I found a segment on this morning’s Today show very interesting. The subject was calligraphy in China.
Calligraphy is the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner. Calligraphy is a beautiful form of writing. Most official documents in China are signed with calligraphy. Modern calligraphy ranges from functional hand lettered inscriptions and designs to fine art pieces where the abstract expression of the handwritten mark may or may not supersede the legibility of the letters. Classical calligraphy differs from typography and non-classical hand-lettering, though a calligrapher may create all of these; characters are historically disciplined yet fluid and spontaneous, improvised at the moment of writing
I just got off the phone with a friend who was telling me about her week so far. It seems as though her son is undecided as to what to do with his life. She was hoping that by his senior year of high school, he would have an idea of a field he would like to study. I recommended that she have him look into Sherman College. It is one of the best chiropractic colleges. The college holds full accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education, and its graduates practice all across the country and around the world. Chiropractics is a rewarding career. Sherman College is located in Spartanburg, a beautiful area of South Carolina. I keep pushing for my kids to study in the south so that someday I will have someone to stay with when I vacation in the Carolinas.
My friends are so glad they went to Disney World 3 weeks ago and didn’t wait until now to go. I don’t know what the terms and conditions are on tickets purchased when a hurricane is on the way. Do you lose the money you invested?
Hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30 each year, right in the center of one of the most popular travel seasons for families planning a vacation to Orlando.
Many attractions are closed today (Tuesday, August 19):
* Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in Tampa
* Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex
* Miami Seaquarium
* Miami Art Museum
* Historical Museum of Southern Florida in Miami
* Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami
* Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale
* Dry Tortugas National Park
* Everglades National Park
* Biscayne National Park
Beginning early this morning, visitors to the Florida Keys were asked to evacuate the islands. Shelters for residents will begin opening at 7:00 p.m. this evening.
Residents and visitors should continue to monitor local news for additional storm information and closings.
An interesting place to visit is Corum, Turkey. It is especially fun for those who are fond of history and archaeology. Signs of earlier civilizations can be found in the area where the two geographical regions of the Black Sea and Central Anatolia are combined. Our Bible study group discusses the Hittites often. This is where you will find remnants of their past. Beautiful architectural works can be found in the area of the Corum province. One spectacular display is the 19th century clock tower built by the Seljuks, a powerful tribe in the 11th century.
The Corum watch is what comes to my mind when I hear the word Corum. I wonder if the founder of the exquisite watch company was from Turkey. Corum watches are known to use techniques dating back to the 18th century and as modern as the cutting-edge technologies and designs of the 21st century. Corum watches can be purchased at exceptional prices through the website at thewatcher.com. Collectors the world over, value the functionality and design of Corum watches. Low overhead costs and quantity purchasing allow The Watchery to help you get the watch you have been dreaming of. Their warranty will give you the satisfaction of knowing you have purchased an exceptional watch. They pride themselves on selling 100% genuine and authentic watches.
When we visited Pigeon Forge last month I noticed how much influence Dolly Parton has had in the area she calls home. Dolly’s birthplace, Sevierville, is next to Pigeon Forge where Dollywood is located. Dollywood hosts nearly 2.5 million visitors annually. It began in 1961 when it was called “Rebel Railroad”. The small park featured a steam train, general store, blacksmith shop, and saloon. In 1966, Rebel Railroad was renamed “Goldrush Junction”. in 1970, the Cleveland Browns football team purchased the attraction. In 1976, Jack and Pete Herschend bought Goldrush Junction, and in 1977, renamed it “Silver Dollar City Tennessee” as a sister park to their original Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri. I can remember friends of ours traveling to Silver Dollar City every summer.
On May 3, 1986, Dolly Parton became a co-owner, and the park was renamed “Dollywood”. New attractions were added such as The Rivertown Junction area, The Back Porch Theatre; Aunt Granny’s Dixie Fixins’ Restaurant; and the Tennessee Mountain Home, a replica of the cabin where Dolly grew up. Also new was “Rags to Riches: The Dolly Parton Story”; a museum featuring articles and mementos from Dolly’s life and career.
An interesting fact about Dolly’s partner in the theme park business, Herschend Family Entertainment is that they also own several other theme parks. HFE operates Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park in conjunction with the State of Georgia, and owns Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta. HFE owns Ride The Ducks amphibious tours in Branson, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Seattle. Ride The Ducks is also an attraction inside Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta.
HFE also owns and operates two aquariums: Newport Aquarium (Newport, Kentucky across the river from downtown Cincinnati) and Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ across the river from downtown Philadelphia). Other properties include Branson, Missouri’s Silver Dollar City theme park, Showboat Branson Belle lake attraction, White Water water park, Talking Rocks Cavern, The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City campground and Celebration City theme park.
I am in awe of the people who have traveled to China to watch the Olympics. I am afraid to travel in communist countries. Yep, I have a fear of stepping on a crack and being thrown into a jail, never to be seen again. Having said that, I would like to travel. I want to go to Pembrokeshire, UK. I have never been to that area of our world. It looks fabulous. Lusciously green and old with history. I want to explore and take a short break Wales style. 
Celtic Haven offers a wide array of beautiful, romantic getaway spots in Tenby and Pembrokeshire. Celtic Haven is a privately owned, family business. I can appreciate that. We have owned our business for over 30 years as has the Celtic Haven family. Their properties are designed to provide an amazing holiday experience, whether you chose to stay in any of their coastal cottages or range of apartments. Once you stay, you become friends.
I am ready to go! Pembrokeshire is located on the coastline and is a protected seabird breeding area. Almost all of the coast is included in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The coast intriques me as well as the Pembroke castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century. Tours are offered!
We have only been home from our vacation in Tennessee for a few short weeks and hubby is clamoring to hit the road again. There is a new casino in Indiana and it is bothering him that he has not checked it out. Located near Elizabeth, Indiana is the new Horseshoe Casino and Hotel. The casino consists of over 100 gaming tables and 2,000 slot machines, Boasting 503 luxurious rooms and suites, the legendary hotel is accented with a fitness center, Aroma Café & Bar, and an indoor pool. Outside, their fitness trail features 18 workout stations and a scenic woodland view for exercise and nature enthusiasts alike. I only care if they have Wifi.
Do you feel safe when you travel? I saw a commercial for a documentary that told of people who were arrested in foreign countries. That is my greatest fear, being arrested for stepping on a crack in the sidewalk, thrown in jail never to be seen again. I will not be watching that documentary!
On a serious note, it is important to protect our belongings at all times but especially when traveling. We become engrossed with our new surroundings and don’t always pay attention when we are traveling. Thieves prey on travelers. While visiting theme parks, zoos, resort areas and other travel destinations, we need to guard our personal items. Having your wallet stolen while on vacation can ruin your whole trip. On top of the inconvenience caused by having no identification and credit cards, your identity is at risk. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. with over 9 million victims each year. When my son lost his wallet a few months ago he went through so much hassle replacing his driver’s license, college ID cards and credit cards. That was not what worried me about the missing wallet. I feared it had been stolen and someone would soon be using his identity for who knows what. It is worth the small amount of time it takes to sign up with Life Lock, the industry leader in proactive identity theft protection. Relax, enjoy your vacation and be proactive about your identity. When you take steps to prevent identity theft you can be proactive instead of reactive. Happy traveling…..
I was checking some information on my daughter’s flight and decided to see what the airlines she chose was charging for bags. Many of the airlines are charging to check a bag. The following is what I found for Air Tran.
Baggage Allowance:
1 checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less;
dimensions: 61 inches or smaller Free
2nd checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less;
dimensions: 61 inches or smaller $10 through online check-in $20 at airport kiosks and ticket counter
Excess baggage (more than 2 bags) $50
Overweight baggage:
51-70 pounds $29
71-100 pounds $69
Oversized baggage:
62 to 70 inches $29
71 to 80 inches $69
It just about makes me want to stay home!
While visiting in Tennessee, we explored Pigeon Forge which is home to Dollywood. If you have ever driven on the strip in Las Vegas, you have experienced the same type of congested traffic found in Pigeon Forge. There are hundreds of outlet stores and a mall dedicated to outlet shopping. The parking lots are full of spenders.
Another aspect of Pigeon Forge that many enjoy is playing Putt Putt golf, riding carnival rides and driving go carts on a track. People were lined up at each place. I would love to drive a go cart and make the steering box zing as I turned quickly from left to right. It is not wise to do that on the freeway in my car. The track is one place to get that buzz and not put myself or my car at risk!
I have seen a few crazy drivers drive like they are on a race track. They need to know about Discount Steering.com. This website is a good place to find the power steering rack and other steering parts you need. People who like to work on cars have found this site to be great when looking for quality steering parts that used to be available only to dealerships.
There are so many things to do in Pigeon Forge. I think we spent most of our time eating at different restaurants. You will find every type of food in Pigeon Forge. From pancakes to ribs, you will find something to satisfy your appetite.
I found a segment on this morning’s Today show very interesting. The subject was calligraphy in China. 
