I spent four days in Kentucky with my best friends this week. They moved up there just over a year ago, and it’s been really hard. I miss them like crazy!
It was nice to get away, if only for a short while. We went out and explored some areas of interest, including the historical community of West Point and a pet cemetery that was on the way to Shepherdsville. But our big adventure was a trip to Bernheim Forest.
If you don’t know about this forest, it is located in Clermont and covers more than 16,000 acres. It is a wildlife sanctuary, an arboretum, a campsite. There are miles and miles of trails to hike and things to see. What Bernheim Forest has become known for, though, is the giants.
Created by Thomas Dambo, the trio of giants are made from local recycled wood and are positioned throughout the area. It was an absolute delight discovering each one, though the map we were given at the entrance left something to be desired – it took us much longer to find the last two giants than it should have. Still, there was plenty to do along the way.
If you’re ever in the area, I would highly recommend a visit to Bernheim Forest. We had a lot of fun, and my friends’ kids loved the giants!
James Young Family Cemetery A marker showing the water levels of past floods. Check out 1937! Little Nis, the sonMama Loumari Little Elina, the daughter The view at the end of the Canopy WalkThe Spirit NestThe memorial for Bernheim
We almost missed our first flight, our second one was delayed (because some genius put us on a plane that wasn’t equipped to fly/land in snowy conditions, despite the fact that we were headed to Colorado Springs), and my mom had a mild case of elevation sickness on our third day there. Other than that, the trip to visit my brother and his wife was an absolute success!!!! I had visited last year, but we didn’t get to do a lot of sightseeing, and this was Mom’s first trip – and first time flying. The whole area is so beautiful. (Raton, New Mexico, wasn’t that impressive, though. Lol.)
We’re both dying to go back already. I’m aiming for some time during the summer so we can get out and explore a little more. Below are pictures I took during our excursions, and one from the plane because I’m that person 🙂
This was captured about 10 minutes from DFW Driving towards Trinidad The Raton signScenic overlook coming into Colorado from New Mexico Their cat, Hanzo, who was sad because we wouldn’t allow him in the guest room
I will do a longer blog about my trip early next week, but for now I wanted to drop in and share some pictures. I just didn’t want to break my posting streak while on vacation (as lame as that is).
We fly back home tomorrow, which sucks. It has been a fantastic five days – complete with much needed family time, lots of snow, some exploring, and really, really good food. I can’t wait for our next trip out here!
Central ParkThe view from 12We took a drive down to Raton, New Mexico
I keep trying to get back into a regular posting schedule, but life has been determined to intervene. After my grandmother passed in October, my best friend’s mother-in-law died. I was there for her and her husband, and to be honest I was emotionally drained. My dad noticed and planned a spur-of-the-moment trip to the beach.
I can’t tell y’all how much I needed the three days of sun, sand, and sea. Despite the fact that it was November, the weather was gorgeous. I was able to wade in the water and bask in the sun (with a lightweight jacket on). I even got a touch of sunburn.
Since then, it’s just been…change. I’m searching for a new job and trying to get things ready for Christmas. Last week, I took a day trip to Cathedral Caverns with my parents, which was nice.
2019 has had its ups and downs. I won’t say the year has been bad, necessarily, but I am hoping 2020 is better. And it will certainly start that way — I’m going to see Alter Bridge again in February.
Anyway, for those who care, I wanted to give an update. I also wanted to let y’all know there will be some end-of-year posts, I’m just not sure I can keep up with the Playlist Challenge or a weekly featured band right now.
Here are more pictures from the beach and the expedition in Cathedral Caverns! I hope this blog finds you all well.
Gulf Shores
Cathedral Caverns
This is Goliath, one of the largest stalagmites in the world, 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference.
“The Improbable”: a 27-feet high stalagmite, growing on a 3-inch base and at a 45 degree angle to the stone below it.
My mom and I spent the majority of the day at the nursing home with my grandmother. There has been no change, except her blood pressure has dropped slightly (no cause for concern, according to Hospice) and they are now having to suction out her throat and esophagus at least two or three times a day. So, please continue praying/sending us positive thoughts, if you would.
In other news, it’s October — my favorite time of the year! (I know we’re already 13 days in, but I’ve been distracted.) I have no idea what I’m going to be for Halloween. I’m leaning toward a variation on Harley Quinn, the girl on the cover of Mindless Self Indulgence’s Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy, or Tim Sköld. I haven’t had the chance to indulge in many horror movies so far; however, my best friend and I have binge-watched “Light as a Feather” on Hulu.
Other highlights of October: it’s finally below 1000 degrees here in Alabama, and my favorite college football team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, is undefeated. Oh, and Alter Bridge is playing a show within two hours of me on the 17th.
Given that this is a music blog, I guess I should mention something about music, huh? Ha! Okay. Here are a few upcoming releases:
Super Junior – Time Slip (10/14)
Shane Eagle – Dark Moon Flower (10/15)
Alex Vargas – EGO (10/18)
Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky (10/18)
Cody Jinks – The Wanting (10/18)
HXXS – Year of the Witch (10/18)
Jimmy Eat World – Surviving (10/18)
The Lacs – Rise and Shine (10/18)
Third Eye Blind – Screamer (10/18)
Cigarettes After Sex – Cry (10/25)
Fit For An Autopsy – The Sea of Tragic Beasts (10/25)
Jinjer – Macro (10/25)
Night Flowers – Fortune Teller (10/25)
Norma Jean – All Hail (10/25)
PVRIS – Hallucinations EP (10/25)
Scarlett Rose – Welcome to Wonderland (10/31)
I’m trying to schedule some posts in my free time so that my blog isn’t lacking content for consecutive days, or even a full week. I hope to resume the playlist challenge and choose a featured band on the 21st.
I don’t share a lot of personal things here, but I’m gonna give up a small tidbit today.
I have had a rough month. I can’t explain it, because even I don’t fully understand. Suffice it to say that it’s been a daily struggle for just over four weeks. The only things (besides music) that have brought me joy are my furbabies: Marceline, Vlad, and Elwin. And so I’m basically dedicating a post to them. Because furbabies.
Marceline
Vlad
This basically shows their personalities. Vlad is a ham and adorable, while Marceline is dignified…and kinda grumpy.
I know this is a music blog, but I wanted to share something else I’m doing with my followers…just because.
I love to read! I have always loved to read. I don’t always have time, of course, though the various apps I can download to my phone have helped. Anyway, I finally joined GoodReads. I browsed through my favorite genres and found at least fifty books I was interested in reading. Lol.
The site encourages its users to set a goal for themselves, so I did. I am going to read fifteen books in 2018. I know that doesn’t seem an exceptional amount, but we’ll see how it goes. I may update my progress here, as well.
Right now, I’m on the final book in a trilogy by Shannon Mayer. The first in the series is entitled Venom and Vanilla. I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. The main character, Alena, starts out as kind of a stick in the mud. However, once she is turned into a supernatural (saving her from dying of a supposedly incurable disease), things get interesting.
Shannon Mayer combines all the usual suspects — vampires, werewolves, etc. — with the Greek pantheon, and it is masterfully done.
Thus far, my list of books for 2018 is as follows:
Venom and Vanilla by Shannon Mayer (read)
Fangs and Fennel by Shannon Mayer (read)
Hisses and Honey by Shannon Mayer (reading)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (reading)
Last night was the final game of the college football season. The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs duked it out to prove who was the best, once and for all.
I was a nervous wreck leading up to this game. All season, Georgia had been so dominant. (To be fair, I was worried about Clemson, too, and the Tide handled them like a boss!)
There was more than just the title riding on this game. Alabama head coach Nick Saban had never been beaten by a former assistant, and he was poised to tie Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most titles won in the BCS/CFP era. The Bulldogs were looking to win their first title since 1980, and of course, Kirby Smart could be the first Saban assistant to defeat the master.
Like I said, the stakes were high.
The game started on a high note for the Crimson Tide, with Tony Brown intercepting a pass, but it was all downhill from there for the rest of the first half. Georgia was on point, and they honestly dominated. It was clear they were there to win. We left the field, down 13-0.
However, following halftime, Alabama showed up. Coach Saban pulled sophomore QB Jalen Hurts and put in the true freshman Tua Tagovailoa, who had never started a game. His gamble paid off — Tua quickly fired a strike that brought us back within six points. Unfortunately, Georgia answered swiftly, and once again, we were down by thirteen.
Things were not looking good. But then, the Crimson Tide freshman cavalry arrived. There is no other way to explain it. On the backs of Tua, Najee Harris, and Jerry Jeudy, we reached the redzone. We scored thirteen unanswered points, tying the game. A missed field goal attempt on Bama’s part sent the battle into overtime.
Alabama was first to defend. They held Georgia to a field goal. The Bama offense trotted onto the field. All we needed was a touchdown to win.
On the first play, Tua was sacked for a substantial loss of yards. I was hiding my face, heart pounding, praying that we hadn’t come back and taken the game to overtime just to lose by three points. And then…
Two true freshmen connected — Tua and wide receiver DeVonta Smith — and the Tide won!!!!! Seventeenth title, sixth in Saban’s career (tying Paul Bryant), Alabama’s fifth title in nine years (and second in three years)…
Best. Game. Ever.
Even if I had about five heart attacks. Lol. If you want an accurate description of how we watched the game, check this out:
Obviously I have already posted, resuming the album of the week, weekly focus, and playlist challenge, but I wanted to jump on and wish you all a Happy New Year as well.
I rang in 2018 with my best friends. We didn’t do anything overly exciting, just drank a little and watched Scream 2 and Scream 3. (I giggled over the Creed poster in Sidney’s room… They were so young!)
More importantly, today was dedicated to football, and lots of it. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m a huge Alabama fan. Well, the Crimson Tide made it to the college football playoffs (again), and tonight they played the Clemson Tigers. This was the third matchup in as many years, and this time the good guys won! Alabama is going to the National Championship game (again). Their opponent will be the Georgia Bulldogs! An all SEC title game sounds perfect to me. Even better, Georgia’s coach is a former Nick Saban assistant; we like seeing him do well!
In other news, I’m busy compiling a list of artists/bands that will be releasing albums this year. I hope to have it posted soon. I can tell you now that both Myles Kennedy and Tremonti Project are putting out new music this year, so I’m very excited about that.
Mostly Music 