Recent Reflections and Lingering Christmas

Tales 'round the old campfire ... well, in this case the candle light.  Last week
I lit this candle in the living room and we loved the shadows ... they seemed to be dancing
from a very flickering candle. Clint sat across from me and told me some tall tales.  ☺



The day after Christmas, Clint and I attended the "Windows to Heaven:
Treasures From the Russian Icons" exhibit at the McClung Museum
in Knoxville, Tennessee.  The University was closed that day,
no problem with parking!  I was captivated by the history and
style of these paintings!



The masked one has returned, we are growing fond of
our little cardinals. 

Some fun loving people in the museum parking lot at the McClung.  The guy and his wife were shoving
and pushing the man inside from the back and laughing as we walked by.  They saw my camera dangling
from my wrist and
made a joke about a picture.  I took this picture and warned them it might
appear in a blog!  :-)

Last week we visited the oldest city in Tennessee, Jonesborough.
It was a perfect cool and sunny day.

We visited the Andrew Johnson museum and tailor house in
Greeneville.  My grandmother enjoyed telling the story of how
we were related to Andrew Johnson.  Clint reminds me that
he was the first president to be impeached.  ha!

A window display on the streets of Jonesborough, Tennessee.

Jewelry worn by Mrs. Andrew Johnson on April 15, 1865, at the inauguration of her husband
Andrew Johnson.  Johnson was inaugurated after the assassination of President
Abraham Lincoln.

Scenes like like make me so happy I am back home!

A picture made from the car, love this expanse of sky!

Beautiful contrast between the white church and the blue sky. This
church is in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

No relation to Peter Pan or J.R.'s  mom. :-)

Jonesborough, Tennessee



Beautiful old architecture in Jonesborough, Tennessee.



Snow was falling from underneath the dark clouds.

Last week we had some light snow fall.  The snow had fallen
on top of our patio table.

Precious little bird tracks on our deck ...

It has been a long time since we have had quiche and it makes
a perfect supper as it did Sunday.  This is the Southern
Living recipe for ham and bacon quiche.  A good way to use
up a little ham.

The following pictures may seem out of place here.  I had scanned them and had wanted to post them before Christmas but never got around to it.  Since my blog is also part family scrapbook, I am going to include them in this post.

My sister Patti and me, Christmas Eve 1963.  I am sorry to say I can't
recall my step-mother's little dog's name.

Christmas Eve, 1963, I still have the ruby ring that was in the box I am holding.

My  brother Jimmy, Christmas 1961, at my grandparents'
house next door.  He passed away last June 2011.

An excited Cindy and Patti, Christmas Eve 1960.
How do you like that decoration job on that tree!  ☺

We all appear a little somber and sad in this picture.  This must have been around the
time of the ♫ D-i-v-o-r-c-e ♫. 

My brother, Jimmy (Jimbo to us) and Lucinda, my daughter.
Christmas, 1977

Another Christmas has passed ...time to put away all the decorations.









I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."



~ Charles Dickens (1812-1870), English author. From 'A Christmas Carol'.


♥

A Proud Mama



My daughter, Lucinda Lowe Radford, graduated yesterday from
Tusculum College, Cum Laude I might add!  :~)

She has a BS in Organizational Management with emphasis on finance.



(Please note these photos taken in ambient light have turned out yellow, need to work on such things as

temperature and white balance ☺ )

What is it about those beautiful and haunting strains of a bagpipe?   I had tears in my eyes within seconds
of the beginning of the event!  The sacred occasion began
with Jon Shell and his student, Ben Pollard, entering and playing these
Scottish Pipes.  I agree with a writer who wrote that the
sounds from bag pipes gives him "glory bumps".  Me, too.

Jon Shell told me he had been playing the pipes here since he was twelve years old.

Clint and I agreed, there was such beautiful scenery on the drive to the college
in Greenville, Tennessee.  I don't know how many times I said, "what
a great scene/house for a painting".

I love this old rural scene, one that is becoming rarer these days.

Lucinda's friend, Debbie McCoy, who gave a commencement address
as a representative of the Class of 2011.  They had classes together.



Proud husband, Tracy and son, Canyon.  Proud me!



The Andrew Johnson Museum on the ground of beautiful Tuculum College.
Tusculum is the oldest college in Tennessee and was founded in 1794 by
the Rev. Hezekiah Balch.  Tuculum's beginnings began then when
it was first named Greeneville College.



Tracy, Canyon and Clint.



The happy Radford Family

Lucinda around the age of three or four.

" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".  KJV