Norris Dam State Park – Curious as a Cathy

A view of Norris Dam from an overlook on 441 just past the marina about seven-tenths of a mile on the left. You can find easily on Google Maps and you can even see the overlook from where I took this photo.

Welcome Kittens & Dawgs! In 2014, I shared some shots of Norris Lake with the Skywatch Friday community. Last summer, we spent a lot of time taking drives to nearby communities. On one such adventure, we revisited Norris Dam State Park and on the way along 441, next to WG Lenoir Museum is the Rice Grist Mill.

We visited the museum many years ago with my in-laws and then again when our kids were small, as well we’ve seen the grist mill many times. I’m not sure if it’s still a working grist mill but I believe it was during the 80s. I hope to get another photo op of the mill this year. I love photographing old buildings, don’t you?

[tweetthis]I linked up with Curious as a Cathy for some not-so #WW fun & I invite you join the party! #photography[/tweetthis]

Next is my Wednesday Hodgepodge segment hosted by Joyce. This is an excellent way to get to know your fellow blogger and you’re invited to play alone.

1. Speaking of endings….at your wit’s end, at loose ends, a dead-end, burn the candle at both ends, all’s well that end’s well, or no end in sight…which ‘end’ phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain. “At loose ends” fits the moment. A few weeks ago our 40+-year-old refrigerator killed over. I don’t know what its problem is. Really, 40+ years and it dies? What’s with that? 😉 Anywho, the space it occupies is not deep enough to match today’s appliances and the ratio of freezer to cold storage is off. Who wants to HAVE to bend waaay over to stick her head into the frig every time? Who wants to HAVE to climb into the frig to get wants all the way in the back? I can tell you not me. This is just ridiculous. We will look at one more possibility and if this doesn’t pan out then we may need to consider getting a refrigerator with no freezer or a frig with the freezer on the bottom. Neither is a purrfect solution but it will provide the basic need to keep our food cold…lets hope.

2. What was a must-have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it. You’re asking a person who isn’t very fashion oriented this question? When I was kid I, I wore hand-me-downs so I was happy to get what I had and during my youth hip hugging bell bottoms was the trend. My aunt gave me plenty of gently worn seconds that belonged to her husband’s niece who was older than me, so I did have a few pairs of bell bottoms to wear. My favorite was a pair of lightweight white denim slacks. That’s about all I remember about them, though.

3. Something that made you smile yesterday? I answered my questions on Tuesday morning so my response to this from Monday. While making my daily blog runs, I visited two blogs that made me smile. Steve shared a funny joke and Lisa shared her big-eyed girl sketches that not only made me smile but inspired me. I, especially liked her sleeping girl so I drew one in Procreate with my Apple Pencil and iPad.

4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We’re having chicken salad for lunch…would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort? I haven’t eaten a croissant in years. I like them okay but it’s not something I’d order. In my working years, a guy I went to college with started his own croissant business. He made sandwiches with his and delivered them each day. Although, he had a good product, I can’t image in being profitable. He eventually worked in the same office as I did as a computer consultant.

5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less. That’s easy, not a whole lot going on around here!

6. Insert your own random thought here. I mentioned last Wednesday I wanted to share a few photographs of churches that caught my eye. This little chapel, located by Lake in the Sky, is in a small community called Top O’ the World off the Foothills Parkway in Tallassee Tennessee. This off-the-beaten path discovery made for a lovely quiet afternoon drive. A great place for a summer home but I wouldn’t want to live there in the winter since it’s a bit remote.