Exploring Graceland and Mississippi !

 Hello April....Your Balcony Blogger returns !

Iconic Photo of Elvis, Gladys and Vernon.....

What better way to come back to life here than a visit to Graceland and some things that Mississippi has to offer.  Shout out to EPE ( Elvis Presley Enterprises) !

This is the 2nd time I have visited and did a story on Graceland. The other blog was so long ago that it doesn't even show up anymore so let's start anew. What a fantastic visit to Graceland. If you haven't been there yet you should set your sights on going. You can start with a tour of the Mansion at Graceland. Sudio A takes you to a preview show where you watch an 8 minute video that gets you in the mood for the tour. You are then sent out onto the tour bus that takes you over to the Mansion.  You are also offered an ipad and headphones if you would like your tour "guided" in that respect. For me, I find it more interesting to explore the site in my quiet "self" and take it all in on my own.

The propery is just fascinating and you can definitely feel the spirit of Elvis while you are there, especially in the meditation garden.  Visit Presley Motors and be amazed ! I grabbed a few car shots yet there are many many to see....

Walk through the ICONS exhibit and see amazing artists paying tribute with either a comment or an outfit or both.... 

See "Elvis in the Army" then step out to iconic planes and board the "Lisa Marie"

If you stay at the guest house you can take pics in the lobby with the chairs styled after the shirt collars of Elvis..... then reserve your Pink and Black Cadillac limo to pick you up and whisk you over to Marlowe's BBQ ! Marlowe's is a family owned business that started in Pittsburgh, PA. Memphis was a move to change the face of the family business....

 In 1982 they put a stamp on the name of Sister's Melissa and Marlowe. Marlowe's concentrated on BBQ with all the out of towners coming in and out for great BBQ. Catch a singer there, catch an event.... see Elvis movies around the restaurant AND if you are lucky, you can meet Melissa who now runs the place. Also fetured on an episode of DINER'S DRIVE-INS AND DIVES. A trip to Memphis must include Marlowe's

www.marlowesmemphis.com

Another great stop in Memphis is Westy's. What a cool vibe there. The homemade soup is off the charts and the atmosphere is so friendly! We had a chance to catch up with Doc and Donna Bowers who have been performing and running events both at Graceland and around Memphis for quite some time. I had the pleasure of meeting them years ago when I visited before. We remained friends. You can find them on Facebook... Donna Padgett Bowers. 

Of course, if you get the opportunity, you should head down to Sun Studios and take a tour !

.....And we can't forget the iconic Beale Street , where many great singers/entertainers got their start....

Graceland has been a fabulous experience both times. There is so much to see and do there....

Here is me stepping off the "Lisa Marie"

Thank you, Membphis for your hospitality..... until we meet again.....

www.graceland.com

Ava Holly

#4ASTAR

Here we go again !

 Hey all,

Happy Thanksgiving Eve from " The balcony blogger", Ava and family. From our house to yours ...... 

So here we are closing in on the end of 2023, can you believe it????

Some of you know that I have been in recovery for the past year from Breast Cancer Surgery. I had radical surgery and even after a year I'm still in a good amount of pain....yet I'm here, a survivor and moving forward.  So my entries have been a bit erratic lately yet i'm ready to get back on the track again and provide you with interesting and fun blog posts....as always.

Tonight, we are doing a fun topic on one of my radio shows so join in. On that note, let me first give a huge shout out to "My Sista from another Mista"  Geri Petito, International Internet Radio Hall of fame radio host..... she not only introduced me to the producer of this platform, who gsave me a great platform to share with you, yet she is going to call in tonight and weigh in on "How bobbleheads can change the World".....yep, only on WBNN  Cow bell and all..... 

This show above is from my 2nd shout out to another Radio Hall of famer, the amazing , Huni Bak Atun..... Check it out !  He will be co hosting with me tonight. Also, to our fabulous producer, Dr. Oladele Malawa Ngozi.... also International Internet Radio Hall of fame producer and D.J.

You can check out all the archive shows at www.blogtalkradio.com   Just type Ngozi time in the search bar. Tonight show will be there tomorrow.....

Better yet, listen live tonight at 9:30 PM Eastern time or press 1 to join the conversation and say hello !

516 453 9133

This is an international show in it's 10th year this year with over 24 million listeners !  I have been a host for a little over 2 years now and was the first host to crack the 22 million listsener mark  With Sarah of Jersey Shore Doves !!!!!  www.jerseyshoredoves.com

So thank you for being great viewers and indulging with me, The Balconly Blogger.... 

Catch you soon !

                                                              #WBNN

                                                              #4astar

 Hello all, 

Yes, it's Sunday and I'm back in.... 

Some of you know that I have been going through a recovery from Major Surgery. Dealing with a year recovery for a 10 hour surgery and I'm just about 5 months into it. Thanks for being here and supporting this blog. I intend to get in here every week again, now that I am a little more mobile. I think I had one or two posts since my surgery yet now I am more "with it". LOL

So.....that said, let's continue and finish up our bobble head series.... I'd like to mention these 2 athletes as we move away from Hockey and enter into the warmer weather sports...We will have a few more sports figures to enter in this month..... Enjoy !

So let's take a look at Dominik Hasek and Peter Forsberg

Dominik Hasek is a Czech former ice hokey goaltender who mostly played for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Oh, he's an Aquarius like me ! Born on Jan. 29th....

Dominik is widely regarded as one of the best goaltenders of all time. He is a two time Stanley Cup Champion ! Welcome, Dominik,  to Ava's Allocations !  

Peter Forsberg ( Peter Mattias Forsberg )  is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player and former assistant general manager of Modo Hockey. Nicknamed "Peter the Great" and "Foppa", Forsberg was known for his on ice vision and physical play. He is also considered one of the greatest players of all time. Peter was born on July 20th.  welcome, Peter,  to Ava's Allocations !

I am so honored to be able to include both Dominik and Peter in our bobble head series.... 

Hats off to these players who brought so much to the sport and to future generations of Hockey players.... 

The Balcony Blogger will see you sometime next week as we continue to finish up the bobble head series.... 

"Who is L.A. Valley?"   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                #4ASTAR

                                                         #DominikHasek

                                                         #PeterForsberg

                                         

Happy New Year

 Hello Monday and Happy New Year 2023 !

Well, well well.... what a year has gone by. We have made it to look to the future !

As many of you know, I am recovering from MAJOR surgery so getting in here has been up and down so to say.... we will finish up our bobble head series over the next couple months and that has been a fun distraction. Now I'm bobblehead obsessed ! LOL

For the first post in the New Year, we are switching it back to Elvis !  Meet one of the newest Tribute Artists I have found recently, STEVE TRAMS

Born in Jan., just as myself and Elvis, Steve is a die hard Elvis fan . He was introduced to Elvis music when he was 14 and hasn't looked back....

He enjoys playing Fairs and Nursing Homes and his favorite part is the fans !

Steve is part English and part Italian .

Come Feb., he will attend Full Sail University  for Music Production. 

Steve has his first CD available  for sale. If you can't afford one, he will be more than happy to gift you one !

Just reach out to him on Facebook for now-- STEVE TRAMS. 

We are so happy to add to Steve to our family of Elvis Blog's here on Ava's Allocations. 

Thanks, Steve and continue to keep up the good work !

You can also check out an interview with Steve on Hamilton Radio coming up Jan. 8th. You will be able to see that on FB too or check it out at 

www.hamiltonradio.net 

Stay tuned for more in 2023 from Ava's Allocations !

Who is L.A. Valley?

#Elvis

#4ASTAR

Who doesn't love Baby Yoda???

 Hey all ! 

It is now 1:10 AM and officially Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all ! Whatever you celebrate, do it with love and joy !

Well, we have come to the Christmas bobbleheads.  Some of you know I am in recovery from Major Surgery so everything has been a slow go. Thank you for being in this space with me on line. 

I wish you all the very best for 2023. 2023 is for  WE !!! All of us to embrace the New Year with a new look on our lives. With kindness, and gratitude . With forgiveness and Love. 

I am coming along with my recovery and we will finish up the Bobblehead sereies in the New Year ! 

Take care of each other and Take care of you. See you here on New Year's day with our sports package blog..... 

With Love 

Ava Holly

"Who is L.A. Valley?" ''

                                                      #4ASTAR

                                                        #Bobbleheads

                                                        #BabyYoda

Moving in a theme....LOL #7

 So moving in this theme....

This week, it's our very first President "Bobblehead" George Washington....the son of a prosperous planter, Washington was raised in colonial Virginia. He was  commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and served 2 terms as the FIRST U.S. President from 

1789-to 1797.... 

Some of the beautiful BOBBLES still have their necks wrapped as they are getting ready for our move to PA.

That said, there is so much rich history on our first President, George Washington.....

Just a few fun facts....

Washington was mostly self educated

He was fearless in battle yet he also had a softer side

His bold actions saved the American Revolution.....twice !

One of his famous quotes: "Its better to be alone than in bad company"

He loved animals and had a great sense of humor where they were concerned,,,He had a Dalmatian named Madame Moose!

A nod to our first President....Bobblehead ! 

George Washington

'

#4astar

#avaseyebagz

#georgewashington

#washington

Bobblehead series #5 and #6 NO WORDS

 ok all, WELCOME !!!

So these 2 entries are going to be very short. Let me start out by saying that I don't intend this blog to be any sort of political platform..... soooooooo...... the title of this blog says it all.  

I wanted to do 2 entries to keep us on track with our 6 month challenge and these would be #5 and #6.

Part of our history no matter how you feel !

Just enjoy the great Bobbleheads !!!  :)    (Some nice music too !)

Who is L.A. Valley?

                                                          #Presidents

                                                           #4astar

                                                           #avaseyebaagz