Family – Page 9 – Random Connections

Momentous Weekend

May 13, 2014May 16, 2014 Tom 1 Comment

As a follow-up to my “too busy to post” post, thought I’d explain some of the goings on that I couldn’t discuss prior to the events. In that previous post I mentioned that Furman Commencement and the Greenville Chorale Concert were scheduled for the same time. What I didn’t mention was that I was supposed to be at both of those events.

Here’s the deal – Laura won the Meritorious Advising Award for Furman University this year. The award recognizes professors and administrators that have worked with students in planning their coursework throughout the year. In 2009 Laura had won the Meritorious Teaching Award. Now she has received both of Furman’s top honors.

Picker’s Paradise in Newberry

February 4, 2014May 16, 2014 Tom 2 Comments

Family, Local, Miscellaneous

Two times in less than a week I’ve been drawn in by an “as seen on TV” sign. First time was a rather bad experience at a restaurant in Gaffney. This time, C. T. Summer Hardware Store in Newberry turned out to be a real winner.

It was my sister, Beth’s birthday, so Glynda and I drove down to take her out to eat. We had dropped by Prosperity to pick up our mother, and then drove back to meet Beth at The Cabana Cafe. We had a great lunch (sorry, no cafe review this time) and were surprised by Beth’s son, Mason, who had come in for lunch during his work day.

During lunch Beth mentioned that we needed to check out the hardware store next door. I had spotted antiques in the window, and had seen the “American Pickers” sign on the front window. Having been burned once recently by a TV show advertisement, I was skeptical. Glynda and I said we would be back on a less cold and rainy day. Mother, on the other hand, said she wanted to go right after lunch. Looks like we were visiting a hardware store.

A Mid-Week Athens Road Trip

January 17, 2014 Tom No Comments

Family, Photography, Rambling

Union Baptist Church with Texture — Old Union Baptist Church in Madison County

As mentioned in the previous post, my sister Glynda and I headed down to Athens, Ga to meet with our brother, Houston. We had lunch at the famous Weaver D’s Automatic for the People, but we also took some time for other adventures. Here are some of the other things we spotted along the way…

Shortly after crossing the SC-GA border in I-85, we hopped off the Interstate at Lavonia. This had always been just an exit ramp to me. I didn’t really know anything about the town associated with the name, so we decided to check it out. We found a quaint little town square lining a railroad, with a colorful depot now serving as a welcome center.

A Taylor-Wright Christmas

December 26, 2013December 26, 2013 Tom No Comments

Family, Miscellaneous

Christmas was a whirlwind. With Thanksgiving so late, it came and went faster than I could imagine. Last year was marked by stress and serious illness. This year, we had much to celebrate.

A Taylor Family Christmas

First up was the gathering with my family on Sunday evening. The Taylor Clan gathered at the family home in Gray Court, and most of us were able to be there. At least all of my siblings were there…

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Thanksgiving and Remembrances

November 28, 2013November 28, 2013 Tom 2 Comments

Entertainment, Family, Miscellaneous

Lots has happened over the last couple of weeks. I haven’t been timely in keeping up with the blog, and now Thanksgiving is upon us. I’ll try to play a bit of catch-up here.

First, remembrances…

Last week the world marked the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. There were lots of specials on various news outlets. There were all of the per-requisite conspiracy theories, but I found most of these to be quite interesting.

Many remember where they were when they received the news. I was only two years old at the time, about to turn three. I don’t remember anything. The first person I remember as president was Lyndon Johnson. I definitely remember Nixon’s first election as president.

Also premiering 50 years ago was Doctor Who. In fact, it debuted the day of the assassination. The producers insisted that the first episode be broadcast twice, since no one was watching the first time. William Hartnell’s Doctor in “An Unearthly Child” was quite different from modern interpretations of the character. BBC had an excellent dramatization of the production of those early episodes. The next night was the actual episode to commemorate the anniversary – “The Day of the Doctor”. The episode was broadcast without commercials, and was absolutely fantastic. It hit all of the right notes for the Whovian fandom, and was immensely satisfying.

Autumn Paddle on Lake Oolenoy

November 3, 2013 Tom No Comments

Family, Paddling, Photography

After a front blew through, it looked like the weekend was going to have spectacular fall weather. My sister, Beth, called and asked if I had any adventures planned. I thought for a bit, and said, “Let’s go kayaking!” So, Saturday morning Beth, my nephew Philip, and I headed up to Lake Oolenoy at Table Rock State Park.

Traffic was crazy on the way up. Apparently the Greenville News had said that this was the peak of the leaf season, and that it would be gone soon. There were lots of leafy looky loos out and about, slowing down traffic and being a nuisance in general. All of the iconic overlooks along Highway 11 were packed.

We reached the lake and unloaded the boats. Neither Beth nor Philip had ever paddled, so I gave them some quick instructions. My brother Stephen joined us, so I launched those two to head out and practice while I helped Stephen get his boat unloaded.

A Happy 85th Birthday for Mom

October 25, 2013 Tom No Comments

Family

Yesterday was mom’s 85th birthday. The siblings who were able to get away from work met in Newberry for lunch and to celebrate this milestone. Afterwards we headed down to her house to enjoy each other’s company and just goof off in general. My nephew, Philip came home from school, and was showing off some … Read More “A Happy 85th Birthday for Mom” »

Quick Watkinsville Ramble

September 24, 2013September 25, 2013 Tom 1 Comment

Family, Photography, Rambling

Houston and I still had some photos we needed to process from Lauren and Daniel’s wedding. We made arrangements to get together at his place in Watkinsville, Georgia. It had been awhile since I had been down that way, so Sunday morning I made the trek down I-85, through Athens, and down to his farm out in the middle of nowhere.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper ramble if we didn’t generate more photos along the way. So, before working on the wedding photos, we headed out to take some more.

The weather was perfect, so our first stop needed to be an outdoor venue. Just down from Houston’s farm is the Dyar Pasture Wetlands area. The wetlands are on the upper end of Lake Oconee, where the Oconee River enters the lake There is a boat ramp, and what looks like an excellent place to paddle. We took one of the trails out to an overlook for the wetlands, then walked out onto a dike.

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Mountain Wedding Weekend

September 19, 2013February 1, 2020 Tom No Comments

Family, Photography

And so the day arrives…

Lauren and Daniel’s wedding weekend started with rehearsal on Friday. Laura and I drove up about mid-afternoon and checked into the lovely cottage Stephen had reserved for us near Hendersonville, then headed on over to Brevard for the rehearsal.

Lauren had selected Rainbow Lake as her wedding venue. The resort features several rustic cottages surrounding a small lake, in between Brevard and Rosman. There is a small island with a gazebo, obviously set up for the ceremony. A short white wooden bridge connects to the mainland. There is also a pavilion for receptions.

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Here Comes Uncle George and Uncle Bob

September 13, 2013September 29, 2013 Tom No Comments

Family, Photography

My niece is getting married tomorrow. We’re all happy for her, and this is an exciting time for our family, as well a wedding should be. There’s just one snag, though. She’s asked me and my brother to do the photography for her wedding. While, I’m thrilled she has confidence in our abilities, and I’m glad to be a part of the wedding, to say that I have a bit of trepidation about this would be an understatement. And with good reason.

Among professional wedding photographers (of which I am most definitely not), there is the legend of “Uncle George.” Sometimes he’s known as “Uncle Bob,” but it could just as easily be an “Aunt Betty.” Regardless of the form this character takes, the term refers to any relative that insists on taking all the photos along with the assigned photographer. Here’s a description from one website…

The bride’s Uncle George fancies himself as a better-than-average amateur photographer. In fact photography may be his hobby. He comes armed with the latest cameras and fancy lens. Empowered by digital cameras and a bag full of extra fully powered batteries, he is ready for action. His technique is to capture anything that moves, time and time again. Quantity not quality is his mantra. He trusts that his Photoshop software can dress up any image. – From http://timelessweddingmemories.com

To be fair, most of the references I’ve seen to “Uncle George” have been on websites for professional photographers, who would prefer that you use their services rather than a relative. Several have lists comparing their services to “Uncle George” in chart format. One photographer even lists an “Uncle George” package on his website…

The Uncle George Package … Here’s what it includes.

I will bring one camera, one battery and maybe 2 memory cards for my semi-high end camera that I kind of know how to use.

I will shoot by myself.

I’ll show up 30 minutes late.

I’ll rely upon the camera to decide exposures and focusing. I will call the out of focus shots “artistic”.

Since I’m a friend or relative I will visit with the other guests instead of concentrating on the photography.

I will plan on drinking and dancing.

I may get drunk (there’s $50 discount if I do).

If my battery holds out, I should get 100 to 150 shots.

I know very little about post production of images, so I won’t correct or Photoshop the images. So I’ll just give you the photos “as shot”, and it may be a couple of months before you see the those (along with my vacation shots I left on the card).

I would like to think that I’m a step up from George. I’ve taken multiple post-processing courses and courses in portraiture and other areas. Houston has even more experience than I do, having worked as a professional photographer for awhile. Even so, I don’t want to wind up like this…