Oktoberfest

Our little "city", Seymour, celebrates Oktoberfest the first weekend in October every year.  It runs from Thursday noon thru Saturday evening.  This year October 1st was a Saturday, so the party started Thursday, September 29th.  If my calculations are correct, next year Oktoberfest will start October 4-6.

The city actually changes the street signs at Second and Chestnut and Second and Walnut to the German equivalent.  We didn't make it to Second and Walnut for me to take photos.



Second Street

Chestnut Street

I was lucky enough to have my sister, niece, nephew-in-law, and great-nephew join me this year!

Kathy with her camera at the ready!

 

Daddy Mark, Gage (11 months old), and Mommy Krysta

We walked uptown, even though neither Kathy nor I felt like it.  We both have fibromyalgia, which feels like you have the worst possible case of the flu all the time.  But we went as the kids were really looking forward to visiting the craft booths, food vendors, flea market at the First United Methodist Church parking lot, and the kiddie carnival.

We got to see so many craft booths with such a large variety of items.  You could spend all day there and not see everything.  In fact, we didn't get to go down three of the streets.

There were lots and lots of Autumn decorations in front of the booths.  Wish I had some of these at home!

It was still daylight when we left, but by the time we met up with Hubby, the sun was starting to set and it was really getting chilly!



Uncle Doug says, "Gimme Five!" Gage says, "Huh???" pulling his hand back!



Krysta, Joy (that's me wearing Doug's Oktoberfest shirt), and Doug

Lots of people were bundled up!  About 3-4 years ago, Kathy came to stay with us during Oktoberfest, and the temperature got to 108 degrees!  We were both dying by the time we got to the flea market!  I've also seen it snow during the three day festival. 

Our daughter and grandson Garrett showed up, both with chicken and dumplings noodle soup (I stand corrected).  Grandpa had mentioned he wanted some before the evening was over.  Garrett came up to him and said, "here Grandpa, this is for you!" I think Grandpa gave it back to him, after a couple of bites.  I believe Grandpa's heart was swelling with pride and love right then!

Garrett, Tiff, and Grandpa Doug

Then SIL Nate and grand-daughter Kaylee appeared. 


Nate, Kaylee, Garrett, and Tiff

Get a load of this cheesy grin!  

Kaylee - she knows how to pose for the camera!

 We decided to get something to eat from what seemed like a hundred or so different food vendors.  Lots to choose from, and we didn't see all of them this year!

By this time, Kathy and I were pooped.  We rested for a bit, before trying to make it home.  The kids decided to look around some more.  The moon was making its presence known.  It looked so spooky, playing peek-a-boo in the clouds every now and then.  Kathy took a great picture of it, but all the town lights distracted from the eerieness (is that a word? doesn't look right!). Then she tried one closer to home, but the lights and lines were still a distraction.


Near Post Office at 4th and Chestnut



Near 4th and Walnut

I took a picture of it as we got home, into the backyard, trying to avoid lights and all the phone, cable, electrical lines that snake their way thru the skyline.  Kathy was too worn out to try to mess with any more.

The kids got home almost right after we did.  They decided to forego the joys of the kiddie carnival.  There's still plenty of time for Gage to enjoy the rides when he gets a little older.

Well, that's my 2011 Oktoberfest story for this year!  We had a good time, but we were ready to hit the hay.

Sharing this with Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party.  Why not hop on over and see what brewing?  There are so many lovely posts, with lots of decorating ideas!

Click HERE for some fun!

Take care and God Bless!

XoXoXo

P.S.  The reason I put "city" in quotes at the beginning of this post:  Seymour is the SMALL TOWN in which John Mellencamp was born (Doug's cousin on his mother's side, something like 3rd cousin).

{Texture Tuesday} RED eDition - Kaylee - May 11, 2011

OK, I had our grandson Garrett in yesterday's post, so I have to have our grand-daughter Kaylee in today's!  Equal time for both!

Here's a photo of Kaylee back in May this year playing baseball. This was taken at one of the many ball fields her Grandpa Doug is in charge of taking care of and getting ready for the kids to play on (among other things to keep all the parks and the Olympic-sized City Pool in tip-top shape - very much unappreciated most of the time).

It was so hot that week!  The poor kids were all sunburnt, as well as the parents.  Kaylee looks like she has a little dirt moustache, too.  Wearing her RED team shirt and RED-skinned, she's ready to catch that grounder!

Here's the photo, after adjusting the contrast/brightness/vibrancy and adding 2 layers of Kim Klassen's portrait texture.  One layer is blend mode soft light @ 100% opacity, and the other is multiply @ 75% opacity.

I'm sharing this with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  Head on over and check out all the wonderful entries!



Click HERE

Take care and God Bless!

XoXoXo

Earth Wonders and Texture Tuesday Photo Challenges

I ran across a few of our old photos of when my hubby and I were dating!  These photos are 18 years old this month.  We were both a lot thinner then and Doug still had his red hair! LOL!

The pictures were taken in Brown County State Park, Brown County, Indiana.  It's just a county away, but there's really no direct route to get there from here.  We have to go up I-65 to Columbus, then take SR-46 toward Bloomington, passing through Nashville. 

Nashville is the county seat of Brown County and  the fall leaves are one of the major draws.  It's a quaint little town with lots of artists and crafters selling their wares, antiques, little specialty shops & neat local restaurants.  Brown County State Park is just west of Nashville and has lots of lookout areas to view the beautiful fall scenery!  We spent our honeymoon here, but that's another story!  G-rated, REALLY! :)

This photo isn't as vibrant as I remember the leaves being, as they are almost every year.  But with a little bit of manipulation and Kim Klassen's textures, it is.  Ana's Earth Wonders Photo Challenge was Autumn, and Kim's Texture Tuesday Challenge was to use at least  one of her textures. 



Scan of the original photo.



This is how I always remember Brown Co., Indiana



I adjusted the brightness/contrast and vibrancy to being with.  

1st texture:  Kim's Pumpkin Grunge - soft light @100% opacity

2nd texture: Kim's 1 2 3 - Multiply @ 75% opacity



Scan of the original photo.





Much prettier!

I did the same here, adjusted the brightness/contrast and vibrancy.

1st texture - Kim's Yesteryear - Multiply @ 40% opacity

2nd texture - Kim's Pumpkin Grunge @ 50% opacity

If you ever get our way, you really should try visiting Brown County State Park and Nashville.  I don't believe you'll regret it!

Linking with:

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Ana's Earth Wonders Photo Challenge

Take care and God Bless!

XoXoXo

PATRIOT'S DAY - 10 Year Anniversary of 9-11-2001

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL' 

You say you will never forget where you were when 
you heard the news On September 11, 2001. 
Neither will I. 

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room 
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I 
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the 
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it 
is OK . . .. I am ready to go.' 

I was with his wife when he called as she fed 
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she 
tried to understand his words and as she realized 
he wasn't coming home that night. 

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a 
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been 
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 
'Of course I will show you the way home - only 
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest 
ministering to the injured and devastated souls. 
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He 
heard my voice and answered. 

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, 
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they 
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the 
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their 
faith has saved them. 

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . 
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. 
Did you sense Me? 

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew 
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me 
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. 
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the 
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take 
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. 
But, I was there. 

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You 
may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were 
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have 
reached for Me? 

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey 
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I 
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may 
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 
'ready to go.' 

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

 God

I received this as an email from my sister-in-law, Bev.  I felt so deeply moved by this, I had to share it with all of you. 

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but if it does - TOO BAD!  It's my blog, I can voice my opinion as I see fit.  

Those of you who agree with me, thank you and God Bless you and yours.  

If you don't agree with me, I hope the above note from God softens your heart enough to hear Him calling to you.  I truly pray that you WILL hear! 

Take care and God Bless!

XoXoXo


*The photos/images above were received in various emails.  To the ones responsible for their existence, Thank You!*