Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

The Mother/Daughter reunion...

I love having adult children! While they always remain your son and daughters, they also become your friends in an entirely new light. And when they move halfway across the country, they give you this wonderful opportunity called....TRAVEL!!! And I'm lovin' it!

I'm in "the Nooga" enjoying 7 days with dearest Sarah. Upon arrival we did some quick grocery shopping and then came home long enough to change clothes and attend the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra's final season concert, and it was terrific. The musicians were really quite good, and of course, one violinist stood out above all others....ahem...ahem... One of my favorite piano solos, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, was featured, and the pianist was magnificent. A light dinner afterwards at "The Meeting Place" with beautiful, handsome young people...I felt youthful again, and loved every minute of the lively chatter and laughter.

Can Lookout Mountain ever be more beautiful than in the spring? My walks on the charming country roads (Gnome Road, Peter Pan Way, Fairy Trail, Fleetwood Drive) were nothing short of exhilarating. The air was clean and cool, the streets were immaculate, the architecture of the homes and churches was indescribable (to me, anyway). I passed many walkers...sweet older retired couples walking hand-in-hand, obviously still very much in love after many years of marriage. Some had their adorable little dogs in tow, leashed and happily trotting along in front of their masters.

I spent 4 hours on Saturday afternoon listening to Sarah rehearse her faculty recital with her accompanist. I was mesmerized... It's hard to describe the joy I felt deep within just listening to her perform these amazing pieces of music with such passion and accomplishment. I was wiping tears from my cheeks...and this was just a rehearsal! I'm so excited for the actual recital on Tuesday night; I know it will be magnificent, and I wish all of us who know her talent and love her gift could be there to celebrate with her.

Well, it's now Thursday evening, April 26th, and I'm back home in Texas. I've unpacked my bags, downloaded my photos and prepared this short blog. To conclude my mini vacation blog...the recital was awesome! The next day, while Sarah was busy with students, I treated myself to a 90-minute deep tissue, full body massage. See Sarah's blog for a description of this amazing indulgence. Anyway, I felt like a new woman when I was done. Afterwards, Sarah took me to dinner, and we finished the evening watching "The Pursuit of Happyness" before we turned in for the evening.


A few more photos for you to enjoy, and then another blog in a few days. Tomorrow I attend the Idearc Media Corporation bi-annual awards celebration. I was nominated for a business award along with some colleagues, and I'll be honored tomorrow along with several other winners across the country. There are two more levels of awards which will be announced tomorrow; we are hopeful that our team will elevate at least one more level, if not all the way to the top. There are some prize dollars involved....which is always nice! Our event is at the Westin Galleria, and it starts at 1:00 p.m. with a Webcast announcing the winners. Then an evening reception, dinner and speaker, and dancing! Should be a great evening. I'll be escorted by a very nice gentleman that I've recently met, and we're both looking forward to the event. Stay tuned for future posts!

This home is amazing; I walked by it frequently during my stay on Lookout Mountain.