It's been an interesting day. Di, Della and I took the opportunity to take a look around Nashville.
We barely touched the surface and it's one of those places I've have bookmarked to come back to again.
Country music played a big part in my upbringing. Dad, makes and plays the steel guitar. I played the violin and guitar (quite badly) We knew the words of the latest Tex Ritter songs off by heart. However, new country is my passion and the poor old shed fairly vibrates at times... I have an idiosyncrasy of playing two songs by Jo Dee Messina very loudly before every class and Lecture... (to myself that is)Ipod in the ears.
We began with a tour... OK, I don't usually do tours... and honeys... I was so close to giving the tour guide a smack it wasn't funny. Well, first we had to be quiet, and secondly, we had to listen to his blonde jokes and crude stories about women.... I did a great deal of eye rolling.. heaven forbid if we were a minute late back to the bus. !!!
Did you know that most of the worlds bibles are printed here in Nashville, particularly the Gideon bibles and it is truly the bible belt of the USA with Churches numbering in the 100's. Country Music and Tourism prop the economy.
Sadly the Grand Ol Oprey is closed this evening, but we did go to the old Ryman Theatre and The Nashville Hall of Fame where we got to see Elvis's gold Cadillac up close and in great detail. He had crushed diamonds, fish scales and gold chips blended into 40 coats of white paint for the surface of the car.
Of interest to us quilters were the beautifully appliqued garments on display. They were absolute works of art.
Now small things amuse us Australians. If you ever want an interesting hour or two... visit The dog department in Target. You can buy your precious canine a denim Jacket if he is a boy, or little pink rompers it she's a girl. Then there's all sorts of accessories to match. Shoes, hats, toys and even leather jackets... However, if you live in the country you can have co-ordinated tweed garments.
You can purchase doggy biscuits done up like party favors with candy on the top and even toothbrushes and perfume !!!! Needless to say, our mirth was viewed with quizzical looks...
This evening we found ourselves in a bit of a worrying situation with an inebriated African American man who needed to be guided out of our restaurant ... We've been watching too much TV. None of us made eye contact with him as he demanded food from the gals behind the counter. A young man of superior height and weight escorted him from the establishment with clever words and sheer strength. We all looked at each other and said... Hope he hasn't got a gun!
Back to quilting tomorrow... It was an exciting evening last night and a priviledge to win.
I've spent some time this evening doing fabric calculations... I need a few more yards of fabric for my big project. (just in case) so we will have an early start tomorrow and I will have to brave the crowds in Hancocks to retrieve the special fabric.
Then we plan to visit the Quilt Museum and we have accommodation with a gal in the town so we pack up the cases again and we're on the road...
This is the 10th time in three weeks that I've packed and unpacked....I'm quite good at it by now.
Now I will tell you that this can be a dangerous occupation...I have dislocated my pointing finger and it is clicking in and out of joint... it happened when I pinned a quilt up in Chicago... then yesterday when I was rushing to change in the car. I slammed my leg in the car door. I've heard of fingers being jammed, but never a leg... I have the bruises to prove it.
take care folks.
