SPRING, sprang, sprung!!

Tuesday, April 1 - NO FOOLIN' - The pool opened for 2025 today!! 

We also kicked the month off with some dream-worthy pizza and libations at the newish Tailgate Brewing location in Antioch tonight.   

Saturday, April 5 - Holy Samolies!  Look at these cute little boogers!!  Our newest foster kitten clan are a foursome of sweet babies named Kent (the only male), Joy, June, and Rosa .  Named after some nearby streets where they were found recently.  

We grabbed some dinner and some libations with a couple friends at Cedar City Brewing Company tonight and then our foursome nabbed second place in the trivia contest being held there with a come from behind go for broke last question that we nailed!!  We didn't even know it was trivia night when we got there!

T
Thursday, April 10 - Tonight we attended the SOLD-OUT event where Tom Hanks was live in Nashville interviewing his daughter, E.A. Hanks, about her new book, "The 10: A Memoir of the Road," which we both got a signed copy of as well.   It was a great conversation with a lot of laughs and interesting information. 

Saturday, April 12 - After a hard day of spring-cleaning including vacuuming our dirty pool.  I got my first float in afterwards along with a cold beer.  NOW, the pool is really open!!  Ashlee's been all the way in already, but not me and my boys!! 

Sunday (Funday), April 13 - After a quick float in the still very chilly pool, we headed down to East Nashville Beer Works - Wilson County for the Adopt-A-Golden Easter-themed Yappy Hour fundraiser.  We had some great pizza and beer, and Sunny (Bunny) had a ball carousing around with lots of other golden retrievers and other various mutts.  

Sunny (Bunny) scored big in the Easter egg hunt at ENBW-WC's Yappy Hour coming home with lots of treats.  We had friends join us as well and it turned out to be a great afternoon under sunny blue skies with good food and libations. 

Saturday, April 26 - We had a nice time at my (gulp) 40th High School Reunion tonight upstairs at the pretty cool (for Jasper) Redpoint Inn Restaurant.   I appreciated Ashlee coming with me since not everybody's spouse felt it important enough to attend.  There were some adult libations, some good pizza, a little bit of gossip, and a lot of laughs throughout the evening.   We miss you, Brian Griffith!! 

Saturday, May 3 - Our young friend and excellent pet-sitter, Apurvah (AP), graduated with his master's degree from Cumberland U this weekend and is probably leaving us soon to move to Texas with his sister in hopes of finding a job here instead of going back to India.  We wished him all the luck and congratulations tonight with a few libations at Cedar City Brewing where we got to meet his sister and her husband, who are great folks as well.  Thanks for all you help, AP!!  We wish you only the best!! 

Monday, May 5 - Cinco de Defendo!!  We were back at Cedar City Brewing tonight hoping to defend our 2nd place trivia win from a few weeks back and to spend our $15 in prize loot we got for it along with the rest of our team of friends.  We added three members tonight and had a 7-person juggernaut that took down 1st place!!   It was another come-from-behind victory on the last question which we nailed to move up from 4th to 1st!!  Now we've got another $20 credit voucher to spend here in the future.  Heck, maybe next week! 

Tuesday, May 6 - To celebrate Ashlee's 20th anniversary of working at Guardian Insurance, I got her a cool and hilarious Cameo.com personal message from actress, Mary Catherine Garrison, who played Tricia on the (sadly) now-defunct HBO show, "Somebody Somewhere" that we both loved so much.  Congrats, Ashlee!! 

Thursday, May 8 - We attended the fun Night Out for New Leash on Life event held at Alumni Hall at Cumberland University here in town tonight.   We had some great food truck fare from Fried Green Tomato for dinner.  The bar was pouring them strong, and we didn't even use all four of our drink tickets each.  We won three different silent auction items including a fancy new cat tree; an overnight stay and seven days parking at the Nashville airport; and a goody basket with East Nashville Beer Works merch and a gift card in it, plus two full dinners for two at our new Aubrey's Restaurant here in town. Comedian, Brian Bates, was pretty funny too and I even spoke with him before his set about a podcast he was on recently that I listen to.  Nice guy!  

Saturday, May 10 - We were fortunate enough to get tickets along with several friends to attend the uber-popular Savannah Bananas baseball game at SOLD OUT Nissan Stadium tonight.  Their opponent was the equally fun to watch, Party Animals.  It was a great time from start to finish including an amazing parachute arrival by the Army's Golden Nights to deliver the game ball; a player introduction escorted by new Titans draft picks including # 1 pick, quarterback Cam Ward; a fun song by Dierks Bentley; and an appearance by former Titan legend, Jevon Kearse!  This was the Nanners first ever sold-out NFL stadium!  What a night!  We can't wait to go again!! 

Beforehand, we checked out Hoppin' River North - a new craft beer bar where you pour your own and pay by the ounce.  It's about time Nashville got one of these!!  It was awesome with great service, lots of craft beer choices, a beautiful riverfront view and food delivery from the also new Shake Shack next door!  We will definitely be back here whenever possible.  We were also able to park here for a reasonable amount and Uber to the game and then walk back while traffic thinned out.  A great day out from start to finish! 

Monday, May 19 - Happy 24th Anniversary to us!!!  We kept it low-key this year with just a great dinner at the new Aubrey's Restaurant here in Lebanon.  The wait wasn't too long, and you couldn't beat the drive time!  We were also able to use one of our two "dinner for two" gift certificates that we won in a silent auction a couple weeks ago.  Our $85 worth of free steaks and baked potatoes were tasty.  The service was a little jittery (forgot our salads) but probably just because it's new.  We will definitely be back...at least to use our other gift certificate! 

(kinda) CANCELLED

Saturday May 24 - Monday, May 26: Cooler than normal temperatures squashed plans for a true Memorial Day Weekend Pool Party.  Ashlee's cousins from Cincinnati came in anyway and we still had a nice time with them.  We also had a few friends stop by on Sunday (5/25) and we did some grilling and hanging out along with some pool floating.  You take what you are given!  

 REFURB is the WORD!!  When our old patio glass tabletop inexplicably shattered last fall, we decided not to buy a whole new set, but instead to have the top replaced with a custom-made sheet from Bluegrass Glass and Mirror here in town and they did a great job!   Martha Stewart (Living) would be proud!! 

Saturday, May 31 - We closed out the first May in a long time without temps getting above 90, so it was also the first May in a long time where we didn't get in the pool regularly either.  But that never stopped Sunny!  But she's still waiting for summer temps to get here too.  (great pic by Ashlee).  

Back to The Big Easy

Sunday, March 9 - It was warm enough to hang out on the patio in shorts today and let that yellow sun hit these white, white legs!!  Come on, summer!  We're ready!! 

Wednesday, March 12 - We were back out enjoying the unusually warm weather on the patio this afternoon with our "Appy Hour" snack assortment that became our full dinner.  It's a quarterly service Ashlee signed up for to get tasty charcutier items shipped right to our door.  Cheers! 

Saturday, March 22- We headed down to Chattanooga today to celebrate both our niece and nephew's upcoming birthdays.  We met our niece, Ella, Paige and Mollie at Big Bad Breakfast downtown and had an excellent brunch.  We then took Sunny over to the Play, Wash, Pint dog park next and enjoyed the warm sunshine and a few libations while we there.  Our nephew, Matt, joined us there and then we all went over to Clyde's on Main (photo above) for some appetizers and catching up.  

Wednesday, March 26 - We headed over to The Belcourt Theaters tonight to see a free early showing of the new independent comedy film, The Ballad of Wallis Island.  There was also a Q and A after the film with two of the stars and writers of the film, Tom Basden and Tim Key.  The film was very funny and touching as well, and we both really enjoyed it!  Tom and Tim were excellent in it as well as was their co-star with a little more fame, the lovely and talented Carey Mulligan.  The event was also hosted by one of my favorite local podcasters, Movie Mike Deestro. 

Thursday, March 27 - We flew to New Orleans after work today to meet up with our friends, Toney and Lisa, who were taking the train down from Birmingham (which we talked them into do and then wound up flying instead - oops! - but they had company with Lisa's cousin, Doug and his wife, Dana, coming along as well).  I found a decent 3-bedroom AirBnb for all of us just a few blocks off Bourbon Street.  Since we beat the others down here by a couple hours, we went and had dinner and libations nearby at the Habana Outpost (photo above) that was pretty good.  Set up in a old gas station, their Cuban fare was pretty tasty including the street corn.  Note that the big fleur de leu sign on the right has an ear of corn in it (lol). 

After the others arrived, we walked on over to Bourbon Street and stopped at the first bar whose name we liked - Cat's Meow.  The drinks were overpriced, and the place was loud, but, hey, it's Bourbon Street.  Actually, the area seemed a little subdued in comparison to other times we've visited here.  We would up in the beautiful Carousel Bar and Lounge in the historic Monteleone Hotel.  The place was packed, but we found seating in the lounge and enjoyed some drinks and some great live music. 

Friday, March 28 - This was our first time staying in an AirBnb in New Orleans, but it fit our needs with 6 people traveling together.  It was nothing fancy.  Just an old historic home in the historic district of Treme'.  We were warned twice not to walk in the area at night due to recent muggings, so we took Ubers a lot. 

The only thing we had scheduled today was an afternoon food tour.  So, this morning we ambled around Jackson Square and took a look inside the famous St. Louis Cathedral.  This reverse panoramic shot gives you a good look at the exceptionally beautiful interior. 

It was good to be back walking the quirky streets of New Orleans.  So unique.  So historic.  So much character.   

We strolled the huge French Market on our way to somewhere I wanted to go, Brieux Carre Brewing Company.  We had some great early afternoon libations and some tasty finger foods in case the upcoming food tour wasn't really filling - which it may not be based on the low price.  

Our New Orleans Walking Food Tour that I booked us off of Viator.com was simply fantastic!  What a bargain.  Granted, we didn't get a lot of food, but what we did get was outstanding!!  And our tour guide, Mr. Wonderful (hey, that's what his shirt read), was local and really knowledgeable.  Our first stop was Oceana for some great seafood gumbo.  Our next stop brought us back onto Bourbon Street in the stark light of day with stops at Mambo's for some excellent jambalaya; and then NOLA for some tasty shrimp etouffee.  Our last stop was the historic (established in 1913) Laura's Candies for some decadent pralines.  It was a perfect little affordable tour and since our four companions had never been here before, it was also a great introduction to the amazing food options here in The Big Easy.  

Our guide recommended our next stop after the tour, The Spotted Cat Music Club where there was some great live jazz being played and a nice beer garden out back to take a break in.   We closed out the day back at the Airbnb, where we decided to order in for dinner from Gus's Famous Fried Chicken which was great and watch some college hoops including a nice win for UT.  

Saturday, March 29 - We had another full day in NOLA today with a VIP Small boat (no kids) Swamp Tour set for later in the day.  We started the day with a walk to the outstanding Ayo Bakehouse for breakfast.  The place was packed with a line around the corner by the time we left.   Not surprising, since everything we ordered was delicious. 

With some time to kill before our tour, we decided to Uber over to St. Louis Cemetary # 3 for a look around this amazing, historic place.  This was another suggestion from our food guide and it was spot on.  You could walk around freely here among the crypts and tombstones sitting just above sea level.  

We probably didn't give the sprawling World War II Museum enough time, but we squeezed in what we could including taking in both films being shown.  This was a repeat visit for me and Ashlee again, but we didn't mind since it's such an inspiring and well-down memorial to an amazing time in U.S. and world history.  

One of the saints was looking for us for sure while in NOLA this trip.  With forecasts of heavy rain every day and the most possible all day today, we somehow dodged all of it and got all of our activities in without a drop of rain on us.  Amazing!!   The map above shows where we traveled to by luxury motorcoach to catch our swamp tour with Cajun Encounters while it rained seemingly all around us.   

At around 6' in length, this one was estimated to be about 30 years old.  Our VIP swamp tour by boat was awesome!  No kids on our boat and only one other young couple with us.  Our guide again was a no-nonsense local who gave us great insight and information.  And, yes, the gators, several of them, were this close at times.  We also saw a huge wild boar, several friendly raccoons, and lots of waterfowl.

No roads, no problem. We motored out on the West Pearl River and into some backwater swamps that were teeming with life.  The water was flowing, so no smelly areas either.  The area is part of the National Wildlife Refuge, so it was clean and quiet as well.  

Mudbuggin'!! That's Cap'n Zander behind us.  He was a hoot and real local of the area.  I was proud of Ashlee for wanting to hold one of the little crayfish from a trap the captain retrieved.  Mine was a bit bigger and give me a good pinch, but it's all good in love and mudbuggin'!!  

There was also a movie star swamp tree - this one was featured in the 2009 Disney film, The Princess and the Frog.

How come these guys look cuter than the ones rummaging around in our garage sometimes? 

Sunday, March 30 - We said goodbye today to our temporary home in The Treme' located on historic Kelerec Street.  It's been a quick but fun trip back to The Big Easy.   

We had a nice time-killer for lunch and libations at Port Orleans Brewing on the way back to the airport.  Our flight was quick and on time and we were home before dark.  Thanks again, NOLA!! 

A New Year and the Winter of our Discontent

 

Year of "the snake" indeed - God help us all..

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - Happy New Year!! (we hope).  We met our friend, Nate, today, down at East Nashville Beer Works - Wilson County for some "Noon Year's Day" brunch breakfast pizza and libations to start off the new year the right way.  

Thursday, January 2 - Well, the 2024 Collage turned out pretty nice despite it being a tough year with the unexpected loss of our sweet baby boy, Byron, and also, Andrew, the husband of our friend, Emily.  We honored both in our own small way and will try and focus more on the fun and joy we had this year with hopes 2025 will be better despite what's already coming up against us.

Tuesday, January 7 - After seeing it win a Golden Globe for best animated feature the other night, we decided that we just had to see, Flow, on the big screen and the only place showing it was The Belcourt Theaters which is fine since I just bought a membership there that gives us a slight discount.  Plus, the fact that it basically stars our cat, Letty, and a young version of our dog, Sunny.  How could we not go see it??  The incredible film with no dialogue was delightful and well worth the effort to go see in Nashville on a chilly weeknight. 
Beforehand, we had a tasty dinner of chicken lettuce wraps at The Cheesecake Factory in Green Hills.  

(Editor's Note:  Flow went on to win The Oscar for Best Animated Feature also!) 

Friday, January 9 - This "snow clawhammer" coming from the southwest really nailed us but good today with about 3" to 4" of the "devil's dandruff" (credit to SNL for that one).

Who says keeping your Christmas tree up into January doesn't pay off!!  Nice shot, Ashlee! 

 

The pool's ready for a good slip-n-freeze!! 

Tuesday, January 15 - We finally got back to the Cumberland U Cafeteria for dinner tonight.  It was taco night, and it was pretty good!   Winter break was too long!! 

Saturday, January 18 - We had a nice lakeside lunch today at the house where I am dog-sitting again this weekend.  Lunch was subs from the always-great Jersey Mike's and the space heaters help cut the winter chill even though it was actually rather mild today compared to our last week, and what's coming again tomorrow with another artic blast.  

Thursday, January 23 - We love bingo, but, man, do we stink at it.  We played 5 games tonight with no luck.  We even had a bingo only to lose it in a tiebreaker.  But, we still had fun at Cedar City Brewing tonight with some good food, some good brews and a very short drive home.  That's hard to beat and not say BINGO!! 

Saturday, January 25 - I was in Gallatin this afternoon for a pet-sitting meet and greet, so we decided to get a pie for dinner from the awesome Prince Street Pizza.  I did my best to get it home in 30 minutes! 

2/2- I entered the Nashville Charity Poker Challenge at Fat Bottom Brewing today for four good reasons:  First, it's a poker tournament!  Second, it's held at a brewery!  Third, it's for a good cause!! And, last, the tournament director was none other than our friend and Poker Barn host, Zack.  You could choose the charity you played for, so I represented our own beloved Mighty Miracles Kitten Rescue of course.  We hung out at the brewery beforehand and during a break in the tournament with some free pizza that was delicious. 

Big check time!! I got second place in the tournament vs. 70 other people and lots of rebuys.  I even knocked out the mayor of Nashville (and defending champion of this tournament), Freddie O'Connell.   That's $3,500+ for the kitties!!! 

Monday, February 3 - We enjoyed some super mild weather today for early February (the fire still felt pretty good) sitting outside at East Nashville Beer Works off Hwy. 109 here in Wilson County along with our friends, Curtis and Kate, a couple of their co-workers, and the always-chummy, Sunny.  We had some libations and an excellent order of beer-cheese nachos for dinner.  

Friday, February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day!! We had dinner tonight at the BrickTops/River House restaurant in Nashville with our friends, Curtis and Kate, before attending the Broadway musical, "And Juliet" at TPAC.   The food was fantastic, the ambiance was great, and it was very reasonable in price.  The show was a ton of fun and Ashlee got great seats just seven or eight row from stage.  The 4 cats and Sunny also "chipped  in" two roses each along with me for a dozen red beauties for our favorite gal.  In return, Ashlee and the pet gang got me a bag full of sweet yummies. 

Monday, February 17 - We enjoyed some beer and pizza this later afternoon/evening outside with Sunny at East Nashville Beer Works - Wilson County.  This place is definitely becoming a regular hangout for us.  

We closed out February and most of March living sort of separate lives with a lot of individual events taking place like: 

.........................Ashlee on a girls' cruise-------

--------------------Ashlee work travel--------------- 

-------------------Rob pet-sitting gigs--------------

------------------Rob work travel-----------------