Ritva introduces her music challenge like this: “Whether it’s a street artist down the street, local band or a world‑famous rockstar on stage, this challenge is all about capturing the energy, excitement, and emotion of live music—or anything connected to it.”
I attended many concerts in the days before cell phones and cameras weren’t allowed. In more recent years I have enjoyed photographing music performances in many different kinds of environments.
It’s fun learning more about famous musicians. We toured Elvis Presley’s home Graceland in Memphis, The B.B. King museum in Mississippi, and the Buddy Holly museum in Texas
A few of Elvis Presley’s Gold Records on display at GracelandB. B. King’s Grammy AwardsBuddy Holly
Athens, Georgia is the home of many famous bands including R.E.M., The B-52’s, and Widespread Panic. The three locations in the final gallery are a part of the music history in Athens.
40 Watt ClubThe Georgia Theatre is a popular concert hall, Wuxtry Records buying and selling records since 1976
Last week Anne had us moving our body to capture our subjects. Your responses were incredible. Thank you to everyone who joined the challenge.
Many thanks to our host Ritva for this week’s fun challenge. If you would like to join the challenge please be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to his post Lens-Artists #416: Music.
Be sure to check back on Saturday, October 10 at noon eastern time when Egidio will be hosting the challenge.
October 10, 2023 – Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
When I read that the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began yesterday, October 3, memories of my experience at the Fiesta three years ago came flooding back.
Tuesday, October 10 was the first of three incredible days at the Fiesta. There was a lot of activity on the field as the pilots and crews prepared their balloons for launch. The sky was filled with hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes and colors.
Balloons over Albuquerque
My brother volunteers as a launch director every year. They are called Zebras because of their black and white striped shirts. Their job is to make sure the balloons take off safely. I tried to keep up with him as he ran around the field giving the pilots the go ahead to launch their balloon.
I was exhausted and my feet hurt at the end of each day of the Fiesta but it was an experience I will never forget.
When I read Joy Neal Kidney’s post Ruby Neal’s Tater Tot Casserole I got it in my head that I had to make it. I live in the south eastern United State in the southern state of Georgia. Until I read Joy’s blog post I had never even heard of a Tater Tot Casserole (in some parts of the U. S. a casserole is known as a Hot Dish.)
I am a fan of Tater Tots and usually have a bag in my freezer but I was out of them. I made a trip to my favorite Publix grocery store and went straight to the frozen potato section of the store. Much to my surprise the shelves where the Tater Tots should be were empty except for a few bags of Star Tater Tots. There was another shopper staring at the empty shelves. We had a short discussion about the situation. In the end he bought a bag of the Star Tots. I decided to go back another day for the original log shaped Tots.
The next afternoon I returned to the store, went back to the frozen potatoes and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw there were still out of Tater Tots! As I was pushing my shopping cart to another aisle a helpful Publix employee asked me if I found everything I needed. I told her they were out of Tater Tots.
She was surprised to hear that. She said “I work in a different department but I will find someone who can check to see if we have any in stock.”
About that time another employee who worked in the freezer department was walking by. She asked him to see if there were any Tater Tots available. He went with me to the empty shelves and did a search on his phone. He looked at me and said “We have a shipment coming tomorrow afternoon.”
I was still standing in front of the freezer when the first employee came up to check on things. We started talking about Tater Tot casseroles and I told her I wasn’t sure if the Star Tater Tots would be good.
A third Publix employee overheard our conversation and walked up to us to join us in staring at the empty freezer shelves. She said “I made a Tater Tot Casserole with the Star Tots and it was good.”
That was exactly what I needed to hear. I thanked them all for their help, tossed the bag into my cart and finished my shopping.
I made the casserole the next night. I made a few tweaks to the recipe from Joy’s post. Many thanks to Joy for the inspiration for this post and to Joy’s grandma Ruby Neal for the inspiration for this recipe.
Wandering Dawgs Tater Tot Casserole
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, shopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup beef stock
1 – 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
Tater Tots
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground beef in large skillet, stir in onion, garlic, and carrot about 5 minutes, Drain excess fat, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Stir in flour for a couple of minutes, then gradually stir in milk and beef stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the Worcestershire sauce. Cook until sauce starts to thicken. If too thick, add a little more beef stock. Stir in frozen peas and frozen corn. Pour into 9×9 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Arrange Tater Tots to cover the top of the casserole. Cook in preheated oven 25 -30 minutes until bubbly and Tots are golden brown.
Henry and I both gave the dish two thumbs up! I think the stars made it more festive and fun.
Star Tater Tot Casserole
Publix advertises their stores as “Publix: Where Shopping is a Pleasure.” I’ve always had excellent customer service at this store but having three employees helping me went above and beyond customer service.
The Savannah Scottish Games and Celtic Festival took place this year on May 4. It was a beautiful day despite a short rain shower in the middle of the day. We arrived in time to see the Pipes and Drums Band enter the field for the opening ceremonies.
The festival was held on the beautiful grounds of historic Bethesda Academy. Ancient live oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss surrounded the event area.
I have Scottish ancestors on both sides of my family so we stopped to check out the genealogical tent before wandering around to see the rest of the activities.
Border Collie demonstrations, Highland Dancing competition, and Celtic music performances were all taking place at the same time as the Heavy Athletics. Oatland Island Wildlife Center had a presentation of Birds of Prey where we saw Wassaw, a rescued American Bald Eagle. There were also food trucks, kids activities, and vendors selling many different Scottish items.
Border Collie DemonstrationHighland DancersWassaw, a rescued Bald Eagle from Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah
The Scottish Heavy Athletics competition featured feats of strength and agility. Several different competitions were taking place on the athletic field at the same time.
Hammer Throw
We enjoyed the day and arrived home in time to watch the Mystik Dan win the 150th Kentucky Derby.
The special shapes balloons are so much fun to see that they deserve their own post. Many of them were flying during the first two days I was at the fiesta.
My 3rd Day at the Fiesta Field
The Special Shapes Rodeo was scheduled for Thursday, October 12. Sadly, the balloons couldn’t fly because of high winds. Luckily for everyone it was safe for the balloons to inflate on the field and set up for a static display. There were many spectators walking through the field getting up close to these creative balloons.
Kelli and I had a great time walking through the field of balloons. We stopped to watch Kermie the Frog inflate. There were families and children looking up in awe at the the giant Frog. While I was capturing the activity of the crew setting up the balloon Kelli was busy handing out Evil Twin balloon trading cards to the kids.
Kelli also did some pin trading with some of the balloon teams while I was busy taking pictures.
After we had seen most of the balloons we headed for the vendors area to grab a bite to eat. I enjoyed my first ever Green Chile Hamburger – Yum! We wandered through the Artisan’s tent and then stopped to watch the chainsaw carvers at work. A dazzle of Zebra’s caught up with us for a final photo.
Attending the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an event I will never forget. The balloons were spectacular and everyone I met was friendly, helpful, smiling, and having fun. I also enjoyed spending time with my brother Joe and his wife Kelli when we weren’t at the fiesta. We caught up on family stuff and enjoyed some amazing New Mexico cuisine meals together. Thanks Joe and Kelli!
