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I have written for years with my Dixon Ticonderoga in my Moleskin journal. I was motivated to create an online blog almost ten years. Much has changed in my life since starting this blog. Back then I worked at the Barn and now I am a multi-Ironman triathlete, adventure seeker & former camp director. GraphiteFree is for fun, nostalgia and to honor my favorite yellow pencil.
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Author Archives: Ruth Marie Oliver
STS-131: A Space Camp Field Trip
Twenty years ago when Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger graduated from Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama she dreamed of one day working for NASA. In 2004, she entered the NASA training program for Astronaut Candidates. Yesterday, she launched into space onboard Discovery. When … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Brett Favre, NASA, Space Camp, STS-131
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Wild Pig on the Right
On the left you will see the Space Shuttle, and on the right there is a wild pig, wild pig on the right! As we were driving parallel to the crawler-way our tour guide Doug Wheelock (aka Wheels) exclaimed “Wild … Continue reading
Asexual Sea Grass
Long a go, in a land not so far from here, I saw asexual sea grass for the very first time. This spotting was during my first trip to the Space Coast! It was also my first and only trip … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Aviation Challenge, Friends, NASA, Space Camp
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Dreams in Space
At the very top of the cork-board in my office are my wings that I received at Space Academy graduation in 1990. Wow, it has been twenty years since I was a camper here in Rocket City. My graduation wings … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, NASA, Space Camp, STS-131
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Friends of Jack
“It is just our feeling that too little time is spent in this day and age enjoying the friendship of others. The Tennessee Squire Association is but one small attempt on our part to speak up.” About this time last … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Friends, Jack Daniels, Prichard's Distillery, Whiskey
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Oh Brother Where Art Thou?
Where is Walter Oliver? Why isn’t he on Facebook? The answer to both of these question is he hijacks his wife’s Facebook identity! I have created a coalition to help bring Walt to the current decade. With the People for … Continue reading
I am Expecting!!!
Yes, you read that correctly, I am expecting! If you are reading this blog then you will find out the true meaning of the title. See last weekend I wrote about my husband Chris going back to work at PricewaterhouseCoopers. … Continue reading
Single Again
In my Blogging for Blog Sake I recalled a trip to Jack Daniels and Miss Mary Bobo’s that resulted in a job change for my husband Chris. He moved from the prestigious firm which counts the Oscar ballots to Booz … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Family, Food, Food Network, Huntsville, Jack Daniels, Marriott, Mike Rowe, PricewaterhouseCoopers
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No. 2 Pencils
This is the Dixon Ticonderoga, no. 2 pencil, the best and most recognizable pencil in the world! Made by the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company in 1913 and named for the historical military post during the American Revolution, Fort Ticonderoga. Over … Continue reading
Somewhere in the Bluegrass State
Today we stopped by Enterprise to rent our SUV which looks a lot like a mini-van. I didn’t want to drive a mini-van because mini-van drivers are the worst drivers! So I let Divot drive and I watched movies in … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures
Tagged Adventure, Bourbon, Family, Friends, Maker's Mark, Peyton Manning
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Pom Pom
Grandparents are priceless! They are the people who spoil you when you are already rotten. One of the coolest things about grandparents is that you have two sets of them. Grandparents teach how to bake cookies, make Kool-Aid, and instant … Continue reading
I Am a Nerd
I am a nerd! For those who have questioned that fact and all those who have urged me to be honest with myself, I am a nerd. I am such a nerd that a few years back I started teaching … Continue reading