I am not a fan of men. In fact whenever I write the word my fingers always seem to write mean rather than men. There it goes again. Though not a lesbian I find these creatures more challenging than I want to put up with. The horse has left the stable on this or whatever saying you can come up with but you get my drift.
Also, at 63 the “good ones,” are all taken or so they say. I doubt if there ever were any. Those that are available are unhealthy, fat, bald, ugly, or once you speak with them, tainted. Ignorance on politics or climate change is not what I want to hear even though it’s a free meal. Who wants to waste what time you have left? I’d rather pay myself and read a book as I wait for service.
At my living establishment there is a new man. I have never met him and don’t want to. We share toilet facilities. There are locks so I am safe but one thing is annoying and here it is:
Who wants to fall into the toilet? Believe me I have, and it’s painful. I don’t want to do it again, and this is rude. Since I have 30 days left living here I don’t want to make a “stink,” (no pun intended), so here is the resolution:
It’s Kathleen, and if you don’t like what I say it’s still Kathleen.
Anyone who has ever read my blog knows what a fan I am of Expedia. I should make commercials for them I love them so much. They have gotten me out of more travel scrapes than one can imagine. And those India folks who handle the calls are so patient. They listen and call you back when disconnected. Now, please don’t jinx me. My only wish is that I could afford their stock because at $127. a share it is out of my price range.
Lourdes, France
Recently, I was lured to one of the competitors. When finding me an airfare from Paris to Lourdes they also inquired if I’d be interested in their credit card. This one had no fees so I went for it as this would give $100 off my purchase making the Paris to Lourdes flight dirt cheap. Well, after applying for the card I was told they needed to investigate further. This of course made me loose the $100. off on the flight, however the next day I was accepted for the card.
I also received an email from them the following day giving me 10% off my next booking. I decided to explore Christmas season flights. They said they had $244. flights to Austin but every time I applied a screen came up saying the fare was changed. The flight ended up $130 more with an airline that charges fees for every bag.
Jeanie’s dog Mo, a likeness
What did I do next? Checked Expedia and got a flight on an airline I like leaving from an airport I love. It was $20 more than the competitor but I’m pretty sure the 10% off would never have worked.
Moral of the story: William Shatner is not always right.
Did you know there is an International Bee Day? Well I didn’t either till I attended this festival in Goldsboro. Here I learned how important bees are to our survival.
Queen bees live 2 to 3 years, the longest of any in the hive. She mates once, and upon her return from mating she is able to deposit 1500 to 2000 eggs daily for the rest of her life. Quite a feat.
The festival had much information on swarm boxes, how to cap honey from the comb, and one of the beekeepers explained how to develop Queen Bees out of cells.
Here are some other interesting tidbits regarding bees:
Honey bees have two stomachs – one for eating and one for storing nectar.
Honey bees can fly at 15 mph.
Queen bees develop in 16 days.
The average life of a honey bee during working season is 3 to 6 weeks.
There are 3 kinds of bees working in a hive: Queen, Worker and Drone.
A beehive in summer can have as many as 50,000 to 80,000 bees.
A honeybee must collect nectar from about 2 million flowers to make 1 pound of honey.
It would take one ounce of honey to fuel a bee’s flight around the world.
Honey is both antibacterial and anti-fungal.
The average worker bee makes about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.
This active group is always looking for new members and give classes on beekeeping in January.
Apparently not in Goldsboro, North Carolina where I caught him singing up a storm and doing his classic moves. The “King” who is former North Carolina police officer and investigator, Stephen Freeman, left the force, and began this career in 1998. Since then he has been named the one of the top 10 Elvis impersonators in the world.
The concert, a United Way fundraiser began with local talent singing and a performance of blue grass music. After this United Way staff thanked audience members for attending and drum roll….the “King” has arrived.
In his customary white sequined jump suit Elvis arrived performing songs from his 1973 concert in Hawaii where 1 billion people worldwide took in his talent and charisma. After several songs Elvis visited the audience, shaking hands, doing selfies, kissing senior ladies, giving out scarves, and leis, (paper ones).
When I first stopped at the North Carolina Visitor Center the gal at the desk encouraged me to stop here during my stay. Me, visit a moonshine place? Then I got off my high horse recalling my grandfather’s “place” during the prohibition days, and succumbed to my curiosity. Here in Benson, North Carolina I met Jeremy Norris, a delightfully unassuming entrepreneur with a mission and one to watch as he develops his agro tourism business further.
Great Place for a wedding
The family ran the farm and moonshine business for 5 generations. They mainly sold produce at a roadside stand and when the interstate came business dried. Jeremy turned to agro tourism to save the farm building structures for weddings and events with the moonshine business starting 7 years ago.
Tasting Room/Bar
When I visited things were in flux as within the next month the tour and tasting will be located on Route 50. Jeremy has added to the tour purchasing a tram to ride folks through his corn fields as he explains how non-GMO corn is grown, soaked as grain, sprouted, dried, and mulled eventually creating moonshine. There also is a movie about the farm, moonshine, and how Broadslab got its name. Want to know? Well, you have to take the tour.
Besides whiskey, rum is also created at Broadslab. Here is a listing of the Distillery’s creations.
Broadslab Legacy Shine – This is their #1 best seller. It is clear and traditional moonshine. Very smooth.
Broadslab Reserve – Moonshine with a tinge of smoky flavor, brown in color. Drink this straight or on ice, in Manhattans or Old Fashions.
Broadslab Apple Shine – This was my favorite. 50% proof made with apple juice and cinnamon sticks, drink over ice.
Carolina Coast Rum – This is a spicy rum aged in barrels then taken through the spice tank. Nothing artificial is in this gal. Drink straight, over ice, or add lemonade/ fruit juice.
I thought he said there was another rum, however after 4 tastings my handwriting became illegible. 🙂
Prices are competitive running $23-$30 a bottle. All American glass is used and the moonshine is hand sealed. They can bottle 1,000 a day and the moonshine is found in the ABC Store, which is North Carolina’s state liquor store. Jeremy has a good product, however needs a marketing person. Anyone interested out there? Get in on the ground floor as I predict this operation will go far.
So, give it a whirl, go for a visit, take the tour, and try the moonshine.
After leaving the art museum I ventured to the North Carolina State Fair grounds which has a flea market every Saturday and Sunday 9 to 6. There are outside booths as well as an air conditioned booths inside. What a clean and organized flea market. As with any flea market they sold soup to nuts, furniture to clothing, kitchen supplies to farm supplies, but never have I seen a flea market that sells this….
So, go see what you can find. Maybe you need a chandelier. Tell them I sent you.
A few miles down the road from the flea market was the JC Raulston Arboretum. 6,000 different kinds of plants are in the landscape collection. This research and teaching center is named in honor of the late director and founder, Dr. J.C. Raulston, a North Carolina professor. Nice spot with many trees supplying shade. During this visit there were several wedding parties taking pictures.
Next was Pullman Park. This historic city park has a train ride, paddle boats, a well preserved carousel, picnic facilities, and a playground. It’s a good place for young families to hang out, and there is ample free parking. Rides are $1.50. Here are a few pictures.
Then back to the NCMA for a benefit Nina Simone concert. This was a sultry night of jazz with Lisa Simone, who flew in from Paris, performing songs of her mother. A native of Tyron, North Carolina, this woman had a fascinating career and life. She left us too soon. More information on her life can be found on http://www.ninasimone.com/bio/.
This fundraiser was to repair and refurbish the childhood home of the jazz great. Her home has been proclaimed a national treasure and placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Contributions can be made at https://savingplaces.org/places/ninasimone#.XV7hVXspDIU.
Silver Tree Sculpture on walkway to museum. How graceful.
Visited NCMA and all I can say is WOW! And coming from a New Yorker that is quite a compliment as we have so many fabulous museums in New York City.
This museum run strictly through state funds houses collections in Ancient, American, European, Classical, Judaic, African, and Modern Art. While a good portion of the art is donated many pieces are acquired through state funding. The donation box states it costs $38. for each visitor and the museum is free, so go there for lunch, buy a $20 coffee mug at the museum shop, but donate so this continues into the future. It is a jewel in the world of museums.
Museum Building
Walking from the parking lot one notices a building similar to a plastic box, however once inside the space is breath taking. The lighting, art arrangements, and partitions are sublime. Many patrons were in wheelchairs and walkers. The layout with art on the first floor and spacious hallways affords navigation for all to appreciate the art.
So, now that I’ve gloated over the building, let’s talk of art.. When walking from the parking lot to the museum a Rodin greets you at the crosswalk.
This was a tickle of what was to come. Here is the Rodin Garden.
Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor who lived from 1840-1917. He is considered one of the premier fathers of modern sculpture. Here is my favorite from the collection, The Cathedral, cast in 1908.
From here the journey continued into European and religious works. Madonna and Child to the left with St. Barbara and St. Valentine to the right. St. Barbara and I have a special affinity as I have seen her enormous church outside Prague. She is the Saint known for protection from storms.
Then we have the European collection which was extraordinary.
There was even a Judaic area. Here the Jewish holidays were explained along with impressive Torah coverings exhibited. The Torah is the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible. Each temple prominently displays the Torah. A Tik is the wooden case which holds the Torah.
The sculptures from the early centuries were of excellent quality. A Roman from the late 2nd century was my favorite. Even without an arm he is quite spectacular.
American Art
And of course besides Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, John Trumbull, Mary Cassatt, and William Merritt Chase, there was modern art. Here are a few I was able to enjoy and appreciate.
The sculpture garden has several gems. There also is a bike path in this area.
And as I was leaving I discovered the African portion of the museum. Also in this building is a 5 minute video of the Audubon birds. Cute and must see. Both children and adults would enjoy this.
The museum also has concerts, movie nights and other happenings. Get on their email list for events, or better yet become a member. Collections rotate. A Frida Kahlo exhibit is coming October 26th. Another must see.
Hope you enjoyed this visit as much as I did and will stop by to see this amazing museum.
Driving to this museum a question went through my mind, “How did a North Carolina farm girl rise to prominent Hollywood starlet?” Well, the museum visit answered this query.
As friends to Ernest Hemingway, Princess Grace, Gregory Peck, and married to Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra, she once said of life, “I’ve had a hell of a good time,” and it seems like she certainly did.
Ava began her life in Grabtown, North Carolina, a place not even listed on a map. She was a tomboy and her family cotton growers. While an adventurer she was always known for strong family ties with her 5 siblings. Both she and her mother loved movies with Clark Gable being their idol.
Fast forward to 17 where upon completion of secretarial studies she left North Carolina to visit her older sister in New York City. Her sister’s husband, a photographer, took several photos of her and these were seen by an MGM talent scout. She was offered a 7 year contract with MGM for $50 a week and was off to Hollywood with her sister in tow. Here she worked for the next 5 years as a picture model. It was during this time MGM gave her acting lessons which included changing her diction and drawl.
Her first major movie role was The Killers in 1946, followed by The Snows of Kilimanjaro, From Here to Eternity, and Mogambo, of which she received an Oscar nomination. The list extends as does the accolades. Visit the museum to learn more.
Here are a few pictures of her costumes from movies she worked in. My she had a tiny waist.
The museum is located at 325 East Market Street, Smithfield, North Carolina, and open Monday-Friday 9:30-4:30, Saturday 9-5, and Sunday 2-5. Admission is charged, but well worth the price. See the movie on Ava’s life and stop in the backroom of the museum for more memorabilia.
Ava was definitely true to her words. She is buried in the family plot several miles from the museum with a simple, inlaid stone marking her grave.
The Sarah P. Duke Gardens began in 1934 as a memorial to her from Duke benefactors and relatives, Mary Duke Biddle, (daughter), and Benjamin Duke, (husband). Mrs. Duke married Benjamin in 1877, and the couple had 3 children together. A native of North Carolina she studied and appreciated literature. Sarah held many friendships with Trinity College professors. Trinity College later became Duke University.
The gardens are a moving tribute to this woman with 55 acres of beauty. There are 15 historic gardens in the collection. Starting at the foot of the Duke University campus it provides a tranquil environment for all to visit. There are many trails and shaded areas for hiking pleasure among the flowers. On the day of my visit it was 100 degrees so while I experienced the summer grace of the flowers it was uncomfortable.
Currently there is a 5 million dollar grant to expand and enrich the gardens. This comes from a Duke endowment and ensures the gardens world class status through the next 100 years.
All that said here are a few pictures from the varied gardens.
The White Garden
Perhaps the most striking garden in terms of flower color surround the Terraced Garden.
Then there is the path where one can walk their animals during certain times of the day.
My favorite garden was the Burpee Education Center. Here children roam and learn that eggs don’t come from a grocery store but from a chicken, and other interesting points. Vegetables growing here can be observed and there is an adorable place in the pines for story time.
The Duke Gardens are open 8 a.m. to dusk, 365 days a year and are free. There are minimal parking fees and donations are appreciated. It is a must see on a cooler day.
Duke family philanthropy to the city of Durham was and is enormous. In their philanthropic requests to local universities they stipulated women’s education be included. And in their donation to the now Duke University they requested buildings mirror those of British universities. Perhaps this architecture can be best seen in the Duke Chapel on the grounds of Duke University.
The family wealth has also diversified into health care with Duke University Hospital System being one of the foremost education systems in the world for physicians. Vast contributions to church endeavors have also been given along with contributions to orphanages.
And while revenues from tobacco have changed their diverse organization has as well. The family also owns Duke Energy which is one of the largest energy companies in the nation as well as other endeavors.
All this said Durham, North Carolina, has successfully rebranded itself. This can be best seen in the downtown area where a beautiful space has been created from former tobacco manufacturing buildings. In this space is theater, restaurants, and businesses. Much greenery and flowers adorn with a stream running through the former manufacturing site.
And what was missing? Of course, a sport stadium.
However, my favorite Durham spot were the gardens at Duke University. See you tomorrow for all those flower enthusiasts.
Young Retiree Needs a Life 