Local Places, Local Faces

Friday Meanderings

June 29, 2018 by KTgreen

I’m baaaaaack!

And where have I been?

First I went to a conference in Orlando. It was very interesting. But Orlando is one big traffic horror film. Don’t go there. Just a word of warning.

Then Terry and I went on vacation. First road trip without Magster the Wagster. So we didn’t have to stay in La Quinta! Friends with cats let us stay with them! (Maggie did not like cats. Or kids. Or strangers. Or….oh, you get the picture)

Anyhow….

Now I’m going to show you a whole bunch of boring vacation snaps. If you aren’t into that, you might want to move onto your next blog!

Went to North Myrtle Beach to visit our friends Terry and Phil. Also the parents of our son-in-law, Andrew.

And you know we went to the beach!

How pretty is this? While we were there soaking up the rays, a couple got married right in front of us. No witnesses. Guess that’s legal in South Carolina!

North Myrtle Beach

We all went to dinner at a restaurant on Little River. KInd of an upscale version of the Shed! I had sushi—can’t get that at the Shed!

The whole gang

And did you know that Myrtle Beach is the capital of Shagging? Had to check that out!

Shag Water Tpwer — Those are shaggers on their water tower!

Shake it!

After a few fun days in South Carolina we headed to Washington DC. The home of daughter Jessica and son-in-law Andrew.

Jessica's name plate — In case I forget Jessica’s title, I’ve got a pic now!

We toured Jessica’s office and then went to their apartment where we received our itinerary.

itinerary

Of course, we packed for 100 degree weather. Because that’s what the Weather Channel told us to expect. Nope. Cold and Rainy! Terry and I both had to borrow sweatshirts for the Washington Nationals game. (They lost!)

Washington National

Washington Nationals Stadium

Went to the National Portrait Gallery to see Michelle Obama which was on our schedule.

National Gallery — First we had to get a snap in front of this giant golden thing. There’s Andrew photobombing us.

Stopped by to see Michelle Obama which was on our itinerary.

Michelle Obama

President Obama was NOT on the schedule but we stopped by to visit him, too. Just because. There was a really long line in front of his portrait for photo ops.

Barrack Obama

Then we went to Union Market for drinks and snacks because it was on the schedule.

Not on the schedule was the visit to a rum distillery.

rum distillery

rum disterilly — We were definitely the oldest couple in the room. Perhaps Jessica and Andrew were the next oldest couple. I wondered out loud how these kids could afford those prices. Seriously, the drinks ranged from $10 – $16! Terry said “they are all attorneys working for the federal government.” Got it!

We were old. But we were happy after our rum visit!

Next up was a dinner party at Jes and Andrew’s apartment.

ukuleles — After dinner the party demanded that Jessica and I entertain on our ukulele’s. Fortunately many adult beverages had already been consumed!

We did a lot more stuff. Because it’s our family motto to squeeze 10 pounds into a 5 pound sack.

But I didn’t take any photos! Whaaaaaat!

Okay. Moving on.

The Pet of the Week is….

Dusty

And Blizzard. Terry and Blizzard

Back when I still had dog smell on me these two would not even enter the same room that I was in. Dusty actually hung out with Terry and me. Blizzard. Not so much.

Now the important stuff.

I plan on upgrading my websites this weekend. Hopefully it won’t take long. I never know.

And after that, I’m going to post more. Here. I’ve been taking photos and have no where else to put them! So….come back next week. And–if the website is up–there will be snaps! And perhaps comments. Maybe snarky ones.

For the weekend….

Saturday I’m going to Citrus Pride at the Crystal River Mall. Maybe following that up with Open Mic with our friend Chuck Andrews at the Old Mill.

Scalloping starts on Sunday. I’ll be helping the Key Club park cars. Fun. Right? (No. It will be hot. And humid. And sweaty!)

Sarasota Slim will be at the Shed on Sunday. Besides 10,000 scallopers arriving to get there boats in then back out, there will be 10,000 motorcycles trying to find parking to hear Sarasota Slim.

I’ll be there. Somewhere in the masses!

If you are scalloping in Old Homosassa, don’t block our streets. Or litter our properties. Or pee on our plants.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

Friday Meanderings

April 6, 2018 by KTgreen

IT’S THIS SATURDAY!!!!!

OLD HOMOSASSA COMMUNITY DAY!!!!!!

I might have been planning this and telling you about this for a couple years. (or it feels that way)

Let’s have a little history. (I’m trying to make it little.) But…..

Last year Bill and Debbie Andrews, local people that live and work right at a corner of Yulee drive in Old Homosassa, suggested that the Old Homosassa Heritage Council have a yard sale to raise money to paint the water tower.

WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!! (that’s their super power–great ideas)

And…..after talking to Marian MacRae, chairperson of the Old Homosassa Heritage Council, that wouldn’t it be cool if we turned it into a major event and included all of our local community groups on the festival grounds and have an open mic on the stage,

she agreed.

Cool!

First year of Old Homosassa Community Day. American Legion Post 166 had a flag burning ceremony. Also sold burgers and hotdogs. Community groups set up booths. Had an open mic with my friend Jaque’s help.

The YARD SALE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!!!

And then this year.

Yeah, I’m still in charge. (and how did I manage to get people to agree to let me run things???? That’s my super power!!!!!)

The American Legion Post 166 really needs money to buy a building. They suggested a pig roast. Which, thanks to my super friend Connie, turned into Homosassa Goes Hog Wild! (that’s Connie’s super power–thinking outside the box)

Stopped by the Old Mill Tavern one night and gave Chuck Andrews a flyer for the event. (along with numerous other people) He said “Do you need someone to run the open Mic?” OMG. Chuck is like the best person in the whole entire world to run an open mic. OMG. (Chuck’s super power is that he is a very great person along with being a very great musician)

And Chuck knows a LOT OF REALLY GREAT MUSICIANS!!!!!! (another super power?????)

OLD HOMOSASSA COMMUNITY DAY!!!!!!

I’ll be there at 6 am to register the artists and crafters and all the other vendors. My goal was 20 booths.

WE HAVE OVER 30!!!!!

Terry and I have been attending SO MANY LOCAL EVENTS AND HANDING OUT SO MANY APPLICATIONS.

This is NOT my super power. Talking to all those people and asking them to show up at the event sucks my soul out.

(and makes my mouth really dry.)

I only have so many words every day. (after my total words are used up I just want to curl up in a fetal position)

That’s definitely been the most difficult part of this event.

BUT!!!!!!

I really try to surround myself with really smart people with super powers.

Chuck has brought in PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS THAT ARE PERFORMING FOR FREE!

There will be a tip jar on the stage but the money will go to the Old Homosassa Learning Center.

Jennifer McRae

Jojo Jones

Elvis

And in between all that amazing music will be

The Homosassa Ukers (on stage at 11:30. OMG I’m in that group. OMG. what was I thinking?)

Almost 14 year old Tiffany Ann Mendendez (she’s on Youtube. And I’m going to tell you more about young Tiffany Ann at the end of this section)

Jaque Rasmussen with her amazing clawhammer banjo

And the amazing CHUCK ANDREWS and all his friends and his brother and I hear maybe maybe maybe the Mason Creek Band. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS! (That’s supposed to be a surprise!!!!! not my super power)

Now let me tell you about Tiffany Ann Martinez.

You can find her on YouTube.

She’s adorable and can really sing.

She is going to Tallahasse to participate in Students in Government. She has had a bill accepted by the Student Government for saving the Coral Reefs.

She needs $250 to get there.

Can we give Tiffany Ann the money she needs?

She can’t put a tip jar out because we have professional musicians that are playing for FREE! But we can just go up to mom and give her some cash.

Right? That’s what I’m doing.

HEY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND WHATEVER IF YOU SHOW UP AND DON’T HUNT ME DOWN TO GIVE ME A HUG I WILL BE REALLY MAD!!!!!!!

just a warning

FIND ME!!!!!

I might be dressed as a pirate!!!!!

Arghhhhhhh!!!!!

Friday Meanderings

March 23, 2018March 23, 2018 by KTgreen

Ohhhh.

It’s Friday.

And let me tell you why I don’t always get a post up in time to actually publish it on Friday. (Although you know I have a lot to meander about!)

I’m at the Old Homosassa Learning Center almost the entire day on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thursday is the hardest because it starts with an hour and half of yoga, then a mad dash home for a shower and lunch. Back by 12:15 for Sew Cool! Workshop. Followed by two hours of volunteering with the after-school program.

Not complaining. That’s what I want my retirement to be.

But sometimes I just don’t want to sit down. Have a glass of wine. And fall asleep. Oh wait, that’s what I’m doing now!

The kids at the Learning Center were particularly trying this week. Probably cause they were excited that…..

Next week is Spring Break. Did you hear all of our volunteers go WHOOP!

Sad. But. True.!

Three volunteers plus our after-school coordinator. Three days a week. And we are all wiped out by the end of those two hours.

Yes. I need a wee vacation.

And let’s continue talk about happy news!

Shrimpapalooza! Saturday! Parade! Beads!

SO MUCH FUN!

So many other things going on. This is Banjo Camp weekend. I’ve gone three years. Decided not to go this year. A little sad.

It’s also “Mermaid weekend”. That’s when all my mermaid friends get together in Cedar Key for the art show. (Yes these are real mermaids. From Weeki Wachee! Not my imagination!) Thought I’d go up on Sunday but right now I’m leaning towards sleeping in then having a Bloody Mary!

But I’m staying home so I can go to the Shrimpapalooza on Saturday.

If you lived here. You. Would. Too.

Tim Dorsey. Famous Florida Writer. Is. The. Grand. Marshall. of the parade. Which is mostly golf carts and local people! WOO-HOO!