Key Lime Pie at Amsterdam's in Auburn

There is nothing I do not like about Auburn! I like Auburn University, Auburn football, Auburn band, Auburn campus, the Auburn eagles, and now Auburn golf!

Some of my favorite memories of Auburn involve eating! Eating breakfast at Country's, eating at Niffers, eating at Toomers Drug Store, eating at tail gate parties - well, you get the idea! I had never eaten at Amsterdam's until this week and we made a trip there for dinner. It was AUsome! I had crab encrusted tilapia, vegetables and a fabulous caesar salad. Then one person in our party ordered this key lime pie and we all shared a bite of it. It was so pretty, we really hated to mess it up by eating it.

So, once again, Auburn has come through with another thing I like about it!

4th of July

I spent my 4th of July at a Rehabilitation Hospital in Birmingham and it was spectacular! We arrived there early in the afternoon as patients were in therapy. We were allowed in the therapy rooms and were amazed once again by the human spirit! There were people with burns, people with strokes, people with head injuries and people with spinal cord injuries working hard to regain some of the functions they once had. Their bodies were damaged and broken but their spirit was standing tall!

The social workers had put together a patriotic program with flags, songs, ice cream and watermelon and we all got "misty eyed" when we pledged allegiance and only the visitors were able to stand and salute the flag but the patients were singing the loudest and holding their heads the highest!

The night was complete with an almost front-row seat from the terrace of the hospital of the Vulcan Park fireworks display on top of the mountain. It was truly spectacular!

This 4th of July will definitely go down as one of my most memorable!

ALABAMA IN BRONZE

Our small little hometown is known for several things but probably best known for its contribution to country music because we are the hometown of the group Alabama.


Recently our town honored the "boys in the band" with beautiful larger-than-life bronze statues placed in the middle of town at the city park. They are truly beautiful!

Our Next President Will Be A Leftie!

Both the Democratic and Republican nominees for President are left-handed so no matter who wins we will have another leftie in the White House.

Since Gerald Ford, 70% of the Presidents have been left-handed and only 10% of the population is left-handed so I think there is a story there. Not necessarily that lefties are smarter but maybe we process information in a different way. I know the researchers have studied it ad nauseum and they have some story about left-handed people thinking in an arc and right-handed people thinking in small pieces (whatever the heck that means). It makes sense when you know that our present President is right-handed - I'm pretty sure he thinks in small pieces!

Houston --- We Have A Problem !

A back page news story today stated that the Space Station's ONLY toilet is out of order ! I don't know about you, but I think that is front page news! Especially if you are one of the astronauts who spends weeks at a time in that small space.

So, what do you do? I think Bud's Plumbing and Heating would charge a fortune for an in-orbit service call. And then, what if they got out there and had to order a part? That would likely entail another expensive in-orbit service call. And I don't know about Bud's but I would think most local plumbing contractors wouldn't know exactly how to repair a space station toilet.

I don't have a good visual of the whole situation. I have seen how things just float around in those space ships and there are some things you just don't want floating around you on a regular basis.

My advice to the crew - don't eat anything and don't drink beer!

10 Things You Won't Hear in my Home Town

1. Duct tape won't fix that.
2. I don't have a favorite college football team.
3. Little Debbies have too many fat grams.
4. We are vegetarians.
5. Would you like your salmon poached or broiled?
6. I couldn't find anything at Wal-Mart today.
7. Who's Dale Earnhardt?
8. We don't need another big dog.
9. The tires on that truck are entirely too big.
10. I think you cooked those green beans too long.

Where Do I Begin. . . . .?

The lyrics to a famous song start with, "Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a love can be . . . ?"

This week my grandson Will turns 18 and he graduates from high school. He begins a new chapter and in a few weeks will be leaving home to begin his life as a college student. There are so many things I could say about Will - I don't think there is enough space in the blogsphere to hold all the thoughts I have about him so I just want to acknowledge him in a very small way.

From the time he was born, he has brought happiness to all who know him. It is a common occurrence for people to stop me at the grocery store or at church or at the post office - just to tell me what a great kid Will is! He excels in everything he has ever done. He is an honor student, has compassion for others, has always set his goals high, and has treated everyone in his path with utmost respect.

In a selfish way, I will be sad to see him leave home because I love having him one block down the street where I can see him anytime I want but I am also excited about seeing him continue his journey as an adult and watching as he begins to accomplish those things he aspires to do with his life.

Congratulations, Will. I could not be more proud!

I love you so much !

Idol Update

Benji and Kristen earned 200 points this week because they had Syesha in the 3rd or 4th spot. Five people have the remaining two contestants as 1st or 2nd.

As the administrator of the pool, I predict that DAVID will be the next American Idol!

Idol Pool Update

Amy, Terry H., and Claire all earned 200 points last night because they had Jason in the 3rd or 4th slot. Everyone else stayed the same.

Since I picked Jason #1 , that did me in, but he was a disappointment to me later in the show. I thought he was better at the beginning and went downhill. Since many people picked David Cook to win, the scoring will be interesting if he does. Still very much up in the air.

Idol Pool Update

These are the score so far:

Sara - 200 points
John - 200 points
Kirk - 200 points
April - 300 points
Kristen - 300 points
Terry H. - 200 points
Susan T. - 50 points
Benji - 200 points
Terry W. - 200 points
Amy - 100 points
Claire - 50 points
Chuck - 200 points
Susan C. - 100 points

The last four candidates carry a much higher point value so it is still anyone's game to win.
Good luck on the final four!

Fasting - - - For World Hunger

I saw an unusual thing today. Painted all over a mini-van were the words,"I am fasting for 30 days for World Hunger". This statement was printed on every window and all the way across the back of the van. This in itself wasn't so strange - it was the fact that I saw this vehicle in Bruce's Foodland Parking lot with the owner unloading an entire buggy of groceries into it!

Mega-Mergers

I just can't let it happen! First, it was the BellSouth/A.T.&T. Merger, then it was the Delta/Northwest Merger - okay, really and truly, I don't give a flying flip about those but NOW I have to take a stand! Arby's is merging with Wendy's!

Wendy's is the ONLY place on earth that does NOT make their burgers up a week in advance and let them sit under the heat lamp for days. It is the ONLY place where the meat and cheese is hot and the lettuce, tomato and pickles are cold and crisp! Now that is a real hamburger!

Arby's doesn't even know how to make a hamburger - much less a square one! And don't even get me started on how Arby's could screw up a Frosty by putting Horsey sauce on it!

At various times during our country's history, there have been uprisings against injustice - I think it's time for another one! We can't sit idly by and watch the demise of the only decent fast-food hamburger joint on the planet!!!

Gotta go, now. I'm making signs and headed for a protest march!

Idol Pool Update

Five Idol pool participants have added points to their score:

April now has 200 points
Kristen now has 200 points
Terry H. now has 200 points
Terry W. now has 200 points
Chuck now has 200 points

Everyone else remains the same as the last post.

I am bummed about Carly being voted off last night. I have been ready for Brooke to go for some time - really don't understand her appeal but obviously somebody does. I think Carly is a much better singer than Brooke. I'm pulling for Jason to stay because I have a chance of winning the pool if he is # 1 but truthfully, I don't think he has been very good lately. I think he just about murdered "Memory" the other night. (And he didn't even know it was sung by a Cat!- Sheesh!) Where have all these kids been! Oh yeah, I guess they weren't born when lots of these songs were written.

Stay tuned for future updates on scores.

Forwarding E-Mails

I know you have all gotten them - you know the e-mails that end with," Send this e-mail to at least 144 friends in the next 60 minutes and you will receive a huge monetary reward. If you do not do this, a large bird with intestinal flu will land on your head and you will be very sorry you broke the chain. I know this to be true because it actually happened to a friend of my sister-in-law's next door neighbor's mother."

If any of my readers ever contemplate sending me one of those, I can assure you the chain will be broken. First of all, I don't have 144 friends; secondly, I will not have read far enough in the long e-mail to know I am supposed to forward it; and finally, if a large bird lands on my head, I will freak out and die long before I know whether or not I have been crapped upon!

In other words, you can save yourself the trouble of sending me e-mails which must be forwarded in order to avoid some sort of disaster - just send them to people who have lots more time on their hands than I do. After all, in my spare time, I have to post profound topics on my blog!

German Parking Garage

This is an actual parking garage in Munich. They save lots of space by just sliding the cars into a slot on the little motorized lift.

I think you would be SOL if you forgot something in your car and had to go back after it.

My Yard in the Spring

And By Remote Satellite - Idol Results so Far !

Our FOX Network has been off the air for the past two nights so in order to post an updated Idol poll result, I had to rely on text-messaged results from Columbus, Ga., so assuming my source is correct about Michael Johns being voted off tonight, these are the current standings:

Sara - 100 points
John - 100 points
Kirk- 100 points
April - 100 points
Kristen - 100 points
Terry H. - 100 points
Susan T. - 50 points
Benji - 100 points
Terry W. - 100 points
Amy - 100 points
Claire - 50 points
Chuck - 100 points
Susan C. - 100 points

Bad news for Kirk and John. Kirk had Michael Johns # 1 and John had him # 2. They took quite a hit tonight.

Stay tuned for additional updates.

FINALLY - A Left-Handed Burger !!!

For those of you who know me and read my blog, you know I am left-handed. I even blogged about celebrating Left-Handers Day on August 13, 2007. I have a Left-Handers daily calendar on my desk which reminds of the famous people who have lived in a right-handed world and have accomplished great things! Well ----- left-handers around the world ---- we are finally being recognized by the one of the world's largest burger chains!!!! McDonalds is introducing a left-handed burger !!! YIPPEE !!!!!!!

First, it is wrapped differently. It is wrapped by folding the left side of the paper first then folding the remaining paper over it. That way, when you hold it in your left hand, it makes it easier to unwrap. Then the condiments are placed on it with lefties in mind. That way, the mayonaise is on the cheese side and the ketchup is on the meat side. And finally, the lettuce, tomato, and pickles are rotated 180 degrees so they will be more conducive to being held in the left hand without falling out.

Thank you, McDonalds, for recognizing the 32 million of us lefties who struggle in a right-handed world. We will definitely buy your burgers !!!

The Official Entries

The Official Entries for the American Idol Pool are listed below: The pot totals $260.00

Sara Quinn:

1. Jason
2. Carly
3. David Cook
4. Michael
5. David Archuleta
6. Brooke
7. Syesha
8. Kristy Lee
9. Chikezie
10. Ramiele

John Quinn:

1. David Cook
2. Michael
3. Carly
4. David Archuleta
5. Brooke
6. Jason
7. Syesha
8. Kristy Lee
9. Chikezie
10. Ramiele

Kirk Tcherneshoff:

1. Michael
2. David Cook
3. David Archuleta
4. Carly
5. Syesha
6. Brooke
7. Jason
8. Chikezie
9. Kristy Lee
10. Ramiele

April Tcherneshoff:

1. David Cook
2. Carly
3. David Archuleta
4. Michael
5. Brooke
6. Syesha
7. Kristy Lee
8. Jason
9. Chikezie
10. Ramiele

Kristen Tcherneshoff:

1. David Archuleta
2. David Cook
3. Carly
4. Syesha
5. Brooke
6. Michael
7. Kristy Lee
8. Jason
9. Chikezie
10. Ramiele

Terry Hawkins:

1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Brooke
4. Jason
5. Carly
6. Syesha
7. Michael
8. Chikezie
9. Kristy Lee
10. Ramiele

Susan T. Hawkins:

1. Syesha
2. Jason
3. David Archuleta
4. Kristy Lee
5. David Cook
6. Michael
7. Chikezie
8. Brooke
9. Carly
10. Ramiele

Benji Willmon:

1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
2. Syesha
4. Carly
5. Brooke
6. Michael
7. Jason
8. Kristy Lee
9. Ramiele
10. Chikezie

Terry Willmon:

1. David Cook
2. Brooke
3. David Archuleta
4. Michael
5. Carly
6. Syesha
7. Jason
8. Kristy Lee
9. Ramiele
10. Chikezie

Amy Shipp:

1. David Cook
2. Carly
3. Jason
4. Brooke
5. David Archuleta
6. Syesha
7. Michael
8. Kristy Lee
9. Chikezie
10. Ramiele

Claire Davidson:

1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Brooke
4. Jason
5. Michael
6. Chikezie
7. Syesha
8. Carly
9. Kristy Lee
10. Ramiele

Chuck Hawkins:

1. David Cook
2. Brooke White
3. Michael
4. David Archuleta
5. Syesha
6. Chikezie
7. Carly
8. Jason
9. Ramiele
10. Kristy Lee

Susan C. Hawkins:

1. David Archuleta
2. David Cook
3. Brooke
4. Carly
5. Michael
6. Syesha
7. Jason
8. Chikezie
9. Kristy Lee
10. Ramiele

American Idol Pool Rules

The business systems administrator, Terry Hawkins, has provided me with the official rules for the American Idol Pool. Entries are due by 5:00 p.m. today and will be posted tomorrow, March 27, 2008. No entries will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. March 26, 2008.

Entry Fee: $20.00 - to be paid to Sara Quinn, General Manager of the Pool

Point System:

1. Winner of American Idol 400 points
2. Second Place Winner 300 points

3. Finishing 3rd or 4th
4. in any order 200 points each

5. Finishing 5th, 6th, or 100 points each
6. 7th in any order
7.

8. Finishing 8th, 9th, 50 points each
9. or 10th in any order
10.