Charm of the Carolines

Southern Heat

Although it sounds like the name of a baseball team or a brand of pepper sauce, the Southern Heat I'm referring to is dangerous. 

My brother Rob refers to it as 'Ugly Hot" and he should know. He and his staff work in an un-air conditioned warehouse and on days that meet or exceed 100 many elect to arrive earlier than their regular 7am start time to get their work done for the day and get out of there. 

The truth is summers this hot are not fit for man, or vegetable, or beast. The lawns are burned up and the gardens are wilted. Even watering daily, my sweet little victory garden is a sad sight. Not only does it not like the heat, but it also rebels against "city water." What we need is rain and lots of it. I can't remember the last day it rained. It's time for a rain dance!

Keep in mind that heat this high can cause Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. Be Cautious! And be careful to provide your pets with plenty of water and shade. Some breeds are more susceptible than others, but with temps in the 100s every person and animal is at risk. 

Stay hydrated. Avoid Alcohol which only makes the situation worse. 

Stay in cool,  air-conditioned vehicles and buildings when possible. 

Rest in the shade.

Do your outdoor activities in the early morning or early evening. 

If you suspect you or someone you know is having heat related difficulties, cool down with water sprays or compresses, drink water, and look for these symptoms:

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include:

• Temperature over 100°F
• Low blood pressure
• Fast pulse
• Moist skin, sweating
• Muscle cramps and tenderness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Headaches

Symptoms of heat stroke may include:

• Temperature over 105° F
• Weakness, dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Confusion, delirium, unconsciousness (can progress to coma)
• Seizures
• No sweating
• Pale, dry skin
• Fast breathing, fast irregular pulse, low blood pressure

Don't be afraid to call 911 if you or the person you are assisting doesn't recover quickly. Heat related illnesses are dangerous and must be taken seriously. 

At the Movies

Is it because we have so many entertainment choices today or because life and responsibilities have taken priority, why is it I take in a movie maybe once a year and then it's somewhat forgettable?

Last year I saw one of the Twilight movies "Breaking Dawn" and for the life of me, I can't remember any of it, except that Bella's eyes turned red. 

The year before that I saw Avatar... or was that two years before? And I remember leaving with the feeling it was a politically charged movie against "Big Oil."

I miss the days when you could stand in a long line and strike up a conversation with a complete stranger over ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, or Christmas Story. Everybody went to the movies, especially in the summer and at Christmas. I'm not even sure new movies were released at any other time. 

Maybe it's because I dated much more then, and had a fuller social life, but I can remember movies from the 80s as if I have just seen them. 

Some of my 1980 favorites are still my favorites:

Dead Poets Society, The Big Chill, Christmas Story, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Farris Bueller's Day off, The Shining, Fletch, Starman, Caddy Shack, Breakfast Club, Arthur, Risky Business, The Untouchables, Terms of Endearment, On Golden Pond, Return of the Jedi, Rain Man, ET, Glory, Ghostbusters, Vacation, Back to the Future, Stand by Me, Top Gun, Tootsie, Karate Kid, Beetlejuice, 9 to 5, The Natural, Superman, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Body Heat, Young Guns. Out of Africa, A Room with a View, Three Men and a Baby, Sophie's Choice, Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, Crocodile Dundee, Big, Cocoon, Terminator, Annie, Beaches, Best little Whorehouse in Texas, Coal Miner's Daughter, Cannonball Run, Footloose, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, Driving Miss Daisy, Dangerous Liaisons, Jaws, Hoosiers, Inner Space, An Officer and a Gentleman, Rocky, Reds, Rambo, Racing with the Moon, Ragtime, Purple Rain, Steel Magnolias, Stripes, I even liked Grease 2!

The skeleton of a Drive-in Theatre greets visitors as they arrive in Columbia. How I wish some entrepreneur would restore it and show old movies on the big, BIG screen, complete with a sound system that hangs on the open window of your car door. 

How about you? What movies to you remember best? Take the quiz below and find out... 

 

In The Breakfast Club, Principal Vernon supposedly raided the closet of which male singer?

Ted Nugent
Barry Manilow
Steven Tyler
Mick Jagger

What brand of sportscar does Jake Ryan drive in Sixteen Candles?

Lamborgini
Aston Martin
Porsche
Ferrari

This character from Pretty in Pink says, “This is a really volcanic ensemble you’re wearing–it’s really marvelous!”

Andie
Duckie
Steff
Blane

What are the Extra-Terrestrial’s last words to Elliott?

“I’ll be back.”
“Ouch.”
“Elliott.”
“I’ll be right here.”

From the Goonies, where in the house does Mikey find the treasure map “that leads to One-Eyed Willy’s rich stuff?”

basement
bedroom
attic
backyard

In Return of the Jedi, which character do the Ewoks believe is “some sort of god?”

R2-D2
Luke
Chewbacca
C-3PO

What instrument does Rob Lowe’s character play in St. Elmo’s Fire?

guitar
saxophone
trumpet
harmonica

After encountering two MIGs, Maverick rescues his wingman who goes by what call name?

Cougar
Rabbit
Cheetah
Ice

(This was at the beginning of the movie when Maverick encounters the two MiG’s and Cougar is too shaken to land the plane.)

 

In Back to the Future, which character “becomes the world’s first time traveler?”

Marty McFly
Doc Brown
George McFly
Einstein, Doc Brown’s dog

True or False: Wesley kills Prince Humperdinck in The Princess Bride?

True
False

Tom Cruise, aka Joel Goodsen, loses his Porsche into which Great Lake in Risky Business?

Ontario
Huron
Superior
Michigan

Into what small mountain range does “Baby” and her family go on vacation?

Appalachian
Blue Ridge
Catskills
Adirondack

In When Harry Met Sally, Sally goes to New York City to get a job in what field?

Education
Business
Journalism
Law

Josh Bashkin seeks the help of what wish machine to get “Big?”

Voltron
Voltage
Zoltar
The Claw

What is the first name of the little boy that says “red rum” in The Shining?

Danny
Johnny
Davy
Stevie

In Bull Durham, Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) plays what position?

Pitcher
Catcher
First Base
Third Base

Whom does Ferris Bueller claim to be when trying to get a seat at the French restaurant?

George Windsor
Ronald Reagan
Abe Froman
The Marlboro Man

True or False: Michael Douglas kills Glenn Close at the end of Fatal Attraction.

True
False

In which country does Indiana Jones discover the Ark of the Covenant?

Israel
Greece
Egypt
Syria

Who calls Anthony Michael Hall a Neo Maxie Zoom Dweebie?

Emilio Estevez
Ally Sheedy
Molly Ringwald
Judd Nelson

 “Carpe Diem” means:

       Put on your clown nose and entertain kids with terminal illnesses

       By all means be funny, to raise the morale of the troops

       Seize the Day

       Our special soup selection for the day

 

When a blonde hair child touched the television screen and said, “They’re here.” Who was she referring to?

        Here aunt and uncle

        The Muppets from Sesame Street

        Dead People

        The TV repairmen

 

What unlikely villain comes to terrorize the Ghostbusters at the end of the movie?

        The Stay-Puf Marshmallow Man

        The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloon of Underdog

        Mr. Greenjeans

        Miss Nancy from “Romper Room”

 

How did Superman reverse time and bring Lois Lane back to life?

Entered the Time-Space Continuum wormhole located on Krypton

Pleaded with Doc Brown to borrow the DeLorean

Flew so quickly around the earth, it rotated backwards and time reversed

He didn’t have to… his kiss brought her back to life.

 

Clark Griswald and his family travel across country to visit what beloved theme park?                    

Opryland

Six Flags over Texas

Wally World

Beach Bend

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

If there is anything I can not tolerate, it is waste. "Waste not, want not" should be my motto. Seeing the zucchini and crookneck squash mound growing on my kitchen table, I felt it was going to ruin if I didn't cook it, freeze it, eat it, or give it away. So I boxed everything up (30 lbs of it!) and delivered it to Harvest Share, a local non-profit food bank in Columbia.

The woman behind the counter got very excited when she saw I had brought zucchini. It was not the reaction I was expecting. Most people turn their noses up to the veggie when offered, but not this woman. "I love chocolate zucchini bread," she exclaimed. "Zucchini makes everything so moist."

Chocolate Zucchini Bread, eh? Never thought of that before. Sounds interesting. I may have to try it. 

Chocolate Zucchini Bread:

1/2 cups shredded raw zucchini

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350* and place rack in the center of the oven.

Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Set aside.

Grate the zucchini, using a medium sized grater. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. 

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about an hour. ( I actually baked some muffins, too, and pulled them out after 45 minutes.)

Place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove the bread from the pan and cool completely.

Makes one - 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf.

 

**I increased the recipe a bit and made muffins, too. **

Music in the Mansion

One of the blessings of living in a small town in the sense of community we enjoy every day... purchasing eggs from the same vendor at the Farmers Market, recognizing the teller in the drive-through window at the bank, and the opportunity to serve on boards for local organizations and non-profits. One of the latest boards I've had the priveledge to serve is the Rippavilla Mansion board. I love history and architecture and southern culture and they all converge in Maury County, Tennessee, in many places, but none as charming and rich as Rippavilla. 

I was excited to join Paige Liggott's Special Events Committee even before I had attended my first board meeting. She and the other ladies were working on a new fundraiser for the home called Music in the Mansion.

It's designed to provide a new dining experience to share with friends, a great anniversary or birthday celebration location for your significant other and a new way to enjoy a historic site.  This fun fundraising treat offers the opportunity to enjoy slow-cooked southern country vittles along with good music in the same rooms that were once occupied by Civil War generals such as Confederate Generals Nathan Bedford Forrest and John Bell Hood and Union General Bull Nelson.  We might even be joined by one of the home’s resident spirits.

I've reserved my seat. Join me! 

The dates for these special evenings will be Saturday, June 30, August 25, October 27, December 29, and in 2013, February 16 and April 27. Tickets for the events are $75 per person, per event. Seating will be at tables of six. You can bring five friends with you or have the opportunity to meet new folks with shared interests.

To begin the special evening, there will be a social time on the patio – weather permitting, in the carriage house gift shop or sun porch in the home. You’ll enjoy the evening’s signature drink with a fruit and cheese platter.  Moving into the double parlors of the mansion you can eat your fill from the bountiful buffet.  Wines, tea, water and coffee will be served with your meal. With coffee and dessert, you’ll settle into your seat for an intimate musical concert.

The June 30 event will feature Lacey Brown, Top 12 finalist in 2010’s American Idol.  Lacey’s voice has been described as sweet with haunting tones and a hint of Brenda Lee. Since debuting on Idol, she has appeared on David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres, the Today Show, Access Hollywood and E.  She’s shared the stage with Christina Aguilera, Alice Cooper, Janet Jackson and others.  Her debut EP “Let It Go” will be available for purchase at the end of the evening.  For more on Lacey, visit www.thelaceybrown.com.

 

Your signature drink for the social time will be Susan Cheairs’ (original mistress of the home) Good Ol' Summertime Fresh Fruit Elixir.  Or you may choose wine, beer or tea for your beverage.

Your buffet evokes a wonderful Southern Summer Supper – fried chicken, baked ham, country cooked green beans with new potatoes, squash casserole, fried okra, sliced homegrown tomatoes, rolls, peach cobbler and Key Lime tart with a whipped cream topping. Yummo!

Social time begins at 7; dinner buffet at 7:30 with music at 8:15 p.m. Seating is limited so make your reservations by June 27 at 931-486-9037.  Credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

This beautiful home has been standing for more than 150 years.  Its walls hold memories of many families’ celebrations.  Add your memories to theirs by partaking of Music in the Mansion.  For more information and directions, visit www.rippavilla.org.

And Thank you to Kathie Fuston for the use of her beautiful photos of Rippavilla after the storm. 

The Joy of Painting

New! Newsletter

This weekend saw the launch of my new monthly newsletter "Wet Paint: News, Ideas, Events, and Paintings Fresh Off the Easel." Each issue will offer a new painting never seen before and only available to those who subscribe to the newsletter, and the best news yet, it's offered at a 50% discount. Simply subscribe to this blog by using the form in the upper, right-hand corner to be registered for both. 

New! Step by step Studio Classes 

We'll be painting this painting at Wall Candy on the evening or July 13 or July 27, and on the afternoon of July 27. Studio classes are $35 and include your supplies. Join us!

Step-by-Step Art Workshops and Parties are a great way to introduce yourself to the pleasures of painting without making a sizeable investment of time, energy, and money. And they motivate you to explore your creative side, to take time to relax, and to have fun!

Wall Candy Custom Framing and Art Gallery located at West 7th Street in downtown Columbia, TN, 

Kitchen available. Reservations required. The cost is $35 per student and everyone goes home having a great evening and a masterpiece to display.

New paintings will be available to paint each month, so come often and bring your friends. 

For more information or to make a reservation, please call Susan at 615-216-5907.

Painting en Plein Air at Rippavilla

On Saturday we had a great time painting on the lawn of beautiful and historic Rippavilla Plantation. Plein air classes continue at Rippavilla this summer with the next one scheduled for July 21 at 9am. 

The picturesque setting includes rolling hills, barns, the family and servants cemetaries, gardens, courtyard, and of course the retored antebellum mansion.

No prior experience necessary. The fee of $50 includes the class, supplies, and a ticket to tour the antebellum mansion which may be used at any time. Class size is limited to ensure individual instruction. Reservations are required. Please call 615.216.5907 to reserve your easel.