Saturday, April 4, 2015

#AtoZChallenge 2015 - All Gallow's Eve - D



DERBY, DOG WALK, DON'S AND DUKE

The Kentucky Derby

Of course, the 'mac daddy' of all sporting events in Kentucky (with the possible exception of any UK men's basketball game, especially at this time of year), the Kentucky Derby.  Since 1925, the Derby has also been known as "The Run for the Roses", when the term was used by a New York sports reporter.  From the Derby site:

Each year, a garland of more than 400 red roses is sewn into a green satin backing with the seal of the Commonwealth on one end and the Twin Spires and number of the race’s current renewal on the other. Each garland is also adorned with a "crown" of roses, green fern and ribbon. The "crown," a single rose pointing upward in the center of the garland, symbolizes the struggle and heart necessary to reach the Derby Winner’s Circle.

Ladies attempt to outdo each other by wearing the most fantastical hats.  I haven't seen one that is as wide as the wearer is tall, but I wouldn't put it past some of the fashionable attendees.  The ladies here can give the British Royal Family's ladies' hats (worn for important social or religious occasions) a run for their money

(picture from thereandbackagain.com travel site)

~~~oOo~~~

Dog Walk & Don's

'Dog Walk' is (as far as I can tell) a local name for the rural neighborhood in which we live.  Don's Country Market is the only brick-and-mortar store in this area.  Just about every morning, from 7:00 am on, there is a regular crowd of farmers and other folk sitting in the little dining area, drinking coffee, gossiping and eating biscuits and gravy (and other breakfast buys) made on site.

Don's is where I first heard that my father-in-law had bought a second house.  One of the owners asked me, knowing that I was family.  I had to tell her that that was the first I had heard of the news.  (Turns out it was true.)  Ah, I love a small, tightly-knit community.

~~~oOo~~~

Duke

My female MC, JC Hatfield, has a hound dog named Duke (after the old dog on The Beverly Hillbillies).  JC gave the dog (as a puppy) to her father, who liked to hunt.  The father passed on, which was the impetus for JC to return to Troublesome Springs (the closest town to the house).  Duke misses his human, but proves to be a faithful and protective companion to JC.

13 comments:

  1. Thanks for the details on the Derby...nice to know the traditions behind the Roses and the Winners Circle. You don't get that when watching it on TV. Always loved the HATS...so creative and fun. I get that small town biscuits and gravy bunch and gossip...grew up in a small town...probably smaller...we didn't have a Dog Walk farmers market. Guess Grandma Elsies' Dinner counted...best coffee and pie ever.

    So glad MC has a hound dog named Duke. I can see Duke having an impact in the chapters to come.
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
    AtoZ 2015 Challenge
    Minion for AJ's wHooligans

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  2. It's great to live in a small, tightly-knit community. I think there is solidarity and better engagement which results in better relationships.Would love to see the hats of the royal ladies at the Derby!

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    1. That's true, Shilpa. People are quick to help around here when someone is in need. Every year, my husband's great uncle comes and plows our field for us, just because we're family. :O)

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  3. Last year, i was blessed to visit Kentucky, and saw Churchill Downs. Fascinating stuff, as is living in an area small enough to know everyone, or at least know of them.

    Your character sounds kind hearted, to take in the dog.

    You left a message on my blog asking about how to encourage your daughter when she thinks she doesn't do art very well. Tell her it's about having fun. Ask her the three questions, "What do you like about what you draw (or paint or etc.)?" "What do you want to improve on?" and "What do you need from me?"

    For the last one, she may not know what to answer, so offer things like drawing/painting books, lessons, more paper and supplies,

    Let her know it's not about being perfect, and doing great art, it's about doing what you love.

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    1. Thanks for the advice, Mimi! I remember an art class where the instructor told us to put the pencil on the paper and look at what we were supposed to draw. Then we were to draw the items, never looking at the paper while we were drawing. So, of course the drawings were going to be ...weird. Funny thing, they weren't as bad as we thought they would be! :O)

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  4. sorry bad typo. Remove that post.
    I am visiting. Interesting post is what I wanted to type. Sorry about that

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    1. NP, Joanne. I can't count the number of typos I've made and missed until it was too late. :/

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  5. I always enjoy watching the Kentucky Derby on TV. I bet it would be neat to see it in person one day!

    betty

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    1. Me too, betty. Maybe we can raise a celebratory mint julep one day. :O)

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words and visit! I've not been able to go to the Derby in person .. yet. :O)

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  7. I've always wanted to attend a race meet just so I'd have a reason to get a flamboyant hat!

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  8. I want to go to the parties for the Derby, no so much the race in person...

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