New Job at Project Chimps

Monday I started my part time job at a new non-profit sanctuary for chimpanzees that have spent their whole life in a research facility. Most had never been outside, had never felt grass. or seen the sky. Project Chimps has given these amazing Chimps a new life.

The Sanctuary is a 200 acre natural environment in the North GA Mountains.  I work as Donation Coordinator, processing the donations and sending letters of appreciation.  I will blog more about the new job at Project Chimps soon.

If you would like to take a peek at their website...click here.

Here is the first chimp I met....

Noel Born 2006

With Noel, every human is instantly a friend. Her favorite hobby is people watching. She is adventurous and always the first in her group to explore a new object.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 07/17/2018

Sitting on the porch answering random questions about everything under the sun….

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun!

1. I feel most energized when I ...

...spend time outdoors.  I love a walk in the woods, playing is the cool mountain creeks, planting colorful flowers, and visi outdoor festivals.  Also, a day at the beach is my happy place!

2. Where were you ten years ago?

I lived in Midtown Atlanta and I was still working in the Corporate World as a Corporate Project Manager for the Home Depot. Life was very structured and overbooked most of the time. I had just started making beaded jewelry as a stress relief activity. Life was very different from the life I live today.

3. July 17th is World Emoji Day. Do you use emojis? Which one's your favorite? Your most used?

I only use the happy or sad emojis; I don't use them very often, not really a fan of emojis.

4. What song would you put on a wedding DO NOT PLAY list?

On our wedding no playlist - The Chicken Dance!  I got married late in life and didn't want to see a bunch of middle aged arms (including mine) flapping on the dance floor, ugh!

5. What deserves less of your attention? More of your attention?

Less of my attention: social media...I spend to much time at the computer.  More of my attention: Healthy eating...I tend to grab whatever is easy and close at hand, it is not usually good for me.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

 Monday I start a part time job at a non-profit sanctuary for chimpanzees that have spent their whole life in research facilities. It is a 200 acre natural environment in the North GA Mountains.  I will work as Donation Coordinator, processing the donations and sending letters of appreciation.  I will blog more about the new job at Project Chimps soon.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Logging My Favorites

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, one of our much loved camping locations is Cloudland Canyon. It is tucked away in a corner of Georgia so remote that until the early 20th century it was only accessible from neighboring Alabama or Tennessee. The 3,485-acre park is one of the largest and most scenic state parks in Georgia.

The park provides beautiful vistas of the rugged geology of this area. Chiseled by wind, water, ice and gravity, Cloudland’s rugged beauty is a joy year-round; each season offering special sights and sounds. Fall is by far my favorite time to visit.

A deep gorge runs through the park, which is filled with creeks, waterfalls, and lush vegetation. The sound of rushing water fills the air, but due to the heavy tree cover it can only be heard and not seen. The only way to see the water is a strenuous hike down to the canyon floor (including a 600 step staircase); it is not a walk for the faint of heart!

It is said that at night, after the campfires are out and the campers have retired to their tents, a ghost wanders the park leaving footprints behind him. He is seen on horseback and in the garb of a Cherokee brave. I have not seen the ghost, but many campers report seeing him at their campsite and finding the tracks of an unshod horse when they wake up in the morning. He seems to be watching the campers, but the sightings are not described as frightened encounters and many believe the Native American is there to protect the land and its forest residents. I can see why he would want to stay in the park even after death, it is one of the most beautiful places we have ever camped.

Cheers!
Lori In Blue Ridge, GA



Kaboom!

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

What a fabulous night we had on July 4th.  We went with our good friends Dee and Larry to the beautiful Brasstown Valley Resort for a very enjoyable celebration of our nation's independence. 

A tasty barbecue and steak picnic dinner was served in the Sunset Pavilion overlooking the rolling hills with a view of the Appalachian Mountains in the distance. The setting was breathtaking and the weather was perfect, cool with gentle breezes. 

Activities for the kids included face painting, a watermelon seed spitting contest, a pie eating contest, lawn games, and giant sparklers for after dark.

As the sun slipped behind the landscape, the guests gathered on the hilltops and the Sunset terrace in anticipation of the private fireworks display.  We did have a few minutes of rain, but it quickly moved out as dark descended in the valley.  

The fireworks were fabulous! Better than many city displays that I've seen in the past. It was 25 minutes of the really "good" fireworks...you know what I mean, the really large ones that make you go ooh and aah and sit on the edge of your seat.  Here is a little video of my favorite kaboom! - cool white swimming sparkles.  It was magical.

https://www.facebook.com/dee.catallo.92/videos/425310011301515/?t=1

This event was so much fun that we have already decided that it's a must do for next year!

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge. GA 

What's Happening!

I'm following the example of one of my favorite bloggers, Joyce at: from this side of the pond...she caught us up on her happenings in one blog post with twenty small updates.

 I haven't blogged in a very long time. I was surprised to find the last time I blogged was in February!  Much longer than I thought so now I'm going to squeeze several months into a catch-up post. 

I have a lot of updates to share with you...so here we go....I promise to keep it less than twenty. :)

Dad's Place in Ft. Myers

1.)  My Sweetie and I took a road trip to Ft Myers, FL to visit my Dad and Stepmom in March. They have a new home on the Orange River with amazing views and a fun community spirit. It's always a great time visiting Dad.

Sherree and Ed

2.)  While in Florida I spent some time with my good (since grade school) friend Sherree. Isn't it amazing how quickly friends can reconnect and get right back on the same page in the relationship. We plan to visit more often. She is living in the beach community of Venice, FL...Fun!

Key West

3.)  We took the high speed ferry to Key West from Ft. Myers, I highly recommend the ferry, it was so easy and fast. Key West is one of my very favorite places to unwind and toast the beautiful sunset. We stayed several days and spent time with my good friend Pam who lives on the Island.

Gracie The Duck

4.)  Camping has been a big part of the last several months. We spent our last night in our "Glamping" tent. I was so sad   My arthritis has gotten to the point that I just can't handle the cold/wet weather and my Sweetie had to do all the set-up/pack-up etc.; I just couldn't do it anymore. The good news is that we purchased a "Glamping Trailer" on the way home....so excited for our new adventures in "Gracie The Duck"... Florida Friends and Family...we should be down more often!

James Island County Camping

5.)  Since buying the new Trailer we have been camping many places in the southeast. I loved camping outside of Charleston on James Island the best.

6.)  The big news is a new creative business that I'm involved with - "Paint the Town Blue". I will be teaching jewelry classes in the studio there several times a month. There will also be a retail store attached to the studio that will carry my handmade jewelry. This is a very exciting opportunity for me.

7.)  In June I took another Metal Clay class with Pam East, a world class jewelry artist. I love this process and have greatly improved my skills.  I think I've moved past beginner.  I will feature my Metal Clay Jewelry at the new Shoppe.

8.)  Loving my girlfriends here in Blue Ridge! We dine out together, have a Book Club, attend bunco together, go antiquing, and there is usually wine involved...Cheers!

Happy 4th of July!

Lori in Blue Ridge