Harris Happenings

Okay, mostly MY happenings. I spent last weekend with a group of women that I graduated with in 1974. There were 10 of us, and we rented a house above Boone. It was SO much fun! My stomach was sore for two days afterwards just from laughing all the time. I got there around noon on Friday to check in and open up the house. The other girls drifted in that afternoon. But before anyone else came Josh brought Isabella over for a visit. She is such a cutie. She told me that she wasn't scared of spiders anymore, and I wondered how does someone get to that point. So after they left, around 2:30 the girls started coming in. It was a great reunion with everyone. That night we went to Eseeola for supper and to hear Josh play piano. Everyone loved Josh. Someone took a really good picture of all of us with Josh, which when I get I'll try to put on here. We stayed up late on Friday just gabbing. Then on Saturday we all had breakfast together. A couple of the girls brought breakfast casseroles, which were really good, and we had honeybun cake (my favorite), muffins, fruits, juice, etc. Then we left. First we went to the Mast General Store. I mostly just sat on the porch listening to the music from a little country band. Then we worked our way over to Roan Mountain for the Rhododendron Festival. We kind of got lost, and then went a really scenic route, out Hwy. 194, but it was really pretty. The festival was fun with good food. Then we went up to the top of the mountain to see the flowers, which were just a little bit past their peak, but were still pretty. Then back to the house. A few of us went swimming. Then we ordered in pizza for supper and played some Trivial Pursuit, and again stayed up just talking into the night. Sunday morning was clean up, pack up, and checking out with hugs all around. We were already talking about next year's weekend, and we are going to even add an extra day. I can't wait!

After I left the house I went to church with Josh. He was speaking that day and gave a great talk. And it was good to see some old friends again from Boone. I love, absolutely love, Howell Cook. He doesn't look any different than when we lived up there 20 years ago.

On another note, I am now the proud mother-in-law of a doctor. Vanessa passed all her stuff (as I knew she would). Good job!!

Justin and Vanessa are getting ready to move to Tucson in a month. The other night Justin was on the phone and walked me through Google Earth to find his apartment. That is amazing! We did something that turned it sideways, and you could see the mountains in the background. It looks like a beautiful area. Now I want to Google Earth everything.

And Quentin passed his first year of law school. Yay!!! We didn't really know if he had made it or not until a few days ago when he got his grades, although I had great faith in him that he would pass. He is living with us this summer and interning with an ADA here in Dobson (assistant district attorney). He is so much like his father. It's like living with two Bennies.

I guess that is why I had such a GREAT TIME last weekend getting away with the girls! (LOL)

Cool Song

During one of the last AI shows Green Day performed a song that I remembered from years ago and hadn't heard in a long time, John Lennon's "Working Class Hero". Since then I've heard it on the radio a few times. I remember being in high school and hearing that song, and hearing the "F" word - twice - for the first time on a record. But, not counting that, I really liked the song. And what is so cool about the Green Day version is the last two lines. The song just kind of stops, and you hear the original Lennon song with John singing those lines.

And He Did It Without Locke's Help

This 11-year-old boy shot this wild boar in Alabama. It weighed over 1000 lbs.

Misc Stuff

Last Friday night Bennie and I took out Quentin for his birthday. He picked the restaurant - Le Blon in Greensboro. This is now one of my favorite restaurants. It is Brazilian and exquisite. When we got there they took us right to a table, in front of people waiting, because my brilliant son had called ahead and made a reservation for us. So we sat down and a waitress came right up and got our drink order. She then explained how things worked. So, first of all we went to the salad bar. This was a really cool bar with a lot of exotic food items. And best of all were cards with names of everything, so we knew what we were getting. For the most part anyway. So I tried to get a bite of most everything, and my plate was full. Before I really got halfway done with my "salad", the waitress brought us cheesy bread balls and then a platter of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes along with a crusted banana. Then, here came the guys. And when I say guys, I mean really CUTE Brazilian guys with hunks of meat - all different kinds including top sirloin, filet mignon, turkey, chicken, pork loin, ribs, well you get the idea. So we had these cards at our table, green on one side and red on the other. As long as the green side was up the meat guys kept coming. They would carve a small slice of meat (about 2 or 3 bites worth) and we were given these little tongs that we used to help get the meat to our plate. After I got full I turned my card over to red. But Quentin's was still green, so the guys kept coming, and it looked so good I would get more too. It was one of the best meals I've ever had - not just the food but the whole experience. And then of course we had dessert. Me and Quentin got the Godiva cheesecake, and Bennie got the mango cheesecake. I don't know how I could even eat anything else, but it seemed easy at the time. Anyway, I'm ready to go back again. As far as I can tell there was just one problem with this restaurant - the bill! But it was worth it.

Since my root canal last week I've noticed that I can now drink cold drinks and eat ice cream on the right as well as the left. Just thought I'd throw that in.

We have an indigo bunting frequenting our front yard birdfeeder. We had one several years ago when we lived in Westfield, and I haven't seen one since then, so this is exciting. I think it is a beautiful bird. It is blue all over with dark wings.

And about AI this week. I have just one word - BORING. You would think that with the Bee Gees music it would have been a really good show, but half the songs were some I'd never heard of, and the ones I had heard of were so screwed with that they weren't any good. AND, that was NOT Barry Gibb, I don't care what they say. He was some imposter. If you didn't see it, they had this really old white-haired man who sounded like Sean Connery (at least that part was okay) pretending to be the main BG. The real Barry Gibb is really cute and sings really well, not like this senile/homeless-looking guy who could barely croak out the song last night.

And Bennie had a really sweet blog this week. I guess I'll keep him.

Finally!

Phil is gone - and Chris too. Yay!! Now we have the best final four there is. These four are the ones I've been pulling for the whole time. Any one of them can win. I'm really glad they didn't vote off Lakisha. She had an excellent night on Tuesday, one of her best yet. And a kiss from Simon to top it off!

To change the subject. Yesterday I went to the dentist to have three teeth filled. I hate to go to the dentist and haven't been in years. I remember going when we lived in Boone (1985-87). Anyway, I went a couple months ago to get checked and he found three cavities, one on top right and two on bottom right. So yesterday I went back to have them filled. (Why does it take months to get the next appointment?) Anyway he numbed the top first and said he wanted to "get in there" to make sure a filling was all I needed, and if so then he would take care of the bottom. Well, it wasn't all I needed. As I was sitting there with gloved fingers and instruments in my mouth he informed me that actually I needed a root canal. He asked me if that was okay. What could I say? So he went ahead and performed the RC. That was fun. The thing about a root canal is, there really isn't any pain involved. You're numb, so you can't feel it. The bad thing is having to HOLD YOUR MOUTH OPEN for so long. My mother had a bad experience with this once. She actually had her mouth open so long that when the dentist was done she couldn't close her mouth. She had to sit there for several minutes until her jawbone relaxed so she could move it again to close it. And of course that was all I could think of while I was sitting there. But this dentist, Dr. Gravitte from Mt. Airy, was really good about everything. He would stop every once in a while and tell me to "just rest", so I could close my mouth for a little bit. Then he would go again for a while. He explained everything he was doing. His office even called me at home yesterday afternoon to make sure I was okay. AND he gave me some Darvocet. So, if you can have a favorite dentist, he's mine.

Standing O!

That is what everyone at the BYU commencement ceremony today gave Dick Cheney after he spoke. I watched most of the graduation on TV, forwarding it through the boring stuff. But I was really impressed at the warm welcome the VP received. After all the bad press I really didn't know what kind of reception he would get. President Hinckley walked in with several people, including Cheney, and everyone was clapping - but they were probably clapping for President Hinckley. Then the guy (President of BYU) was announcing everyone, and he announced President Hinckley - who got a big applause, but then he announced Dick Cheney, and HE ALSO GOT A BIG APPLAUSE! It was great, and Cheney seemed to be overcome with it. To my mind he looked like he was really trying not to cry. He was given an honorary degree for public service. And again, after he gave his remarks, he got a standing ovation. It was sweet, and I was really proud of the respect everyone showed him.

To change the subject, last night's AI was a great show. I especially liked Il Divo. They have the BEST voices, and talk about easy on the eyes. And Kelly Clarkson was great, but what blew me away was Celine Dion and Elvis's duet. I don't know how they did that, but it looked so real and sounded so good with the harmony. And then, Ryan kept saying throughout the show that everyone would be shocked at the results - who was leaving. So I was kind of afraid that either Melinda or Jordin might leave, because they were the frontrunners. So, as the show went on Ryan would go over the six finalists and pick someone and tell them that they were safe. He told this to Melinda, Blake, Lakisha, and Phil. So that left Chris and Jordin. So then at the end of the show he goes over to them again and asked those two to stand up. So I'm hoping against hope that Chris goes home, because I don't like him anyway. But then Ryan says, "Chris, you're safe." So there is Jordin, and you can just feel the shock through the whole audience. And poor Jordin. All this time all she has heard have been good things, so you know she thought she would be on a lot longer. And then Ryan says, "And Jordin, you are also safe." WHAT??? So that was the shocker - no one had to leave. Ryan made some comment to the effect that they couldn't throw someone off the show on "charity night", so next week two of them will leave. I still think that was mean though to Jordin. And did I mention that Il Divo sang?

Yay!

Bennie has left the building! Well, I shouldn't be so elated I guess, but it is hard living with a sick person. He got sick last week and went to the doctor on Friday. He was diagnosed with Strep throat and got some medicine. Well, over the weekend he continued to get worse instead of better. On Monday I took him back to the doctor where he got a shot and more medicine. This time it worked. This morning he left for work. What was interesting is that from Friday to Monday he had lost TEN POUNDS. So this morning as he was getting dressed he was having trouble keeping his pants up. Anyway, he's back to work and feeling better.

Ok, about last night. I don't know what is up with Lakisha. She was sooo good at first, but she's just gone downhill, and last week she was giving the sob story about how hard it was being a single parent. I think that probably turned people off more than on. So, she may be gone after tonight, but I hope not. I hope it's either Phil or Chris. I don't like either one of them. And Jordin was fantastic. I remember my mother singing that song in church when I was little, "You'll Never Walk Alone", so it is one of my favorites. Melinda, as always, did a great job. So I guess I'm picking for the AI either Melinda or Jordin. I would be happy with either one. But I hope Blake is in the top 3, because I really like him too. He did a good job with "Imagine" last night. I'm looking forward to tonight's show!

Why Do They Do This?

Why do companies change things? I'm getting really tired of this. Whenever I get to liking a product, the company will come along and "improve" it, and it isn't the same anymore. For example, I have been using a lotion for over 20 years now, St. Ives. It isn't greasy. It softens your skin. No smell to it. So it's perfect. Now, I can't find it anywhere. They have upgraded it and changed the packaging and label. Now to get what is supposed to be the upgraded original, it stinks, and it doesn't feel as good on your skin. The closest I've found is the Aloe and Chamomile lotion, but it is too thick and just isn't as good as what I've been using for YEARS AND YEARS. So I'm trying to find a new lotion. I've tried Oil of Olay because I like their soap, but the lotion is too thin.

I remember years ago, probably when I was 13 or 14, somewhere around then, I used to love to eat Chef-Boy-Ardee spaghetti. It would come in a box with a small box of the spaghetti, a can of sauce, and a small can of Parmesan cheese. It was my all time favorite meal since before I could even remember eating. And then, like I said, when I was around 13 or so I cooked it one day and it tasted different, and not good. I got to wondering about this and looked at the can of sauce, at the ingredients. Guess what the third ingredient was? Carrots! Now what are carrots doing in spaghetti sauce? So I couldn't eat my favorite food anymore. Years later I learned to make my own spaghetti sauce and put in it what I liked.

So anyway, if anyone knows of a really good lotion please let me know. And I think I'll write to St. Ives and just tell them what I think about their stupid improvements.

It Wasn't Like That

I'm referring to the Drudge Report's article about Simon Cowell rolling his eyes while Chris Richardson sent his condolences to the families of the VA Tech victims. I know exactly why he was rolling his eyes. And I would have done the same thing. After Chris sang his song, which was terrible, Simon was right on with his criticism, and Chris didn't like it. Simon said it was "nasally", which it was, and then Chris talked back saying that "nasally" was a form of singing. And then Chris went on to say a few words about the VA Tech stuff, which was really not the right time. It was so obvious that he was just trying to get votes. Yeah, everybody agrees that the massacre was horrible, and everyone feels for their families, but I think that Chris was way out of line to bring that up in the middle of the show like that. I hope they vote him off!

Sanjaya was back to being his usual no-talent self. But at least he sang a song that I had heard of. And so did Lakisha, who I thought did really well, but the judges didn't like it. Phil probably deserves to stay another week. I liked Blake and Jordin, but Melinda was absolutely the best. So, my prediction is bye bye Chris - but of course because Simon rolled his eyes, he will probably stay, which will hopefully mean Sanjaya will leave!?

I Can't Believe I Felt Sorry For Her

Juliet, oh Juliet. Why hast thou lied? Just another twist in an amazing season.

Boring

Last night's AI was the most boring show I think I've ever seen. Nobody did a really good job. I think the best of the worst was probably Jordin. Even the top two - Melinda and Lakisha - were just average. And with the Latin theme there was so much potential. All the guys were terrible, but Sanjaya was actually no worse than anybody else. So it's a toss-up tonight as to who leaves, and right now I don't care who that is.

On another note, Victor Davila, the standout basketball player from Starmount, won the Spencer Award - which is a big deal. He was voted the BEST player in northwest North Carolina - not just 2A but all the A's. AND he had twice as many votes as the 2nd best player! He has had offers so far from NC State, UNC, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Memphis, well, the list goes on. I just hope he stays at Starmount for his senior year. I love to watch him play, and just think, in a couple of years EVERYBODY can watch him play because he'll be on national TV!

Gina's Gone

While Phil and Sanjaya are still in. What is wrong with people?!?

Noah Made Me Cry

This morning as I was running (at my usual 4 mph) I was watching the end of last night's championship game between Florida and Ohio State. I was pulling for Florida to win again, which they did. It was a good game. At the end there was the typical jubilation on the floor and in the stands with the crowd, everybody hugging and jumping and stuff. But then the camera turned on Joakim Noah, who is a standout junior on Florida's team. He started going up into the stands, obviously looking for someone. He would go up stairs and across aisles - getting high-5's and pats on the back from all the fans. He kept going, for a couple of minutes it seemed like, until he reached his destination - his MOM! It was so cool.

"Old Music"

Quentin was home this weekend and surprised me with a mixed CD he had made for me. He said he thought I would like it, and that it had a lot of "old music" on it. I took it with me to Jonesville Saturday night, listening to it going down 77. The thing is, when he said "old music", I was thinking Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Who, you know, 60's and 70's music. What was on the CD was Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, Fuel - mostly 90's music. Then I realized, that was "old music" to Quentin. He was 10 in 1991 and grew up with this just like I had grown up with the other stuff. It really gave me a strange feeling. BUT, I still like the CD. Thanks Quentin.

It Wasn't Paulo Lies

It was para-lyzed. What a horrible ending!

Our Cocky Mouse

This morning, as I do every morning, I check our glue mouse traps for the occasional mouse that comes in our house. Guess what I found on one? That's right. A mouse "pill". How that happened I have no idea, but I REALLY want to catch that mouse!

Go Gina!

Gina did the best last night by far! And she especially stayed in the pop category they were trying to go for. Melinda and Lakisha did well again, but I didn't like their songs. I hated Jordin's and Haley's songs too. On to the guys. Phil surprised me and did an okay job. Good song choice for him with the Police. I DIDN'T LIKE Chris R's verson of "Don't Speak". I thought it was terrible. Blake, I hate to say, was just downright boring. He is a smooth singer, but a bad song choice. I also didn't like the other Chris - the smartmouth one, although he didn't really have any kind of comback last night. He just wasn't good, and I think he knew it. And then we come to Sanjaya. My goodness. I totally agreed with Simon, what else can you say. That poor guy. All I can say is, he tries. The hair was just weird. I guess he was trying to get into the punk look, but it just didn't work for him. But he will probably be back again next week. I think one of the Chris's will be gone after tonight. Of course I've been wrong every other time. We'll see.

Spring Stuff

As the weather has gotten warmer we've been getting out and about more. As Bennie wrote in his blog, we went to Stone Mountain last Saturday. We hiked the "easy" backpacking trail, working our way up to the main loop trail which we'll do hopefully in a few weeks. Just like Vanessa, we didn't see any deer on the hike at all. There was ONE small doe on the side of the road on the way there, and that was it. There was a lot of gravel on the trail that I didn't remember from before, and my feet didn't like that very much.

On Friday afternoon Bennie and I went outside and practiced our disc throwing. My arm is still sore four days later. Bennie can throw it twice as far as me. I've got to get better because we're taking our stuff to Georgia in a couple weeks to play with Justin. They have a neat disc golf course at a park down there - you just have to watch out for the FIRE ANTS!

Yesterday I took my bike apart and put it in the back of my car. I had to go to Mt. Airy to turn in my work, so after that I went over the Greenway and rode for about 45 minutes. That is a really nice trail - paved and flat, just like I like them. At one point another creek comes into the main creek, and there is a beaver dam there. Last year there would just be a slightly rounded pool at the dam. Yesterday there was a POND. It was about 80-90 feet in diameter with trees and weeds coming up out of the water, looking almost like a swamp. I stopped for awhile watching for the beavers but never saw any. The dam itself was really nice, about 5-6 feet high. I could imagine the beavers being behind all those sticks watching me watch for them and laughing. Oh well.

And one more spring bit of news. Last fall Bennie planted 50 hyacinth bulbs for me right in front of our porch. That is my favorite flower, and I couldn't wait to see them springing forth. Well, they are nowhere to be seen, except for one scraggly pink one that halfway has come up and seems to already be dying. Maybe next year they'll come around.

What A Game!

No, not the Carolina/Southern Cal game, but the Vanderbilt/Georgetown. That ending was fantastic. I love endings like that, especially when the team I'm pulling for pulls it out at the very end. Going into this game I really didn't have a preference between the two teams, until I found out about Patrick Jr. Then I wanted them to win, just to see them play Carolina. So, on to the game of the night. I'm glad I tivo'd the next two shows after the ballgame or I would have missed it. Carolina was down by 16 at one point, then went on a RUN AND A HALF to pull ahead, winning by I think ten points. And did you see the USC coach ASK FOR the technical? He killed any chances his team may have had at that point. Good luck to the 'heels tomorrow night!

Get Phil Outta There!

Phil needs to make like a tree. I can't stand him. I'm surprised he's lasted this long. I thought Melinda was the best, and again I really liked Joan Jett, oh, I mean Gina. I hope she stays for awhile. Haley was a little desperate I thought. The guys, well, what can you say about them? Blake was pretty good, but that's it. Phil was just horrible. And what's up with Sanjaya? And the little girl crying over him?? Lakisha was just average last night. And one more thing - if this was a "British Invasion" show, where were the Beatle songs?