This is a video clip that is just so enjoyable to watch. The artist is just so talented. Watch and be amused.
The song/music "What a Wonderful World" as sang by Louis Armstrong lends it a very nice touch. The silhouette of course is of this great jazz singer and musician.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with Ed and Edna Trepanier and family. They also invited Mon and Lo Reyes, Charito Lumayno and her hubby to their place. Lo and Charito works at Memorial Regional too. Edna's sister-in-law Glenda arrived home late from work and later some of her friends joined the party.
The following day, Wednesday, it was David's class which had a feast and this time I attended the party. As expected they had turkey and mashed potatoes. They also had cornbread, brownies and cookies. The kids really enjoyed the party and the food. To commemorate the event, I took some photos.
As customary in the kids' school, Missy's class had a thanksgiving feast and Ophine attended their party on Tuesday. The kids made cardboard pilgrims' hats and wore it during the day. I was not there but Ophine was able to take some photos and shoot some videos as well. I'm sure the kids are always looking forward to events like this one as they enjoy having parties in school too. Well, who wouldn't.
Ophine and I went to Somerset today for the Student of the Month program. Missy was picked in her class and for this month the basis was for 'responsiblity'. The two kids are doing very good in school and it is such a joy to know that their teachers are aware of the kind of hard work the kids are doing and it's just not for them but all deserving students. We're so proud of them.
Missy with Michael who used to be our next door neighbor in our development. Michael is now in kindergarten.
A short video clip.
Our trip to Georgia will not be complete without enjoying my passion. Obviously, making photos. Given the choice, my style of shooting is very deliberate, very technical. I choose the location and the time, sometimes waiting for that golden hour. I also use a tripod and plan everything especially for some 'nature' shots but since our trip was not really intended for me to do this, I still wouldn't miss this opportunity to capture a few shots of subjects that tug on my heart strings. Wherever Larry and also Ed would bring us, I would try to 'learn to see' what kind of images are available and just do my best to capture it. I didn't get the chance to do a lot but I'm happy with how some of the images below turned out. Now, I can truly 'feel' that song by Ray Charles. When I can do this again in the future, I probably will be able to sing the song. Well, not really...that would be dreaming.
I was able to get some grab shots too of the view while we were on a bluff on a separate property overlooking both Georgia and Alabama. I 'stitched' 3 photos together to form a panorama of the view. Click on the photo to enlarge it. I just have to disable this feature on the photos above, sorry.
Ophine and I just got home yesterday afternoon from Georgia. We left Friday night for Atlanta taking the 8pm flight via Spirit Air from Fort Lauderdale airport. We left the kids with Edna Trepanier and then Jun and Lotlot picked them up Saturday night to stay with them. Ed, Edna's hubbie picked us up from the airport after his hunting trip in Southern Georgia and we all proceeded to Rising Fawn. A small town two hours north of Atlanta. To get there we had to go to Chattanooga, Tennessee
and drive southwest back to Georgia. Well, that's how the interstate connected to that city thus the slight peculiarity of the road trip, not to mention the change in time zone.
It was a trip that suddenly came up due to some new investment opportunities that was presented to us by the Trepaniers. Our goal was to visit a property called "The Preserve" which is a newly started venture by Southern Real Estate that encompasses 3000 acres of rolling hills, mountain views, an alluring valley and just beautiful scenery. It was very cool there and it was a big change to South Florida weather even though it's getting cooler now. Low 30's to mid 60's when we where there.
Anyway, we met with Joshua Dobson, the 29 yr. old president of the venture and Larry, his friend and business partner. Josh presented to us all about what their company does, the nature of "The Preserve" and what we need to know about the financial aspect of being an investor and/or a dreamer, their term for people who want to build homes there. All in all, the venture looks very promising and we were convinced to continue with the possibility of owning some tracts of land there. The average lot is about 3 acres but some are even 4-6 acres. We were impressed with the honesty and personality of the people who met with us. Even though Josh is so young, he was so mature for his age and the company that he leads was started by his father who started it some 20+ years ago.
After the presentation, Larry toured us and showed us the place. After about two hours, they brought us for lunch at Larry's in the next town of Trenton (no connection with the aforementioned Larry) for some very good Southern food and a buffet it was. First time I tried fried green tomatoes. After that we went back to their property for additional touring and now with Josh. The place was just so lovely, almost very emotional to be there. We spotted some herds of wild deer a number of times and Josh's family have more than 200 quarter horses. After meeting with them again, we went to Chattanooga for dinner. One investor we met there, Scott Freeman, a retired Northwest pilot came with us to Chattanooga. We were supposed to go to Big River Grille in downtown, a place they recommended but it was so full and the wait was one hour. We just went to 'Sekisui', a Japanese retaurant that is not really traditional but somewhat a fusion of east and west. Too late to take some photos in Chattanooga but it was a quiet but also a somewhat cosmopolitan city. Nice place if you ask me.
Sunday, we left before 6 am and drove to Atlanta. Ed continued to South Florida for his 11-hour road trip. We'll be back soon and this time, we'll probably bring the kids.
Ophine and Ed on top of a bluff.
A model log cabin on the property with some photos of the interior
A few horses inside the barn.
Ophine and Larry discussing some stu
ff.
A view from the mountain side.
Checking out a lot. 
There are 8 heads of female deer in this herd inside the property.
Lunch at Larry's. Clockwise; Ophine, Larry, Ed, Josh and Scott.
Inside the clubhouse. Ed appreciating the chandelier made from deer antlers.
Ophine and me on top of a bluff on another property of the developer overlooking Georgia and part of Alabama. Josh took our picture.
An antique store's porch outside 'The Preserve".
David called me to take a photo of his achievement and requested it to be put in my blog. Well, this is also a family journal so I easily acquiesced to his request. Of course, the mommy also wanted to be included.
Skywire