The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery
Excuse me while I go all sports-fan on you for a moment.
Last night was the NBA draft lottery. This makes one of the two nights I'm interested in the NBA in any way. The other night? The actual draft.
That's because I'm a college basketball fan, through and through. The bright lights, big paychecks and even bigger egos of the professional basketball world don't appeal to me in any way. Pretty much, I watch the draft lottery and the draft, itself. Any other information I know about the NBA comes to me through former UK players' tweets and some random SportsCenter pieces where I forget that I hate the NBA and pay attention.
However, last night's draft lottery has a big impact on some people that I care a lot about - namely, some guys named Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Miller, Jones, Lamb & Teague. I'm just not feeling our boy Eloy's prospects. He'll be a great overseas player, though!
It looks like Anthony Davis, at least, can already start shopping for homes in the Big Easy. The Charlotte New Orleans Hornets won the first draft pick in the lottery last night. They'd be crazy not to choose the big man from Kentucky. First of all, he's pretty much been named All-Universe at this point. Second, look at his record for playing in New Orleans! Obviously, he likes the town and the arena. He won a national championship there!
The Charlotte Bobcats, a team that even I know is terrible (Dude, they were 7-59 last season. Let that sink in.), has the number 2 draft pick. Surely, surely, their owner recognizes that you can build a team back to greatness around a kid like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. I'm pretty sure Michael Jordan recognizes talent when he decides to look away from the mirror. MKG has talent, maturity and the willingness to do what it takes to be a team player. Look at how he bought in to Coach Cal's system. He was totally willing to sacrifice his spot in the starting lineup in the hopes that it could give the necessary spark to get a teammate (Miller) out of a post-season slump.
Beyond the top two picks, I have no idea where the other Wildcats will end up.
I don't know a team who couldn't use the biggest heart in college basketball. If an owner happens to read this, let me tell you: DARIUS MILLER IS YOUR GUY. He played and excelled for a shitty coach. He played and excelled even further for a great coach. He's had experience playing and dealing with star-studded teams. Also? You should pay him lots of dough because I plan (maybe not-so-secretly) for him to be my next husband.
I'd love for the Blazers - with the 6th pick - to pick up T. Jones. I know how much he loves his mama, and he could buy her a fatty house in Portland. They'd be right at home, and don't you know that Terrence would be extra-active in a community that he's called home? He'd be the hometown hero and breathe some life back into the Rose Garden. Also? I'd like to see him put a bird on something.
I'd love to see a duo of Doron Lamb and John Wall in Washington, D.C. (although, I doubt the Wizards - with that third pick - would choose Lamb). That would be some lights-out-shooting that could be fun to watch.
As for Marquis Teague, I think he would do well on a team with unselfish guards that are willing to be a mentor for him. In my opinion, he'd have done well to get another season of college ball under his belt, and that is not a selfish wish. He needs some maturity in his on-court decision making. Also, having another year with Coach Cal could never hurt a guard, I don't think. Regardless, I think he'll eventually do well in the League.
Where do you think this year's crop of NBA Cats will end up?
Louisville HotSpot:Heine Brothers Coffee
I had the pleasure of being back in the Bluegrass state a couple of weekends ago. I was scouring for the local Starbucks when I drove past Heine Brothers Coffee. Normally, I would just keep driving, but their drive-thru sign caught my eye (let's face it, I'm lazy). I wheeled in the drive-thru to order my regular vanilla latte and was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted! I then learned that Heine Brothers used all organic and sustainable products in their drinks and recycles everything!
How awesome does that Cleo sound?
I am sad that I live hundreds of miles away from a Heine Brothers Coffee House, but I will definitely visit again any time that I am in Louisville.
What are some of your favorite coffee joints? Have you ever tried Heine Brothers?
How to Plant a Bourbon Barrel Planter
In my part of Kentucky, landscape designs often feature bourbon barrels pretty prominently. Cities' garden societies beautify their downtowns with the oak barrels, so I figure I’m not above it!
A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to buy four half barrels for $10. Total. I jumped at the chance. For those of you not lucky enough to work in the industry, barrel halves are available for public purchase. Here’s one site I found – watch out for shipping. Maybe they’ll let you pick them up to avoid those charges?
Last weekend, my little sister moved into a new house – one that she and her husband hope will be their home for a very long time. While she assures me that landscaping and front porch furniture are in the works, I decided that a barrel planter was in order for a housewarming gift!
Bourbon barrels are more massive than you think! Each half weighs about 60 pounds, is about 18” tall and about 24” in diameter, tapering towards the bottom.
Each half barrel requires about 2.5 cubic feet of dirt or potting soil. I used Pro-Mix Ultimate Container Mix. Knowing the skill my sister has at keeping plants alive (I’m much like her), I chose to go with the planting medium that claims to hold on to water and contains a fertilizer already mixed in.
Before buying your plants, it’s good to assess the sun/shade situation of your planter. This particular location will get mostly full sun during the day, so I bought accordingly. I always find it helpful to lay out projects before committing to a final draft. Planting flowers is no different. So, here’s my rough draft – situating the still-potted plants around the space to see what works and doesn’t.
It turns out that my rough draft was pretty pleasing. My sister approved it, and I went to work planting the items. In the back, with the broad leaves, I planted 3 Tropical Yellow Canna Lilies. In the middle, as a sort of focus piece, I planted a Hardy Lily – it should grow a bit taller than the canna lillies and really stand out. On either side are two Shasta Daisies. In the middle are low-growing pink Dianthus. Finally, spilling over the front is a pretty plant with velvety leaves called Dichondra or Silver Falls.
As these grow, I’m hoping that they fill out and really shine on the front porch. If we all keep our fingers crossed and they survive my sister’s black thumb and the summer, all the varieties should come back next year, with the exception of the ornamentals up front.
It’s simple to make a nice, welcoming entrance to your home with bourbon barrel planters, plus it’s so completely Kentucky that it will be an instant conversation piece for any out-of-state visitors you might have!
HerKentucky Road Trip to Chicago
Today, HerKentucky continues exploring road trips that are easily made from the Commonwealth. Today's destination: The Windy City!
While Chicago is more quickly reached if departing from Central, Western, or Northern Kentucky, most Kentuckians can reach the home of Garrett Popcorn within 9 hours by car. (Seriously. If you've never had Chicago Mix popcorn, you're missing out. Cheddar cheese and caramel corn mixed. Drool.)
If you'd prefer to fly, there are direct flights from both LEX (Lexington) and SDF (Louisville) which are quick and convenient, as long as you don't mind dealing with O'Hare (ORD).
While you're in Chicago, you must visit The Art Institiute of Chicago so you can see some amazing artwork, including "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges-Pierre Seurat. (And if you're a musical theater junkie, try to refrain from singing songs from "Sunday in the Park with George")
Next door to The Art Institute is Millennium Park, home of the bean. It's quite fun to take pictures in and around.
Of course you'll want to go shopping on Michigan Avenue, where you'll be happy to know that some budget-friendly stores exist, including H&M and Topshop.
After shopping and exploring (seriously, so many things to do it's crazy to try to list them all. Visit the Chicago tourism website for all kinds of awesome ideas), take a trip up the John Hancock to the 95th floor where you can have drinks at Signature Room at the 95th and take in the view:
Of course, you can always head to the John Hancock observation deck or the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) Skydeck, but sitting after a long day of sightseeing with a martini in hand is quite fabulous.
Now, on your way home, make sure to grab some Chicago mix popcorn for me, okay?
Kentucky Places: The Bodley-Bullock House
It just isn't summer in Lexington until you've attended a wedding at the Bodley-Bullock House.
The Bodley-Bullock House is a charming example of Lexington's old Downtown. I so enjoyed Miss Minnie's hospitality this weekend, and I do hope she can look past my bubbly endulgence!
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| Photo via Junior League of Lexington |
The 1814 mansion, with its Federal and Greek Revival details, is located in the heart of Lexington's Gratz Park Neighborhood and is a perennial favorite event space for Lexington brides.
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| Gratz Park houses, next door to the Bodley-Bullock. |
The Bodley-Bullock House was built for Lexington mayor Thomas Pindell, and was most notably owned by General Thomas Bodley, a War of 1812 hero, and Dr. Waller Bullock, a prominent Lexington physician. Upon the passing of Dr. Bullock and his wife Minnie, the home was left in trust to Transylvania University and was renovated by the Junior League of Lexington in 1984. It is used as both the Junior League Headquarters and a rentable event space. The house is similar in architecture and decor to many other Gratz Park-area houses, including the Hunt-Morgan House.
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| View from the window of Minnie Bullock's bedroom |
This weekend, I attended a family wedding at the Bodley-Bullock House. The dramatic staircase and old-fashioned touches provided an absolutely stunning backdrop.
I've attended dozens of weddings at the venue. I've put in my share of Junior League meetings and picnics there as well. It's always been one of those comfortable, friendly houses that just embodies Old Lexington, and it's always been rumored to be just a little bit haunted. The best houses always are.
I recently ran across an interesting anecdote about the Bodley-Bullock House. It seems that the late Mrs. Minnie Bullock was not only a community leader, but also a vehement teetotaler. Apparently, the original terms of her will provided that alcohol could not be consumed in her home, even after her passing. It seems that this provision was later changed, to Miss Minnie's dismay -- it's said that her ghost has been known to flicker lights and crack tables when she doesn't like the happenings in her home. Now, I've had more than my share of celebratory toasts in this venue, so I hope Miss Minnie can forgive me. Rumor has it that Dr. Bullock wasn't above kidding Miss Minnie about her temperance beliefs; he hung a portrait of the "town drunk", William "King" Solomon, in their home, where it still remains.
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| My gorgeous cousin Amy |
I've attended dozens of weddings at the venue. I've put in my share of Junior League meetings and picnics there as well. It's always been one of those comfortable, friendly houses that just embodies Old Lexington, and it's always been rumored to be just a little bit haunted. The best houses always are.
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| Looks like the bride and I inadvertantly disregarded Miss Minnie's wishes. |
The Bodley-Bullock House is a charming example of Lexington's old Downtown. I so enjoyed Miss Minnie's hospitality this weekend, and I do hope she can look past my bubbly endulgence!
The New Girl
A college friend of mine loved to proclaim "There's only two kinds of people in this world; the kind who like Loretta Lynn and the kind who don't."
Now, he was right, and I'm sure y'all don't have to guess twice to figure out which camp I fall into. I love Miss Loretta. I grew up right down the road (well, about 30 miles if you prefer precision to folksiness) from Butcher Holler. My granddaddy -- a pretty good bluegrass guitar player in his own right -- raised us to believe that Coal Miner's Daughter was one of the greatest films of all time. And, in my estimation, Miss Loretta can do no wrong.
Well, last week, Miss Loretta went and did something that made me raise an eyebrow. She came up on stage at the Opry and announced her choice for the star in the upcoming Coal Miner's Daughter musical. It seems that the Queen herself hand-picked Zooey Deschanel to play the Loretta character on Broadway. I feel disloyal, y'all. And conflicted.
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| Via Coal Miner's Daughter Broadway |
Now, back in 1979, Miss Loretta famously pulled Sissy Spacek on the Opry stage the same way, to announce the lead of the Coal Miner's Daughter film. But, Sissy Spacek is a Texan by birth and a Virginian by choice. Her name is Sissy, for goodness' sake. She's not from a California acting family. And she knows how to intone words.
I guess I need to trust that Miss Loretta knows how to tell her own story. I guess I need to remember that the Cult of Zooey is not all that different from my college friend's assessment of the Loretta Club. We'll see.
I guess I need to trust that Miss Loretta knows how to tell her own story. I guess I need to remember that the Cult of Zooey is not all that different from my college friend's assessment of the Loretta Club. We'll see.