About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Americana

Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope you have some fun and celebrations to look forward to as the day goes on. Around here it will be quiet for Chet and me. Last night he had his first experience with fireworks and was a bit uneasy. I'm trying to help him be nonchalant about the whole snap, crackle and pop thing. Today we'll just hang out and hide from the oppressive heat that has us--along with most of the country--in its grip.

This week I've been thinking about what makes a good July 4 celebration and keep coming back to one place, historic Locust Grove just about 10 minutes from downtown Louisville. Locust Grove is the 17th century home and farm of the Lewis and Clark family. Today they're having an old-fashioned celebration
with family picnic on the grounds, children's activities, arts and crafts. Could almost guarantee that there'll be no fireworks set off here. You may, however, be able to see some from the Ohio River show on the downtown waterfront.

I won't be out there today but do go several times a year to photograph their beautiful grounds and look for pieces of Americana at their antiques and arts shows. Here's a few favorites:



A couple of views of the Locust Grove home through the garden:


This old outbuilding may have been a summer kitchen:


This wonderful split rail fence surrounds the farm:


You'll always be guaranteed to meet some cute dogs enjoying the antique show with their Servants:



And then here's some art pieces that say Americana to me:


So, Happy Independence Day, Friends! Stay cool if you can or just have fun in any way that makes getting out in the heat worthwhile. Blog friend Betsy over at Joyful Reflections asked what's on the 4th menu at our houses. Betsy, here it's going to be local white half runner beans with new potatoes and corn. More importantly, dessert will be Graeter's peach ice cream(limited to July)and fresh peaches. Num!Num!

Since I won't be blogging much for the rest of this week--except to catch up on some commenting--will make this post my entry for Friday Fences. Stop by Janis' place on Friday for the full list of players: Life According to Jan and Jer .

17 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

my dogs don't like being outside during fireworks, but if they're inside, they've gotten used to them enough to tune them out. hopefully chet will manage one more night. :)

Anonymous said...

What delightful photos you have shared! The menu sounds delicious! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for John. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Faye, Great photos and thoughts about Americana... Aren't we fortunate to live in such a great country???

That peach ice cream sounds delicious

Happy 4th of July to you and yours. Great post.

Hugs,
Betsy

Linda said...

Oh, what I would give for some of my dad's homemade peach ice cream right now! Memories...great post today!

Living Life said...

Happy 4th to you Faye! You captured some wonderful photos "Americana" style! I especially love the photo of the dogs in the wagon. So cute! Hope you and Chet are staying cool and enjoying that Peach ice cream together!

Anonymous said...

Have a good 4th! Love your shots... it is booming and banging outside here in Seattle right now and hour from dusk...

Brian King said...

Those split rail fences are awesome! Great looking house. We used to have a German Shepherd that couldn't stand loud noises like fireworks. She was fearless otherwise, but didn't like noise.

George said...

We're going to have to visit Locust Grove the next time we are in the area.

Your peach ice cream sounds delicious.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Love the split rail fence. Don't see may around here.
Peach ice cream sounds so good after this hot hot day!

Jan n Jer said...

This looks like my kind of place...I would love to visit n stroll around the grounds! Nice shots Faye!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

now that is my type of fence. awesome views. (:

Becky said...

Thanks for stopping by. I love your pictures. The house and fence remind me of Gettysburg.
Really cool bird houses too.
I like Chet! He's a cool dog.Our rescue dog Tauqua who also likes to dig is terrified of loud noises, especially thunder, and don't even mention the word fireworks! He would sit on my lap if I'd let him except he is too big. A Golden Retreiver Beagle mix. A strange combo, but he has such a sweet temperment, and a beautiful golden/reddish color with 4 white paws.
Oh yes, I am a huge Yankee fan. Back in the 60's I rooted for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were HOT then, and where I worked in 1960 they stopped all work and turned on the TV so we could all watch the Bucs beat the Yanks in the World Series. It was wonderful. In 1978 we moved to New York state, and the Bucs began their decline, SO my hubby and I decided it was time to move on and the Yankees got our vote. I LOVE baseball, and needed somebody that won games! Besides we can get 90% of the games on our cable channel.
It must have been a cool experience to work for a major league player.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Have a great week-end.

Kim, USA said...

Beautiful house and so love the firework photo.

Kim, USA

Dianne said...

split rail fences are beautiful
I love all the pup photos

Vores have said...

Great pictures you show. Thanks for your comment on my blog. Wishing you a good weekend :) Hanne Bente

Elaine said...

What a wonderful selection of photographs, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them. That terrific fencing looks like it is a huge rowing boat with lots of oars dipping in the sea. (My crazy imagination!) I love the dogs and their servants.

EG CameraGirl said...

Looks like a super place to visit and take photos.

Take care in all the heat!