Typhoid Mary

I saw a feature about this on the BBC World News Tuesday morning. It was creepy, yet sad, all at the same time. I was fascinated by this story, as at one time in my graduate career, I had wanted to research the letters/journals of late 19th century-early 20th century women who were likewise "institutionalized" for TB. Sanatorium journals and correspondence were very popular, but also very private, so I would have had to search old book stores and private collections for those types of materials. I love archival research, but those things almost have to fall into your lap before you can get them, although some asylums' records and storage have exceeded the 50 or 75 year privacy term. I also considered going through boxes of unclaimed possessions at a local mental hospital here in Knoxville. It sounds odd, but I'm sure their writings were just as valuable as any others that are out there and published. It all ties back to my long-running preoccupation with the Fitzgeralds (Zelda in particular). I'm sure there is a legitimate reason. I promise I'm not just weird.

Happy Horses!

I just posted a link on my sidebar to my friend, Melissa Neill Webb's, blog about her farm/business, Paradigm Farms. (That's Melissa in the picture riding "Catfish" at the 2006 Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials in Nashville, TN.) She and her husband, Jason, run a retirement farm for older horses and she is a really special person when it comes to the ultimate in horse care. Having recently lost my horse Reece, I don't envy her the obvious sorrow and heartache that comes with caring for sick, injured, or elderly horses, as their passing is a constant eventuality. However, I am comforted -- as is Melissa -- by the fact that, although they must at some point cross the rainbow bridge, we can make their stay here with us better than they ever thought possible...in the time that we are blessed to have with them. Check out her blog and see what it's all about!

No Freaking Way!!!

Is this for realz??? I'm so jealous.

Sad Tragedy

This happened here in Knoxville yesterday morning. Sad, senseless, and truly terrible.

Safe!

Chelsie and Mark both made it to the top 6 last night. Hopefully they'll get to dance together one last time before it's all over!!

Life's a Beach

It looks like the expensive renourishment effort has paid off! I'm glad to see things get back to normal.

Oh no!

Not Sophia!!!!

Ummm....

I recently applied for several jobs in the Spartanburg area, but now I'm not so sure! I used to spend a lot of time in Sburg with friends at Wofford, and there was NONE of this back in the day. What is the world coming to, when little Spartanburg succumbs to nighttime violence and gun crime??? I am not happy.

I saw this HBO documentary this past weekend and it was really disturbing. We just do not see the things that the rest of the world deals with on a daily basis in most of our traditional, domestic lives. This was really heartbreaking to watch. I am not a mother and am not exactly yearning to be one right now, but it really made me sick to see the decisions some of these people made, or to feel the fear of those who lost a child to kidnapping. I just can't imagine being told "one child, one child only" and for there to be legal implications should I want more. It was intriguing and eye-opening.

Comedy in the morning

This article is so freaking funny. Dream on, suckers!!!

The Greater Glory of the Sport...

The USEF recently named our 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Eventing.

White Wedding

My friends, Sarah and Ian Feathers, got married at Sarah's parents' farm in Bristol, TN back in May. Sarah and I grew up together riding horses and we travel together to horse trials when I have the money and she is free from school/work (she is a 4th year vet student at UT). In fact, exactly one year prior to the day of the wedding, we were all at a competition in Lexington for the weekend and Ian had even amazed us all when I blew a tire on the horse trailer and he changed it in about 10 minutes flat. Sarah would have been crazy not to say "yes" after that!!!

Their wedding was held outside the old farmhouse on the historic property that has been Sarah's family since the Revolutionary War. In fact, it is a historical site where the great Pemberton Oak (Pemberton is Sarah's middle name) stood until it was destroyed by lightening several years ago. Not only was it a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding, but the guests were all family friends and fellow churchgoers that have known one another for years and years. Some of the people in attendance knew my parents before I was even born and hadn't seen me (until the wedding) since I was about 7 or 8 years old. It was a lovely occasion and the highlight of the afternoon came when Sarah rode her event horse, Rajit, down the aisle. The "get-away car" was a hay wagon pulled by a tractor and driven by Sarah's sister Kelly's husband, and the reception was held under a tent in their riding arena in the middle of the field (she literally had moved her jumps to the side of the ring and set up the tables and chairs).

It was the type of wedding that any outdoor horsey girl would want and everyone had a lovely time.
Here's to Sarah and Ian!

The "Hobbit House"

"Gary and Nova Duncan of Summerville are building what has come to be known as the 'Hobbit House' or 'Hansel and Gretel House' in the Walnut Farms subdivision along the Ashley River. They have been working on the home for 11 years and are constructing it in a way that makes it look like it's been there for a lot longer." -- Charleston.net

I love this house! It's so cottage-like and the ivy and landscaping is awesome. I think I am just always destined to live in a cottage, not a palace. :)

And, speaking of Horatio...

Melissa, this video is for you!!!

Trashy!

Ioan's drunk wife out in LA. Classy!