Knoxville from the Hill Avenue Bridge

A view of Knoxville from the Hill Avenue bridge.

Gay Street Bridge & Knoxville Waterfront

A view of the Gay Street bridge and Knoxville along the waterfront of the Tennessee River. This photo was taken from the south-Knoxville side of the river.

On the left, just peeking above the bridge, you can see the Sunsphere. The Sunsphere is located in the World's Fair Park but is such a presence on the Knoxville skyline that you can see it from all sorts of views around town.

The long horizontal glass building is the City-County Building which houses city & county government offices, courts, and the Knox County jail.

The Andrew Johnson Building is on the right. It's the old-style red-brick building located in front of the glass office buildings. The Andrew Johnson Building at one time was an upscale hotel, but it now houses offices for the Knox County School System.

Red Sky at Night

On a Saturday evening last June we were blessed with this gorgeous red sky at sunset.

Happy SkyWatch Friday! To see more SkyWatch photos from around the world visit Skyley at www.skyley.blogspot.com.

Counting My Blessings

I count my blessings everyday for my precious children. This photo was taken November, 2005, at Thanksgiving. Daughter (2 years-old at the time of this photo) did not want to wear her homemade pilgrim hat . . . but son (5 years-old then) was very happy to show off the Native American feathers he colored in Kindergarten class.

Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all!

Historic Tennessee Theatre Box Office

They just don't make theatre box offices like they used to! This one is especially beautiful!

Historic Tennessee Theatre Entryway

These beautiful light fixtures/chandeliers are found behind the Historic Tennessee Theatre box office in the outdoor area prior to entering the theatre. I'm still dreaming of taking a tour of the inside. Someday ... I hope!

Miss Robbie

Having two parakeets as pets, we have to make frequent trips to a store in Knoxville called Strictly Feathers to buy seed and millet. This store is a noisy place with the sounds of parrots, parakeets, finches, and all sorts of other birds singing and talking all at once. You never know just what words you might hear upon entering this wonderful place. I once heard a bird say "Help, Help....Let me out!" in the most pleading of voices.

On a recent visit to buy parakeet seed, this beautiful bird was sitting behind the counter. This is a Rose-breasted Cockatoo or Galah Cockatoo named Miss Robbie.

To Serve and Protect

Our community is much safer with the sheriff's department here to protect us. It's always nice to see the department leading the way during our hometown parades.

Leading the Way

The Knox County sheriff's department leads the way during a parade through our hometown. Photo taken Summer 2008.

Unexpected Words of Wisdom

Wise words found on a Knoxville billboard. I drove past this billboard, turned around in a church parking lot, stopped to read the sign again, and decided to snap this photo.

Happy SkyWatch Friday! To see more SkyWatch photos from around the world visit Skyley at www.skyley.blogspot.com.

JFG Coffee Sign

This vintage sign advertising JFG Coffee sits on the south Knoxville side of the Tennessee River to the left of the Gay Street bridge.

We're Going to Walt Disney World!

A few days ago we revealed to our children a wonderful surprise . . . . that we are taking them to Walt Disney World in December! This snapshot shows their happiness at the great news!

Dog Walk Fashion

My mom and dad's sweet doggie is modeling the latest in rain gear. Isn't she cute? I think she looks ready for the catwalk . . . or should that be dog walk?

Autumn Leaves

Fall is my favorite season because . . .

(one of the reasons, anyway)

Leaves Can Be Fun

Mama . . . . now can we play in the leaves?

The Scrambler

The Scrambler is one of my daughter's favorite amusement park rides! Another photo taken 40 miles outside of Knoxville.

Cotton Candy Clouds

It looks as if God decided to make some cotton candy. There's enough for everyone!

Happy SkyWatch Friday! To see more SkyWatch photos from all around the world visit Skyley at www.skyley.blogspot.com.

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Information about the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame quoted from their official website . . .

"The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is a 32,000-square foot building that honors the past, celebrates the present and promotes the future of women's basketball.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame opened in June 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. So whether you are looking for inspiration, education or just plain fun, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is the place to find it.

The outside of the building, is encompassed by two amazing basketballs. In fact, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is home to the world’s largest basketball. It’s 30-feet tall, weighs 10 tons and sits on top of a glass staircase that resembles a basketball net. At the other end of the facility is a brick courtyard, shaped like a basketball. Many of the bricks are engraved to honor guests, inductees, and a host of others who have chosen to leave their legacy at the Hall of Fame."

Mint Green Building

I pass this small, square-box, mint-green building every day after leaving my office in downtown Knoxville. I am fascinated with this building ... it's color ... it's shape ... and the ivy growing along it's side. So, of course, I just had to have a photo.

What is this?

Daughter didn't like this juice! I almost feel like she's trying to read the ingredients on the side of the package to try to determine what this odd-tasting liquid might be. I can't help but smile every time I see this photo!

(See yesterday's post for the before photo.)

Juice Box

Our family was at my son's flag football practice in this photo. Daughter was 21 months-old then...and this was one of her earliest exposures to juice. She rarely drank anything but milk in those days. She wasn't quite sure about the taste of the juice. "This is certainly different," she thought.

Tomorrow I will post a follow-up companion photo to this one. I promise tomorrow's photo will make you smile!

Swings ~ Powell Elementary Playground

Daddy is the expert in swing-pushing.

Pool at St. Mary's Health & Fitness Center

This indoor pool will especially be appreciated in the very cold weeks and months ahead!

Backyard Sunset

The sun sets ... leaving behind a beautiful sky filled with pastel color. This photo was shot from our backyard.

Happy SkyWatch Friday! To see more SkyWatch photos from all around the world visit Skyley at www.skyley.blogspot.com.

Purple Chair

Daughter's Advice..."If you're ever lucky enough to discover a Purple Chair, you must sit it in for a while. It'll make you smile...I promise."

We discovered this Purple Chair on a visit to the University of Tennessee Gardens when daughter was 22 months old.

Hay, This Is Fun!

Daughter having fun at Oakes Farm in Corryton!

Pumpkin Pie, Anyone?

The kids were so proud of the pumpkins they chose in the pumpkin patch! I guess we'll make some pumpkin pie and maybe toast some pumpkin seeds now!

Pumpkin Patch Again

Our family visited Oakes Farm in the Corryton community on Saturday. We took a hayride . . . and the kids were allowed to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Our son's getting really good at spotting a nice pumpkin!

The Unwrapper

Our family celebrates several November birthdays. Our kids are always eager to help unwrap presents. Daughter was two years-old in this photo and already showing her mastery of the unwrap!

November Theme Day: Books

I was unsure about posting a photo of this statue of Alex Haley holding a book for the November theme day. . . but then, after much thought, I posted it because, first of all, the statue appeals to me for it's beauty and message, and second, because the main focus of the statue (after Alex Haley) is the book he is holding. I thought, why not, this seems perfect to me!

Quoted from the CityofKnoxville.org website:

"Alex Haley Square is a part of Morningside Park in east Knoxville. The park is renown across the United States for having the only 12 foot high bronze statue of author and Pulitzer prize winner Alex Haley. Haley is best known for his book "Roots," in which he traced his origins back to Africa. His book was made into an acclaimed television mini-series.

The statue is the focal point of the park. It was designed by sculptress Tina Allen and cast in bronze in New York City. The statue weighs 4,200 pounds and was dedicated in February 1998 during Black History Month."

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants