Enjoying a little trip - part 1

In hindsight our decision to bring William all the way home was a good one. First we were not totally sure about our idea to do it but we had not seen Helen in so long (except for an hour when she brought William to Bristol three weeks earlier). It was a great few days ... and not only because she offered us these treats baked by one of her friends. They were very unusual and very yummy. (she has great friends! not only because of the cookies)

There is no yard for Drifter to walk around and get some exercise. James tried his best but Drifter is getting old. At least James got a bit of exercise to pick up the 'you know what'.

We were very pleased that Helen asked us to accompany her to her property which we had not seen without the old house. She needed to meet the builder for a fence/tree issue. Helen had been very unfortunate that first a tornado hit Nashville which resulted in a lot of houses needing re-construction and then the pandemic caused everything to skyrocket and bring things to a haltl. It looks a bit more promising now. To all who know and love Helen: please pray that her luck changes and all goes well for a new house soon.

Helen always loved gardening. I had to laugh out loud because there was a volunteer cherry tomato plant in the middle of the property. The tree person drew a big red circle around it so it doesn't get trampled over. I wonder whether Helen could harvest something from it yet?

We tried to help with things we could do for her. The tornado had destroyed their church, Helen had helped with the initial clean-up and this big box of binders in the (little) living room ever since. We were able to bring it to a temporary church address. Everything seems to be an adventure. The GPS brought us to the wrong block on the street but we eventually found it.

We also had more William time Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Good thing I brought the playing cards. He asked to play "Five Crowns". And since Helen works from home and has a short lunch time I was also able to spoil her a little bit. Her wishes: Tomatenschnitten on German bread one day and tomato pie another. She thought it was the best one I had ever made. Fun times!

4 nights in the little place and time to move on. On Wednesday (7/28) we drove to Paducah, Kentucky, where we had lived so many years. We were a bit early for the airbnb so stopped at Grace Episcopal Church. So many memories there.

The pews had been prepared for Sunday. Once again every other row has been roped off. 

My father's ashes are in this Memorial Garden. This is the bench in his and James' dad's honor.

The church is beautiful inside and out. After the Memorial Garden we walked more around. These raised beds had started several years ago for the youth to generate food for the food pantry. The pandemic put a stop to that. Our friend John told us that he converted them to sow zinnias. He cuts them on Sundays to give to people or whenever a member needs to be cheered up.

Finally we made it to the airbnb 506 North 8th Street. After unpacking and settling we enjoyed the back patio and played our card game.

Time to go for a walk. We left by the back door.

Of course we know Paducah well and knew that this location was good. The old town had been rejuvenated years ago and many dilapidating houses were sold to artists from other states very cheaply and renovated. You find interesting things around every corner. Of course the pandemic was felt especially hard here since the annual quilt shows could not take place and tourists could not come.

Unexpectedly in many gardens 'naked ladies' poked our of the ground. 2 years ago I had bought several bulbs which had been quite expensive and nothing has happened so far in my garden. Jealous! 

Back at the front of the house.

On the day of our arrival we were right away invited to our friend Barbara. Ha-ha, for nibbles and wine only (she had said) but it was lovely with her and Sara and David too. Discussion is always lovely and at the end everybody was sad that it was already over. But of course it didn't need to be We would still here for a few more days and they had time on Friday night. A date it was at the airbnb!

Thursday morning.

Happy to go for a walk and explore. We moved away from Paducah in 2008 and of course there were changes since then. Great improvements at the river. Proper landings for the river boats and ... there was one.

Paducah had been plagued many times with floods. The floodwall already existed in our time and nice to walk along on this side.

But it is even nicer on this side. One murial was added after the other. Always interesting to see a new one. I really have to curb myself to not overdo the photos. But you get the idea. And so much history. Each one has a bronze plaque in front to explain it. 

Going up Broadway changes too. The traffic lights have disappeared and an interesting post with stop signs in the middle. I like it.

Back at the house a little camera tour. The entrance has interesting walls and the same pattern is painted around the ceiling light.

Painted around the ceiling light in the front bed room.

Painted around the ceiling light in 'our' bed room.

The living room. The ladder in the back actually can be hung on some hooks opposite where there was a loft without steps (?). Lots of antique furniture and knick knacks in every room. 

We had shopping to do. Guess who we saw in front of a Wal-Mart?

Helen might enjoy seeing this "little free library" in downtown. It came with a bench attached.

We had had an appointment with our financial adviser in the morning. He told us about the Freight House Restaurant. Of course I had seen the FaceBook postings about Top Chef Sara Bradley a couple of years ago by my Paducah friends. So we made a reservation and walked there. We sat under a roof outside. Lovely. We started by sharing the 'grilled ceaser'.

Oh what? We decided to order a bottle since we can take the rest with us. Gosh, was that good.

No printed menu. Use your smart phone to scan this and read it there.

We had heard all about the 

shrimp & grits

spicy pork shank, button mushrooms, new orleans bbq sauce, pimento cheese grits

... but could not make ourselves to order it. May be next time?

James:

fork & knife ribs

watermelon & napa cabbage kimchi, sesame, cilantro, fermented chili bbq

... no bones and the taste was outstanding.

ky silver carp

fried oyster, sweet corn & vidalia onion ragu, basiled peaches

... had hear all about this carp and I like fish. No disappointment here. It was outstanding good.

A pleasure to take the rest home.

I am usually not a celebraty admirer. After all I have stood as close as 6 feet to Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother even talked to Helen on James' shoulder once. But it was fun taking this photo with Sara Bradley because especially our Sarah knew all about the Top Chef competition and this chef from the town our Sarah was born. Sara was very friendly and natural. 

And the weather was perfect to walk back to the airbnb.

More Nashville time

Last Sunday ... yes, William was waiting for us to come back from Kentucky. We played hard. It's so funny when he says "Omi come floor" and even "please".
And the boy likes taco salad, even left over from Mommy's birthday. Yes, a video. William loves videos ... of himself ... of Caleb ... anything. Our favorite entertainment when we are in the car and don't want him to fall asleep. Omi with him on the backseat. Yeah for smartphones!

Grandpa's turn to play. Or Papa as William calls him.

Here are bits and pieces of the week.
One day I made "Kartoffelpuffer" (potato pancakes) for James, Helen, William and me for lunch. Helen is very conscientious about William eating vegetables too so I put some spinach into it. Really quite good in taste, but they look so ... St Patrick! William didn't mind. Homemade apple/carrot sauce on the side.

Salmon on a bed of sautéed spinach topped with (almost) undiluted cream soup ... baked.

And then Helen had found this recipe she "suggested" William and I make.

She was right. William had a lot of fun "helping". I didn't have mini muffins but regular were just fine. Just made 12 of them.

William approved. And he took the rest home to his Pops so proudly. Helen texted "William presented pops with a muffin and said see what Omi and I made!"

I think he is used to his Mom taking pictures because when he saw me he said "cheese".

Oh Friday. I had to be at Helen's very early to pick her and William up. William had an appointment at Vanderbilt (his birthplace). James wasn't feeling to good. He had started to battle some kind of a bug (like bronchitis) the day before. Afterwards we found this train set-up at Vanderbilt and William just loved it. Here is a video he likes to watch again and again.

On the way home we had to stop when we encountered another train on a one-way street. Here is another video William doesn't mind watching again and again.

And then William stayed with us for the night too. A sleepover. We decided to go to the Mexican place we like just a mile down the road. The little guy likes chips and salsa (which they bring when you wait for the food you ordered).

I don't know which day it was, but I nicked my finger in the kitchen one day. William saw the blood (not much) when I was contemplating whether I really needed a band-aid or not. William always asks "what happened". So cute.
Later, when he and I walk upstairs for something, he stops halfway and asks "are you better, Omi?" I still have trouble understanding him sometimes but I quickly got it. I answered "Yes, and thank you for asking". And he replies:  "No problem". Oh, I so love it!!!

Next morning. Saturday. William has outgrown the crib so we had to be a little inventive to make a bed for him. He slept the whole night though and we were awake before him. He does talk in his sleep though and Omi didn't sleep much worrying just in case he would wake up.

Then, when Mommy came and after we had lunch, we decided it would be lovely to have a hike, a walk, something. The weather was nice for a change. Helen's great idea was Cheekwood.
Haha, William likes buttons. Closing Papa's trunk is one of those things. Don't forget, do it yourself and disappoint him.

First stop was the trains. Oh, he could have stayed there forever.

The treehouse. Another favorite.

Helen didn't have a stroller in the car so we took the three wheeler from our place. In case his little legs gave trouble with so much walking. Great idea! Nobody was pushing. We just had to make sure somebody was holding on when we went downhill.

I know this might not impress you but the little balls where waving in the breeze so sweet.

In summer William likes to throw stones into lakes. Ha, different now. The stones and sticks just slid across the ice.
Grandpa kneeled down and broke off a piece of the ice. William was very impressed.

Quite thick!

James threw the piece and it just lay on top. But it looked lovely.

After making our rounds, guess where we ended up again? At the trains! At the gazebo William decided to give us a great big hug (almost squeezing my throat). But aren't these wonderful pictures Helen took?

On the way home William almost fell asleep in the car. We just had to stop at a DQ to stop that from happening. Most pictures from Helen too.

Sunday morning (today): the rain had started. Weather forecast is not so good. Monday Nashville is supposed to get freezing rain and we are worried about our trip back. So we make the difficult decision to leave Sunday after lunch.
We meet Helen and William at their church at 10:30 am. Then we all including Ben meet at the townhouse for Papa Murphy's pizza at our place. Lovely. And then we leave. I have the picture of them waving while standing in the door frame still in my eye. Should have taken a picture. But it was raining.
1:35 pm --- on the road.
First James was driving and it was raining.

He wasn't feeling so good so we switched driving ... and then I encountered FOG on the Plateau. Picture really doesn't do it justice.

Half way we had enough and found a hotel. We booked into the Holiday Inn Bristol, Virginia. James thought an appetizer would be nice so we went down the street to Ruby Tuesday. Actually it was close to closing but we got some nibbles and I got some red wine.

We seldom have dessert but James felt like it: triple choc!

Good night!

In the hotel ... we forgot to pack the toothpaste (since we usually do it in one day we have something like this in each place and don't worry to bring it forth and back. James says: "Use soap". No, I didn't say any dirty words. No way.

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