Months before my trip to France, I began listening to a CD known as earworms : a musical brain trainer.My goal: to become familiar with basic words and common phrases.
I readily admit I struggle with foreign language; found French torturous in high school and college. My brain just doesn't want to think in another tongue.
But, I gave earworms a try.I played the oral lessons, really more like rhythmic tunes, in my office.I honestly didn't study or concentrate on the CD's.However, I listened to volumes 1 and 2 many times.
Guess what?
When I got to France, I actually comprehended some conversation. Menus could be deciphered with a reasonable amount of certainty. I confidently ordered a coffee or a bottle of wine since those were the first things I mastered. My grasp of basic phrases seemed automatic, almost magical.
One morning a waiter spoke to me, just rattling along and when he finished, I casually replied with my room number– in French.My daughter looked at me stunned.How did you understand all that, she wondered?
And..frankly, I did too.Must have been those earworms!
I recently made a trip to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and hate to admit I dug in like a hungry bear. I sampled fried green tomatoes, fried gator, fried shrimp, fried okra and well…fried you name it. I put aside the knife and fork for barbeque ribs and finished plenty messy. Breakfast favorites became blueberry pancakes, syrup and apple fritters
Both towns of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee rest near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. And both towns claim Dolly Parton as their own. The folks in these parts take pride in their country heritage. You can’t help but notice that music, food and family are the heart and soul of the people.
Tourists to the area will find numerous restaurants to choose from. Most proudly serve good-ole down home southern cookin.
Here is a list of restaurants I can recommend for casual dining in Sevierville:
July 20, 2009 will mark the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon. My home state of Florida has several air and space attractions which educate as well as entertain visitors.
During NASA’s early years astronauts trained at Cape Canaveral, Florida perhaps remembered as Mission Control Center. Later, training facilities moved to Houston, Texas, but the Cape still boasts the official launch site and the Kennedy Space Center.
The Kennedy Center deserves a full-day visit featuring the Shuttle Launch Experience. If you dare, board the ride that simulates the sights, sounds and the sensation of launching into space. While at the complex visit NASA’s spaceport facilities, see towering rockets and IMAX space films. Several times a day you have the opportunity to meet and talk, often a question-and-answer session, with an astronaut.
Astronaut and the American Flag on the Moon
On Thursday, July 16. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11; Charlie Duke, Apollo 16; Al Worden, Apollo 15; Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14; and Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7, will celebrate the anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch at Kennedy Space Visitor Complex, and mark the opening of a new exhibit at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the Apollo Treasures Gallery. The new gallery showcases treasures from the Apollo moon missions. For more information go to Apollo-40th Anniversary.
Shuttle Blasts- Off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida
With some pre-planning and good weather, you might be lucky enough to watch a shuttle launch; information and dates are available at www.nasa.gov.
In Titusville, six miles west of the space center, you’ll find Kennedy Space Camp (for kids and adults) and the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. This locale houses memorabilia and tells the stories of the American space pioneers.
Visit Central Florida to taste Moon Soup at Chalet Suzanne Inn and Restaurant. Lunar Module pilot Jim Irwin grew particularly fond of the Inn’s romaine soup and chose it for his space menu. NASA freeze-dried the creamy green broth and carried it aboard Apollo missions. They make and sell Moon Soup at their own cannery on the property.
In nearby Polk City discover Fantasy of Flight, 30 minutes from Orlando. This interactive museum offers a chance to soar into the wild blue yonder by donning a helmet, goggles, and white scarf and slipping into an open cockpit bi-plane. A pilot takes you for a ride reminiscent of The Red Barron. Be sure to inquire about hot-air balloon rides, too.
Family Fun at Fantasy of Flight, Central Florida
Fantasy of Flight houses over 40 rare vintage aircraft which are often flown in weekend aerial demonstrations. Visitors can immerse themselves into a multi-sensory sight and sound journey through WWI trenches and a WWII pre-bomb mission brief. Veterans love this place.
Florida’s Space Coast, as the Cape Canaveral area is called, sits just 45 minutes east from Orlando. There are miles of pristine beaches and the largest sea turtle nesting area in the country.
The JFK library offers a fabulous re-creation in real time on the Web at www.wechoosethemoon.org. The site goes live at 8:02 a.m.on July 16th, 90 minutes before the anniversary launch of Apollo 11. Visitors can see animated re-creations of key events and browse video clips and hear radio transmissions between the astronauts and NASA flight controllers.
And if you want to plan a lunar dinner party please visit Mimi’s food blog for ideas.
