Just a girl writing in the blogging ring
Every now and then I get inspired to do something strange with dinner. It could be serving it in an unusual way (ie: not paper plates) or throw in an unusual ingredient to give it zing or pretty color. What can I say? The sprinkles were calling me while I made cheese steak sandwiches!
Add sprinkles to your life! Color is fun 🙂
We had a magical weekend riding bicycles, asking the Magic 8 Ball important questions and posing for pictures. Our kids love to have their photo taken!
Some random photos from the weekend. I am trying to present pictures in a different way.
These are all outdoor, nature photos. My favorite is the red tip cap on the stink dog toadstool. ~P.
So I’m really enjoying my photography class. I have lined-up some models (a nude included) to work on my portrait photos. While I’m doing that, I’m also taking pictures with my digital camera. For shits and giggles ya know?
Wow, my SD card has 86 pictures on it! Time to load them and see what I have as blog material photos. The pictures are anything from me goofing off experimenting, pictures of the kids and some shots arranged for artistic appeal.
Ying is a great model. Such expression and depth in his photo shoot. 🙂
~P.
What will bring the Crider family together under one roof? In order by importance:
1. Beer
2. Food
3. Music
4. Poker
And so the Crider’s gathered this past Saturday (along with all the second cousins, third cousins, spouses, friends, etc. etc.) and had a fun-filled day.
A celebration of Barbara Grady’s life was held at Dover High School on Saturday, September 29th.
Laurie Heyer, Barb’s life friend of 32 years opened the service sharing how Barb touched her life in countless ways.
Dover High School principal, Bill Reinking, spoke next sharing his tale of starting at Dover in 1983 and Grady telling co-workers she knew him. He had been her teacher in Intermediate School. She remembered him, but he didn’t remember teaching her.
Kent James spoke next as Barb’s former student, coach and eventual co-worker and close friend. He shared the story of his senior trip at Dover to the Poconos with Grady, and metal shop teacher, Mr. Harmon, as chaperons. The students were asked to leave the resort early, and each walked by Grady with their head down as she gave them her “look” while shaking her head in disgust. In the 1990’s James and Grady went on many adventures together. Their trip to Costa Rica amazed the pair with active volcanoes, rain forests, natural spas, zip lines and monkeys swinging from trees. They spent some time on the beach where Sports Illustrated had done a swimsuit photo shoot. Barb was pestered to do her best swimsuit model pose and her response to their delight was “over my dead body.” The highlight of the beach for her was the Miller Light, “buy one-get on- free” cabana.
James is also holding a 5K walk/run in honor of Grady on September 22, 2013 with the proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer fund. Anyone interested in participating can contact James at kjames@doversd.org.
Ashleigh Rhinert called Grady “a force of nature” who coached her when she was a student on the volleyball team. It was the passion Grady brought to volleyball that inspired Rhinert to become a physical education teacher and volleyball coach in Red Lion. Reinert also coaches the cheerleaders and finds that Grady continues to impact people. Only now it’s through Rhinert’s coaching, and believes Grady “lives on through our lives.”
Sonya Guyer spoke about Grady being a person who was there for each and every student. Guyer now, as a coach and teache,r strives to model her life with students after Grady’s ability to touch every person’s life and make them feel special.
The Dover High School Choir group “Renaissance” performed two songs dedicated to Grady, “In Remembrance” and “Benediction.”
Cassi Ney, an English teacher at Dover stated, “The simple and respectful acknowledgement from another human being goes a long way to the students in Barb’s life” and Ney wishes she had a laugh track of Grady she could play over and over when she needs a lift in life.
Bobbie Mitzel Strausbaugh came to Dover in 1986 and was the assistant coach to Grady. Strausbaugh learned quickly that Grady’s goal was to major on people-her to do list was to make you feel like #1-and make a difference in others lives while we still have time. Grady was also Strausbaugh’s Maid of Honor, after setting Strausbaugh up on a successful blind date. Grady wore a dress, heels, and hose, sporting a fancy hairdo, but insisted on being called the Best Woman.
Michael Grady, the younger brother of seven Grady siblings, was touched by the Tweet campaign that helped his sister get through her last days. The messages touched Grady and her entire family with overwhelming support during the difficult end time. A few miscellaneous facts that others may not have known about his sister: she started at Dover as the football coach and athletic trainer, she played guitar, climbed several mountains, including Mt Washington, backpacked through Tasmania, and one arm was shorter than the other. That shorter arm was the result of rough play with her brother Bill and her refusal to tell their parents, for fear of getting in trouble. Grady loved Tab and Fresca and when she learned they were going to discontinue it, she stacked cases in her office to the ceiling. Her favorite saying was if she won the lottery was she would start “Grady’s girls gym” and wouldn’t have to share it with boys.
A video highlighting Grady’s life from childhood through her amazing accomplishments as a teacher and coach was shown. The video brought many (including myself) to tears.
Grady’s little sister, Cori, (the spitting image of Barb) closed the memorial service. Cori thanked those attending and pointed out how one person can touch the lives of so many people. Barb taught at Dover High School for 32 years, reaching several generations in the Dover school district. “Barbra’s gift of always finding the good in people is a legacy that we all should carry on. She would want us all to move through our lives striving to be ‘the best’ we can be.”
A memorial fund is being established in Barbara Grady’s name to support the students and school she loved so much. Contributions can be made to:
Dover Dollar for Scholars
c/o York County Community Foundation
14 W Market Street York, PA 17401
or online at http://www.yccf.org. Please designate Grady Memorial Fund
Barbara Grady March 25, 1956 – September 2, 2012
Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened. ~Dr. Seuss
Rest in Peace Ms. Grady. Teachers like you touch the life of every student lucky enough to cross your path.
Ma Ramey is the Mother of the Blues and one of the first black artists to be recorded in the 1920’s.
W.C. Handy is the Father of the Blues and a black trumpet player.
Bessie Smith is the African Empress of the Blues and populized the blues style.
Ethel Waters of Philadelphia, PA was the first successful black performer on Broadway.
The Hammond mouth organ-harmonica originated in Germany.
Blues music is generally measured in 12 bars.
A Creole is a child with a black mom and white dad.
Music styles that influenced rock and roll: Country, Blues, Ragtime, Gospel, Tin Pan Alley (NYC), Big Band Orchestra, African chanting,
Country music came from folk music and tells a story about one or more of these things: family/relationships, faith and appreciation of your country. Originated in the British Isles.
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville was the center of country music recording.
Very popular country music recording family-The Carter’s
Father of Bluegrass music is Bill Monroe.
Instruments of original country musicians: dulicmer, autoharp, mandolin, fiddle, voice
Later Country music was influenced by African tribes (drums) and Spanish ballads (guitar)
The Blues originated in Delta Mississippi.
Elvis Presley is the Kinf of Rock and Roll. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935. His twin brother did not survive. Signed by Sun Records. Starred in 33 B movies, served in the US Army from 1958-1960. Married Priscillia in 1967 and had one daughter Lisa Marie. In the late 60’s he began abusing perscription drugs, got super fat and died of a heart attack.
Popular Do Wap groups were The Coasters, The Platters and The Drifters. Their lineage was the Barber Shop Quartet.
Leo Fender introduced the Stratocaster electric guitar in 1954.
The original steel guitar came from Hawaii.
Yodeling as a vocal device originated in country and western singing.
DJ Alan Freed was involved in the Payola scandal in 1962 for accepting money and gifts to play unknown artists records.
1960’s folk music themes were love, peace and racial equality.
Surfer music was the antithesis of folk music in the early 1960’s.
The Beach Boys landmark record was “Good Vibrations.”
Pat Boone was a teen angel who sang black song writers music.
Tired…will study more tomorrow! Zzzzzzzz ~P.
I was nominated for a blog award from fellow blogger Paula Acton. Paula’s blog is uplifting and very enjoyable. She loves writing stories and is working on a novel. http://paulaacton.wordpress.com/ Thank you Paula!!!
Seven things to share about myself:
1. I can roll my tongue both directions. In half like a hotdog roll and tip to back.
2. My best friend from middle school is still my best friend.
3. At one point, I had 135 hermit crabs.
4. I eat animal crackers in pairs, as if they were entering the ark.
5. I’m fascinated with December 21st 2012 being the end of the world.
6. I never wash dishes, my boyfriend does all of them.
7. I often dream I can’t find my classroom or I’m walking the halls naked.
My nominations for A Beautiful Blog Award if they care to accept are:
My friend Tyler who’s photography I greatly admire. http://tylerlyons.wordpress.com/
Jason Alan who is great at flash poetry. http://jasonalanwriter.wordpress.com/
Meisha who writes deeply and thoughfully and also post great comments on my blog. http://meishayuri.com/
Girlboxing who write about one of my favorite sports…boxing! http://girlboxing.wordpress.com/
A very awesome photography blog. http://watchingthephotoreels.com/
Fiona, a caring blogger in Australia. http://faithandmeow.wordpress.com/
Last but not least, Miss Tribble’s blog that talks honestly about disabilities. http://rosewinelover.com/
Please take a moment to check out these seven bloggers and if you so wish, accept your award, share seven things about yourself and nominate seven bloggers you enjoy!
~P.
What’s the difference between a yam and a sweet potato?
It is not the flesh. Both vegetables have orange flesh inside. That is the tricky part, flesh is on the inside, not the outside.
A yam is grown only in South America and it needs 300 days to reach harvest.
Sweet potatoes can be grown anywhere and take 120 to reach harvest.
If you think you’re buying yams and they’re not from South America, someone is pulling the potato over your eyes.
The Frey family is set up along Route 74 today and tomorrow (9-5pm) to celebrate this year’s sweet potato harvest. Their potato tent is in the parking lot of The Brain Balance Center located at 2300 Carlisle Road, York, PA 17408.
The family is made up of the head potato, Larry, his wife Gwen, son Brett, daughter Lindsey and her husband, Jared.
The Frey family is from Wellsville, PA and has been in the sweet potato and sweet corn business for six years. They like to stick to sweet foods as a hobby
Larry said, “Sweet potatoes are easy to grow. They don’t need any chemicals or fertilizer. We get our plants shipped in from North Carolina where the University of NC developed and patented the Covington species. This breed grows to a nice size to use in making food. My wife Gwen makes the sweet potato soup with her own recipe.”
I tried Gwen’s soup and it is delicious. Also on the menu is fried sweets, baked sweets, sweet potato pie and raw potatoes to purchase in bulk.
Can’t make it to the sweet potato fest?
Give the Frey family a call at 717-432-2760
The resort was gorgeous. The suites were huge and we arrived by limo after exiting our plane. The resort staff gathered our luggage and pushed it down the hall on a large cart. Even the luggage was new except for one ratty bag filled with my old clothes.
We each had several suitcases and I was shocked to find my two were full of new clothing. I don’t know where we were but obviously you expected us to be dressing like royalty. You always liked picking out my clothes and when you said you had my mom help, I was really touched. We hugged and kissed as people gathered into our suite. The wine was flowing and our suite was filling up. I slipped into the bedroom…
The blue sequined dress took my breath away. I bragged to my mystery guest who appeared in the room that you and my mom surprised me with all these new clothes. It was true, my ratty bag held very little that I could wear on such a splendid vacation. I looked at the tags on the dress to see what size you had bought. A size 12…oh God! Would it fit? It did and I radiated with beauty and happiness in excitement that I had forgotten you could bring to my life.
Where were we….where was your girlfriend? It didn’t matter, you had swept me off my feet again and I fell back into your arms just like I had never left. We had a drink with our guests and loaded our plates with expensive food from the immense buffet. Lobster, crabs, steak and more…the smells were more intoxicating than the champagne I sipped.
A phone was ringing…where is the phone? Who is calling while we get in the swing of our vacation?
Tesla was calling to say good morning and and to ask if grandma and grandpa were coming for grandparents day. I rubbed my eyes, shaking off the sleepies and then I realized it was all a dream.
When I dream, I dream big.
~P.
girlboxer1970 