have the time or the money to drive to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

What to do? What to do?

Fall display at Mentone Inn

May I suggest heading east toward the Alabama/Georgia state line and taking in the beauty of Fort Payne, Desoto State Park, Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort, Rainsville, and Mentone. If you plan just right, you might make it for the Annual Colorfest in Mentone — generally scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in October. Over 70 vendors set up their wares at Mentone’s Brow Park which is situated on a ridge near the top of Lookout Mountain — a breath-taking setting. Mentone also plays host to a year-round, state-sanctioned Farmers’ Market, and the permanent shopkeepers are always happy to have customers, too.

Lookout Mountain

Farmers’ Market sign in Mentone

Crafts at Colorfest

Colorfest in Mentone

Snow-skiing in Alabama?? You bet! As soon as overnight temperatures drop to 28 degrees or colder, snowmaking begins at Cloudmont via machines and snow grooming equipment. During “the season,” the slopes are open daily from 9:00-4:00 and nightly from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Skis, boots, poles, and snow boards are available for rent, and instruction is available for beginners to experts. In the milder temperatures, Saddle Rock Golf Course is up and running. Check it out — www.cloudmont.com.

If you want to make an overnight trip, you could choose the motel rooms, chalets or log cabins of Desoto State Park (www.alapark.com), the chalets and cabins at Cloudmont, or perhaps Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast. www.mentoneinn.com.

Mentone Inn

You will get hungry breathing in all of the fresh air. I have not tried Moonlight Bistro, but the reviews are good. I have, however, tried Wildflower Cafe. It takes an exceptional place to justify a long wait. Our timing was not good on our visit — probably the busiest day of the year for Mentone — but I’m glad we stuck it out for the full hour and a half. (Normally, I’m sure the wait would be less than 30 minutes). The food was fresh and very flavorful. They serve sweet potato biscuits made right in nearby Fort Payne at Granny Hester’s. Those are great just plain, but the chef at Wildflower has cranked it up a notch with his creation of sweet potato bread pudding with curried coconut rum sauce, a dessert worth its calories. The signature dish at Wildflower is tomato pie. We sampled that, as well as spinach quiche and chicken salad on sourdough bread. Be sure to check the website for the Weekend Brunch menu and the Dinner Menu, both have other tasty options. www.mentonewildflower.com

Front of Wildflower Cafe

My smiling Silver Fox

This corner of Alabama is worth a day or a weekend or even several visits. Think about it.

Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia, AL — To Go or Not to Go?

10/26/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Why in the world would a Baptist deacon and his choir member wife drive to Tuscumbia, AL on a Friday afternoon to have supper at a place called the Rattlesnake Saloon??? We don’t drink alcohol. We like a few country songs, but not many. And we certainly don’t “boot-scoot!”

When you write a travel blog as well as articles for other publications, and when you are “eat up with curiosity,” you begin to rationalize your way to strange places. Somehow, the picture of Eve eating the apple and then offering it to Adam just came to my mind. Yikes.

We had “A Tank of Gas and a Day Off” (as in the name of one of my blog categories), we knew we wouldn’t be drinking, and we do like discovering new places. So, off we went.

front view from across the road

looking inside the cave in front of the hitching post

Here are my positives from this outing:

The cave is fascinating and large. Definitely a unique place to have an entertainment venue.
The drive TO Seven Springs Lodge and Rattlesnake Saloon is rural, curvy, remote, and picturesque.
The employees — the Saloon Taxi driver, the girl in the Gift Shop, the security guards, the waitresses — were all friendly.
We must have not looked even REMOTELY like folks who came to drink and boot-scoot. When each person got off the back of the pickup truck (a.k.a. Saloon Taxi) to go into the cave, they were asked to show ID and their hands were stamped. No one even approached Steve and me. (Insert shrug and raised eyebrows here.)
The Cowboy Buttons (their name for fried mushrooms in the Saddlin’ Up portion of the menu) were good.
The brakes and the transmission on the Saloon Taxi worked properly on the steep incline going to and from the cave, and we were fortunate that the road was not wet or muddy.
It was pleasantly cool inside the cave, plus there was a nice breeze blowing fall leaves off of the trees outside.
The rattlesnake skins and large mounted rattlesnake about to strike a rabbit inside the saloon/kitchen building were intriguing and added significantly to the ambiance.
The band playing on the evening we went had a good sound, although we only stayed for a couple of songs. A calendar on the website lists upcoming groups.
The prices of the food are reasonable.
They don’t start serving alcohol until 5 p.m., so lunch would be “safe” if you wanted to bring young children to eat and explore.
The employees don’t have to wash any dishes. It’s strictly a paper plate/plastic fork setting.
Dress is entirely casual. Think cowboy boots and jeans.
It’s very near the Coon Dog Cemetery, so you can see two unique places in one day.
The Foster family who owns all of the land has found a winning combination. People from 30 countries and all 50 states have visited since they opened in 2007. Wow.
The adjacent Seven Springs Lodge has a large horse park, land for hunting, and camping facilities — 6000 acres in all. There are even Chuck Wagon Races on Mother’s Day.

A couple of negatives.

Don’t go expecting to eat healthy.
The first song of the band we heard was “She Loves Me Like Jesus Does.” Questionable theology, but once I got home and looked up the lyrics, they weren’t too, too bad.

So now you have my take on this place, and you are free to make up your own mind.

October Days — Cullman’s Oktoberfest and Carlton’s Restaurant

10/21/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

I missed fall when I lived in Ecuador.

I enjoyed fall all of the years that I was teaching.

But, I adore fall now, and particularly beautiful fall Saturdays spent with my Silver Fox. He’s such a fun travel companion. He’s not fond of traffic, but he keeps me laughing, and he’s like having a little bit of conscience sitting on my shoulder in restaurants. Mercy. He likes the air conditioner OFF. I like it on full blast. He’s a nature guy. I’m a unique things girl. We show each other sights and treasures we never would have found on our own.

Football games. Colored leaves. Mums. Pumpkins. Arts and crafts. Mountains. Crisp air. Bring it on.

colorful mums

Symbols of Cullman’s Oktoberfest — German-clad haybales

Recently we made our way to Cullman to wander through the booths at the annual Oktoberfest. You’ve missed it for 2015, but put it on your calendar for next year. This website would be a great one to bookmark. They plan DAYS of activities. Not just a single Saturday. Take a look at some of the sights.

spoons crafted into wind chimes

great fun for the young folks

look what you can do with sticks of all shapes and sizes

painting of 2 girls

mosaic stepping stones

ornate gourds

An array for fudge — just looking, of course

Preparing samples

selection of Amish cheeses

Halloween gourd

All of that wandering worked up our appetites. A good friend recommended Carlton’s Italian Restaurant on 3rd Avenue. It was wonderful. Beautifully decorated, scrumptious food, and a happy chat with the owner who is a retired veterinarian like my Silver Fox. I don’t believe you’ll be sorry if you decide to try it. Let’s see if I can tempt you.

small spaghetti with 3 meatballs

Italian sub with pasta salad

Game Day at Auburn Should Be On Your Bucket List — Guest Post from Steve Pearson

10/19/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Today, I am happily sharing this post from the blog of my Silver Fox who writes at both www.docsology.net and www.StevePearson.com. He’s a fantastic writer. And we just happen to share these three wonderful grandsons. I have his permission to share their day with all of you.

There’s something special about traveling for hours in a pickup truck with three young boys. Especially if those boys are your grandsons. Of course, the destination has a lot to do with the mood of the travelers. On October 3, 2015, our destination was Jordan-Hare Stadium on the campus of Auburn University for the football game between our Auburn Tigers and the Spartans of San Jose State.

The first decision of the day was easy. Pull off at the first McDonald’s and order whatever you want at the drive-through, then eat it while traveling south down I-65. The next decision was mine to make because the boys didn’t care whether I chose US 280 or staying on I-65 once we reached Birmingham. If you’re traveling that way and enjoy getting the flavor of small towns in central Alabama, take US 280. Stop in at any of the minimarts along the way and soak up some Southern drawl and “Good Ole Boy” culture.

But, I knew my companions were totally focused on arriving at the Loveliest Village on the Plains, so we sped down I-65 to Montgomery, then took I-85 North straight to Auburn.

The weather wasn’t perfect as we encountered periods of light rain all day. But, everything else was perfect. Boys between the ages of 8-10 have no reason to hold back their excitement. Not even the presence of an iPad for each one kept them from asking every few minutes how far we were from Auburn. Although Luke and Seth are brothers and Nathan is their first cousin, they functioned the whole trip as though they were a single unit. Without knowing it, they made it easy for me to become their age again by watching them lap up every moment of the day.

The campus covers 1,875 acres and every foot of it deserves to be seen and appreciated. Of course, the City of Auburn, AL which surrounds the campus is filled with bookstores, restaurants, and unique shops. Still, my resolve was for us to experience as much of Game Day at Auburn as possible. We parked on South College Street right across from where the campus begins and walked North toward famed Toomer’s Corner. Follow this link to learn some history behind one of the most important intersections in the state.

On a day like this one, the game seems to be on as soon as your foot rests on the sidewalk. For the youngsters, every sight and sound reveals a new discovery about a place they’ve heard so much about from relatives and seen on TV. The alumnus in the group can’t keep up with the flood of memories stirred by the same experience.

According to an app on my iPhone, we walked over 5 miles during the day. But, we need to go again because there’s far more to see and do at a Game Day in Auburn.

A few of the highlights of the day..

Iconic Samford Hall Tower in the background.

One of the two new Oaks at Toomer’s Corner.

The new Jumbotron is massive! Even from outside the stadium.

Front row for “Tiger Walk”.

Couldn’t pass up Cam Newton without a picture!

Another special memory for…Grandaddy!

Great place to dance to the music high above Pat Dye Field.

Are you kidding me? On the field after the game. A first for me!

“The Boys” sittin’ on the goal line. I’m feeling a post or two from this picture..

The way every Auburn fan hopes to end “Game Day”. Luke was nearby looking for Aubie.

Quotes of the day…

Luke: “I’ve never seen so much orange and blue!” and, “Look, there’s Aubie!”

Nathan: “Don’t worry, I know how to get down to the field.” and “My Mom and I ate here before the A-Day Game.”

Seth: “Look, there’s a Moe’s. Can we eat there?” and “Can we bring (cousin) Sam with us next time?

My Real Live American Girl Dolls

10/14/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

I am blessed to have SEVEN beautiful, healthy, smart granddaughters. When the oldest (Allie, who will be 15 next month) was at the doll-playing stage, I was out of the loop and didn’t know about American Girl dolls. Don’t worry, though. She was definitely spoiled by her grandparents — just in a different way. But, by the time Maggie turned 7 — we share a birthdate, by the way — I was ready to start a new Grandmomma/Granddaughter tradition. It was time for an outing to the American Girl store near Atlanta to make a selection. Since we were BOTH celebrating and since the store was a long distance from Athens, I decided to make this an overnight trip. We checked into the Alpharetta Marriott, a place that “just happens” to offer an American Girl package complete with pink sheets and a doll bed.

We checked into the hotel, got “all dolled up,” and made our way to the store. What an amazing place for a little girl and her doting grandmother! After MUCH deliberation, Maggie chose Caroline and started reading her book and taking care of her immediately. By then, it was time for dinner, so I asked, “Do you want to eat fast food or go somewhere fancy?” She wisely requested “somewhere fancy,” and we found a Cheesecake Factory near the hotel. Thus, the second part of our 7th birthday tradition was born. Thank goodness for great kids’ menu AND for the free desserts they bring for Birthday People. Way to go, Cheesecake Factory.

Then, in 2015, two serendipitous things happened. 1) Our son Matt and his family moved to Franklin, TN and 2) A new American Girl store opened this spring in the Cool Springs Galleria. Hurray for not having to drive so far! Granddaughter Birti agreed to wait until the store opened to have her outing with me. After carefully deciding on Grace, we headed to the nearby Cheesecake Factory (also opened very recently), and Birti added the “touch” of including the doll in the lunch. We had a great time. . . and the lemon meringue pie cheesecake was to-die-for.

Just this past weekend, Granddaughter Megan turned 7 AND came to our house for the weekend. Birti got to come, too, because their brothers were going to Auburn for a football game experience with Granddaddy. (You didn’t think we’d leave the boys out, did you?) Birti was very helpful in showing Megan the ropes and pointing out dolls and accessories she might have otherwise missed. Megan took her time deciding on a doll. She went in thinking she’d get Mary Ellen, but as soon as she saw Julie, she was smitten. You could see it on her face.

It was another memory-making day that I consider to be “worth every cent.”

But, okay. I should probably confess that this whole American Girl doll/eating at the Cheesecake Factory event is allowing me to live out my own fantasies, besides having fun with the girls. I loved dolls as a little girl, and I guess I still haven’t outgrown it.

Three more granddaughters to go. Penelope will be 7 in February 2016, Bethany in February 2017, but Bethany just turned 2. She has awhile to go yet. Better keep saving my money.

Denver — Some Recommendations for Your Trip

10/12/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

After last week’s post involving a rant and a rave, I think I should follow up with 4 places I would definitely recommend if you’re planning a trip to Denver.

HOTEL — Denver’s Grand Hyatt was great. It is located only 2 blocks from 16th Street Mall, making shopping and restaurants within easy reach. The rooms are quiet and comfortable, and the Green Tea and Cucumber toiletries were delightful. Buffalo art inside the room let me know I wasn’t in Alabama anymore.

I did not have a room high enough to provide a view of the Colorado Rockies, but you might wish to request one. I enjoyed the fact that Denver is actually a city that DOES sleep. Things get very quiet, even downtown, at night, and then they wake back up in the morning. Just as it should be.

My very favorite part though? The wake-up calls. There was “an actual voice” when I requested one at night and another friendly voice telling me “Good Morning” the next day. Nothing automated. Ahhhh.

RESTAURANTS

Rock Bottom Brewery. Just walk 2 blocks and take the free trolley right to it. As I’ve told you before, I don’t drink alcohol, but I went with some new friends from my conference to this place. Besides all of the craft beers offered, they are also famous for their burgers. I chose a grilled chicken dish with roasted broccoli — trying to be good. This has a sports bar atmosphere. The Broncos were playing on several of the TVs and rowdy fans cheered when they could. It was a Thursday night, and there was an SEC game on within my sight, but no one else seemed to notice. No surprise there.
Rialto Cafe. I enjoyed a weekend brunch by myself, and it was delicious. The wait staff was attentive, and no one made me feel weird about eating alone. It, too, is within the mile-long 16th Street Mall and can be reached by walking or taking the trolley.

There are many chain restaurants in the area, but whenever possible, I always like to try a local place and “eat like the natives.”

SIGHTSEEING

During the conference, we were given a 3 1/2 hour time period and told to “explore Denver and come back with a story.” I decided to take a taxi to the Molly Brown House Museum. I figured that anyone who had survived the sinking of the Titanic AND who had a hit musical written about them — The Unsinkable Molly Brown — would be worth a few hours of my time. I learned that she was so much more than just a shipwreck survivor. She was a champion for the rights of the underdog and a generous philanthropist. She got bonus points from me for being able to play the piano and for choosing green as her favorite color. A fun morning.

Although Colorado is synonymous with legalized marijuana these days, it remains a very health-conscious place. It times I almost felt like I “couldn’t even BUY a calorie.” Ha! There was lots of jogging and running, plus many stores catering to skiers, bikers and climbers. The higher altitude didn’t bother me very much (I drank a lot of water). I did enjoy my visit to the city, and I believe you would, too.

Another Franklin Frolic with Grands – The Factory, Part 2

10/07/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

The Saturday Farmers Market, located in the Rear Parking Lot at The Factory (at the corner of Franklin Rd. and Liberty Pike), is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. There are candies, jellies, jams, and baked goods for sale, in addition to flowers and fresh produce of all shapes and colors. Take a look. These photos make me a little sad that summer has ended . . . that is, until I look forward to pumpkins and brilliant trees.

After settling on okra yellow zucchini, red potatoes and a few apples, we were ready to do some browsing before finding a nice place for lunch. (See the last blog post for some of the special people we met). I will confess that we frequent our share of fast food places when the grands are with us (and when we are paying the bill). But every once in awhile we like to sit down, order from the menu, and enjoy relaxed conversation. On this particular day, we found LYRICS (naturally a musician would be drawn to that name) and gave it a try. It was our lucky day! A guitarist provided tuneful music-to-dine-by. Ahhh, Music City.

Steve and I chose the vegetable quiche with a cranberry congealed salad, and the kids had chicken fingers, baked chips, grapes and Goldfish. As always with grandchildren, the table conversation is the very best part. We hear what’s going on in their world and share tidbits about our lives when they aren’t with us.

Did I mention the sour cream muffins that are served as a starter? We were BIG fans of those.

I definitely recommend The Factory as a place to spend a few hours. Almost any place will do when you have such delightful company, but this one has a personality and flavor that is unique and interesting for both generations.

Another Franklin Frolic with Grands — The Factory, Part 1

10/05/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

On a recent Saturday, Steve and I found ourselves in Franklin, TN once again with 3 grands eager to get out and have some fun. We decided to explore a place that was fairly familiar to them and completely new to us — The Factory. It is self-described as “a one-of-a-kind retail and entertainment complex listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in near proximity to the nationally-recognized Main Street of Franklin, Tennessee.”

Two serendipitous meetings happened while we were there. Well, at least I (the former elementary teacher that I am who believes that “once a teacher, always a teacher”) felt they were serendipitous.

We met Ronda Friend, a delightful author of children’s books and musicals, who says that her “heart’s desire is for children to fall in love with reading, writing & the fine arts.” She drew the kids in with her props and tall tales and even shared some costume items with them before they posed for this picture. I bought 5 of her books – the Down on Friendly Acres series — to share with all the grands when they come for visits. Each one teaches a moral lesson amid the funny antics of her characters. Ronda and her husband live in Franklin, and she is available for school assembly programs. From what I observed, I believe she’d be a hit.

We continued our wanderings and met another very talented young woman — artist DeAnn Hebert — who was working in her studio at the time. DeAnn has a gorgeous website where you can peruse the works she has for sale, read her story, and even take a pictorial tour of her lovely home. She was very kind and approachable and had no problem posing for a picture with Birti and Luke. DeAnn was recently commissioned by Willie Nelson to paint an old church. See it here. I would love to have one of her paintings in my own home. Better start saving and looking around for the perfect spot.

In my next blog, I’ll share scenes from the Farmers’ Market and make a lunch recommendation. And, don’t worry, Rome and Somerville grands. Your turn is coming soon. 🙂

Auburn, Alabama — A Fall Saturday Place to Be and to Follow Traditions

09/30/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Steve and I had a great trip to Auburn for a game a few years ago, but we messed up one big time. That was in our restaurant choice for dinner on Friday night. We reasoned that we needed to “be good” and stick to the low-carb diet we’d been on, so when we saw a bright, shiny, new place with Diner in the title, we thought, “It’s bound to have meat, vegetables and salad, so why not try it?” Big mistake. HUGE. The service was lackluster, and the food tasted bad, really bad and was overpriced to boot. When we left, I sent a text message to the kids spelling out our tale of woe. Matt quickly responded with a text of his own: “Who goes to a diner in Auburn???” The clear implication was that he wouldn’t be caught dead there. His choices would be Chuck’s BarBQue, Guthrie’s, Cheeburger/Cheeburger, or Niffer’s. He wouldn’t be looking for healthy, home-cooking. He’d be wanting to feel like a college student again. Laura’s text said: “Why would you go anywhere besides Cheeburger or Guthrie’s?” When I told her that we decided to be a little bit adventurous, her reply was classic — “You don’t go to Auburn for what’s different. You go because of what is the SAME! War Eagle!”

See why I love my children so much? They are such delightful people, and they were exactly right. Why do the old grads like Steve and me make pilgrimages back to the Loveliest Village on the Plains? Because of what’s the SAME. The traditions!

We learned our lesson the hard way and spent the rest of the weekend reminiscing and enjoying the tried and true.

The top picture shows the back of my t-shirt purchase on that day. Notice that “rolling the trees on Toomer’s Corner” was featured because their fate had been so much a part of the news since the previous winter’s vengeful poisoning by the disgruntled fan of a rival team. In the next picture, you can see for yourself how the trees at Toomer’s Corner were faring. Look closely at the tops, and you’ll see some sick-looking yellow and brownish leaves, especially when you compare their color to the trees behind them. Sadly, those trees have since been removed.

I always enjoy walking past Langdon Hall, the site of my Senior Piano Recital given in December of 1971. I started my college journey at Samford, studying with my much-beloved teacher Dr. Betty Sue Shepherd. But, I gave that up to marry Steve and ended up here. I’d do it all over again, dear Steve.

This is Gargis Hall where many of my music classes were held. It was old then, so it’s REALLY old now. 🙂 Stately architecture, though, don’t you think? And there’s a glimpse of Samford Hall’s iconic clock tower in the distance.

In this photo, Steve and I are headed to the game, and you can see Jordan-Hare Stadium in the background and Haley Center. I hear that they’re planning to tear down the Haley Center. I guess that piece of landscape will change soon — hopefully for the better.

Here is Aubie — award-winning mascot — entering the stadium before game time. Our grandson Luke aspires to “be Aubie” when he gets to college. Wouldn’t that be fun??

With 30 seconds left in the game, the score was 42-38 and thankfully, it stayed that way to the end. It was another day of chanting the cheers, singing the fight song, and pulling for the Tigers.

This is not the place to color outside the lines. We’ll stick more closely to what we know and love next time — hopefully in the not-too-distant future. War Eagle, everybody!

P.S. One of my favorite parts about being an Auburn fan is that whether we win or lose, we’re still Auburn fans. After disappointing losses on several occasions, I’ve still joined with the crowd chanting “It’s great . . to be . . an Auburn Tiger, yes, it’s great . . to be . . an Auburn Tiger . . . “

P.P.S. This coming Saturday Steve will be taking our 3 oldest grandsons to Auburn for a game. Memories will be made. Traditions will be passed down.

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