MAKING CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FUN!

Corey had a lot of Christmas Shopping to do Saturday, so he called me and asked me to go with him. As I’ll explain in my next post, I don’t shop for anyone but the grandkids, but I don’t ever miss an opportunity to be with me son. I’ll even cancel doctor’s appointments if necessary, because my time with him has always been short and scheduled. “Corey time” is special and I live for it, no matter how short it is!

We hit the road and headed for Oak Ridge for a very important stop. I can’t reveal to you the details of this stop, because Tia reads my blog! Suffice it to say that she will be totally surprised and very pleased. ‘Nuff said!

From there we drove on to West Town Mall in Knoxville. There was a little “Tinker Bell” house at the Disney Store just waiting for Santa, and Papaw Elf, to pick up! Check out Corey on the phone to his wife, Tia, making sure this was the correct item! It takes concentration and coordination to get all the shopping done correctly and on time!

Eventually, as we wandered the mall, we came upon the traditional Santa Claus photo opportunity. This little girl was very frightened of the bearded old man, and it took her “papaw” to calm her down long enough for a photo, and for Santa to ask her questions.

Out in the parking lot, as you will see in the red circle of the attached photo, I spotted one of the new Police mobile watch towers! I don’t know if they are there year-round, but I suspect so. There are always break-ins, muggings, and even rapes in and around most mall parking lots. This is the city’s way of reducing that possibility, and ensuring its residents and visitors have a safe shopping experience.

From the mall, we headed for Dick’s…I love Dick’s – don’t you?!

At Dicks, Corey found a nice jogging suit for his brother-in-law, and I had a great time searching through the sale items. However, I came away empty handed, having talked myself out of a couple of nice shirt purchases. I often do that, and then end up regretting having passed up the deal.

It was then on to Best Buy, where Corey again looked for something another special gift for his wife. He found it too, but I’ll not tell!

I purchased a Bejeweled 2 game for Judy, having lost her Jewel Quest game during the conversion to her new laptop! She still wants her old game back, so I’ll have to shop some more!

Finally, we made it to Wild Wings! I know, I was just there a couple of days ago, but I love Wild Wings!

I did not have wings, I had one of their yummy wraps instead, and Corey had the “buffalo wings” and lots of tea! I couldn’t resist having a couple of Yuenglings…they just tasted so good Saturday!

On the way home we played WIMZ very loud and played “Guess that band”! We always have a great time, and I’m already looking forward to next time!

A NIGHT OF HIGHS AND LOWS

The family clique, with the exception of Charlotte and Gary, our usual crowd, planned to meet at Carrabba’s Italian Grill at 5 PM tonight. Gary had a root canal done this week, so he was not up to all our frivolity and cackling! Can’t blam’em, you do have to be in tip-top shape and in the best of moods to keep up!

Anyway, Judy and I left home around 3 so we could stop by Best Buy and H. H. Gregg’s. We have decided to buy a mid-range laptop for travel, and to replace Judy’s aging Freecell and Jewel Quest machine. We began by looking at small 15” models, but have since graduated up to 17”!

We have the best luck! We were looking at a Toshiba at Gregg’s Friday but decided we should do some online research first, and then come back Saturday. We discussed stopping by Best Buy on the way out of Turkey Creek, but decided we could do that on Saturday too!

Turns out, we both fell for an HP – Pavilion at Best Buy tonight, and it was $150 off! However, with our luck they had sold all but a demo model Friday! If we had stopped, I might be sitting here configuring it right now – darn it! I asked the guy to sell me the demo, but he said they would not let him do that, since they had a thousand dollar model that looks just like it externally.

I have searched hi and low tonight and it seems this model was made specifically for Best Buy by HP. The sale is off, there are no rain checks, and it isn’t available anywhere online! So, the only thing I could do was to put the item on my “wish list!”

I’m hoping Black Friday will bring out other deals on AMD 64-bit processor and Vista 64-bit software packages!

Meanwhile, back a Carrabba’s, everyone arrived and the Knights begin ordering Yuenglings, and letting our cute little waitress pour them for us. Dang…can’t remember her name…wonder way! Anyway, I gave her one of my “blogness cards”, so maybe she’ll leave a comment!

The fellowship, as usual, was soul filling, and we all needed a fill-up…it had been a while!

The food was the only thing more filling and, as usual, perfecto! I don’t remember ever having had a bad dish at Carrabba’s.

Our only complaint, and it was because of the size of our group (6), was that we were seated near where the waiters pick up their orders. However, it too had some rewards, at least for us Knights. It was mostly the Dragons with their backs to the action that had less of a reward! I kept waiting for Chef Ramsey to come out of the back and scream some obscenity at some cook! (Just a little inside joke…Judy has gotten me into watching his shows.)

There are so many delicious sounding entrées on the menu that it’s hard to make a decision. Ron, of course, had the Grilled Salmon, fresh from some river in Italy, Judy and Terri had tilapia (Which is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fishes, so there’s no telling what they really ate!) from the Pacific covered in “wulfe” sauce, and Neena had something involving chicken I’m sure, but Steve and I had the only real Italian dishes.

Steve had the Linguine Pescatore, which is shrimp, scallops and mussels tossed with linguine in a spicy marinara sauce, mmmmm…Mamma Mia! I choose the Chicken & Spinach Cannelloni, which is stuffed with chicken, spinach, garlic, fresh herbs, fontina and romano cheese, topped with pomodoro and cream sauce! All were great choices!

As we left the restaurant, a dark cloud of stench wafted over us, and everyone looked to their right and left. Everyone was blaming the other, so we hugged quickly and left the area!

After we got home, “someone” called and confessed…Gawd; you can’t take a Dragon anywhere!

RETIREMENT WORLD

Ron, our Dragons, and I went to Knoxville’s Farmer’s Market on Market Square today, but it’s just a tad early for much to be happening. There was water cress, some homemade jewelry, and some baked bread, rolls, a hot dog or two, but no huge baskets of corn, tomatoes, peppers, etc. that I wanted to photograph. We'll try again in a few weeks.

However, it was not a complete disappointment, Ron and I began sampling beer at around noon, and finished up around 5PM!

We began with a Yuengling "Black and Tan" on draft, the first time I'd seen that flavor around these parts, and it was yummy.

It went real well with the Chicken Chorizo & Egg Enchiladas I had for breakfast just an hour earlier at Mimi’s Cafe! The girls shared a breakfast sandwich of eggs, ham, cheese, and bacon on Ciabatta bread!

Judy and Neena did some heavy shopping in Earth to Old City giving Ron and I plenty of time to slowly enjoy our brews and watch all the interesting people pass by on their lunch breaks. We also made our plans for the upcoming "Sundown in the City" performances for this spring and summer.

Sundown in the City:

May 15: North Mississippi All Stars

May 29: Robert Earl Keen with Jypsi

After forcing Neena away from the Channel 6 News reporter and camera (she just knew they were going to use her for a “man” in the street interview, but apparently they preferred the old man) we moved on to Mast General Store and perused the great outdoors clothing and accessories. The ladies walked through and touched everything they saw. They finally wore Ron down and he had to rest in one of the rockers…of course, I soon joined him, and forced myself not to buy any of their great selection of candy.

Later, we decided to walk on down to the Downtown Grill & Brewery for a White Mule (the lighter beer full of hops!) and a Downtown Alt (darker for me). After the second round the girls showed up and joined us. We shared some hot pretzels and another beer before moving on to O’Charley’s Restaurant for another round of appetizers (chicken quesadillas and pretzel crushed chicken fingers)! The Yuengling was served in 20 ounce glasses and they both went down great!

Judy and Neena drove us home and I’m sure Ron did as I did, sleep all the way! I was still asleep on the couch when the news ended!

It was just another great day in “retirement world!”

SATURDAY NIGHT ON THE TOWN

You can only hike and look for wildflowers so much. Sometimes you just have to take a break and go out on the town.

Saturday night we all met at Bonefish in Knoxville and started out with Bang-Bang Shrimp, and great bread dipped in olive oil, salt, and pepper! Then we gorged on fresh seafood like salmon, grouper, wolf fish, shrimp, and scallops! Of course it all had to be washed down with Yuengling draft!

It seems we always go out to eat somewhere each year around this time, evidenced by the arrival of young boys and girls all dressed for their local proms! We saw them same time, same place, last year, but we have also enjoyed watching them at Carrabba’s in years past. Note how the Dragons are critiquing the gowns! Oh yeah, check out the tux with the backward ball cap! Where's Mr. Blackwell when you need'em?

Another group arrived as we were standing outside, letting our food settle, so I decided to be their paparazzi for the evening. I have no idea who these people were, but some took the time to wave or smile at the camera. Oh well, it distracted me from my original intention of going next door to Maggie Moo’s for a double dip of cookies’n cream! As you can tell I didn't need it anyway!

After meeting in the parking lot to exchange magazines, and making it look like a dope deal going on out of the trunk, we made plans to meet up at Borders Book Store. There I found and bought two of Cormac McCarthy’s books. Jeff (FHB) got me started reading again by sending me “No Country for Old Men” and demanding I read it before he returns to pick it up! Well, I saw the movie, and have since finished the book, and I thoroughly enjoyed them both! I now look forward to reading All the Pretty Horses (1992) and The Road (2006).

Well, at least three of the Dragons will be back on the shopping trail tomorrow, while Steve works, Ron delivers an old bedroom suit to a local “goodwill” type store, and I mow the lawn!

However, another rest day comes Tuesday evening for Ron and me as we are set to enjoy a group called “Son Volt” at Knoxville’s legendary Bijou theater. Of course, we will stop in at the Downtown Grill & Brewery prior to show time to enjoy a burger and micro-brewed Downtown Ale!

Now be sure to follow all the links…I worked hard on them, and you might actually learn something!

SAVAGE GARDENS ROADTRIP

Thursday found Ron, our Dragons, and me on the road to “Savage Gardens” in Lake City, Tennessee.

Neither of us had ever been there, but a mutual friend of ours told Ron about it and gave us directions.

Savage Gardens is located in Lake City, Tennessee near Norris, as in Norris Dam. The gardens are privately owned, but the Dew family, generously opens their property in March, April, and May to the public. The gardens are located off I-75, exit 128 at Lake City. You then cross Hwy. 441 to Lovely Bluff Rd. Follow Lovely Bluff Rd. to where Savage Garden Road turns off to the right. Go up the hill to the first driveway on the left. Parking is in the driveway turnaround.

As we got out of our vehicle, we immediately heard turkeys gobbling. These turkeys, each named for a character on “The Beverly Hillbillies”, are the Dew’s watch dogs! As we left the property, we heard gobbling and a curious dragging sound getting closer to us. The turkeys came down to see who was in their backyard and the dragging is from their wings. They drag them to create a larger and scarier noise to protect them from would be enemies!

We first passed a shelter built against one of the large rocky outcrops, where visitors are invited to picnic if they so wish. There is running water, a BBQ grill, and tables and benches under the tin roofed lean-to.

We walked the backyard gardens and quickly discovered the natural beauty that flourishes there. The hundreds of wildflowers were planted “only by the hand of God”! We discussed names and points of interest with Ms. Dew (Inside joke of the day - her name is Morning and her husband’s is Mountain – Ha!)

The paths wind through, beside, and along large limestone outcrops which reminded me of ancient Aztec ruins! In all the cervices, cracks, and all along the tops were beautiful Purple Phacelia in full bloom. Other white beauties of flowers I’ve forgotten scream out to be admired!

Along the way I discovered a bumper crop of Little Brown Jugs, Wild Ginger, Trilliums of several varieties, Rue Anemones, and Wild Geraniums. We missed the Twinleaf blooms, but caught the hard green seed pods (not shown).

The trails were very small and you had to watch out for the young poison ivy shoots and tiny leaves where ticks were already gathering for the feast. However, Judy was the only one that carried one home with her!

Later we toured on over to Norris Dam, one of the first dams TVA built during the 1930s. You can see the large marina above the dam on Norris Lake, and the shallows below the dam where trout fishermen wade about almost every day, except those days when the dam is generating! However, on calmer days like this one, kayakers and people in canoes enjoy the peaceful waters.

Since we hadn’t eaten since early morning, we hopped on the Interstate and tooled on down to Turkey Creek below Knoxville. There we chose O’Charley’s and wet our lips with Yuengling drafts, swallowed some fresh rolls, and feasted on Pretzel-crusted Chicken, Salmon on a plank and Jambalaya Pasta!

Please click on the photos to enlarge them, or go to FLICKR to see them and others in larger sizes.

HE'S BOUND FOR TEXAS!

Yep, FHB is on his way back to Texas as fast as his Solaria will take him. He has the passenger seat full of blues CDs I personally approved to keep him awake.

He stole the hearts of all the Dragons and made them all feel tiny while standing or sitting by him. I tried to stay close to take advantage of the 20 pounds you automatically lose being beside him, but they kept rooting me out! The most determined rooter was Terri…in the swing!

All the Knights seemed to find something in common with him, whether it was guns, gun history, war history, history in general, camping, or hiking. We avoided religion, politics, and Paris Hilton! I had all that plus blogging in common!

We feed him well while he was here and he could usually be found stuffing his face, sucking on a cold Yuengling from a frosty glass, or toking on a Macanudo.

We did it up right two nights! One night Judy fixed her mouth-watering steak and gravy with mashed potatoes, green peas, slaw, and cornbread! The second night we invited the family over for a traditional hamburger cook out and a bull session on the back porch.

Friday, Judy and I took him to Calhoun’s on the lake for the “all-you-can-eat” lunch buffet – all the chicken, chicken livers, catfish, BBQ pulled pork, roast beef, creamed corn, a variety of beans, fried okra and othe vegetables, salad fixings, fruits, rolls, corn bread, soups, and lots more for $12.

Then Friday night I treated him to my favorite thing - sitting on the back porch in the dark, with the blues cranked up, the wood creatures chirping, a glass of cold beer in hand, and a Macanudo sending out little smoke signals that are highlighted by the night light! Man (an or woman), it don’t get no better than that!

Several times we mentioned how nice it would be to have Bruno sitting there with us talking to the Goddess on her 1-900 number!

FHB got to visit all my hang outs, Ruby Tuesdays, Wild Wings Café (see wings photo), Calhoun’s on the lake in Lenoir City (see full plate photo), Bailey’s, and even the local Gondolier Italian Restaurant (see the Stromboli photo)! He was determined to sample all the cuisine and spirits ol’ Mushy enjoys all the time!

He will be missed around here for a few days, because he kept me busy and my mind occupied with making travel plans. I usually leave that to my brother-in-law Ron, but with FHB here, I had to do it. My head still hurts!

Anyway, FHB will always be welcome at Mushy’s! Hurry back my friend.