The Shop at the W Nashville Hotel presented a fashion show for Swim Week on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The show celebrated swim suit designs featured in the hotel shop. Many of the attractive pieces used sustainable materials and some local sourcing. Here are some highlights from the program:
“Fair Harbor beachwear was born out of deep care for our waterways and a desire to preserve the magic of the shoreline for future generations. That’s why we made all of our signature beachwear from recycled plastic bottles, for versatile comfort that considers the ocean.”
“Melissa Odabash – Each collection illustrates signature Odabash style and quality. From the finest quality Italian swimwear fabrics to reworked archived and vintage prints that are ethically sourced and manufactured.”
“Peixoto – Creating high-quality clothing that makes the wearer feel beautiful while doing our part to make the world a better place. At the core of our mission is a commitment to foster economic empowerment, health, safety and equality in all we do.”
Designers included LSPACE, SOLID&STRIPED, VIX PAULAHERMANNY, BEACHRIOT, FAHERTY, MELISSA ODABASH, PEIXOTO and FAIR HARBOR.
The event tickets were sold as general admission and VIP, with the key difference being VIP was about $20 more and came with a gift bag featuring some of the designers. Solid & Striped included towels and sunscreen in the VIP bag. L Space included some spa creams.
Models included Charika White, Christen McAllister, Shelby Hunstad, Morgan Watkins, Hannah Roberson, Lauren Kentfield, Alyssa Mocci, Tallulah Kokoski, Alyssa Schoener, Malik Perry, Bea Guti, Aidan Daniel, Mercedes Northup and Ronzell Williams.
Hair and makeup was done by One10 Beauty House.
Gallery Images provided by Sarah Hughes. Photos of Swim Week fashion show models walking and posing. All rights reserved.
Gallery Images provided by Sarah Hughes. Photos of Swim Week fashion show models walking and posing. All rights reserved.
Swim Week presented by The Shop was part of Nashville’s fashion events, with Nashville’s fashion week taking place officially in April. The show was held at the pool of the Gulch neighborhood W Nashville Hotel at 300 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203.
Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved. Gallery Videos provided by Sarah Hughes. Videos of Swim Week fashion show models walking. All rights reserved.
Now that it’s January you may be returning to workout goals or resolving to work out for the first time.
Here are some ideas you can try, with many being free and quick classics you may not have thought of.
Jogging or walking while listening to music – sometimes this leads to longer walks and running. Oddly, my FitBit reports I burn more fat and get into more intense heart rate zones when I take a walk, instead of hitting the gym. Mostly, walking with music brightens my day and I get into a meditative zone, while remembering old tunes.
Yoga or Pilates – Maybe this will sound trite, but for me it was life changing! The first time I tried yoga it was as a mandatory exercise class credit in community college. My back went from being in pain from lugging around too many textbooks, to totally relaxed like I had just gotten a massage. I hold all my tension and stress in my neck and upper back. Being too stressed and not feeling in my body is a struggle for me. Yoga is the first time I felt differently. Later in a psychology class, I also learned yoga can be used to help those recovering from eating disorders, in reducing stress, and for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Taking a class can be free at certain events or through youtube videos. Taking yoga or pilates classes can be a fairly inexpensive investment, and then can be done later at home on a mat.
Bellydancing – I first learned to do this with videos rented from my local library. It is a natural feeling dance where you don’t have to point your toes like ballet. It often has a great community of other dancers. Something about that combination helped me while dating a controlling boy who was threatened by my going to an all-women practice once a week. Long story short – Bellydancing stayed in my life, and he did not.
Hiking or scenic walking – There are great hiking groups online, where you can meet friends who walk at whatever your pace is. This is also a great activity to do with pre-existing friends while seeing nature! Something about being outdoors engages my creativity and lightens my mood. It’s a great workout and can take you to many national parks.
Dance – You can dance to videos or find a place with a cheap cover fee. Classes are often offered at local gyms or colleges for small fees. They greatly improve coordination, as they are both mentally and physically stimulating.
Pokemon Go – This was fun for a time, combining walking and retro gamification. I enjoy visiting my local park or other points of interest, walking and reading the poke stop descriptions. Gotta catch ‘em all!
Stretching – Cartoons like Snow White are motivated enough to do this as they stretch out of bed. This is something that many people do when they first wake up. It’s in the daily routines of some of my best friends, as well as famous gurus I follow. Stretching helps keep the body functioning for necessary everyday activities. By slowly increasing range of motion and holding stretches for 20 seconds or more at a time, a person can work on the five primary movement patterns, and in turn, affect their movements in activities of daily living.
Go to the gym everyday to form a habit – the first time I heard of this approach, I thought it sounded silly. Some people go every day while forming a habit, even if one day they end up just using the spa services or showers. The idea is if you go there, you’ll get used to doing it as part of a routine. Also, maybe you’ll work out since you’re already there anyways. I started doing this, mostly by making the agreement with myself that I’d work out for 20 minutes. It did actually help get me in a routine when I had been struggling to get back to working out.
These exercise ideas might be a fun way to take better care of your body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity may help you live longer and better, while giving mind and mood benefits.
“Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.” says the CDC.
The CDC lists many immediate benefits of physical activity.
“Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.”
Even though physical activity can be good for health, activity doesn’t have to always be rigorous or extreme.
Don’t knock the little things until you try them! Sometimes simple and consistent action is better for achieving wanted results. Here’s some words on consistency for motivation.
“Success isn’t always about ‘greatness’, it’s about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success. Greatness will come.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
“Long term consistency beats short term intensity” – Bruce Lee
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection” – Mark Twain
Hopefully you find a new favorite way to move your body in January and beyond. Good luck exploring new healthy habits for a better you!
Christmas is coming and maybe you’re still looking for a good present for yourself or someone else. Urban Decay has been featuring eyeshadow palettes for lower sale prices recently.
Some of the ones we’ve tried are Naked3, Naked Wild West and of course, Naked Honey. Different colors have been going on sale all month with Naked3, Naked Wild West and Naked Honey being discounted 50 percent right now. On Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 Naked3 was $27 marked down from $54. Naked Wild West was $24.50 marked down $49. Naked Honey was $24.50 marked down from $49.
Images provided by Melinda Wilson and Sarah Hughes. Pictures of Urban Decay makeup and application inspiration. All rights reserved.
The Naked3 palette is good for work or subtle looks with neutral brown and nude colors. The Naked Honey or Naked Cherry are good for sparkly dramatic holiday looks. The Naked Wild West would look awesome in the summer or at a festival. All are fun for dabbling with and staging a photoshoot with your besties! Pictured are some ways to apply it. The palettes can be purchased at https://www.urbandecay.com/naked-palettes/?start=0&sz=18
In late Sept. or early Oct., the TN Honey Festival draws honey enthusiasts and festival goers in Nashville. Apiaries in Tenn. submit honey for competition and purchase.
Here are reviews of one local Springfield honey and one award winner from the TN Honey Festival.
According to https://www.benefits-of-honey.com/good-quality-honey/, a good quality honey has low water content, low HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural), low adulteration with Inverted Sugars or additives, no visible pollen, and a pleasing color. While graded into light, amber and dark colors, these categories are thought to have little bearing on quality.
“Honey color is measured on the Pfund Scale in millimeters.” says Benefits of Honey, “While it is not an indicator of honey quality and there are exceptions to the rule, generally speaking, the darker color the honey, the higher its mineral contents, the pH readings, and the aroma/flavor levels. Minerals such as potassium, chlorine, sulfur, iron, manganese, magnesium, and sodium have been found to be much higher in darker honeys.”
Typically color and taste are affected by what pollen bees pick up and digest. So no two honeys are exactly alike, though the process can be pretty similar.
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Honey Bee Apiary at TN Honey Festival 2021. All rights reserved.
“Raw honey comes straight from a beehive,” says WebMD, “Some honey producers pass the substance through a coarse filter to remove foreign matter, but it remains unprocessed food. Most of the honey sold in stores goes through a heating process to make it less sticky and easier to filter.”
“High temperatures pasteurize honey and destroy yeast cells in it that can cause unwanted fermentation,” Says WebMD, “Honey is basically sugar. It is actually higher in calories than the typical white sugar used for cooking or baking. Because it is sweeter, you may need less if you’re using it as a substitute. Also, honey adds flavor that white sugar does not have.”
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Mumms at TN Honey Festival 2021. All rights reserved.
Richard’s Pure Raw Honey hails from a Springfield apiary established in 1903. Owned by Wayne D. Richard, this honey comes in an affordable plastic squeeze bottle filled with a generous amount for $12. It’s dark golden-brown and barely transparent. It has a rich flavor, sweet with faint toffee flavors in the mid to after taste. It smells like dandelion and honeysuckle.
Tyler Pippen, who enjoys going to farmers markets and tasting honey, says of Richard’s Pure Raw Honey, “the flavor is sweet but subdued due to its probable age. It smells of raw honey. There’s a separation of sugar and nectar.”
Just B’s Pure Raw Honey was the festival winner of 2021. It is a clear warm amber color and comes in a cute glass hexagon jar. Just B’s lists which queen made each honey and “Queen Cora” made this one. It has a watery thin consistency. It tastes like it would go well with green teas, herbals and juices.
Pippen says of Just B’s Pure Raw Honey, “Is sweet and smells a little of pollen, which makes me feel like it was bottled in their own backyard or farm. Smells like raw honey in its most potent, purest form. The consistency is like water. There’s subdued hints of something other than honey…jasmine? Lavender? I like it.”
That viscous little golden substance may be good for most people’s well being when consumed appropriately.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following health benefits, “Research on honey for specific conditions includes:
Cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants in honey might be associated with reduced risk of heart disease.
Cough. Studies suggest that eucalyptus honey, citrus honey and labiatae honey can act as a reliable cough suppressant for some people with upper respiratory infections and acute nighttime cough.
Gastrointestinal disease. Evidence suggests honey might help relieve gastrointestinal tract conditions such as diarrhea associated with gastroenteritis. Honey might also be effective as part of oral rehydration therapy.
Neurological disease. Studies suggest that honey might offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits. In some studies, honey has been shown to help prevent memory disorders.
Wound care. Topical use of medical-grade honey has been shown to promote wound healing, particularly in burns.”
However, honey’s benefits aren’t for everyone, such as those with allergies and young babies.
Mayo Clinic cautions, “Avoid giving honey — even a tiny taste — to babies under the age of 1 year. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infant botulism) caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby’s intestines, producing a dangerous toxin.”
‘Some people are sensitive or allergic to specific components in honey, particularly bee pollen.” Says Mayo Clinic, “Although rare, bee pollen allergies can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, adverse reactions.”
Honey can be purchased from health food stores or farmers markets, but WebMD points out that processing doesn’t affect the health advantages honey may provide.
“Raw honey is not superior to processed honey in nutrition or health benefits,” says WebMD, “Researchers found that processing does not affect honey’s nutritional value or antioxidant levels.”
“Honey contains antioxidants, which can protect the body from inflammation. Inflammation can lead to a variety of health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. One study discovered that antioxidants in buckwheat honey were detectable in blood plasma, showing that eating honey could enhance antioxidant activity in the body.”
Supporting local apiaries by buying honey at festivals or farmers markets helps the environment by promoting green practices.
“The food is typically grown near where you live, not thousands of miles away or another country,” says the USDA at https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/07/02/top-reasons-shop-farmers-market, “Shopping at farmers markets also supports your local farmers and keeps the money you spend on food closer to your neighborhood.”
Check out your local farmers market or the next TN Honey Festival to try your own honey. Tickets can be purchased at https://tennesseehoneyfestival.com.
Tiny homes have been an affordable alternative for housing in recent years. They provide an option for avoiding increasing rents, while providing a type of home ownership.
Yet prospective tiny home builders looking to build in Tenn. may need to familiarize themselves with legal concerns. Some local events provide some information for prospective builders.
“Tenn. does not have any state-wide laws pertaining to tiny homes, so whether or not you can build really depends on where you’re looking to live. Like many other states, the regulations surrounding tiny homes vary across different cities.”
“It’s not uncommon for homeowners to want to convert their sheds, or other additional dwelling units (ADUs), into tiny homes. But, this goes against Tenn. state law on ready removeables. This law states that you are only allowed to have electricity in a shed to operate tools and machinery—not to a power potential home.
Plus, it is illegal to sleep in a shed in Tenn. So, while a shed may be a tiny space, you’re not exactly allowed to turn it into a tiny home.”
“Tiny homes are also allowed in Nashville, but with much heavier restrictions. They are only allowed in zones behind an existing structure. If you have a lot of yard space and want to build a tiny home on your lot, you can do so in Nashville—a popular choice for those looking to make some extra cash with an AirBNB or guest home situation in the country music capital. ”
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. A vardo at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved.
While not a top spot for tiny home trends, Tiny home festivals have been coming to Tenn. including the Tenn. Tiny Home Music Festival and the Hippie Living Fair Nashville. Such festivals offer stylistic examples as well as information on building and legal concerns when building tiny. Smaller local festivals like the Clarksville Artsville Fest often include tiny home features.
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Flower display at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved.Image provided by Sarah Hughes. A retrofitted RV shop at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved. Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Liveable van expos at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved. Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Vintage hardware at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved. Image provided by Sarah Hughes. A soap and incense shop at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved. Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Soaps and smudge sticks from the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved.
Shows like Tiny House Nation explore the popularity of liveable structures that are typically less than 400 square feet. Tiny house communities have appeared in some places in the United States.
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Live Van-Painting at the Clarksville Artsville Fest 2022. All rights reserved. Image provided by Sarah Hughes. Live Van-Painting at the Clarksville Artsville Fest 2022. All rights reserved.
“According to Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-126-303, ready-removable structures include, but are not limited to, stadium press boxes, guard shelters, or structures that contain only electrical, electronic, or mechanical equipment that are solely occupied for service or maintenance of such equipment.”
“It is against state law to modify ready-removable structures for use as residential, recreational, or emergency housing in Tennessee.”
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. A retrofitted RV at the Hippie Living Fair Nashville 2021. All rights reserved.
““Building codes are necessary life-safety measures, and ready–removable structures do not pass the code for sleeping spaces,” said Commerce & Insurance Deputy Commissioner Gary West. “The State Fire Marshal’s Office cannot issue certificates for electrical power to ready-removables that are used as housing.”
“Ready-removables with electrical wiring can be used for work spaces or storage, but must still meet applicable state and local electrical permitting requirements, local building permitting requirements, and have hardwired smoke alarms installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ready-removables cannot have plumbing systems.”
Tiny builders may want to consider whether they are committed to tiny living for a long period of time. They may also not want to simply DIY a space without being aware of legalities.
Traveling in movable tiny homes, Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and trailers became more popular during quarantine. As populations increase due to people moving to states with lower costs of living, housing costs in those states increase. With this backdrop, tiny living can offer less debt than traditional housing and a place of one’s own as an alternative to shifting housing costs.
Image provided by Sarah Hughes. A retrofitted RV shop at the Clarksville Artsville Fest 2022. All rights reserved.
Tenn. Populations between 2018 and 2021
According to the United States Census Bureau, Tenn. had a population of 6.651 million in 2018. This increased to 6.709 million in 2019 and 6.772 million in 2020. The estimated population in 2021 was 6.975 million.
Image provided by Google. Tenn. Population by Year. All rights reserved.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Nashville, Tenn. had a population of 692,587 in 2018. According to the Census of 2020, the Nashville-Davidson Metropolitan Government area had a population of 689,447. The estimated population for the Nashville-Davidson Metropolitan Government area was 678,851 in 2021.
Image provided by Google. Nashville Population by Year. All rights reserved.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Montgomery County, Tenn. had a population of 196,387 in 2018. This increased to 200,180 in 2019 and 204,992 in 2020.
Image provided by Google. Clarksville Population by Year. All rights reserved.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Clarksville, Tenn. had a population of 150,602 in 2018. This increased to 152,934 in 2019 and 156,092 in 2020.
The 3rd Annual 2022 Tennessee Tiny Home Music Festival took place Saturday and Sunday Aug. 20 and 21st 10 AM to 5 PM at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, 625 Smith Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
Image provided by https://unitedtinyhouse.com/2021-tennessee-tiny-house-festival/. A professional built tiny house. All rights reserved.
The festival provides a place for getting familiar with tiny house examples while enjoying some tunes. In addition to raising money for charity, the festival offers information on legal considerations and tips for building a tiny house.
Image provided by https://unitedtinyhouse.com/2021-tennessee-tiny-house-festival/. Weekends complete schedule. All rights reserved.
This is the United Tiny House Association’s 26th For-Charity Tiny House Festival.
“It will be a weekend full of all things “tiny“ & fun!” says https://unitedtinyhouse.ticketspice.com/tennessee-tiny-home-music-festival-3rd-annual “You will be able to tour and view all sorts of tiny structures from professional builders and private homeowners, learn and connect with people who live the tiny lifestyle, and interact with vendors from both the tiny living and local communities.”
Image provided by https://unitedtinyhouse.com/2021-tennessee-tiny-house-festival/. Tinies from HGTV and A&E. All rights reserved.
“Enjoy Talks and plenty of Workshops on subjects ranging from Building, Zoning, Downsizing, Off-Grid Applications, and other great topics presented by the celebrities and experts from the World tiny lifestyle community!”
Image provided by https://unitedtinyhouse.com/2021-tennessee-tiny-house-festival/. Vardo or Wagon by Scott Luce. All rights reserved.
Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. the Clarksville Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission (CMCRPC) hosted the first of three Comprehensive Plan Workshops.
Held at William O Beach Civic Hall, the event was intended to intentionally plan development in the Clarksville region. City and county members were invited on Facebook and by website to help decide what matters to the community in planning for future development.
This topic is an important one as Clarksville grows rapidly.
“Data shows Montgomery County is the 4th fastest growing county in Tennessee” says Erica Francis of WKRN News at https://tinyurl.com/mr9x4rpk
Other news articles frequently discuss population growth in Clarksville, TN.
A series of events were held at different times at Kenwood High School and Old Glory Distillery, that same week. Community members were encouraged to sit together at tables and the events were fairly well attended. At the end of the meeting, each table presented a map and ideas for how the community should be planned. They were later hung on the wall and added to the CMCRPC website.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Maps made by small groups for ideas of how to plan Montgomery County, Clarksville, TN. All rights reserved.
The Facebook invitations and CMCRPC website seem to be aimed at giving the community a voice in planning growth.
“Help shape a Vision for HOW and WHERE we grow in the City and County,” the Facebook event said.
“Join us for one of three Comprehensive Plan Community-wide Visioning Workshops. If you care about Housing, Transportation, Open Spaces and Recreation; bring your opinions and ideas to share in small groups and draw on maps!!”
See the event on Facebook here: https://tinyurl.com/3fnz6n9f
Image by Sarah Hughes. Notes of ideas made by small groups for ideas of how to plan Montgomery County, Clarksville, TN. All rights reserved.
The plan is partially organized by the Houseal-Lavigne Consultant Team. Presenters listed the next steps as more workshops, and allowing the community to use the CMCRPC website online questionnaire to aid scenario planning.
The consultant team is working on a comprehensive plan with the CMCRPC. They consider that comprehensive plan “a roadmap or blueprint for the next two decades”.
It is a recommendation for physical development of the area,roads and infrastructure. Planning those areas will affect applications for grants and funding. It is most likely an 18th month process. The CMCRPC plans to present a draft soon.
The meeting opened by asking people to sum up one word that was their vision for Clarksville and add it to a word collage here https://pollev.com/hlplanning976
An introductory overview of the comprehensive plan was debuted Dec. 15th, 2021. Presentation materials are available at the website and feature different visions of how a city can look.
The next CMCRPC meeting is Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Consider attending to share your opinion. Or visit the CMCRPC website to voice your opinion and get familiar with the plan.
If you’re a fan of honey flavors, Krispy Kreme is offering an “Oh Honey!” collection of donuts.
Get these seasonal specialties before they’re gone on May 22, 2022!
Image by Sarah Hughes. Honey Bee Doughnuts. All rights reserved.
The flavors of the moment include a cute cartoon bee decoration and honey themed palettes. These tasty treats can be purchased at participating Krispy Kreme locations until they sell out.
Krispykreme.com describes the honey bee donuts as “an Original Glazed® doughnut dipped in yellow icing and decorated like a honey bee with buttercreme and mini cookies.”
The honey pull apart is “glazed, light and airy honey doughnut clusters drizzled with salted honey icing.”
Image by Sarah Hughes. Krispy Kreme doughnuts with honey themed collection. All rights reserved.
The third donut of the trio is the honey cake, expressed as, “a glazed Sour Cream Cake doughnut topped with salted honey icing drizzles and an oat crisp crumble.”
The website notes that “daily selection varies by shop.”
Image by Sarah Hughes. Krispy Kreme doughnuts. All rights reserved.
Available for a limited time. Check out a store near you! 🍯
You love honey and so do we. The Tennessee Honey Festival brings awareness to pollinators’ roles and the variety of ways their honey can be used.
Taking place last Oct. 3, 2021 10 AM to 5 PM (CDT) at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, 600 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, Tenn. 37243, the festival has been celebrated annually since 2018.
“The Tennessee Honey Festival is a family-friendly event that is put on for the sole purpose of raising awareness and bringing attention to the current honey-bee, pollinator crisis.” says https://tennesseehoneyfestival.com/
If that sounds like the bee’s knees, check out the festival next year. Tickets can be purchased at https://tennesseehoneyfestival.com/
Image by Sarah Hughes. Confetti Spring book on Kindle. All rights reserved.
If you’ve enjoyed reading the Honey it’s Thursday blog, check out Confetti Spring by Sarah Hughes. It’s a poetry book written a poem a day as a part of the May Musings writing challenge by BookLeaf Publishing.
Copies became available on Kindle through Amazon as of Sept. 14, 2021. Kindle copies can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/34sc4vea. Copies became available on Nook through Barnes and Noble as of Aug. 13, 2021. Nook copies can be obtained at https://tinyurl.com/6wbkbm9d. Paper copies are still to come. Check back next month for an article on the writing process for Confetti Spring.
Image provided by BookLeaf Publishing and Sarah Hughes. Confetti Spring cover art. All rights reserved.
Activities: “The temperate climate here allows for a lengthy recreation season, including boating, canoeing, and fishing. There is a large playground for the children and horseshoe pits for the adults. A large pavilion will be great for big family get-togethers.”
Amenities: Water Hookup, Accessibility, Picnic Table, BBQ, Fire Pit, Lantern Pole, Full Hookup, Electricity Hookup, Grills/Fire Ring, etc.
Reservation only
Distance from Clarksville: 38 min
Notes: 30 min drive to Nashville, if arriving late it’s highly recommended to call the campground to notify the Park Attendant.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Trees and table at Piney Campground. All rights reserved.
“Nestled in the woods of Pembroke Kentucky, we are a family owned and operated farm, campsite and RV Park. Come and enjoy the outdoors and get away from your fast paced life.”
Amenities: Laundry
Reservation only with application process
Distance from Clarksville: 39 min
Notes: “We are a family owned and operated campsite and farm nestled in the woods of Pembroke Kentucky.” “Dogs must be pre-approved”
Image by Sarah Hughes. Trees and lake at Piney Campground. All rights reserved.
Activities: “swimming beach area, archery range, ball field, bike trails, a campfire theater, hiking trails, two boat ramps, and a fishing pier”
Amenities: “The newly renovated Piney Outpost provides campers a place to purchase food and drinks, ice, firewood, tick repellent, limited camping supplies, and other perishable goods. Soft drink machines are located behind the gatehouse and some shower buildings. Washers and dryers are available at Areas B, C, and D shower buildings.”
Walk in and Reservations accepted
Distance from Clarksville: 54 min
Notes: “Piney Campground is now open year-round and offers 384 well-defined lakefront and wooded sites with 283 electrical hookups, 44 sites with electric, water, and sewer, and 57 primitive sites. Most sites are capable of handling large motorhomes and campers. Campers have access to modern facilities, including a swimming beach area, archery range, ball field, bike trails, a campfire theater, hiking trails, two boat ramps, and a fishing pier. Piney also has 19 primitive cabins available for nightly rental. In addition, the summer season offers weekend recreation programs for all ages. Since 1973, in mid-September Piney holds its popular Camper’s Fair with a variety of activities including a campers’ flea market and dealer showcase of new RVs, fifth wheels, and motorhomes. It is open to the public during the weekend.”
Image by Sarah Hughes. Bug friend at Piney Campground. All rights reserved.
Activities: Pool and pool lift, Cable tv, mini golf, bike rentals, WiFi, playground gym, climate-controlled bathhouse, giant connect four game, Lego wall,Disc golf, kids arts and crafts table, ping pong
Amenities: Snack bar, firewood, laundry, wheelchair accessible, store
Reservations accepted
Distance from Clarksville: 56 min
Notes: KOA, Open March 1 to November 30
Image by Sarah Hughes. Trees and lake at Piney Campground. All rights reserved.
The pastime of camping is a good way to get to know the landscape and reconnect to nature. Camping is something to do and provides its own entertainment such as hiking, swimming and barbecuing. It’s a great activity for friends and family. Philosophically, it can be used to reconnect to the simple life and find inner peace. It can help revive circadian rhythms by putting you out under the stars and sunrises, according to intuition and a study done in Feb. 2017 and published in Current Biology.
“These studies suggest that our internal clock responds strongly and quite rapidly to the natural light-dark cycle,” said lead author and CU Boulder integrative physiology professor Kenneth Wright. “Living in our modern environments can significantly delay our circadian timing, and late circadian timing is associated with many health consequences. But as little as a weekend camping trip can reset it.”
“Weekend exposure to natural light was sufficient to achieve 69 percent of the shift in circadian timing we previously reported after a week’s exposure to natural light,” Wright said.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Trees at Piney Campground. All rights reserved.
Most people go camping when the weather is nice. It’s important to pack gear to shelter and protect from weather, as bad weather can be fatal. Many campgrounds are only open seasonally, with open months listed online or by phone. In general, camping season tends to be Apr. or May to Sept. or Oct. Many campers wait for weather patterns to solidify.
“If you’re planning a camping trip, a good rule is to wait until May for the weather to work itself out” says Bottles and Banter’s section on Family RVing and Travel (see more at https://www.bottlesandbanter.com/2021/02/13/when-does-camping-season-start-best-month-camping/).
Image by Sarah Hughes. Rained out tent at Piney Campground. All rights reserved.
Since quarantine has limited travel and entertainment options this year, understandably camping in the USA has increased as an activity. A study by Kampgrounds of America predicts camping interest will remain high in 2021.
According to PR Newswire’s article on the study, Fresh Data Indicates Camping Interest To Remain High In 2021, “More than 60% of these first-time campers plan to camp the same or more in the coming year; across all campers, families are the group most likely to spend more nights camping in 2021.”
“Camping had been steadily growing in popularity prior to the pandemic, but experienced aggressive growth across the U.S. last year,” said PR Newswire, “The 2021 North American Camping Report, which surveyed U.S. and Canadian campers’ sentiments and behaviors on the outdoor recreation in January 2021, shows that more than 86 million U.S. households consider themselves campers and 48 million of those households took at least one camping trip in 2020 – up more than 6 million over 2019.” (see more at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fresh-data-indicates-camping-interest-to-remain-high-in-2021-301273611.html).
Be aware of fees and facilities offered at your campsite of choice. Some locations are illegal to camp in or have specific regulations. Most require reservations, and some permits for specific activities. Some have websites or a phone number for reservations. Be sure to get the proper equipment. Leave no trace.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Outside The Looking Glass Café. All rights reserved.
Clarksville’s The Looking Glass is a collection of restaurant, bakery and event space with an Alice in Wonderland charm. Locals and travelers alike should check out this cafe’s unique and whimsical heart.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Café table next to a fountain. All rights reserved.
In addition to candy bar flavored coffees and large beautiful slices of cake, the Looking Glass offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options throughout the day. They are an excellent spot to meet someone for brunch or to sit with a coffee.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Lily pads in a koi pond. All rights reserved.
“I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other; but the great question is ‘What?’”
—Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland, Chapter 4, The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill
Image by Sarah Hughes. Giant lily pads in a garden pond. All rights reserved.
The decor is sweet and colorful, with homages to Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carrol. Along with meeting a variety of meal or caffeine related needs, the multipurpose layout offers a wide open feeling, providing intimacy for each table’s conversations. Whether you are there for coffee, a meal or just cake, there’s plenty of space to stretch out. Once full, there is a sweet garden out back to admire.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Crab Cake Eggs Benedict with Home fries. All rights reserved.
I found the spot while trying to find a unique eggs benedict that reminded me of granola-cafes back home in San Diego, CA. I enjoyed my crab cake benedict, and my fiance enjoyed a breakfast burrito. We got chunky monkey and oreo mochas in giant teacups. Looking around on my visit, there were many ladies luncheoning. It reminded me of the now sold Claire De Lune Coffee Lounge in Northpark, and an old Hemingway story. Spots like these are a passion of mine and worth our patronage. You can feel the love and history poured into them.
“It is the light of course but it is necessary that the place be clean and pleasant”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Clean Well Lighted Place
Please consider checking this great spot out and supporting a great local small business. I’d rate them four out of five stars.
Image by Sarah Hughes. Whimsical table in a garden. All rights reserved.
Their hours are as follows:
Mon 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thu 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sat 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sun Closed
Image by Sarah Hughes. Koi pond in a garden. All rights reserved.
The restaurant is located at 329 Warfield Blvd Ste H Clarksville, TN 37043.
Walt Whitman’s Civil War Poetry and Prose ages well for all the turbulence of 2020. Here are some quotes from poems and letters to remind the modern reader what’s old is new, and allow reflection on the past year’s tensions.
Normal abruptly stops
/How you sprang – how you threw off costumes of peace with indifferent hand,/
/How your soft opera-music changed, and the drum and fife were heard in their stead,/ (1)
Image by ml991 from Pixabay. Picture of a flute set down. All rights reserved.
/The mechanics arming, (the trowel, the jack-plane, the blacksmith’s hammer, tost aside with precipitation,)/
/The lawyer leaving his office and arming, the judge leaving the court,/
/The driver deserting his wagon in the street, jumping down, throwing the reins abruptly down on the horses’ backs,/
/The salesman leaving the store, the boss, the book-keeper, porter, all leaving;/ (2)
/Leave not the bridegroom quiet – no happiness must he have now with his bride,/
/Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain,/ (4)
/No bargainers’ bargain by day – no brokers or speculators – would they continue?/
/Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing?/
/Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the judge?/ (4)
Image by Peter H from Pixabay. Picture of abandoned café or workplace. All rights reserved.
Pent up turbulence
/Forty years as a pageant, till unawares the lady of this teeming and turbulent city,/
/Sleepless amid her ships, her houses, her incalculable wealth,/
/With her million children around her, suddenly,/
/At dead of night, at news from the south,/
/Incens’d struck with clinch’d hand the pavement./ (1)
Year of the struggle
/Arm’d year – year of the struggle,/
/No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you terrible year,/ (3)
“with all their large conflicting fluctuations of despair & hope, the shiftings, masses, & the whirl & deafening din” (80)
New fashion and pounds
/With the pomp of the inloop’d flags with the cities draped in black,/
/With the show of the States themselves as of crape-veil’d women standing,/ (28)
“I miss you all, my darlings and gossips, Fred Gray, and Bloom and Russell and everybody. I wish you would all come here in a body – that would be divine (we would drink ale, which here is the best). My health, strength, personal beauty, etc., are, I am happy to inform you, without dimunition, but on the contrary quite the reverse. I weigh full 220 pounds avoirdupois, yet still retain my usual perfect shape – a regular model.” (64)
Longing for loved ones and focusing on simple things
“Dearest son: it would be more pleasure if we could be together just in quiet, in some plain way of living, with some good employment and reasonable income, where I could have you often with me, than all the dissipations and amusements of this great city – O I hope things may work so that we can yet have each other’s society – for I cannot bear the thought of being separated from you – I know I am a great fool about such things but I tell you the truth dear son.” (75)
Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay. Picture of a civil war letter. All rights reserved.
Meaning in turmoil
“When I found dear brother George, and found that he was alive and well, O you may imagine how trifling all my little cares and difficulties seemed – they vanished into nothing.” (60)
“there is something that takes down all artificial accomplishments” (75)
“I do not feel to fret or whimper, but in my heart and soul about our country, the forthcoming campaign with all its vicissitudes and the wounded and slain – I dare say, mother, I feel the reality more than some because I am in the midst of its saddest results so much.” (77)
“I will write you a few lines – as a casual friend that sat by his death-bed.” (82)
Whitman writes surrounded by death, commenting on the circumstances of his world and missing loved ones, even writing some letters while sick. It’s as if life has halted for war and injuries of war.
Americans are gardening more in a post-pandemic world than in the year 2019.
Garden sales jumped from 13.8 billion in 2019 to 104 billion in 2020, according to nurserymag.com and statista.com.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of radishes in a container garden. All rights reserved.
The trend is expected to grow in 2021 based on projections, according to prnewswire.com.
It’s possible the change is due to people being home and wanting to look at something cheery, while adding curb appeal. According to Ferry-Morse, a popular seed company, ten times more people planted flower seeds than fruit or vegetable seeds, which is a reverse of last year.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of strawberry pot. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of raised bed container. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of mailbox garden bed. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a raised garden bed. All rights reserved.
Important Dates for Gardeners
Feb. 6 through June 4 – Last Frost date depending on hardiness planting zone
Apr. 14 – National Gardening Day
May 9 – Mother’s Day – A day that some people wait to plant till to avoid frosts, per folklore
Aug. 25 through Dec. 13 – First Frost date depending on hardiness planting zone
While retailers seem to be bustling, there is a growing trend to sell inventive one-stop bundled kits and better quality items. New plants are being released with novel features and enhancements aimed at making them easier to grow.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of bricks for a raised garden. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a raised garden bed in progress. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of young plants. All rights reserved.
New “plantlings” are one of many new options from Ferry-Morse. The product consists of partially grown young plants shipped directly to consumer’s doors.
Whether investing in time-honored gardening methods or newer products, the gardening trend is a great inspiration for expanding your garden.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
As temperatures rise and blossoms cycle through their hues, it would appear Tenn. has entered the Spring season. One way to enjoy it is to visit the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of an iris flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a columbine flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a large tulip flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a daffodil flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tulip flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of tulip flower around a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, Tenn. Cheekwood draws residents, members and travelers alike. With 55-acres of botanical gardens there is plenty of space for social distancing in accordance with safety protocols listed in their entirety on Cheekwood’s website.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a fern at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a leaf at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a fern at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
“Cheekwood, in accordance with CDC guidance, recommends individuals stay 6′ apart and travel in groups no larger than 10. All visitors are required to wear cloth face coverings when entering buildings including the Historic Mansion & Museum, Botanic Hall, and the Frist Learning Center. Cloth face coverings are strongly recommended in outdoor areas except when maintaining a physical distance of at least 6’ from other visitors,” says https://cheekwood.org/knowbeforeyougo_covid19/
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree label at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a landscape at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree in a maze at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Cheekwood features year round activities. Arbor Day, on Apr. 30, 2021 can be celebrated with a walk and an arboretum map available online and from Visitor services.
“The Arboretum at Cheekwood includes well over 2,100 trees, curated to serve Cheekwood’s mission as a collecting institution and offer the community enjoyment and education. Cheekwood has documented 1,267 deciduous trees; 576 evergreens; 16 deciduous conifers; and 238 dogwoods,” says https://cheekwood.org/calendar/arbor-day/
“Our arboretum map, available online and from Visitor Services, presents at least 120 distinct species and cultivated varieties of trees to guide an exploration of the campus canopy.”
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering dogwood tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering dogwood tree label at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Their website blog even has tips for caring for Dogwood Trees, available at https://cheekwood.org/dogwood-tips/
Although Bloom Season for Cheekwood is officially Mar. 6 – Apr. 11, 2021 and National Gardening Day Apr. 14, 2021 there is still a great deal to see at Cheekwood in the lushness of warm months. The grounds are an excellent inspiration for the hobby gardener featuring different gardens every month. Summertime also promises seasonal festivities and beautiful scenes.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a card table at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a dining room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of ceramic dishware at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a painting at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of patio room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a card table at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of study at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of study at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a dining room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a painting at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of patio room at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of entry at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of entry at Cheekwood Estate 2021. All rights reserved.
Tickets have the option to be purchased for just the grounds or to include the art museum located in the mansion of the historic Cheek estate. The building houses historically furnished rooms, paintings and permanent collection pieces.
“Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate,” says the Cheekwood website.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of wooden play structure at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of ornamental structure at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of landscape at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of turtle fountain at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of swan pool at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of pond with sculptures at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
If planning a visit, it is best to reserve a time. Ticket and membership options are available through the museums website at https://cheekwood.org/buy-tickets/
A three car pile up occurred on Trenton Rd near exit 1 from the I-24 W on Dec. 1, 2022 observed around 6:22 PM. This is the second night in a row traffic appeared backed up from that exit to Tiny Town Rd due to a vehicular accident. This accident drew several Emergency Response vehicles.
Another accident backed traffic up to the I-24 along the same westbound exit 1 on Nov. 30, 2022.
It is a common place for wrecks as are nearby parts of Tiny Town Rd. and Trenton Rd. Most likely, as the winter season passes, there will be more similar accidents, with added weather related conditions.
Members of the community who attended the Clarksville Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission’s (CMCRPC) first of three Comprehensive Plan Workshops on July 11, 2022 listed roads with the most traffic as the following locations: state Highway 374, Peachers Mill, Wilma Rudolph Blvd, Trenton/Needmore Rds, Clarksville High School, Riverside after the hill and major roads that shrink down to a single lane or turn. This closely matches Police data. “The most dangerous roads for wrecks in Clarksville are Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, Fort Campbell Boulevard, Tiny Town Road, state Highway 374, Madison Street, Trenton Road and Ashland City Road, according to Police Lt. Vincent Lewis, who is over both the Traffic Enforcement Unit and the Fatal Accident Crash Team,” reports https://clarksvillenow.com/local/7-most-dangerous-roads-in-clarksville-see-dramatic-rise-in-injury-wrecks/#:~:text=The%20most%20dangerous%20roads%20for,Road%2C%20according%20to%20Police%20Lt.
“Those roads comprise more than 60 percent of our crashes per month,” Lewis said.
“And those roads had a significant increase in traffic wrecks in 2021, according to numbers from Police Sgt. Charles Gill.”
Yellowstone opened for the season and then promptly flooded June 13 in catastrophic floods. The floods caused a brief closure and caused roadways and infrastructure to be damaged.
Here are a few of the sights before the weather wreaked havoc.
May 27 is typically when Yellowstone is fully open, with most restaurants/inns/etc opening before memorial day. Visitors begin to flock to the national park as the roads open, and the weather warms.
The national park is important because… has these features (list those poi in pictures) and has been open since year. Is the first??? Park created in year???
Famous park drawing xxx of people per year.
Visitors mostly flock to the park in these months (summer months?) . Locals and savvy travelers beat the bulk of the crowds going before peak season.
Visiting May 29-June 3, roads were still being cleared of snow, but all were open by the end of our trip. Our trip followed north entrance to… route.
There was some sign of labor shortages in Yellowstone. May be due to pandemic or earliness in the season.
End: Roads are still being repaired and half the loop is currently closed. Road conditions can be checked here. Travel plans can be made here.
Tickets can be purchased here. Make reservations ahead of time.
