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Tidbits
Monday, September 18, 2023 at 04:44PM 
Ever know a kid who looks like an angel but occasionally walks on the wild side? Here's one.
We're back.
Well, we have been back for a week.
From our trip to Knoxville and points north.
Allow me to elaborate.
The reason for our four-day excursion was twofold: to see our new grandson in Tennessee and to attend the memorial service of our brother-in-law in Ohio.
Since the route from Columbia, South Carolina, to Toledo, Ohio, takes one right through Knoxville (well; it can ... there is an I-77 route but we don't take that one, preferring I-26 West to I-40 West to I-75 North), it's handy to break the journey at the home of our son, Andrew, and his wife, Brittany.
And now in addition to their daughter Ember, who will turn four in December, there is Baby Guy, who was two weeks old the first time we saw him.
We stopped at the new Buc-ee's at Exit 407
We left on Thursday and made a few stops on the way so as to coordinate our time of arrival with the time Ember had been fetched from preschool and everyone was at home.
Our main detour was at Buc-ee's, which has a brand-new outlet at Exit 407, Sevierville.
We stayed thirty minutes and spent eighty dollars.
Mostly that was for presents for the girls and their families back at home (because they care for our pets in our absence) but I must say, Buc-ee's is good at separating people from their money, no matter what your intention.
Don't go there unless you are prepared to part with some cash.
Back on the road, we arrived at Andrew and Brittany's at about two thirty in the afternoon.
Ember with her brand-new pirate crab squishmallow ... home run, Mari
Almost the first thing they told us when we walked in the door, was that they had just received a package from my precious friend Mari, whom they have never met in person.
In true Mari fashion, she had sent outfits for Guy and a pirate crab squishmallow toy for Ember.
Ember was holding on tight to that squishy pirate crab. I tried to get it away from her and was unsuccessful.
Isn't that the kind of sweet friend story you like to hear? It's my favorite kind of story.
Then I got to know Baby Guy -- that was easy -- and in due time Andrew threw some chicken and corn on the cob onto the grill and I made my semi-famous semi-homemade baked macaroni and cheese, and we had a nice meal.
The next morning we were not in a big hurry to leave, because I was still busy holding Baby Guy, but by noon we were on the road to Ohio.
Baby Guy and I settled into a routine within moments of my arrival
We were checking into our hotel room by about eight thirty that evening.
Therein lies a tale. I guess if you travel at all, you know that hotels feel no need to service your room at all during your stay -- unless, in the case of Hilton hotels, you stay for at least four days.
That means that your bed will go unmade and the trash cans will overflow and the towels will be damp for four entire days. Floor vacuumed? Bathroom cleaned and restocked? Haaaaahahahahaa. Ha.
Unless you say something. Which I did, at the front desk of what is actually a beautiful Hilton property in Perrysburg, Ohio.
I was told that we could be put "on the board" if we wanted any attention paid to our room, but that in the absence of an actual request, nothing would be done to see to our comfort during a two-night stay.
We asked to be put "on the board" and when we returned to our room after a long day at the memorial service and visiting with family, the bed had been made and the trash cans had been emptied, and we had each been given one fresh towel.
TG and his brother, Ron, comparing their tall, slim, trim frames
By the time I got back home a few days later, the Hilton property in question was badgering me to complete an online survey.
And so I did, and I said how I felt about the way they do things now. As in: I don't like it. We are being conditioned in all areas of life to pay more and expect less.
Let me rephrase: I vehemently dislike it. Some resentment may enter into it as well.
A day later, I received an email from the nicest lady named Maria, who is in management at that property. The email was followed by a call.
We had a nice chat, during which Maria told me that it wasn't that the people managing the property don't want to service the rooms.
It's that they simply don't have the housekeeping staff to do it.
I placed the official MLB Seattle Mariners baseball on the table beside Johnny's cremains and his effects
Maria apologized, saying that she realized it was not up to any recognized Hilton standard anyone may have in the past been used to enjoying.
She gave us ten thousand Hilton Honors points and we parted as friends.
Folks, things are never going back to the way they used to be. In acceptance lies peace.
At the memorial, we saw TG's only sister and only brother, as well as several nephews and nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces.
Everyone was holding up pretty well, but there were moments. Ultimately the reason for our meeting there at that place at that time, was accomplished.
Since my unofficial motto is "Never go empty handed," TG and I took along an official MLB baseball stamped with the Seattle Mariners logo. Johnny was a huge baseball fan and the Mariners were his favorite team.
TG and me with my sisters-in-law Ruth and Marcia, and my brother-in-law Ron
I placed the baseball on a table next to Johnny's hat and a wooden box containing his ashes.
Throughout the memorial, but especially afterwards, I and others made sure that we took plenty of pictures, for posterity.
The church provided a meal catered from Chick-fil-A and that was stellar in every way -- have you had their macaroni and cheese? It puts mine to shame -- and after the meal, we went to the new home of TG's sister, the newly widowed Ruth.
You may recall that in May of last year, Ruth's house burned. It was a total loss.
The house was the one built by TG's late parents in 1957, when TG was five years old, and in which TG and his siblings grew up.
So it was strange to see a new house sitting exactly where the old one had been, oriented the same way on the corner double lot, surrounded by the same neighboring houses that have sat in the vicinity for sixty-five years.
Same place but different house
The entrance of the driveway in the foreground of the picture above is unchanged from when the old house stood there, but it used to lead straight ahead to the side of the house.
The new house projects out farther on the right, making the rest of the driveway curved where it once was straight.
Where there once stood an old but treasured house full of memories, there is now a fresh, modern house that, despite having no history, will be cozy for our Ruthie as long as her life lasts.
We rejoiced about that and congratulated Ruthie and tried not to think too much about a loss that still hurts. We talked and visited with relatives to our hearts' content, before heading back to our hotel and a night of rest.
The next morning, we got up and got organized and drove the seven-or-so hours back to Knoxville. We arrived in the late afternoon and went out to dinner with Andrew and Brittany and Ember and Baby Guy.
Baby Guy is the sweetest, most content baby I have seen in a long time. He's pretty special. He slept throughout the meal and never made a peep.
This is Baby Guy's preferred mode of daily life. Photo courtesy Brittany Weber.
The next morning was Nine Eleven and we drank coffee and watched several episodes of a documentary about that sad event, on its twenty-second anniversary. Still dumbstruck by what transpired, even after all these years.
About one o'clock we headed for home. I contacted the girls en route and asked if they wanted to come over that night for supper (even on the road, I had a plan).
They readily agreed, and so that night we congregated to share stories about our trip and to give them their gifts.
We got the tee shirts for the kids at Buc-ee's. When I saw NEARLY FERAL I about died because although our Rhett looks like a cherub, he can be quite fierce.
Dagny got NO GUTS NO GLORY with a hapless skeleton because I have a ridiculous weakness for funny skeleton stuff.
Good times.
My beloved sister keeps on keeping on
A few days later my brave and remarkable sister, Kay, sent me a picture of herself with her husband and two of her daughters, holding aloft her Bachelor of Perseverance degree.
She -- who already survived another cancer eight years ago -- has completed her radiation treatments, which followed three chemo treatments, for gastric lymphoma.
We are waiting now for a good report. Your continued prayers for her are appreciated.
Later in the week I'll show you my fall decorations. The process has begun in earnest but must be ramped up before any kind of decent reveal.
I am equal to the task.
What am I reading? Well I am glad you asked because I have put down two other books to read The Bootlegger's Other Daughter by Mary Cimarolli.
An excellent memoir
In recent days, through this blog, I have made a new dear friend with whom I have a connection that goes back many decades. She is a lifelong Texan who lives near Dallas.
It's a long story but the takeaway is that she and I have enjoyed some fine fellowship via text, touching on the many things we have in common.
One thing that my new friend told me is that over the past year or so she had the opportunity to spend many Saturdays sitting with an elderly lady who is an accomplished author.
She told me the author's name and the title of her memoir, and I wasted no time in securing a copy.
I found it online at Thriftbooks, where I get most of my books. So far I'm enjoying this simple story of an American girl a great deal and can recommend it unreservedly.
Oh have you had Aldi Specially Selected Super Premium Ice Cream? Audrey told us about it. We are not among those who shop regularly at Aldi but my girls tend to be.
It's real ice cream in flavors you can get behind
This ice cream is not a half-gallon carton (that's among those things that are never going back to the way they used to be) and it costs six dollars per, but it is REAL ice cream.
Not a lame "frozen dairy dessert" with thirty-five unpronounceable additives.
There are five ingredients in this ice cream. And yes, you can taste the difference.
Chocolate and Vanilla seem to be the only varieties that meet this stiff criteria, but that's okay. I like those flavors. TG and I picked up one of each yesterday, after church.
That night after evening services, we had a houseguest. I served up the real ice cream into three generous-sized bowls, and all three of us augmented our scoops of Choc-Van with sliced almonds, Hershey's chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries.
It was a bit of all right.
No Guts No Glory :: Dagny and Rhett
Before I go, one other thing I want to show you is my new Keurig.
OK here's what you need to know: One, I am fussy about my coffee; and Two, I am usually the last woman in the Western Hemisphere to latch on to a new trend.
I don't follow the crowd and jumping onto the cleverly marketed Keurig bandwagon was no exception.
Besides, until a few days ago, the only exposure I had had to coffee made in a Keurig was in a hotel room, where the Keurig made a weak, tepid swill so unlike actual coffee, that I laughed out loud.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I drink one cup of coffee per day and it must be hot, fresh, strong, and laced with heavy cream frothed with my frother.
As a result, I travel with my own French press, my coffee, my favorite mug, my heavy cream, and my frother. I heat the water in the microwave with a large Pyrex measuring cup that I also bring along.
Papaw wanted a picture with Baby Guy, who did not bother to wake up
That way, I can make my coffee in the hotel room and it will taste as much like what I get at home, as possible. The only difference is the water. Yes; I use tap water to make my coffee.
But on our first layover at Andrew's house this trip, I noticed that they had a clever slender Keurig on the counter.
Their counter space is limited. This was a K-Slim machine -- less than five inches wide. But with multistream technology.
Which means that what punctures the K-cup is not a single needle through which the hot water flows, but five needles. An important feature because it affects the strength of the finished cup.
No one was up yet that first morning and although I had all of my own coffee gear with me, I decided to make a cup in the Keurig and see what happened.
If worse came to worst and the coffee was awful (as I fully expected), I could always pour it down the sink and no one would be the wiser.
But I suspected that at the very least, the coffee would be drinkable. Because Andrew would not tolerate weak, tepid swill passing for coffee.
Keurig K-Slim with Donut Shop K-Cup in a Krispy Kreme mug
I made the cup. I heated my cream first and frothed it, then put the cup on the machine and grabbed a Donut Shop medium roast K-cup. I pressed the 10-ounce button and then the big K button.
A few minutes later, I stood amazed.
It was delicious. That cup of coffee was strong and hot and just the way I like it. It passed muster.
That very night, in the hotel room, I ordered a machine just like Andrew's, and a supply of Donut Shop medium roast K-cups.
It's exciting. I'm sure the lustre will subside but as it stands now, I can hardly wait to get up in the morning, to make my coffee.
I got some refillable K-cups too, so that instead of pre-filled pods I can use my own brand of coffee, i.e. Cafe La Llave or Folgers Black Silk.
So far, it's going real well.
If you're a coffee drinker you probably already have a Keurig or have had one and don't use it anymore, or whatever.
Ember, zeroed in on a rock beside the cacti, moments before we left Knoxville on Nine Eleven
I stand beside you pleasantly surprised -- and more than a little awed. Two thumbs up.
OK enough product reviews. That should hold you for a while.
What is next on the horizon? Cherica's new baby is due to arrive within the next two weeks.
We are organized and energized and more than ready for that event.
Tell me what you think about that, or about anything else I've said.
I want to know.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Monday :: Happy Week
Reader Comments (18)
OMW! That pic of Rhett is just stinkin' cute! Of course, he is always adorable. All those grandbabies are. The shirts are perfect. We stopped at that Buc-ees and were in and out in minimal time and hardly any cost. But Bob gets twitchy in places like that! I can't be shopping with him hovering. :)
And then there is Guy. Is it fair to have a baby that is so cute, and so easy too? He really is perfect. I love the picture of Ember and the pirate too.
Bringing the baseball to the memorial was such a nice touch. It's a sad time, but so nice to visit with family again.
I hear you on the way we seem to pay more, and get less. Why is it so hard to find reliable help nowdays? It's everywhere!
The book looks like one I would like, made even more special by your friends connection with the author.
We are getting an Aldi's in our town. I haven't been in one for some time, but I may have to go when it opens here to check out that ice cream,
I don't drink coffee but Bob likes his like you do. So now we need to check out that keurig too!
Babies and coffee are good, but I had no idea what hotels are like now. It's been a long time since I have been in one -- 13 years IIRC.
@Mari ... Girl just get Bob a Keurig K-Slim for Christmas. He will love you for it. One thing I have noticed as the days have gone on is that my entire cup of coffee is not as hot as I prefer. As in, I used to be able to really linger over my cup and it would still be reasonably hot at the end. Now I have to sort of rush to drink it all or the last third will be all but cold. I have remedied that by warming my just-made cup for 30 seconds in the microwave. It's perfect then -- practically nuclear, haaahaa! Yes the babies are almost too good to be true. Now I'm itching to get my hands on yet another new one. I was happy to find that Mariners baseball on Amazon for only $8. I don't like to shop with TG hovering either, hahahaha! xoxo
@AC ... Why so long since you have stayed in a hotel? That intrigues me. You and Sue must have some other sort of plan for when you travel. I am like you except for me, it's airplanes. The last time I flew was in 2007! Never again. xoxo
We love our Keurig, and have had several over the last ten years or so. I love flavored coffees, and trying the newest flavors. I now have S'Mores, Cinnamon sugar Cookie, Milky Way, and many others. The photo of you & little Guy is gorgeous! You are both so beautiful. And you and your sisters are all such lovely and beautiful ladies. What a large and wonderful family you have! I cannot WAIT to see your fall decorations!!
Goodness! A full weeks adventures!
First of all, Congratulations to the new parents and You and TG on the birth of Master Guy!
What an adorable baby...and another on the way!
Then I want to say how sorry I am at the loss of your John...it's never easy to lose those we love.
Still praying for your sweet Kay! I know she'll make it through...God's Got This! <3
Love the photo of you and Master Guy! Gorgeous as Ever!!
We use to have the problem of hotels solved with our motorhome but, since selling it we'll have to stay in hotels now. I understand about the laxness of staff...but I don't like it one bit Either! Maybe pay the people More might incentivize??
I make my own ice and it beats them all, hands down! lol
Love the babies' t-shirts...I'm in the process of learning how to do them.
And we have a JURA coffee machine...and Larry roast our beans...fabulous taste.
I've had the Keurig's before...hope you are enjoying yours!
Have a beautiful week sweet friend!
hugs
Donna
@Ginny ... thank you my friend for your generous compliments! My two sisters-in-law are truly wonderful ladies and are two of my best friends in the world. It is always a treat to see them. As is my truly incredible sister, whom we all cherish. I like a flavored coffee once in a while and what is nice with the Keurig, is that I can make just one cup and everyone else can have what they want! I can't wait to use it during the holidays when all of the coffee drinkers are gathered round! Yes I am excited to show my fall decorations too! xoxo
@Donna ... I am going to look up JURA ... never heard of that but I love being educated about all things coffee! YES I would love to make my own ice cream and I don't know what is stopping me. TG and I have taken to having ice cream on Sunday nights and I look forward to it all week. Thanks for your prayers for our Kay. I am heartbroken for her but I pray with all my might that she has been rid of this beast once and for all. And still praying for your Ruthie. I love staying in a hotel where they actually seem to care whether you have a pleasant stay. The call from the lady at Hilton went a long way towards making me want to remain loyal for a little while longer. xoxo
Hello Pirate,
Loved, loved this post. My husband and I both have the Rush Limbaugh T shirt that your husband is sporting. ;-)
I am a French Press girl forever more. My favorite coffee is Black Rifle Coffee ~ Blackbeard's Delight.
Praying for your family and cannot wait to meet the new family member.
Love, Carla
@Carla ... ahhh the Betsy Ross shirt! TG loves that one. El Rushbaugh! May he Rest In Peace. My son Andrew is a Black Rifle coffee drinker ... he had the pods there when I chose the Donut Shop variety, hahaha! I may need to try some of that Blackbeard's Delight before it's over. Love you friend xoxo
I love that pic of TG and guy, happy Grandpa, and what a long baby, long/tall whatever. And welcome to all things Keurig, I go for the Donut Shop too but the decaf stuff. Glad you had a good time.
@Bob ... I know, right? The kid is a string bean and all he does is eat! Haha his mother is a shrimp but it would be funny if he grew up to be taller than Andrew, who is six foot even. Oh so you already HAVE a Keurig!!! Does it have multistream technology? Haaahaha I love mine. xoxo
Hello my friend! That first picture of Rhett is just awesome. You can see his mischief in his eyes. I LOVE the t-shirts you got for them. Perfect! Guy is absolutely adorable! Love the sweet pictures of you all with him. What a true blessing!! And just think, you have another one coming soon. I will continue to keep your sister in my prayers. Can you believe I'm not a coffee drinker? Have a wonderful week.
Yay, you finally got go hold little Guy. Oh he IS PRECIOUS Jenny!! So glad y'all got to go on this trip. Part of it was for sad/good-bye and part of it was great joy seeing your sweet grandkids. Love all the fun pictures! That close up of you and little Guy is so nice! Ember is growing up so fast! Is she liking pre-school? Very happy for Kay, looks like she is doing great. I hear about the hotels....actually---most everywhere, stores etc!! The service is terrible in so many places and there is a severe lack of plain old good manners. Were these people JUST NOT TAUGHT, OR WHAT??! We puzzle over that alot. Dagny and Rhett look so cute in their new shirts! Loved your review of the Keurig. Nope, never had one or even used one. We have an old fashioned percolator and it makes really good strong coffee and it smells so good! It was hard to find one too, they are hardly in stores anymore. But I love them. I'm sure they can be ordered online of course. I collect old coffeepots and teapots. I have one of the old fashioned percolators that you actually put on the stove, remember THOSE!!?? ha ha LOL. But the one we use daily is electric of course. Do you remember the old clear glass coffeepots that worked on the stove? I remember my Ma-Maw making percolator coffee in those clear glass pots. One thing about a percolator ...they make the whole house smell so good when perking! Hugs and HAPPY FALL to you and your family! PS!!!----NEW BABY MADE AN APPEARANCE yet?? Keep me posted, okay?
Sorry to hear about you brother in law. Good to see that your sister is doing well..
Great that you got to spend some time with your grandbabies.. those shirts are so cute.
We did not encounter the no cleaning rule at any of the hotels but one on our recent trip to California.
@Lori ... whaaaaaat girl you don't drink COFFEE? Haaahahahaha I may have to make you walk the plank! Just kidding. TG doesn't touch it either. Thanks for your prayers in the coming days. Erica is due in one week. Exciting times! Happy fall! xoxo
@Debbi ... YES I have an electric percolator too and they do make the house smell so good when they're fired up. Funny thing, my mother had one over forty years ago and I don't know if it was the coffee she used or what but I cannot replicate the way that percolator made the house smell. What I love about the Keurig is just the convenience. I'm sure the novelty will eventually wear off but for now I am enjoying it! Yes the babies are darling and Ember does love preschool. She is precocious and precious all at the same time. Customer service? What's that? Haaahahaa nonexistent these days. But we just have to learn to speak up, I guess. Watch this space for news of the new little one!!!! xoxo
@Hena ... well hello and welcome! I'm glad you got good service at most of the hotels on your trip. That is as it should be! Yes, old ones die and new are born ... it's the way of life! We will keep moving forward. Coming to visit you. xoxo
Other than room soivice, sounds like a great trip. I've made two trips to Iowa since officially 'retiring' in May (still working part time) and in both cases I had to request the room be serviced while I was there. In one case I was there 7 days and they serviced the room three times in 7 days. In the other I reckon they got to the room after I checked out on the third day. Howard Johnson's by Wyndham.
I did for the first time ever invoke my over 65 status for a discount LOL.
Stay positive and stay young!
@Skunky ... Haaahaha you probably don't know what I did on my 65th birthday in 2022. We were in Oklahoma City and had reservations at the Skirvin Hilton (historic property). I walked in and up to the desk and said it is my 65th birthday today! And they gave us the presidential suite. True story. It was awesome. Try that sometime (on a birthday that won't be your 65th, haahaa)! xoxo
How precious is little Guy! Nice picture of him and his happy grandma! I love the shirt Rhett is wearing! Our little Levi could probably do that shirt proud! I'm sorry about your brother in law. That's ridiculous that they don't clean the hotel room every day unless you specify it! I agree we are being conditioned to "pay more get less" of everything these days! Makes me furious! We have a Keurig that does both a single cup and a pot. I have to admit I almost never use the single cup side! Take care my friend!
@Jeanette ... Yes haha I bet Levi could fill out a Nearly Feral shirt with no problem!!! I have seen those fancy Keurig machines with the pot on the side! I love my single-cup since at least ninety-five percent of the time it's only me wanting my one cup! Happy fall to you and Rich and Shauna and Brad and Max and Levi! xoxo