Now 40, trifler, sparkles

- 40 is the new 30, I hear. One day in traffic, a man was spotted taking down the letters - but he was too fast for a 'through the windshield' shot and disappeared inside. John must be the sign guy, because this time last year it said, "Happy Birthday, Me."

- My new favorite radio station AM 1690 "The Voice of the Arts" plays the quirkiest music and they played a blues song yesterday in which a man announced to a woman that she was "a trifler!" Great word, that.

- The wind has been up so much in Atlanta that dandelion blossoms are blowing through the air, looking like traveling sparkles.

I hope you have a sparkling weekend!

Visit, satisfaction and warbling

- Another visit on Tuesday in Milledgeville to a home a few miles away, the family home that we are preparing to sell. When mom and dad moved their young family here, she lovingly planted this azalea so there would be some color in that corner in the spring.

- The satisfaction of gathering a couple of items to donate to the silent auction to benefit my church's preschool program this weekend. I always enjoy this event and it was fun to hand over the hand-blown wine glasses that I have never used, and the never worn watch, still in the box, with the dangling heart-shaped watch face. I hope someone will want them. :)

- Sitting in my car in front of my condominium building to finish a work related phone call, and watching neighbor Marion and his friend Hilda enter his place. They met more than 60 years ago and have always remained friends. When I exit my car, I can hear the faint sound of his piano playing and her sweet voice warbling a tune.

Imagine, loading up and magnificence

The Stovall-O'Brien-Beecher-DeGraffenreid-Calloway-Conn-Gardner House (aka House of 13 columns), Milledgeville, Georgia, ca. 1825

- A visit to my parents' attorneys in Milledgeville, Georgia, is delightful for the opportunity to finally go inside this lovely house in which they have their offices. It was designed by John Marlor in the Federal and Greek style and the fanlight over the door is a feature of the style of architecture of that era. The columns are thought to represent Georgia as the 13th American colony. As I take my leave, I imagine what it must have been like to stand on that porch in 1825.

- A visit to Ryal's Bakery around the corner from the house is a must and I load up a box of brownies and iced shortbread cookies for my next stop to my clients at the cultural center in Madison, Georgia. The goodies are a selfless gift to the clients for our meeting. Really.

- Arriving at the cultural center (which was a school until 1957) and before the clients appear, a beautifully coiffed woman in a navy suit appears at the door and asks if I know where the stage is. I do and show her. No - she wants to go on the stage, she used to appear in plays here in high school until she graduated in 1951. I locate a side stage door and she goes in. As I turn to go back to the conference room, I hear singing. She has burst into the song, "Because." I walk around to the auditorium and listen while her grandchildren snap pictures. She says the song just came out of her - it was sung at her wedding 59 years ago. She lives in Tucson, Arizona now and has returned to Madison to bury her husband in the family cemetery.

Medusa in the city, nice stuff and violation

Photograph by Vernon M.

- A view of midtown Atlanta seen from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The glass Medusa-like sculpture is by Dale Chihuly. This was taken during one of those cocktails in the garden tours where the fresh spring air was as lovely as the view.

- Riot Kitty's blog post about Nice Stuff that happened to her lately, leaving me with a decided warm and sunny feeling.

- Having dinner and a catch-up with friend Leisa and the blue cheese slathered burger I have been wanting. And then realizing later I violated my Meatless Monday pledge. So I'll do it today - the meatless thing - and actually do that most days anyway. Cheers!

Bursting, congratulating and lovely

- An impromptu lunch sitting beside Bobby Jones Golf Course, fairly bursting with greenness.

- Overhearing a man congratulating another on his new grandchild through the wall behind my office. Then more discussion between these two very nice men about how great it is to have grandchildren.

- A friend tells of walking her dog in her neighborhood and a daily encounter with a recent immigrant from Russia, who knows one word of English. She likes to pet Cathy's dog, crooning, "Lovely!" over and over.

Tending roses, legacy and just the ticket

- Neighbor Tom, who passed away three years ago, planted this cabbagey rose bush. I tended them during the time his place was up for sale. Seeing them bloom again makes me smile.

- Finally meeting clients after picturing them in my head for two years. We are printing a little catalog that my co-worker Marcus used to handle. It is fun to laugh with them while swapping Marcus stories. Marcus left me the gift of his clients, a wonderful legacy, and also taught me much about the printing business. He would love knowing that he is being discussed after all this time.

- A late night dinner of a hastily thrown together spinach and feta cheese omelet was, as my grandmother used to say, just the ticket.

Thank you for walking with me down memory lane today! I hope you have a lovely weekend full of joy and laughter.

Rural living, tip and locked out

- My sister likens living in her sleepy little town in northern Florida to living in Mayberry. Last night she left a meeting with a group of women all going home in the same general direction. One of them called to say there was a horse in the middle of the road ahead that had gotten loose. Where exactly? she asked. Across from the goats. Ah! She knew exactly where that would be and decided that's what she loves about rural living.

- I thought about my sister yesterday while pumping gas. (She and her husband are in the petroleum distribution business.) She shared a tip not long ago when she was in the car with me. When paying at the pump by credit or debit card, always ask for a receipt. So many people are driving off without paying that you should have your proof of payment with you in the event you are misidentified as an offender and they send the police after your car.

- While trying to get into a building for my own meeting last night, I find I am locked out. So I sit on a nearby bench to wait and take a few moments to look at the fresh green leafy trees, birds checking out a nearby birdhouse and listening to church bells in the distance...