The Blogger Went Down to Georgia: Part Deux

Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around.

American actress, Katharine Hepburn, was born on this day in 1907 (died 2003).

Last weekend I made my second trip to Georgia in as many weeks.

This time, we’ll make it Atlanta.

Two weeks ago, if you’ll recall, I drove to near Savannah for a family funeral.

This time it was to visit the offspring with a side purpose of giving the younger offspring his first chance to fly.

I was already out in Southwest Virginia for a meeting at Natural Tunnel State Park. No, not Natural Bridge, that’s tomorrow, try to keep up.

Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield, Virginia

On Friday, I drove the five-ish hour trip from Natural Tunnel to Atlanta.

We also took a side trip to the new Clinch River State Park.

Saturday, the other son caught a very, very early flight to Atlanta. It was his first flight and a test run, of sorts, for his trip to Japan in the fall. We met him at the Marta near the other son’s house.

From there we went to breakfast, then on to the Georgia Aquarium, where, as I noted on Facebook, we spent the day with Every. Screaming. Toddler on the East Coast.

Look, we were far from perfect parents, but when the screaming fits came, we took the child to a private-ish location until they napped or got the screams out.

I digress. Even with that we had a grand time at the aquarium.

He’s right behind me, isn’t he?

We left there and headed across the plaza to the World of Coke. True story, we would have skipped the museum part if we’d been able access the tasting room and the store. But, as they tell you once you’ve entered, there’s only one way out.

All that being said, if you ever have the chance to taste the “Beverly” flavor that’s sold in Italy, run as fast as your little feets will carry you.

Blech.

I digress.

It was a good visit. A very long day. And then a long drive home on Sunday.

I found myself a little sad Monday morning when I realized I was no longer counting down the days until my Altanta trip.

But, other events move up closer on the list. We still have plenty to do.

I’m looking at my yard and the growth from all the rain. There is work to do.

That work can be a little overwhelming. That’s sort of why it’s taken me all week to write this post. Or at least to get it to the point of something I wanted to post.

I was inspired, just a bit, yesterday, when not one, but three, emails talked about various aspects of time management.

One said she found the moments of time when here daughter was napping or otherwise distracted, to focus on come creativity.

One said the obvious, we spend too much time on YouTube and Netflix.

The third was more about the creative process and how we often need to step away from the work to take a walk in nature, take a nap, do something fun.

I read that one twice.

I’m writing this while juggling multiple projects. You’re most likely reading it when you could be doing something else.

Thanks for that.

We each have to find what works for us in getting the job done.

What we can’t do is quit.

Go make the stuff. Go write the things.

And, if you need to, take a walk, take a nap…heck…take a trip.

Just keep going.

Which is what I’m doing right now.

And which is also why Random LInks, What I’m Reading, and What I’m Working On, may or may not return next week…or next post.

For May! For May! For…

On this day in 1931, the Empire State Building was dedicated in New York City.

Tra la! It’s May!
The lusty month of May!
That lovely month when ev’ryone goes
Blissfully astray.

Guenevere in Camelot

Or, if you went to my conservative Christian college in the 70s, it was allegedly the “merry” month of May.

And for what it’s worth, Eliza Doolittle didn’t “dance” all night either.

I digress.

Or do I just randomly babble incoherent thoughts?

We’re beginning the fifth month of the year.

[insert OMG where does the time go comment here]

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a flurry of activities coming up. Part of the reason, like I said on Friday,

Mugshots

why I won’t be posting here every day.

For example, I’m leaving town again on Wednesday for work trip for a board meeting, and then on to Atlanta to visit the older offspring.

Read into that what you will, but just know that I won’t be posting again this week.

After that…three more board meetings this month.

I am not making that up.

Rehearsals will be in full swing for Sound of the Guns (details below), I’ve got editing projects.

And soon, very soon, I will wrap up the 100 Day Project. I know, it’s just something silly-ish that I do. But, for an artist, even a self-taught amateur like me, there’s benefit in drawing every day.

There’s a lesson, or a post in there, but I think you know what it is.

I mean, we all know how to get to Carnegie Hall…right?

On top of the trip we’ve got a flurry of exciting events this week.

We’ve got May the 4th, Cinco de Mayo, and the Kentucky Derby.

And, I’ve heard they’re having a little party across the pond.

Something about the family jewels.

That may not be the proper Queen’s English term. Or is it now the King’s English?

Regardless, it’s a busy week and I’m making sure I have all of my Instagram ducks lined up in a row. It’s a heavy week for memes.

All that being said, it’s May. By the end of the month the pool will be open, the amusement parks will be operating on a daily basis, and the kids will be out of school.

While we’re at it, you should go ahead and start stressing over where you’re taking her for Mother’s Day. Reservations are probably already filling up.

Let’s get on with it.

I’ll see you sometime next week.

RANDOM LINKS OF INTEREST

Epstein’s private calendar reveals planned meetings with Obama admin official, CIA chief
FOX News
New documents, which belonged to the rich convicted pedophile and were obtained by The Wall Street Journal, showed planned meetings with a slew of prominent individuals, including now-CIA Director William Burns, Bard College president Leon Botstein, Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler and professor Noam Chomsky.

Republicans can spare the country a rematch it doesn’t want
Jeff Jacoby in The Boston Globe (subscription)
Biden’s renomination is unavoidable. Trump’s doesn’t have to be — especially if the GOP wants to win.

Cue Card Hosts Press Conference While Biden Out Sick
The Babylon Bee
“We have no idea how this inanimate cue card had typed-up, bullet point answers for every single question – but wow!” said Press Secretary Karine Jeanne-Perre. “That cue card gave an absolutely flawless performance out there.”

WHAT I’M READING


WHAT I’M WORKING ON

New in the Historic Occasions ETSY Shop, your personalized pet drawing from the world of Herbie and Quinn.

Sixth in the Stations of the Cross series.  Jesus wears the Crown of Thorns.

KD Kitties will soon be offering a shirt on ETSY. For now, check out their Redbubble site.

There’s another CAT and PIG book in the works. Maybe two. For now, please keep buying and sharing these.

Available on Amazon

Sound of the Guns runs June 22 – July 14, 2023 at Firehouse Theatre.

June 22 – July 14, 2023

BORN ON THIS DAY

American singer and actress, Kate Smith, was born on this day in 1907 (died 1986)