Sunrise Sunset

Isn’t there something so magical about seeing the sun as it begins its descent down in to the horizon?  Or waking up to see a brightly colorful sky shortly before the sun begins its crescendo up in to the heavens above?  Some days it almost seems as if the sun is quite literally sinking directly in to the ground, while other days it does not even look remotely similar to what we’ve seen previously.

Growing up, my Dad was always riveted with capturing various sunrise and sunset photos (I used to rarely be awake in time to see the actual sun rise, so I always had to rely upon his photographs for visual confirmation!)  But as a youngster sitting there staring through countless sunrise or sunset photos, I thought to myself that it was the same exact thing over and over.  But in reality, it is not. 

Just as a day is never the same in Grand Canyon because of how the sun makes the colors appear or change colors, so goes the same with any sunrise or sunset, as they are never identical.  The overall location of where you see the sun rise or sun set can be cause a drastically different and unique perspective.  Naturally, the weather can even play an impact.  Some days the sky may be a multitude of colors and other days, it may just be a solid color.  Each and every sunrise or sunset is quite different and how each person sees it is entirely different, as well.

But no matter what, it is a magical experience that we are blessed to see on a daily (or typically daily) basis.  Take time out of your busy schedule to enjoy a sunrise or a sunset.  Here are a few of my favorite photos that I have been blessed to capture, even though I still think my Dad’s photos are much better than my own!

Sunset along the Bogue Sound in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina (April 2017)

Sunset while on approach to land in Austin, Texas (January 2012)

Sunset along The Mall in Washington, D.C. (July 2009)

Sunset at (appropriately named) Sunset Beach, North Carolina (August 2009)

Sunrise in Wake County, North Carolina (February 2017)

Sunset in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee (August 2008)

Sunset along Barefoot Marina in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (August 2010)

Sunset along the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut (August 2008)

 Sunrise in Wake County, North Carolina (September 2016)

Sunrise in the sky shortly after take-off from Raleigh Durham International Airport (April 2016)

Reba

Throughout my life, I have always loved music. Whether listening to it, singing it or playing it, I have always found that music can totally affect me in many, many ways.  Ever since I was a wee little one, one of my all-time favorite artists has always been Reba McEntire.  Her music can not only be uplifting, but it can also be inspiring and emotional, as so many of her songs cover many varying topics.  To try to get me to list my favorite Reba song would be nearly impossible, though I might list a few near the close of this blog.

My entire life I have always wanted to see her in concert, but varying things often arose that kept me from making it to one of her local shows.  I remember as a young girl that she was performing at one of our local amphitheaters, and because I was too young to attend, my parents drove me around the surrounding roads to see if we could hear some of her music from the distance.  Unfortunately, while I heard the drum introduction to one of her songs, I wasn’t able to actually hear her sing.  But, come December, Lord willing, I will be able to achieve a life-long dream by seeing Reba in concert.

My friend Sarah and I are both celebrating milestone birthdays later this year (October and November), so we decided to plan us a brief cross-country trip to Las Vegas (via Los Angeles) to celebrate hitting a new milestone.  Initially, when perusing the various shows in Vegas, we saw that Reba and Brooks & Dunn had a show at Caesar’s Palace. But as our luck would have it, their last performance was the evening before we arrived.  I was a little bummed, but brushed it aside as I knew there was plenty else to see and do in Vegas, which is a remarkably exciting place to visit (I just returned from there in early August!).

As I was sitting in my office late one afternoon, Sarah messaged me and said for me to come upstairs to her office, as magically, Reba and Brooks & Dunn had added one more performance to their Vegas show and it happened to be the day we arrived.  I don’t think I’ve ever made it across our building and up the flight of stairs so quickly!  Our luck had turned, and quickly and shockingly!  So, come December 10^th, provided all goes well, I will finally be able to see Reba perform live!

Now, if you are curious as to some of my favorite songs that I think you should all go listen to once you finish reading this blog, here they are in NO particular order:

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia

One Honest Heart

The Heart Won’t Lie (Duet with Vince Gill)

Fancy

Myself Without You

Take it Back

Somebody

Quotes

Words can be hurtful and spiteful, yet they can also be powerful and meaningful.  Each and every day we may come across some idea, phrase or saying that touches our life or impacts us in a certain way.  I have a Word Document that I often keep saved on a computer or flash drive that when I hear something said, I’ll add it to that list of quotes or things that I found particularly meaningful. 

Initially for this blog, I was going to choose one quote and write an entire blog on that – the feelings that I felt, the message it conveyed and how I interpreted it and so forth.  But, as I sat here and pondered just which quote to choose, I realized it was going to be a rather daunting task.  So instead of following my initial plan, I am going divert from the initial agenda and post a variety of some of my favorite quotes – some may be in picture form and others just written out.   Rather than I describe how that saying impacted me personally or what I believe the message is that’s trying to be relayed, I challenge you to take a few moments and read through each quote, absorb it and see how it may or may not affect you. You come to your own conclusions surrounding these particular quotes or sayings. But, always remember words have powerful meanings – sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden.  So choose your words carefully and leave your mark!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"We are capable of so much more than we think we are." ~ Kate Mulgrew

"Once in a while it really hits people that they don't have to experience the world in the way they have been told to." ~ Alan Keightley

"Remember for every rough event, the good that you do, while unnoticed by some, is appreciated by others." ~ Connie Shay

"When life kicks you, let it kick you forward." ~ Kay Yow

Pullen Park

For anyone who has ever been to my hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, you have likely either seen a sign for, heard it mentioned or have possibly even visited the historic Pullen Park.  Situated just outside of downtown Raleigh and within close proximity to the campus of North Carolina State University, Pullen Park is not just a miniature amusement park for children, but one where adults can go to relax or even reminisce about their childhood excursions there.

Here are some random historical facts on Pullen Park courtesy of the City of Raleigh’s webpage:

• It was founded in 1887.
• It is the state of North Carolina's oldest public park.
• It is the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States.
• It is the sixteenth oldest operating amusement park in the World.
• It spreads across 66.4 acres.

An area that was once described as being similar to an old cow pasture with red and rocky soil, now boasts acreage of amusement rides including an antique carousel, a train and kiddie boats.  Additionally, there are plenty of swings, slides, paddle boats, an aquatic center, picnic areas and places to just sit back and soak in the sights and sounds of a historic park that’s filled with many memories.

The history of Pullen Park is quite an interesting read, but I won’t reiterate all of those details. (You can visit the City of Raleigh’s page and view a detailed document on the actual history, or better yet, you can visit the park and learn on your own!)

My Mom, baby me riding the train at Pullen Park, which
was driven by my Grandpa, Charlie W. Baker.

As a child, on many occasions, my parents often took me to Pullen Park, and while it was a fun place to visit, the park held special meaning to my family and me.  After my Grandpa, Charlie W. Baker, retired, in 1982, from his full-time job, he began to work part-time at Pullen Park.  Over the course of his 27 years of part-time employment, which ultimately meant he worked there until he was 91 years old and until the park closed briefly in 2009 for renovations, he performing a variety of duties including being the operator of the train and carousel.  In his later years, he operated the kiddie boats, and if you ever visited Pullen Park during the early to late 2000s, he more than likely would play you a tune on his harmonica as the kids squealed with glee while enjoying their spins on the kiddie boats.  

The Pullen Park Carousel
(or as I called it the Hobby Horses). 

While my Grandpa was absolutely loved his job and he loved visiting with the thousands of people he encountered during his years of employment at Pullen Park, I often wonder how many lives he may have impacted.  So many times, when I would tell people that my Grandpa worked at Pullen Park, they would immediately ask which one he was and as soon as I would describe him, they would instantly know who he was and they all had a story to share about him.  He was such a kind and caring man, and he always wanted to give the kids as long as they wanted to enjoy on their rides. 

Grandpa was somewhat saddened when the park closed from 2009 to 2011 for updating and complete renovations.  When the park re-opened, he was unable to return to work there, which greatly disappointed him. But, thankfully, we have all the wonderful memories of the years that he spent working there, ultimately years that I believed help him to live as long as he did (95 years old!).

So, next time you’re in the capital city of Raleigh, take a few moments out of your busy schedule to make a pit-stop over at Pullen Park.  Even if you’re not interested in riding a ride or swinging in a swing (which I always find utterly relaxing), take a stroll through the park.  If you’ve ever been there before, allow the memories of your childhood to reclaim you for a few moments, and if you’ve never been there before, make new memories and enjoy a little bit of fun that the City of Oaks has to offer. 

I always wanted to be an Astronaut, so a few years ago, I was
able to ride the Space Shuttle -- too bad I didn't fit, ha!  

Kisses for the tiger at the Pullen Park Carousel.

Oreos

We all have food vices, right?  What are some of the foods that you know you shouldn’t eat but you just absolutely can’t live without?  Obviously, I blogged (quite a few letters ago) of my top vice, doughnuts, but if there is another food vice that I have, it would be Oreo's. 

Now, when it comes to Oreo's, I’m pretty picky because I don’t like all the flavored and double-stuffed and reversed Oreo's, and all the varying combinations that Nabisco has come out with.  I enjoy the “regular” Oreo's, but as weird as it may seem, my absolute favorite Oreo's are the Halloween and Christmas ones.  No, they aren’t flavored in any way, but I just think the Orange and Red colored creamed middle, not only is pretty, but just tastes better.  (Yes, I’m sure it is a mental, psychological thing, but don’t try to tell me otherwise, because the Orange and Red are still the best!)

I remember back in high school (waaayyyy back when!), I earned the unofficial title and nickname of “Oreo Queen” because I managed to win an Oreo eating competition during our school lunch session. You know, we all do stupid stuff when we’re in school, and while to me, taking on an Oreo eating competition didn’t seem like a stupid idea at the time, I think later on in the day I started to regret it especially because of what class immediately followed my lunch -- chorus! 

In the last three or four minutes of lunch break, they placed Oreo packages on our lunch table to see how many we could eat WITHOUT any milk, water or anything to drink.  We had to eat them dry and had few minutes to spare until the bell rang.  Somehow, I managed to chew down, and shockingly keep down, 23 Oreo's (at least I think that was the total number; it might have been a few up or down but it was over 20, I know for sure).   Miraculously, I didn’t choke and I managed not to barf.  But once I got in to my chorus class and started doing vocal warm-ups, I think I began to regret my decision in earning the title Oreo Queen. 

Usually they say, we learn from our mistakes or crazy doings, but I'm not so sure I learned from that challenge in high school because if you put a package of Oreo's in front of me (especially Orange or Red!!) even today, they’ll likely be gone in no time.  Ironically, I usually prefer to eat them “dry” but occasionally, I will dip them or soak them in milk, but being that I don’t like to drink milk (nor do I like the smell of milk), I often will avoid that. 

Maybe because of my love for Oreo's is why I often prefer Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream or putting Oreo shavings on my frozen yogurt.  But, is there anything Oreo related that I don’t like, you may ask?  The answer to that is yes!   

Once at our State Fair, I tried the Deep Fried Oreo's, as I had heard everyone rave about how good they were.  I had previously tried Deep Fried Reese’s (loved them!), the Krispy Kreme cheeseburger (actually, it is very good!), and Chocolate Covered Frozen Cheesecake on a Stick (also something to LOVE!), so I thought to be sure I would enjoy the Deep Fried Oreo's.  But, I was absolutely wrong on that account.  I don’t know what it was about the Deep Fried Oreo's, and while I did eat them all, they made me absolutely sick. 

So, next time you are consuming some Oreo's, think about me scarfing down all those Oreo's in lickedy-split record pace to win my unofficial title, but also make sure around Halloween and Christmas to get the Orange and Red Oreo's.  Don’t get the peppermint flavored or red velvet, it’s just regular Oreo's (that have designs on the cookie, too) but the cream is just colored.  I promise you, they’ll be better and they’re worth waiting for those two times of the year to get!