Roadside Chivalry

"I just got two new tires on the front of my car and an oil change! We are good to go!", announced High May as she picked me up at 5 AM, well before sunrise, as we set out for a two hour trip to Mississippi. It is always a good feeling to know your car is in check before a trip.

Even more so, it is a good feeling to be in check with the Lord as we set out for the journey in life.

By the sheer encompassing of angels and travel mercies that mine and every mother prays for, we made it to MS and almost home before High May's tire began making a "weird sound". She pulled off at an exit about 20 minutes from our home. I stepped out of the car to take a look at the tire. Immediately I noticed the rim looked warped. May pulled the tire forward so that I could visually check the tire for nails (no nails or anything to make a hole). As she moved the tire forward it immediately made a hissing sound and went flat on spot (warped rim).

Certainly God and his angels were encompassing our car. We drove all that way, to and fro Mississippi, made it off of the interstate into the safety of a parking lot before our tire went flat. Coincidence? Perhaps? I have a feeling it was more of a divine act. I mean....I think when May got the new tires that the rim was put back on incorrectly. Divine indeed.

I began to look in May's truck for the jack and tire iron so that I could change the tire....May's iron was missing.

Let me say that chivalry is alive and well in Bessemer Alabama in the form of three young men (and then some) about the age of my son Bama. "Mam, you need some help?" offered the red headed young man. May who had her husband on the telephone offered, "I think we have it covered......" "Let us help" the young man suggested, already getting out of his truck. He too soon discovered the necessary missing jack. But about that moment, in the 93 degree heat, a state trouper pulled up and offered his jack and iron.

Away the young boys went to put on May's spare tire. A sheriff pulled in as well, to check to make all was well. As did another gentleman that was passing by in a truck. By this time the chivalrous men had our spare tire on. We thanked them kindly, May offered them $$...."Oh! No, mam! That would cancel out a good deed!" the young man declined. May grabbed the man's hand and put the cash in hand. I had a jug of sweet tea in the back in my cooler on ice. Seeing the sweat dripping, I poured drinks for all , to which they were duly appreciative. But not nearly as much as we were. I was so impressed by these young men.

I honestly cannot say that today's generation would be as willing to help. Or that they even know how to change a tire. We spoil our children much of the time, teaching them to take a car to a mechanic . I asked Bama when I got home if he would've been as helpful. Honestly, "No. Probably not. I don't know how...."

Tomorrows task: Teaching my eldest son some chivalry with a jack and tire iron.

chiv·al·ry -by defination and my pictures.
/ˈʃɪvəlri/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[shiv-uhl-ree] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ries for 6.
1.
the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms.
2.
the rules and customs of medieval knighthood.
3.
the medieval system or institution of knighthood.
4.
a group of knights.
5.
gallant warriors or gentlemen: fair ladies and noble chivalry.
6.
Archaic. a chivalrous act; gallant deed.

How many men does it take to change a tire? Probably one. How many today are chivalrous? We found 6 in a few minutes....with some guidance from the Lord above!

Indeed these young men live up to the definition of chivalry. We are so appreciative! Kudo's to you all for your act of kindness and the elder that taught you!

Charlotte's Web?

As with all things grand on the property of my friend's Diva's childhood home, I saw this lovely and grand writing spider.She built her web among the overgrown shrubbery. The morning sunlight was shining through her web, so lovely, and I thought she was picture perfect as she waited for breakfast.

Below is the Very First Picture of Michael Phelps Swimming

Garage Sale!

My friend Rhoda, over at Southern Hospitality is organizing a Garage sale Party this Sat. at 7 AM. Several bloggers (and non bloggers) plan to meet up and go to several yard sales together. Email Rhoda if you'd like to join in! Be sure and drop me a comment too so I can look for you! Sounds fun....if the weather holds out.


UPDATE: I will not be able to go with Rhoda on Saturday. My friends mother passed away this week. I am needed in MS to help my friend. Rhoda still plans to go on Saturday, so email her if you would like to meet up with her. I made her promise a raincheck trip for me. It sounds like a great sale! Good luck! I cannot wait to hear about the fabulous finds you uncover.

Wrapsody

My cousin Gina can come up with the most clever gifts to give. For example this is what she gave me for my birthday this year......
A Monogrammed ceramic polka dotted dish.


And last year's gift from Gina was these precious coasters made from recycled Philippine newspapers. So cool!


The things Gina comes up with are always impressive and memorable. And they always comes from a store called Wrapsody. Wrapsody is located in Hoover at Patton Creek. Today I decided to drop in and see for myself what Wrapsody is all about.


Something that appeals to me, especially since I have a close friend that is in the retail business and I know the time and thought she puts into this, is window dressings. Wrapsody is all decked out for a fall festival of the finest.


Take a look at these decorations peering out...


Wrapsody is a perfect place to find that one special gift. There are a vast variety of gift items that can be monogrammed or customized. Some things are already prepared to go, like initial dish towels, infant pantaloons, jewelry and mugs to name a few.


I have a fondness for things that are area specific. For example these tea towels that feature Birmingham/Alabama area landmarks. I would love to have these!


Painted signs are in great abundance to customize your own space. Just check out this sign!


If you are a Vera Bradley Chick you would be in complete Heaven in Wrapsody's corner devoted to all things and patterns Vera......


There is also a section devoted to your favorite college teams. And I am not being biased....


I love the handmade gifts, like the wooden painted crosses, picture frames made with bottle caps and photography of area landmarks. These are all great inspiration for handmade Christmas gifts!


While Wrapsody is a bit pricey{for my budget} if you look around you can find some great gifts that fit into any budget...Gifts that will impress your recipient so much....that she too will become a Wrapsody customer. Like me.


Wrapsody
"A celebration of giving! MAy all of your celebrations be wrapped in joy!"
160 Main Street Suite 112
Hoover, Alabama 35244
205 989-7277 V
205 989-7299 F
www.wrapsodyonline.com
Store Owners: Terry Shea & Sarah Brown

My South Written by Someone Else, Agreed Upon by Leigh

Welcome to the South. Please keep our secret.

I received this in an email. One of those forwards. But I really could appreciate and relate to it. I do not know if this was actually written by who it sates, but no less impressive....coming from myself a proud southener......
This was written by Robert St. John, executive chef and owner of the Purple Parrot Cafe, Crescent City Grill and Mahogany Bar of Hattiesburg , MS.



Thirty years ago I visited my first cousin in Virginia. While hanging out with his friend, the discussion turned to popular movies of the day. When I offered my two-cents on the authenticity and social relevance of the movie Billy Jack, one of the boys asked, in all seriousness; 'Do you guys have movie theaters down there?' To which I replied, 'Yep. We wear shoes too.' Just three years ago, my wife and I were attending a food and wine seminar in Aspen, Colo. We were seated with two couples from Las Vegas. One of the Glitter Gulch gals was amused and downright rude when I described our restaurant as a fine-dining restaurant. Mississippi doesn't have fine-dining restaurants!' she insisted and nudged her companion. I fought back the strong desire to mention that she lived in the land that invented the 99-cent breakfast buffet. I wanted badly to defend my state, my region, and my restaurant with a 15-minute soliloquy and public relations rant that would surely change her mind. It was at that precise moment that I was hit with a blinding jolt of enlightenment, and in a moment of complete and absolute clarity it dawned on me -- my South is the best-kept secret in the country.Why would I try to win this woman over? She might move down here. I am always amused by Hollywood's interpretation of the South. We are still,
on occasion, depicted as a collective group of sweaty, stupid,backwards-minded, racist rednecks.. The South of movies and TV, the Hollywood South, is not my South.



This is my South:


My South is full of honest, hardworking people.My South is the birthplace of blues and jazz, and rock n' roll. It has banjo pickers and fiddle players, but it also has BB King, Muddy Waters, the Allman Brothers, Emmylou Harris and Elvis.
My South is hot. My South smells of newly mowed grass.My South was kick the can, creek swimming, cane-pole fishing and bird hunting.In my South, football is king, and the Southeastern Conference is the kingdom.

My South is home to the most beautiful women on the planet. In my South, soul food and country cooking are the same thing. My South is full of pear preserves, cornbread, black-eyed peas, fried chicken, grits, key lime pie and catfish. In my South we eat foie gras, caviar and truffles.In my South, our transistor radios introduced us to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones at the same time they were introduced to the rest of the country. In my South, grandmothers cook a big lunch every Sunday, so big that we call it dinner (supper comes later).In my South, family matters, deeply.
My South is boiled shrimp, blackberry cobbler, peach ice cream, banana pudding and oatmeal cream pies. In my South people put peanuts in bottles of Coca-Cola and hot sauce on almost everything.In my South the tea is iced and almost as sweet as the women.My South has air-conditioning.My South is camellias, azaleas, wisteria and hydrangeas.In my South, the only person that has to sit on the back of the bus is the last person that got on the bus.

In my South, people still say 'Yes ma'am,' 'No ma'am,''Please' and 'Thank you.'In my South, we all wear shoes....most of the time. My South is the best-kept secret in the
country. Please continue to keep the secret....it keeps the idiots away!

The Number 2 Fairies-MC's Facts of Life

"Mommy! Let me in!!!" MC insisted as he banged on the door harder and harder with determination. Why is it that everyone wants to talk to you when you finally have a moment alone in the restroom?

"MC! Give me five minutes and then I will be out!" Diva begged.

"But Mooooooommmmmmyyyyy! I neeeeeeeddddd to talk to youuuuuuuuuu".

"MC, I am using the bathroom. Just. a. minute."

MC pulled and pulled on the doorknob. Insisting to enter into the bathroom. Finally the knob gave way, allowing entrance. Immediately MC's face turned from a neutral expression to one of agony. MC is notorious for great performances. This was no less deserving of an Emmy.

"MOMMYYYYYYY! It stinks in here!"

"I tried to tell you MC!

MC began to whimper, overcome by the odor, forgetting all that was worth talking about.

"Listen, MC! Last night the fairies didn't fly in and pee on my poop to make it smell good. Poop stinks!"

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And you can see here, where MC got her gift of gab and prompt retorke-from her mom Diva.

And if you look closely, you just might see the analogy here can be used for some of Life's situations.

Have a great day!

"MC Hammer" is the precocious five year old daughter of my close friend, Diva. MC is a wealth of material and "isms" that I am always reminding my friend to be sure and write down and document the things that come from MC's mouth. And thus, I am determined to record them myself in MC's Facts of Life.

Outta The Box

In doing some cleaning out I recently came across a box taped shut. Inside were many memories of days gone by. Why would I have saved these? I do not know, but it did conjure some memories of dancing, singing and cruising around to some of these cassette tapes:
(click for a larger view)

and these:

That's quite an eclectic mix there.Can you tell what ones I really played hard?
To those who saw one of your favorites in that group,
to those that are now going to search itunes to download and oldie but goodie,
to those that are now singing one of these songs in your head and remember all the words
and to those that remember David Lee Roth in war paint.....
In the words of ACDC, "We salute you"!

Yuki Japanese Restaurant

Yuki. It's pronounced Uu-Kee (long U and Key on the end), despite how you might think it is pronounced. It should be called Exceptional. The family circus and many of it's extended relatives recently paid a first visit to Yuki on a tip from son, Bama. He and many of the Barons baseball players have toted it as one of their favorite eating establishments.
Yuki truly one of the most amazing Teppan grills in the State. And for those who enjoy it, I hear that the sushi is top notch as well. On our visit we all chose to go with the traditional hibachi style cooking and sit grill side, though one can chose to sit at a booth and order food to be brought out to the table, versus prepared in front of you.

The first thing we noticed was how reasonable the prices are. When compared to the likes of Sumo, Shogun, Kobe, and Stix, the prices are on average at least $3-$5 cheaper for the same items. For example, the Shogun Special at Shoguns which contains Steak, Shrimp, and Chicken is $26.95 versus around $20 at Yuki. Yuki also offers a reduced lunch menu.

The ambiance at Yuki was also impressive. When I first walked in, I noticed the openness of the restaurant, and how warm and comfortable it was. The place was very clean. I am very picky when it comes to using a public restroom, so I was pleased with the cleanliness of Yuki's facilities. The restaurant overall was a very nice and pleasant setting to enjoy a fabulous meal.

But let us not forget the reason we went to Yuki...the food! Hands down, the best part! The quality of the food is first class. I could tell that the food was high quality and very fresh. When presented with the menu, one will notice the plethora of items on the menu from: sushi to various appetizers to multiple soup choices, to salads, tempura, noodles, and katsu. We ordered traditional meals of steak and or chicken. I myself ordered the vegetable grill. I could not get over the amount of food that you get with a meal. I had enough leftovers for two additional meals!! You will certainly get your monies worth at Yuki Japanese Restaurant. I believe Yuki will have some new "regulars" in our family circus.

Yuki Japanese Restaurant, it's Hoover's Best Kept Secret!

Yuki Japanese Restaurant

2760 John Hawkins Pkwy #108,

Birmingham, AL 35244

Tel: 205-402-9888

Yearbook

I so ripped this off of Dust Bunny Hostage. I found her post such fun to look at on her blog (go read it)...then I did mine, I laughed til I hurt. It struck me so funny. And it also allowed me to try out some new looks...that goes back to the hairapy post. Check out the different genre's of Leigh's...

Let's pretend I was around in 1956. This would be me, pulling Fresh baked cookie's from the oven...waiting for my Big Daddy to return from work so that I could rub his feet and pick the toe lint from between his toes. Meet Betty Leigh Crocker.

The year is 1960. Leigh of this era looks a bit saucy. Like there is an inner "Rizzo" to be let loose. Look out at the sock hop! She gonna break it down! I am so gonna go and get me some of those glasses, they rock.

The year is 1962. On her way to work to work at TV station WJM-TV, Leigh runs over a squirrel. Saddened by the loss, Leigh-being the ever inventive person that she is and never wanting anything to go to waste-picks up Charlie the Squirrel and uses him for a hairpiece. Fabulous!


1968- and Mary Tyler Leigh (am I the only one seeing a resemblance to Mary Tyler Moore?) I should have never tossed that hat....this look on Leigh would be better kept under wraps.

1968 Leigh. Hmm...I have been seriously considering getting the ever popular wedge hairstyle. After some serious consideration, can't do it. Leigh needs layers. Can you say, Helmet head. "I'm a walkin' candid apple!"





1974-The Gypsies Tramps and Thieves look. I ALWAYS wanted to be Cher, ya know. Not sure about the long hair on ME. Was considering growing it out too...now, questionable. What d'ya think? I don't think I can pull it off.....not with age. And short legs. I would look more like Cousin It than Cher.




This is my mugshot from 1978. I was hauled in for "heinous acts"...even then I thought I had groove. I broke into a *mean* hustle and was pulled from the dance floor and booked accordingly. Poor Fabian, he has no chance in teaching me any proper dance skills in the Latin Cardio class. But the fro is to die for, isn't it? I mean, why else would I be smiling so big in a mug shot?





Embarrassingly enough, this looks almost identical to my yearbook picture from 1980. It's a faux halo, people!


Oh! I got a good laugh at this one. This isn't El De barge. I knew this girl in high school-well not this girl but one that had this hairstyle trademarked. She may tune into my blog so I am not naming names......but if you want to out yourself, go ahead.



1984. Another high school chick. Leslie, you know this is your look! Come clean. I only wished I had this hair. Jon-Bon would be jealous. Just like Leigh.



Oh, I did own this one....(remember my obsession with the Tawny Kittaen look?)





Here's proof......
1992...Remember Glamour Shots? Oh, What possessed me, I don't know. But this shot below looks very reminiscent of those lovely pics that I have hid away in a locked drawer never to be found...except in the event I should ever do something like Glamour Shots again- and then it should only be removed for convincing not to evah do it again. EVAH!





1996, asymmetrical bob at it's best....and a very blond Leigh



1998 Reminiscent of preschool teacher Leigh. Compare Apples and Oranges...




2000-Are you ready for this?
Ok, I am certainly convinced that I will not let me hair grow out. I look like a pug nosed Muppet that shall remain nameless.
(Sorry Miss Piggy. I beg your forgiveness. I shall never steal your look again)
I know, that was a bit scary...but seriously funny. And don't think Big Daddy is safe, my frans. That to come! Wah-ha-ha-ha! (I am so sick!)

Want to try it too? Then you go HERE to Yearbook Yourself.com