Day Twelve: Grand Ole Opry

We had the opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry tonight, and it was spectacular! We didn't know most of the musicians performing, so listening to some of them added more firsts to my list. The lineup started with Riders in the Sky, who have been members of the Opry for 35 years and who have won two Grammys for their work on the Toy Story movies (Woody's Roundup and You've Got A Friend in Me, which they performed tonight). Other singers included William Michael Morgan, Nikki Lane, Jimmy Wayne, Dale Watson, Carly Pearce, Kristian Bush, and Restless Heart. The Opry has been in operation for 93 years, so it felt like being part of history. We had so much fun! And, if all that weren't enough, we got to do it on Jeff's and my 19th anniversary, though, unfortunately, we weren't able to sit together, since I was off in the handicapped section of the theater with my trusty helper, Ruth, while Jeff and the boys were up in the balcony. Still, being married for 19 years and celebrating in separate sections of a theater are yet more firsts for me.

Riders in the Sky at the Grand Ole Opry

My sweet seat mate

First time to be married for 19 years!

Day Eleven: Total Solar Eclipse

Well, I know I'm not alone among the population in collecting this first experience, but I'm so glad it fell during my Year of Firsts, because it was just so amazing, and it's a fun thing to have in my memoir of this year. We traveled to Nashville so we could be in the path of totality, and I can tell you it was worth it, even with the 10-hour car ride and the bum knee! It happened shockingly fast, but it was surreal to see dusk fall in the middle of the day and see the street lights come on and the stars/planets come out and hear the bugs start chirping like crazy. Not to mention the sight of the sun hiding behind the moon! What a special experience! We're already getting excited for the eclipse of 2024 and are thrilled that our home state will be included in the path of totality at that time!

Ready!

Raise your hand if you have a photo just like this.

Day Ten: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

We spent the morning at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, which was my official first for the day. The grounds were beautiful, and the mansion was lovely. And, it was interesting to learn more about our 7th president.

Additionally, I less enthusiastically added the handicapped experiences of being ferried out to the mansion in a golf cart and viewing the mansion itself (first floor only!) from a wheelchair, for a couple of other firsts. It certainly gave me new eyes with which to see how difficult and inconvenient life can be for people who are under the same obligations I experienced today.

The Hermitage

The face on the 20