Dancing On The Journey!

Let's Sell Out the Arena for our Basketball Team!

2012-01-06T22:22:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I certainly enjoyed spending time during the holidays with family and friends.

I took a brief break from blogging, but I'll be back soon with my report on the Football Banquet. In the meantime, please check out Panther Talk's page encouraging support for our winning basketball team! C'mon Panther Fans! Let's spread the word, share the link, and SELL OUT THE ARENA!

http://www.panthertalk.com/selloutsportsarena

Happy New Year!

GO PANTHERS!

(I just realized I posted this on my regular blog, instead of my www.gsupanthermama.blogspot.com. Oops! Hope y'all will help spread the word, too! Thanks!)

Remembering Victims at Christmas

2011-12-09T23:05:00.001-05:00

Remembering Victims at Christmas....

My husband, Ed, and I recently attended the Wellspring Living Gala. I have served on the Wellspring Living board for over ten years. Since 2001, Wellspring Living has partnered with other organizations to provide a safe place for hope and healing for victims of childhood sexual trauma, including sex trafficking.

Wellspring Teacher sharing stories.

The purpose of this year's event was specifically to raise awareness and funds for the education portion of Wellspring Living's Victory Program for Girls. Education is a tool that builds self-confidence. Through a partnership with The Campus, the Wellspring Living Girls, earn credits that count toward graduation. Girls are motivated to learn by experiencing successes via a personalized curriculum which utilizes their strengths. A good education ensures that the girls can become self supporting and have successful futures.

Table Centerpieces focus on education.

Wellspring President, Mary Frances Bowley, far left,
in panel discussion with Wellspring Living Staff

Wellspring Living is also working to open a non-residential program, which will provide a safe learning environment for sex trafficking victims who do not require residential care. A day school will enable Wellspring Living to provide educational and therapeutic services, in a cost effective manner, for even more girls.

Gala Guests were invited to "Take a Walk" through the story of how 12- year-old Angela, was lured into sex trafficking. Pimps are skilled at taking advantage of vulnerable children. The story was told via placards, representing the voices of Angela, a Narrator, and a Wellspring Living Teacher.

Introduction to the placards, color coded by speaker.
Angela is represented in each vignette by her purple backpack.

Angela shares that her parents are uninvolved in her life,
and that she is being abused by her uncle.

Angela's room

Vulnerable, Angela is approached by a pimp while she is waiting for a bus.
The pimp flatters Angela, and seems to "understand her better than anyone ever has."
Angela falls for his charm and his promises.

Angela discovers to her horror that the pimp's promises and gifts have strings attached.
Before long, Angela is being held captive, and raped for profit 8-10 times a day.

Angela is rescued, and is thriving in the Wellspring Living Program.

Wellspring Living's comprehensive program addresses the needs of body, soul, and spirit, to provide hope, healing, and a bright future for trafficking victims.
Individualized learning plans provide positive, successful educational experiences for the girls in Wellspring Living's Victory Program.

As you are enjoying the excitement of Christmas, please don't forget the less fortunate. Remember the one hundred plus children per day who are raped for profit in Georgia. Remember the hundreds of girls, and boys, already identified by law enforcement as victims, who are on the streets because there are no available beds in juvenile detention facilities, or safe places like Wellspring Living. During the Christmas Season, out of gratitude for your own family, will you consider a year end gift to Wellspring Living, to help victimized children? If we each give even a little bit, we can help a lot more kids! Thank you for your consideration.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

V.V.B.C. 2012 Book Club Reading List (Jan-June)

2011-11-21T23:10:00.001-05:00

For those of you who are new to the Vicarious Virtual Book Club, or V.V.B.C: This is an online "book club" that follows the reading selections of my "real" book club. This group allows the opportunity for anyone to have a book club experience without actually having to GO to book club! You can enjoy reading the books, hearing about the "real" book club's discussions, and commenting on books, if you desire.

You may enjoy the Vicarious Virtual Book Club wherever you are--no traveling to meetings! If you want to come to online book club meetings in your pajamas, feel free! No worries about what to wear! No membership requirements! No rules!

The V.V.B.C. is simply an opportunity to share your love of books with other like-minded individuals. This online book club blog gives you a place to interact, discuss, comment, and question. Anyone is welcome to join in.

My "real" Sister Chicks book club is also a very informal group. People come when they want, read the books they want, and participate in the discussions--or not! We have an average of about 15 at each meeting. Some people come regularly, while others come only occasionally.

The Sister Chicks had a great list of proposed books from which to choose our next books! Each person who wants to make a suggestion, or two, has the opportunity twice a year. We present our book nominations briefly, then each of us votes for our 6 favorites. The top six vote-getters win.

We selected 5 books outright. The sixth selection ended as a tie. We agreed that one of those two sixth place books will be on our list, and the other will be the first book for the Sister Chicks' reading list for the second half of next year.

I don't post any discussion about the books for the Virtual Book Club until after my "real" book club has discussed the book. Here's the schedule for for the first half of 2012!

January 16   Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

February 13  Nearing Home by Billy Graham

March 19    Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff

April 16    Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly

May 21   Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

June 18   Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I probably LISTEN to about half of my book club selections on my iPhone. I download them from Audible. If you would like to hear audio samples of any of these selections, or get more information about Audible books, please click on one of the Audible links in the right border.

Our nominated books were widely diverse, and there were a number of them that sounded really good. I'm sure I'll be reading some of our "runners up!" I will list all of the nominated books, and all of our previously read books, on a separate blog entry soon, for those of you who might be interested!

Hope you'll join us for some discussions! HAPPY READING!

Welcoming Christmas in Hawkinsville

2011-11-10T23:34:00.001-05:00

Welcoming Christmas in Hawkinsville

One of the things I like best about speaking for groups and retreats is meeting new friends! Last week I had the opportunity to share about my Nativity Collection in Hawkinsville, Georgia, at the Hawkinsville Garden Club's Nativity Luncheon. This fund-raiser helps the Garden Club fund various projects for the city. This Hawkinsville Garden Club has accomplished an impressive list of projects, and they have a number of projects in the works.

My friend and mountain neighbor, Ann Platz, (who was responsible for arranging this speaking engagement), and I, went to Hawkinsville a day early, to bask in gracious Southern hospitality at Opal Wilcox's lovely home on the Ocmulgee River. Opal and her son took us to dinner, at the local steak house, and by the end of the night, after lots of stories, it was hard to believe Opal and I hadn't been friends for years!

The next morning, while eating the sumptuous breakfast Opal prepared, the power went off! Fortunately, our food was cooked we were already dressed for the day! I showed Ann and Opal how to pull the emergency cords to disengage the garage doors from the electric openers, to raise the doors manually. We got the cars out, and headed for the fundraiser!

The lovely Clubhouse at Southern Hills was beautifully appointed with Nativities, and Christmas greenery. Each table's hostess featured Nativities as centerpieces. It was fun seeing the variety of decorations. There were some very lovely Nativity Figures and Sets. Although I have over 200 Nativities in my collection (many of which are small), I did not have any like those on display.

Signing two books that feature my stories, to benefit Wellspring Living,
an organization that confronts sexual abuse, and the forced prostitution of children.

Clubhouse at Southern Hills Golf Club, Hawkinsville, GA.

My hostess, Opal Wilcox's table, with several of her Nativity Sets.
Other tables and nativities are visible in the background.

Jim Shore's "The Journey That Changed the World" decorated one of the tables.
I'd never seen this set, in which Mary is depicted as an expectant mother!

Some of my small nativities. The tiny Guatemalan set, center front, started the collection.

Display with photo illustrations of two of my published stories.

Maasai Nativity from Kenya, Africa.
Photo of mother and child, dressed similarly, whom we met on our visit to Kenya.

My largest Nativity Set, and one of my favorites!

I signed books after the luncheon, then did another book signing at Kimberly's Fine Antiques and Gifts, downtown. Kimberly's, owned by Jill Niblett is full of "treasures!" The shop with its beautifully restored, built-in fixtures, looks like it would be right at home in New York City! Jill and her father undertook the restoration in memory of her mother. If you're on I-75 near Perry, it's well worth the extra 20 minute drive to visit Jill's shop in Hawkinsville!

I enjoyed meeting many of the Hawkinsville Garden Club ladies, and their guests, and look forward to visiting Hawkinsville again, SOON! Thanks for having me!

(NOTE: I will be doing book signings to benefit Wellspring Living in December 2011. Currently, I am scheduled for Thursday, December 15th, from 4-7 at the Wellspring Treasures Store's Kennesaw location. I will post other dates as I get them. Please let me know if you'd like to order either the hardcover Chicken Soup for the Soul Gift of Christmas--$20, or Chicken Soup for the Soul Answered Prayers--$15. I will be glad to personalize the books.The full amount goes to Wellspring Living, when purchased from me, or from the Wellspring Treasures stores. Thank you!)

San Antonio: The Venice of Texas

2011-11-03T10:44:00.000-04:00

San Antonio: The Venice of Texas

Ed and I just returned from a wonderful weekend in San Antonio! I had been hearing, and reading, about San Antonio and the River Walk for years--and, of course, knew about the Alamo--but had never been to that part of Texas. The purpose of our trip was to see Blake's football team, the Georgia State Panthers, play the University of Texas San Antonio's Roadrunners. It was the perfect opportunity for a mini-vacation!

Ed had a last minute conflict, so I ended up flying to San Antonio a day before him, since we had a room for Thursday. I arrived mid-morning at The Riverwalk Vista, a 17-room hotel in an historic warehouse building. I was able to check into my room early, so I shed my luggage, picked up brochures and maps, and headed out to explore the city.

View from Riverwalk restaurant. The bridges reminded me of Venice, Italy.

Since our hotel was on the River Walk, I started there. I was thrilled to find a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory directly across the river! I immediately purchased several decadent-looking chocolates to save for later. I wandered through the shops and restaurants on the river, for several blocks in each direction, then hopped a city bus to the Historic Market Square. I enjoyed "people watching" as I perused arts and crafts from local artists, as well as from Mexico, and Central and South America. I bought a Mexican tin Nativity Set in a small tin box.

Mural

Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery, adjacent to the Market Square, had been recommended to me by a Georgia State fan at the Quarterback Club Luncheon. I enjoyed a late lunch there. I chose the Chilaquiles Famosos from the breakfast menu, which I am going to attempt to duplicate at home! Everything was delicious! (Crisp corn tortilla strips scrambled with eggs, topped with ranchero sauce and aged melted cheddar cheese, served with refried beans, tortillas, and Carne de Puerco en Chile Cascabel--pork tips in red sauce.) I had excellent service from the wait staff, was serenaded by roving musicians, and enjoyed amiable conversation with diners at adjacent tables.

Mi Tierra Musicians

Mi Tierra also has a bakery. The display cases were filled with a wonderful assortment of Mexican pastries and candies. Again, I chose several of their sugary treats to take with me!

I arrived back at The Riverwalk Vista just in time for their freshly baked afternoon cookies. After a brief rest, I walked to tour the restored buildings in San Antonio's first neighborhood, and visit The Shops at La Villita Historic Art Village. I also saw the Arneson River Theater.

Mustang Grey's My favorite shop in La Villita

I ate Mi Tierra leftovers for supper in my hotel room, then pulled out my chocolates and pralines, and indulged in my own private "Sugar Coma Tour of San Antonio!" (I've been trying to attend a Broke Socialite Sugar Coma event in Atlanta for two years, but keep missing them due to conflicts!) This stash of candy lasted for four days! I rationed it, and did not eat it all in one sitting--just so you know! LOL!

My goodies from Mi Tierra and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shop!
Clockwise from top left: Coconut praline, caramel type fudge,three-layered liqueur truffle,
champagne truffle, pecan praline, and a square of chocolate covered toffee

Early Friday morning, as I was dressing, I realized I had left all of my pants, except for some leggings, hanging in my closet at home! OOPS! That meant I wore black leggings with everything the entire weekend (which worked well with my black cowgirl boots!)

When Ed arrived, we set out on foot for The Alamo. We took a self-guided audio tour of The Alamo, then walked to the River Walk and had some appetizers while sitting by the River, to tide us over till our evening reception.

Ed and Jamie at the Alamo!

Supper was a reception hosted by the Georgia State Alumni Association at the Rio Rio Cantina on the River Walk.

Beverly Hogan and Jamie Wyatt with Carolyn Curry at Alumni Reception

(Note my leggings and cowgirl boots! LOL!) Photo by Amanda Scott

After the reception, we took a barge tour of the river, then got a bird's eye view of San Antonio from the top of the Tower of the Americas.

Alamo Dome from the Tower of the Americas

Saturday Morning, we attended the Georgia State Alumni Association Brunch at the Hyatt Regency, then we boarded a bus for the game at the Alamo Dome. Unfortunately, the Panthers lost in overtime.

Ed and I waited to see Blake after the game, then went back to the River Walk to eat supper, Ed paid a Mexican quartet to serenade us with a love song. After supper, we watched the Coffin Parade on River Barges, in honor of Halloween, and Mexico's Dio de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead.) Then, after walking around the city for a bit, it was back to our hotel to pack for our 6 a.m. flight home.

Video of Coffin Parade on Barges, River Walk, San Antonio, TX

We had a wonderful weekend eating Tex-Mex across San Antonio. Our hotel location on the River Walk was perfect--a block from the Alamo, and a half a block from the team's hotel, where we ate and caught the bus to the game. Ed especially enjoyed learning more about the history of San Antonio and the Alamo.

San Antonio was clean, safe, and a lot of fun! Prices were reasonable. Dinner at Casa Rio, the oldest restaurant on the River Walk, was less than $20 total--for more food than the two of us could eat! We'd love to visit San Antonio again! In the meantime, I'm ordering more candy online!

Video of our view While Eating Supper on the River Walk at Casa Rio

Please "like" my Dancing on the Journey facebook page, to keep up with my blog, and "like" my JOY on the Journey facebook page
to share family traditions for my upcoming book. THANK YOU!

Jamie's San Antonio Photo Gallery
GSU Panther Mama Blog and Photo Gallery LInk

More Rabun Ramblings!

2011-10-15T18:15:00.003-04:00

More Rabun Ramblings!*

A group of 36 adults from First Baptist Peachtree City had a fabulous 3 day fall retreat at McAfee Mountain (located at Andy's Trout Farm), near Dillard, Georgia. Sonya, Paula, and Diane tailored our event to meet our needs, and made sure we all felt like "family!"

Visiting in front of the fireplace in the Lobby area

We left Peachtree City Sunday after lunch at church and arrived at McAfee Mountain about 4 p.m. After quickly shedding our possessions in our rooms, a decent contingent of folks undertook the task of fishing for our supper! The Andy's Trout Farm staff cleaned our catch, and an hour later, we were enjoying freshly fried Georgia mountain trout, with coleslaw and hushpuppies!

Fishing at Andy's Trout Farm's beautiful mountain setting!

After supper, our speaking tag-team was Laurie Altieri and Barbara Woodall, long-time friends, who worked together on the world-renowned Foxfire books. Foxfire revolutionized learning by sharing the methods honed through publishing a student initiated magazine.

Laurie and Barbara were among the first Foxfire students. They worked for Foxfire briefly after high school, and now Laurie is back working with Foxfire at their museum.

Laurie passionately shared background on the Foxfire program, and how the Foxfire class impacted both Barbara and herself. Laurie shared lots of information and fun facts about the Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center, where Foxfire students used book royalty funds to purchase property, then moved and restored over 20 historic buildings, representative of Appalachian life in the late 1700's through the 1800's. This session was designed to give everyone background information for our Foxfire Museum tour on Tuesday.

Barbara spoke with enthusiasm about growing up in Rabun County, her relationships, and the simple pleasures she enjoyed. Barbara has recently published the regional bestseller It's Not My Mountain Anymore, which she signed and personalized for purchasers.

Barbara's talk was seasoned with colorful colloquialisms. She kept telling us, "I ain't no preacher," but her strong faith and her interpretations of Scripture, left no doubt that she is a FINE preacher! Watch the video, and decide for yourself!

Barbara Woodall, author of It's Not My Mountain Anymore

We did an evening devotion about the Jewish concept of Kehillah Kedoshah--a sacred, intimate community of faith. We purposed to get to know each other better during this trip, and take the concept home with us. Everyone took a treasure from the pirate treasure chest as a reminder of the many "treasures," including relationships, with which we are already blessed, and the need to continue to store up "treasures in heaven."

After Monday morning's continental breakfast at McAfee Mountain, about half our group joined me in stretching and exercising to praise music. Our morning devotion time explored the JOY of the Lord, and everyone took another treasure from the treasure chest as they left.

Part of the group departed for the shops of Dillard, the rest enjoyed a leisurely morning. We all met up for a veritable Southern feast, served family style, at the Dillard House for lunch.

One of four tables at the Dillard House

We all received Dillard House buttons and discount coupons.
(The "gold coins" necklace was part of the treasure from our weekend's "PirateTheme.")

Because I saw an ad in last month's Georgia Mountain Laurel for The Whistle Stop Mall in Franklin, after lunch, part of our group went shopping there! The rest of the group enjoyed relaxing at McAfee mountain, and hiking to a waterfall.

The Rock House Waterfall, where Cherokee Indians hid out during the Trail of Tears.

After a "souper" supper at McAfee Mountain, we enjoyed learning some of the basics of square dancing from veteran caller, Jerry Cope.

Circling Left

After square dancing, we did sparklers, roasted marshmallows, and made s'mores, then fell into bed, happily exhausted!

Tuesday morning we had breakfast, did early morning exercise and stretching, then had our morning devotion about personal renewal. We took our last "daily treasure" from the pirates' chest, then packed up to leave. Several of us would have loved to stay on at McAfee Mountain!

We struck out, during a steady drizzle, for O'sage Market for produce, then on to the Foxfire Museum. We were able to enjoy picnicking on Subway, and delicious desserts from Linda's Sweet Treats and Antiques, while seeking shelter from the rain under the porches of some of the Foxfire buildings. (Linda's Caramel Cake is my favorite, along with her chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies--just like Mama used to make!)

This porch offered shelter for our picnic!

Roy Kilgore tries out the coffin in the church.

After a stop for apples, jellies, and jams at Hillside Orchard, and a brief looking and shopping stop at the Tallulah Point Overlook, the group headed South toward home. I was able to stay and enjoy one more day of fall color in the mountains of Rabun County!

Hillside Orchard's fruit breads make THE WORLD'S BEST French Toast!

Click Here for an Album with More Photos.

*First Baptist's Pre-school Pastor, Charleen Smith's help was invaluable, as was Roy Kilgore's, and bus driver Bracken Stubbs! Thanks, y'all!

Charleen's Photo Album

*Special thanks to Teka, from the Rabun County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, for all your help planning our trip, and for the "goody bags." (FYI--In addition to all the aforementioned places, we bought gasoline, visited drug and grocery stores, and shopped at assorted other businesses. Rabun County is a GREAT place to visit and live, and, personally, Rabun County is my favorite place in the world!)

Please "Like" my Dancing on the Journey facebook page! Thanks!

Growing Up In A Magical Place: Fernandina Beach

2011-10-07T01:23:00.000-04:00

Growing Up In A Magical Place:
Fernandina Beach

ONCE UPON A TIME, longer ago than I like to admit, (actually, over fifty years ago), and not so very far away, was a magical place in which to live and grow up, called Fernandina Beach.

Fernandina, is on Amelia Island, which is Florida's northernmost, east coast barrier island. The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean and sets over the St. Mary's River. You can look across the river, from the docks downtown, and see GEORGIA. (This was amazing to me as a child, since Georgia seemed so far away!)

View looking down Centre Street in Fernandina
Photo by www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com

Fifty plus years ago, Fernandina was a sleepy, small town. Doctors made house calls. Dry cleaning was delivered to your home. The Fuller Brush Man visited regularly with free samples. Doors were left unlocked.

With drug stores, barber shops, clothing stores, a shoe store, office supplies, bakeries, hardware stores, a movie theater, jewelers, a bowling alley, grocery stores, gas stations, and a hospital, we had pretty much everything we needed without ever having to leave the island!

Lots of children knew each other almost from birth, since many of our parents also grew up together. Some families had lots of relatives in the area. New girls and boys moved to town. Over time they became "old friends," as well, through interactions in our neighborhoods, churches, scout troops, clubs, sports, and schools.

As children, we could ramble and explore for hours, because our parents knew everyone we were with, and their parents. My mother knew exactly where I'd been, before I even got home to tell her!

We played in the park across from the junior high. We played tennis on the public courts. We rode our bikes to buy penny candy from E-Z Pic and GW's. We rode our bikes to swimming lessons and "public swims" at the pool at the Recreation Center. When we got tired of swimming, we put peanuts in a bottle of Coke for a snack. We also had ceramics classes and "Sub-Teen" Club at the Rec Center.

We spent Saturdays, and lazy summer days, walking downtown for comic books and 5¢ Cokes, and 6¢ Cherry or Vanilla Cokes from Gene's, or 10¢ ice cream cones from Waas' Drug Store. (Ice Cream cones were free from Waas' if you had a prescription for an ice cream cone from Dr. Stewart, our dentist, for having a good dental check up.)

We went to Becker's after school for Cokes with half-orders of french fries, or, when they had a promotion, we popped a balloon to try to get a banana split for a penny! (Prices ranged from 1-39 cents.)

We played outside till after dark, and our two favorite outdoor events were: (1) the Ice Cream Man coming by in his truck, and (2) the Mosquito Control truck spraying, so we could get lost in the fog.

Fernandina Beach
Photo by www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com

We walked to the beach with friends, where we jumped waves, rode rented rafts, balanced on skim boards, and surfed on long boards. When we were thoroughly parched, we got hydration from public water fountains, where the water was HOT, or from the Golden Sands, Moore's, or the Blue Seas, which had a walk-up service window on the beach!

We gathered sand dollars, conchs, whelks, angel wings, fingernails, and other shells by the hundreds. We harvested sea oats for dried flower arrangements. We trudged up and raced down the multiple layers of sand dunes that lined North and South Fletcher, before Hurricanes Donna and Dora took them out.

We played Putt-Putt, jumped on the trampolines, ate snow cones, went skating and played pinball at Main Beach. When we got our driver's licenses, we endlessly circled town and the beach.

Starting in junior high, we had beach parties with bon fires. (Of course, that was before there were turtle patrols, condos, The Amelia Island Plantation, The Ritz Carlton, the park at Peter's Point, or the multiple public beach accesses.)

The PTA had Halloween Carnivals under the bleachers at the city football field and there were Friday night high school football games at the same location. On the 4th of July, the Kiwanis Club hosted their fireworks at the football field.

After the quonset hut movie theater by the water tower closed downtown, our only movie options were the drive-in theater at five points, or occasional movies at church youth group events. We also had hayrides, Shrine parades, and Shrimp Boat races, for further entertainment.

When our Girl Scout troop camped at Fort Clinch, we chopped trees for firewood, with hatchets, and used our Girl Scout knives to cut palmetto fronds for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. We had great and scary adventures searching for alligators at Willow Pond.

We went "sand surfing" and "dune buggy" riding on the huge dunes at the Fort. We could still get down into the entrance of a tunnel, and into the ovens, when we played "hide and seek" and "Sardines" at the fort! We also played Sardines at the Baptist Church, and enjoyed breathtaking views of town and the river from the third story roof!

We grew up doing a lot of things that are no longer considered safe, politically or socially correct, or environmentally sound. Those things were a LOT of fun, though! Fernandina was truly a magical place in "the olden days." It still is magical, it's just different now, somehow.

For the last ten years, a core group of nine "girls" have gotten together at a rented beach house to enjoy the beach and reminisce about "the good old days." Other friends join us periodically at the beach and about town.

In addition to this being our tenth year at the beach, it was also our 40th Fernandina Beach High School Class Reunion weekend, and I wanted to memorialize our beach weekend with some photos.

My new friend, Libby Wilkes, of Elizabeth Wilkes Photography, came out to the beach to capture some memories for us. The photo below is my favorite. I was already a fan of Libby's work, after receiving one of her photo books as a gift, and seeing her studio's beautiful video of the island.

Beach Chicks--Ten Years at the Beach & 40th High School Reunion
Photo by www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com

If you have even one good, "old friend," you are rich indeed! My Fernandina friends and I are fortunate to have so many long-term friendships. We're finding, as time goes on, it takes a group effort to remember details of our history! It takes a long time to grow "old friends!" I am blessed, indeed!

Love to all my friends, OLD and NEW! (As we used to sing in Girl Scouts:
"Make new friends, but keep the old; One is silver and the other gold!)

Life in the Fast Lane! A Visit to Atlanta Motor Speedway

2011-09-21T03:12:00.002-04:00

Life in the Fast Lane!
A Visit to Atlanta Motor Speedway

Pleasant temperatures and overcast skies set the stage for the JOY Group's monthly excursion for September. We took a tour of the Atlanta Motor Speedway, which I highly recommend. It is a bargain at only $5.00, with organizer and bus driver getting in free!

AMS Entrance

Our tour guide, David, gave us a very informative "behind the scenes" tour that included visits to Pit Row, the Finish Line, Victory Lane, the garages, and one of the deluxe suites that overlooks the finish line, and two (fast) laps around the track. Actually, we drove around more, because David let us take pictures several places.

David, who also served as our driver, assured us that he never drives over 65 m.p.h. on the track, and we certainly don't want him to get into trouble for breaking any rules! I'm sure it was probably just the angle from which we passengers were viewing the gauge, but I thought I saw 85 on the speedometer, before I started watching the wall rushing toward me from the front passenger seat. Jim, First Baptist Peachtree City's Discipleship Pastor, thought he saw 95!

Whatever the speed, it was plenty fast, and more than exciting enough for me! The banking feels pretty drastic when you're going slowly, but as you pick up speed, it's less obvious. Riding around the track was fun, and David kept us entertained! He told stories, and patiently answered all our questions.

Going around the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway at almost a hundred miles per hour wasn't on my "Bucket List," but maybe it should have been! As we started picking up speed, my adrenaline kicked in, and the trip started to seem a little risky, even though I felt fairly safe.

My finger was in the way as I turned around to take the photo. Note passengers leaning!

Picking up speed, and headed up the slope on the curve!

I don't have any desire to take that same trip at speeds of well over 170 m.p.h., like the NASCAR drivers, which puts them around the track in less than a minute! If I ever change my mind, though, there are options to pay for the experience of taking a ride with a race car driver, or of taking driving lessons with the Richard Petty Driving Experience!

We found out there is going to be a Christmas Light Display at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It is 1.7 miles of lights, and the charge is only $15.00 per vehicle. I think that's going to be our JOY outing for December! Stay tuned!

Mural and Photo Display in Elevator Lobby.
There were clouds painted on the ceiling, and a #3 in the clouds....

Finish Line!

Under the stands, which seat over 120,000!

View from Suites

Link to more Photos from the JOY Trip.

Things—(and People)--We Overlook

2011-09-08T01:19:00.000-04:00

Please consider voting for me to have my blog photo on a Times Square Billboard. Click on this link, then click on the "Share" or "Vote" button in the upper right of the page, then click on the "Vote" button. Thank you!

Things—(and People)--We Overlook

(Warning: this blog entry starts out lightly but ends on a somber note.)

I had an “aha moment” last week as I was leaving my hair appointment.

Approaching my car, I observed a lovely budding/floweringtree that was shading my parking space. As I was unlocking my car door, I wondered what kind of treeit was. Suddenly, a gust of wind brought me face to face with a cluster ofleaves/buds that were hiding a bug! I realized if I had not been forced to lookclosely at the leaves, as the branch hit me in the head, I would have missedthe bug! I took pictures to keep as a reminder.

I think this is a stink bug. Am I right?

The cluster that "slapped me in the face!" See the bug?

Any idea what kind of tree this is? I've gotten conflicting opinions!

I was literally “smacked in the face” by the realizationthat there must be an amazing number of things I miss, simply because I don’t always pay attention to details. It’scertainly easy to miss little things if you’re distracted. My "bug moment" was a reminder to stay focused, stay observant, and stay “in the moment.”

That lesson was brought home to me again as my friend, SallyBelveal, and I were in Rabun County, hoping Sally would be able to see somebears. We patiently sat by the windows. We even flipped the floodlights on several times, to see if we could catch a glimpse of any bears. No bears the first night. We did see a fox, prowling around a tree! It was the first timeI’ve seen a fox in the mountains. If we had not been intentionally looking, by occasionally turning on the lights, we would never have known it was there.

See the fox standing up on the left side of the tree.

We arose the next morning before 6 a.m. to continue our bear vigil. We keptwatch continuously for several hours. No bears. We watched on and off during the day, knowingif we didn’t keep watch, we would miss them. I saw a mama deer with her spottedfawn, but no bruins.

At 5 p.m., we began another dedicated vigil, not movingfrom the windows for 2 hours. I finally got up and fixed eggplant Parmesan with eggplants fromO’Sage, and tomatoes and peppers from our friend, Bobby Suggs, while Sally continued our vigil. Wehad just helped our plates, and seated ourselves back by the windows to eat, when I caughta glimpse of something in my peripheral vision moving almost behindme.

I turned, and loudly whispered to Sally, “BEAR!” It took her a moment torealize what I meant and look in the right direction. As we watched, a mama bearwith two cubs proceeded to explore the area and forage for food. We were able towatch them for twenty minutes! Yet again, if I had not looked down from the second story window, during the twenty minutes the bears were there, we would have missed them!

The next morning, we did another early two hour vigil with no bear sightings. Afterward, we proceeded to clean and pack up for our return home. Periodically, as we passed through the living area, Sally and I would glance hopefully out the windows. At about a quarter till 8 a.m., I looked out and saw the bears! We were able to observe them for two minutes, until a noise startled the babies and they quickly ran up two trees! As you can see below, they climbed really HIGH, in less than three seconds. When they came down, they quickly disappeared into the National Forest. What a blessing to observe God's creatures in the wild--and we could so easily have missed that two minute opportunity!

To share a heavier twist on my musings about overlooking "things," I thought of the people whom I've also been guilty of overlooking (the homeless, the mentally ill, prostitutes, etc.) I remembered how stunned I was when I first realized that the prostitutes who were eating supper at my table were "normal girls"--just like my daughter and nieces! I realized with conviction that if my own circumstances had been different, I could easily have been in the same situations as the girls whom I have befriended through Wellspring Living. (It is a myth that most prostitutes "choose" to stay in that lifestyle!)

Recently, after hearing the statistic that '100 young girls are sold for sex each night in Atlanta,' a friend emphatically told me that she doesn't want to know any more details about child sex-trafficking in Atlanta. She said if she knows about it, she'll have to do something about it.

I responded, "That's the idea." But, I didn't push it. I understand that it IS easier to ignore the things that make us uncomfortable. Child sex trafficking is ugly. Abused children, adult prostitutes, the homeless, the addicted, the mentally ill, the poor, and others in need are waiting--helplessly and hopelessly--for us to stop overlooking them. We need to help them. It's What Jesus Would Do....

(Contact Wellspring Living, on whose board I serve, for more information on Child Sex Trafficking. Or contact me: Jamie Wyatt)

Enjoying Rabun's Baby Bruins!

2011-08-25T00:12:00.000-04:00

Enjoying Rabun's Baby Bruins!

In contrast to my recent Rabun ramblings and jam-packed weekend trips, this visit was much more laid-back and relaxing! I stopped at Annie's on my way in, and got the last container of pimiento cheese! WOOT!

I followed a wild turkey up my road, unloaded my car, then settled down with a book. I glanced down just in time to see a mama bear with two cubs disappearing around the corner of my house. I only had time to snap one blurry picture of the babies! (I missed the mama bear.)

Monday, I did some leisurely research, with the help of the Rabun County Convention and Visitor's Bureau for the overnight adult trip I'm leading to Rabun County in October. I went to Andy's Trout Farm for the first time in probably 40 years! Good memories of fishing! It surely is beautiful there! On the way back, I stopped by O'Sage, in Dillard, for some fresh and delicious local corn, apples, eggplant, tomatoes and honey!

When I got back "home," I was able to watch the mama and baby bruins exploring in my yard for several minutes before they disappeared into the forest! AMAZING!

Low tire pressure prompted a visit to Wiley Tire & Automotive on the way to lunch with my neighbor Susie, before heading back to Fayetteville. They added air to all tires, made sure the warning light was off, and sent me on my way with no charge.

Lunch was at Fromage A triple salad plate, topped off with THE BEST DESSERT I CAN EVER REMEMBER! Their chocolate peanut butter pie is the perfect marriage of the two flavors! The piece was HUGE. Suzie and I split it, and there was plenty to take home for Ed and me to split again!

Fall is definitely in the mountain air in the mornings. I am looking forward to a return visit this weekend!

Southern Hospitality at the Blue Willow Inn!

2011-08-19T00:57:00.000-04:00

Southern Hospitality
at the Blue Willow Inn!

44 Belles and Beaus from First Baptist Peachtree City enjoyed a wonderful Southern Buffet today at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle.

There was a bountiful array of food, including a soup and salad bar, fresh Southern Vegetables and side dishes, a variety of meats and fish, breads, and desserts. (I enjoyed vegetables, soup, biscuit, dessert and sweet tea today!) Blue Willow Inn meals are "all you can eat," and some in our group went back more than once. (I won't name names!)

Some of our group enjoying the food and each other.

Here I am, with friends, in front of the gift shop overlooking a lovely pond.

Enjoying the breeze and the rocking chairs after lunch. Note the lemonade and lemon water for guests (cart at bottom left.)

Ted Montesano and His Magic Keyboard (phone 404-573-9080) prompted some of us to do some spontaneous "aerobic exercise" after lunch!

Ted Montesano plays "I'll Fly Away!"

For more photos from the Blue Willow Inn Today, click HERE.

A good time was had by all!

V.V.B.C Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom (Online Book Club)

2011-08-16T22:27:00.001-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club
have a little faith by Mitch Albom (Online Book Club)

NOTE: Spoiler alert! This is an overview of the discussion from the monthly book club meeting of the Sister Chick Book Club, Peachtree City, GA. If you intend to read this book, and don't wish to hear details about its contents, stop reading now!

Debbie Slowik was last night's facilitator. There were thirteen members present. This is the first book in a long time that everyone liked! Debbie prepared by doing a lot of internet research, and by watching videos of Mitch Albom online. Debbie shared interesting insights and discussion questions from her research. (Here are two videos from Mitch Albom's Official Youtube Channel, and a link below them for a third video.)

Mitch and Henry

Mitch with the Reb (Rabbi) and Henry (Pastor)

Link to Mitch and Henry on Today Show, the Day Before Henry Died

In Mitch's words: "His (Rabbi Albert Lewis, known as Reb) request plunges me back into the world of belief, a world I had left behind. I am drawn back to my childhood congregation and my old hometown—a suburban temple in southern New Jersey. At the same time, I am led to a poor, inner-city church in downtown Detroit—where I live now—with a hole in its roof where the rain and snow fall in. It is run by a former convict turned pastor, Henry Covington, who does his penance by taking care of the homeless.

This is a story about believing in something and the two very different men who taught me how. It took a long time to write. It took me to churches and synagogues, to the suburbs and the city, to the "us" versus "them" that divides faith around the world."

Debbie pointed out that in most every interview, Mitch Albom mentioned two things. One: Mitch was very overwhelmed when his Rabbi asked Mitch to do his eulogy. Two: Babies enter the world with their fists clinched, thinking they can grab hold of everything. However, we die with our hands open, because we know we can't take anything with us. She felt that those two things must have been very significant to the author. One of the video clips above illustrates the second.

In Mitch's mind, Reb, his Rabbi, as a "Man of God," was only slightly lower than God in spiritual significance. Reb was the only Rabbi Mitch ever had. When Mitch moved away, he retained membership in his childhood Synagogue. Mitch continued to travel home each year for the High Holy Days. Mitch maintained his traditions, but gradually was distanced from his childhood faith. Mitch had married a Christian, and they celebrated holidays from both traditions, but the rituals they observed didn't have deep meaning for Mitch.

Mitch was drawn to Reb's joy and peace, observing that "he didn't know many people at peace." Mitch was intrigued by Reb's "always celebrating what Reb called 'our beautiful faith.' "

We discussed reasons why Reb may have asked Mitch to do his eulogy. Several admitted to thoughts that Reb might have wanted Mitch to do it to boost Reb's status, because Mitch was famous, but that was given little credence, because of Reb's unpretentiousness. More people believed that Reb wanted to bring Mitch back to his faith, and Reb knew that Mitch's influence and involvement in Reb's service would impact lots more people in a positive way than having someone less well known deliver the eulogy.

Sister Chick Book Club members who read early versions of this book, did not know that Henry Covington had died. It was a revelation to a number of people that a chapter with Henry's farewell and eulogy were added as an Epilogue in the paperback version which many of us had read.

Everyone loved Henry's miraculous victory over a life of drugs and crime, and how he lived out his faith by helping others who were "down and out," struggling with poverty, homelessness, drugs, etc. We discussed the validity of Mitch's skepticism about Henry's sincerity, and how Henry's steadfastness earned Mitch's respect.

Reb's wisdom, humor, and dedication to family and congregants appealed to everyone in our group. Debbie mentioned many of Reb's significant thoughts, and others jumped in with their favorites, as well.

Favorite quotes from the book:

“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe”

"It's the blending of the different notes that makes the music."

"The secret to happiness...be satisfied and be grateful."

“It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no, than to think that nobody’s out there”

"Lord, I've done x amount of good stuff on earth. I have tried to follow your teachings and to pass them on. I have loved my family, I've been part of a community. And I have been, I think, fairly good to people.
So, Heavenly Father, for all this, what is my reward?
And what do you think God will say? ...
He'll say, 'Reward? What reward? That's what you were supposed to do!'"

"When you come to the end, that's where God begins."
It gives you a peaceful feeling.

“You're a man of God, too, everyone is.”

"my answer here, too, is yes, there is something. But friends, I'm sorry. Now that I know, I can't even tell you"

"If you could pack for heaven, this was how you'd do it, touch everything, take nothing."

"I think people expect too much from marriage today" he said. "They expect perfection. Every moment should be a bliss. That´s TV or movies. But that is not the human experience. Like Sarah says, twenty good minutes here, forty good minutes there, it adds up to something beautiful. The trick is when things aren´t so great, you don´t junk the whole thing. It´s okay to have an argument. It´s okay that the other one nudges you a little, bothers you a little. It´s part of being close to someone. But the joy you get from the sam closeness - when you watch your children, whan you wake up and smile at each other - that, as our tradition teaches us, is a blessing. People forget that. Why do they forget it? Because the word "commitment" has lost its meaning. I´m old enough to remember when it used to be positive. A committed person was someone to be admired. He was loyal and steady. Now a commitment is something you avoid. You don´t want to tie yourself down."

"The most inspirational man I knew only reached his potential by helping a child reach his."

“That kind of love- the kind you realise you already have by the life you’ve created together- that’s the kind that lasts.”

"There was a sermon where he brought a squash and a piece of wood, then slammed each with a knife to show that things which grow quickly are often more easily destroyed than those which take a long time"

"But I realized something as I drove home that night: that I am neither better nor smarter, only luckier. And I should be ashamed of thinking I knew everything, because you can know the whole world and still feel lost in it. So many people are in pain - no matter how smart or accomplished - they cry, they yearn, they hurt. But instead of looking down on things, they look up, which is where I should have been looking, too. Because when the world quiets to the sound of your own breathing, we all want the same things: comfort, love, and a peaceful heart."

"God sings, we hum along, and there are many melodies, but it's all one song - one same, wonderful, human song."

"After the Israelites safely crossed the Red Sea, the Egyptians chased after them and were drowned. God's angels wanted to celebrate the enemy's demise.
God saw this and grew angry. He said, in essence, 'Stop celebrating. For they are my children,too."

"I am in love with hope"

A couple of people, including Debbie, our moderator, had have a little faith more than once, and said they got even more out of it a second time. I can certainly believe that, as I was reviewing the book for this blog entry. This is a book I will continue to recommend. It's a very quick, but profound read.

Thanks, Debbie! Any comments? Y'all just jump right in!

V.V.B.C. (Online Book Club) Sarah's Key Movie Review

2011-08-10T22:33:00.003-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club
Online Book Club
Sarah's Key--The Movie

I'd like to recommend the movie, (and the book,) Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay. It portrays a little known chapter in Paris' history. Some of the members of our Sister Chicks Book Club went to Atlanta today, to see Sarah's Key, since we had previously read the book as one of our monthly book selections. I rate it an 8 out of 10.

I thought the movie rendition of the book was wonderful. The director and producer did a great job translating the book to film. The actors did a good job. Often, movies don't capture books to my satisfaction. This movie surpassed my expectations.

We all liked the movie, and afterward had a brief discussion about why the movie isn't in many theaters. The conclusion we came to is because it is partially subtitled. There was a lot of English spoken, since the main female character, present day, is American. However, since the story takes place in France, there are portions of subtitled French dialogue. There was not too much subtitling, so it was easy to follow.

The story revolves around the movie's namesake, Sarah, a Jewish girl living in Paris with her family during World War II. This is a fictionalized account of events that took place in Paris in July of 1942. The underlying story is about the government of France, and the French police, collaborating with the Germans in rounding up Jews during World War II, to send them to camps. The Vel' d'Hiv was an indoor cycle track in Paris. Approximately 7,500 men, women, and children were taken from their homes and held in the Vel' d'Hiv for five days without adequate water, medical, or bathroom facilities. Sarah and her family were among them.

The fate of Sarah and her home form the framework of the story. The movie moves very effectively back and forth between the present and the past. Go see Sarah's Key, and let me know what you think!

Relishing Rabun! (Rabun County, GA)

2011-08-09T12:26:00.002-04:00

Relishing Rabun!

On my way into Clayton (in Rabun County, GA), I stopped atmy “go to” place for caffeine (Coca-cola, never coffee!), bathroom breaks, and wi-fi: Micky D’s (McDonalds!) Then, I picked up the August issue of Georgia Mountain Laurelmagazine, at the magazine’s office in downtown Clayton. (You can now read themagazine online by clicking HERE. )

I’d seen an article in the Georgia Mountain Laurel’s onlineversion about the Orianne Society, which is an organization dedicated toconserving reptiles and amphibians in the wild. Having never heard of them, Icalled to see if they are open Saturdays. Upon finding they are not, I stoppedbriefly by their organization’s headquarters on 441, across from the UnitedCommunity Bank. I spoke with some very nice people, and saw several venomoussnakes, a venomous Gila Monster, a tortoise, and a majestic Eastern Indigosnake, which is listed as “threatened.”

I called Annie’s at Alley’s in Lakemont to see what timethey closed, and to make sure they had some pimiento cheese. I slid in, justbefore 5, to pick up bread and pimiento cheese. I don’t care much for hot andspicy foods, but Annie’s pimiento cheese has a nice “kick,” and is almostaddictive! All their sandwiches and soups are good, as well. Annie’s is nowopen on Sunday afternoons, starting at noon!

Be sure to try the pimiento cheese!

While having a snack at home, and enjoying the long-rangeview of the beautiful mountains of Rabun County and beyond, I happened to lookbehind me, and saw a baby bear, about the size of our puppies, playing in thegrass! I’m estimating it was about 30 pounds. (Our property adjoins NationalForest land, and has bountiful wildlife trails crossing it.)

Baby Bear!

My friends, Jean Jones, and her daughters, Kelly and Shannonarrived about 9 p.m. for the weekend. We caught up, and then had a “midnightsnack,” which included more of Annie’s pimiento cheese!

First thing Saturday morning, I saw a beautiful sunrise! When everyone else got up, we watched wild turkeys anddeer. Hoping for another bear sighting. No luck! We went to Tiger Food Mart andsplit a biscuit and cookies, to hold us till lunch. Tiger Food Mart is where I get my "sweet tea" caffeine fixes! (Sweet Treats and Antiqueswas closed for vacation. I was disappointed, since that is my favorite dessert place!

My "Mountain Cathedral" (with thanks to Dan Fogelberg for the term.)

Next on my regular agenda: Goats on the Roof. Shannon and Kelly earned their Goat Ranger Stickers by feeding the goats. Kidsof all ages enjoy feeding goats!

Kelly and Me

The Jones Girls with a Goat Friend!

We crossed over into South Carolina, to go to the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. We walked down to watch rafters and kayakers at BullSluice. Jean and the girls walked down to the beach and rafting put-in point.We worked up an appetite for lunch at the Dillard House, which was our nextstop! I can't believe we forgot to take pictures there! Shannon went crazy over the Butternut Squash Souffle and biscuits!

Bull Sluice Rapids on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River

After lunch, we stopped by Sylvan Falls Mill for somefreshly ground cornmeal. I bought blue cornmeal to try! We continued on to thelake in Black Rock State Park, where we walked off some of our lunch, on the mile-longtrail around the lake. I enjoyed taking wild flower photos.

Sylvan Falls Mill Grinding Machinery

Lake and walking trail in Black Rock State Park

We stopped in at the Foxfire Gift Shop, where I saw myfriend, Laurie Brunson Altieri. Laurie is back with Foxfire, after living inVirginia for 35 years. She was one of the "Foxfire kids" in the 70's, and worked for Foxfire after college for a couple of years, too. Laurie is a great story-teller, and I know she’s an asset in her new job! She really whetted our appetite for a tour of Foxfire’s 22reconstructed historic buildings! We didn’t have time to complete theself-guided tour Saturday, but I can’t wait to go back to explore some more!

We finished our day with some "rest and relaxation:" reading, napping, hot tubbing, andwildlife sightings! Everyone decided to turn in early, in anticipation of anotherfabulous day in Rabun County!

Sunday morning, Jean awakened me a little after 6:30 withthese exciting words: “There’s a bear outside!” I jumped up, handed Jean mycamera, and told her I’d go tell Kelly and Shannon. We saw a fabuloussunrise, and watched a fairly large male bear exploring our yard for almost anhour!

"The morning sun is shining like a red rubber ball...." From a song by Cyrkle.
It was really redder than it looks!

Medium Sized Male Bear

After the bear left, since we were all wide awake, wedecided to head out for breakfast at the Cupboard Café in Dillard. We allenjoyed our bountiful breakfasts, and were glad to have started our day early!

On our way from breakfast to Wal-Mart for some necessities, Jean spotted asign for The Kudzu Factory in Mountain City. We were intrigued, so we stopped.We enjoyed the artistry of Joleen Oh’s and Cleve Phillip’a woven pine needleand kudzu creations. We sampled white chocolate Kudzu Candy and I bought somekudzu blossom jelly, which I love! Joleen and her mother also make beautifulcards out of kudzu paper!

Joleen let us in to the Promenade Arts and Craft Mall in Mountain City, located behind the Kudzu Factory, so we could peruse the wonderful treasures inside. ThePromenade is located in Mrs. Rodgers’ warehouse, which for many yearshoused a mail order craft kit business. While I was growing up, Mrs. Rodgers was my grandparent’sneighbor across Johnson Street.

After Wal-Mart, we visited one of Rabun County’s many waterfalls for somephoto opportunities. After Shannon got into the falls, I got in with her! Then,Kelly and Jean joined in the fun!

The “Jones Girls” got to see bears twice on Sunday, andafter they left, I got to see TWO baby bears with a male bear! I was stunned byhow quickly baby bears can climb trees! What a blessing to be able to see suchmagnificent creatures in the wild!

TWO baby bears!

Watch the baby bears climb the tree, and come down! They got spooked when the air conditioner compressor kicked on.

Here is a link to a previous blog about Rabun County, showcasing some of the MANYreasons I loved Rabun County as a child and why I love living here part-time!The price on my next-door neighbor’s mountain house has just been reduced. She has a million dollar view, for a fraction of that! Click HERE to see the listing! Afterreading about “my mountains,” don’t you want to be my mountain neighbor? I’dlove to have a friend next door! Please contact me for more info!

For more of my recent mountain photos click here!

Congratulations Capt. Eric Watkiss, USN, (Ret.)

2011-07-30T14:54:00.004-04:00

Congratulations Capt. Eric Watkiss, USN, (Ret.)

On July 18, 2011, Ed and I had the honor and pleasure of attending the Retirement Ceremony for our nephew Eric, at the National Reconnaissance Office in Washington, D.C. Eric is retiring as a Captain, which is the Navy equivalent O-6 pay grade to Colonel in the Army, Air Force, and Marines. (Eric's dad was Ed's oldest brother, Lee, who died when Eric was a baby.) We spent two wonderful days with Eric and his wife, Lynne, and their extended family and friends, enjoying the special meals and activities Lynne had prepared.

Meeting and talking with career military officers, and their families, was so impressive! These families are indeed America's Finest. Their priorities are Friends, Family, and Freedom, and their lives of service epitomize the core values of the United States Navy: Honor, Commitment and Courage.

Since the retirement events were held in a secure facility, we submitted our background info a month ahead for security clearances. We went through security screening similar to an airport, and were not allowed to bring in phones, cameras, memory sticks, or any other electronic equipment. (People who work in the building have pagers, and are not allowed to bring cell phones in to work.) After clearing security, we presented our identification, and were given security badges and pin numbers. We were escorted to and from the ceremony and reception venues.

Lynne was escorted to her seat in the auditorium through a doorway that was flanked by sailors. A ship's bell was rung. A Boatswain's pipe, that salutes distinguished visitors, sounded. Eric entered ceremonially, and was welcomed "aboard" for his Retirement Ceremony.

Eric really IS one of those guys who would "have to kill us if he told us" what he did in his job. Much that goes on in the NRO building is "Classified." There was an electronic sign in the auditorium where the ceremony was held that labeled that event "Unclassified."

The Navy's ceremonial traditions are full of history. The retirement ceremony pays honor to shipmates "going ashore for the final time." The ceremony was beyond impressive. Eric's service and accomplishments make him a genuine American hero. Over three hundred people, from several branches of service, with whom Eric served around the world, showed up to honor him.

Eric was attached to the Marines in Iraq. To pay tribute to that assignment, Eric requested that a Marine Color Guard "Parade the Colors." Eric's Master of Ceremonies, Major Chris Michele, with whom Eric serves at the NRO, is USAF.

Captain Stephen A Burris, U.S. Navy (Ret.), whom Eric met in Monterey at the Naval Postgraduate School, was Guest Speaker. Steve regaled us with personal stories of exploits with Eric both during, and outside of, work. He said that Eric "progressed through the ranks from Ensign to Captain, and was designated as an NFO (Naval Flight Officer.) An NFO is the person who doesn't puke flying in airplanes, is good with maps, is a chart lover, and lives, breathes, and dreams everything aviation."

Eric spoke humorously of living by the tenets "Stay cool no matter what," and "It's better to die than look bad." He said after a carrier landing, he'd go for "sliders and auto dog" which translates as burgers and ice cream. He jokingly talked about "being safe on deck" while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. He then clarified, to chuckles from the audience. "You can't really be safe. It's just an expression."

The Presiding Official, Rear Admiral David A. Dunaway, U.S. Navy, whom Eric also met at the Naval Postgraduate School, summarized how the Navy fits into world events, and thanked Eric for his service. He said, "We definitely live in interesting times. We are blessed to live in a country founded on democracy, individual rights, and the rule of law...The power of the military supports that. We live in the greatest country on the earth--and I've seen a lot of them. Despite our issues, nothing can hold a candle to it. Let's keep our country strong."

At that point, Eric was presented with numerous commendations, awards, medals, and gifts. As Eric was being presented with a shadowbox containing his sword, medals, and other memorabilia, Captain Chris “Boris” Becker, USN, Commanding Officer of SPAWAR Space Field Activity, who was honoring Eric, observed that the shadowbox doesn't show all the men and women whose lives were saved because of Eric's work in Iraq with IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices.) That thought was both sobering and uplifting. This was just one of the many ways that Eric's service made a tangible difference that saved many lives.

Lynne was recognized as Eric's "right arm." Rear Admiral Dunaway called Lynne the "perfect Navy wife," and observed that "the Navy calls Lynne Eric's dependent, but the opposite is true." Steve observed that he'd never seen a couple more dedicated to supporting each other. With obvious emotion, Eric thanked and honored Lynne for her love and dedication with words, flowers, and a beautiful Navy Pin. Lynne had previously seen and admired the pin, which was designed by Washington, D.C. jeweler, Ann Hand, featuring an eagle over an anchor studded with sapphire crystals. Eric honored his mother, Barbara, and Lynne's mother Lee, with tributes and gifts, as well. Eric also recognized the sacrifice and loss of Lynne's brother in Vietnam. Eric presented his Dad, Phil, with the boatswain's pipe used during the Retirement Ceremony in a keepsake wooden box, and thanked his Dad for his service in Vietnam.

The final portion of the ceremony was called "Permission to Go Ashore." It began with the words, "For the past 25 years, this shipmate has stood the watch while we slept." After Eric asked for, and received, permission to go ashore for the final time in his Navy career, the master of ceremonies said, "Shipmate, the watch stands relieved. The fleet has the watch." Eric departed ceremonially, flanked by sailors, after the sound of the bell and the Boatswain's pipe. Lynne was escorted out through the honor guard as well. I don't believe there was a dry eye among the 300+ attendees, after such a moving ceremony.

As of August 1, Eric will be officially retired after 25 years of service to our country. Eric is a rocket scientist (really!). He has a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. His tour at NPS included a thesis on flight test of an Unmanned Air Vehicle, and winning the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics national Masters-level team aircraft design competition. (Eric's team named their plane after the Emu, a flightless bird!)

Eric received his wings in 1988 in Pensacola, where he met his future wife, Lynne. He began training as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer in Pensacola, then transferred to Whidbey Island, WA., and from there went on to many other locations. Eric and Lynne have made 11 moves to 11 homes in 23 years.

Eric was selected for test pilot school on his first try. He attended the US Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, MD. He was a test pilot at Strike Test squadron at NAS Patuxent River, MD for a year, then returned to the Navy Test pilot School as an instructor, where he was selected for Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer. In 1998, Eric joined the Naval Weapons Test Squadron at NAS Point Mugu working on the Tomahawk Cruise Missile Program. He left Point Mugu to join the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) For more information, you may want to look at the Official Navy Website and SPAWAR (Space And Naval Warfare Systems Command).

Eric served on both the USS Carl Vinson and USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carriers. Eric shared that, ironically, he served more time in the desert than on the seas. Eric learned to "Listen, Learn, and Lead," and the value of utilizing the power of combined forces, while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, there were "few safe roads, it was over 7,000 feet above sea level, hard to breathe, and people shoot at you."

Eric has 167 carrier landings. He has flown over 2000 hours in 50 different aircraft types, including the EA-6B Prowler, F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, F-18 Hornet, and P-3 Orion.

You'll have to trust me that the accomplishments I've mentioned are the tip of the iceberg in Eric's exemplary career. Many of the projects with which he has worked are sensitive or classified. I know very little about any of them. I have not even named the projects, because I don't want to compromise our nation's security, or any of our troops who are in harm's way.

Beyond all of the things that Eric has done, meeting Eric's friends, hearing about their service and accomplishments, and seeing the displays at the NRO, made us overflow with pride and gratitude and patriotism. I don't think the average American has any idea of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, and their families, and the ways in which our government is keeping us safe. I know I didn't have a clue, which is why I want to share our experience.

I know from now on I'll be more aware of our service men and women. I'll be thanking them for their service when I have an opportunity, and I'll be a more conscientious, involved, and grateful citizen.

Eric will soon be starting a new job, and will continue to serve our country in the private sector. Congratulations, Eric. Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you, too, Lynne. We're proud of you both.

Below are the video slide show that Lynne put together for Eric's Retirement, and photos of some of Eric's awards and commendations.

Peaches are Peaking in the Peach State!

2011-07-20T20:28:00.003-04:00

Peaches are Peaking in the Peach State!

Thirty Peachtree City-ites from First Baptist Church boarded a bus early yesterday morning, and headed via beautifully verdant back roads toward William Brown's orchards in Montezuma, Georgia. We bought peaches and produce and enjoyed delicious homemade peach ice cream! The zinnias in Brown's bounteous self-pick fields were beautiful and inviting, but with high humidity, and close to 100 degrees, it was simply TOO hot to contemplate picking anything! !

We also enjoyed a lunch of fresh vegetables, meats, and baked goods and Yoder's Mennonite restaurant, then stopped in Thomaston for Dairy Queen snacks on the drive home. All the good food put many of us to sleep on the bus on the way back! A good time was had by all!

Next month's JOY trip: Blue Willow Inn.

Arriving at the Orchard

A Georgia peach holding Georgia peaches!

Pinky's purchases!

Farm Store

Peaches were plentiful!

Pleasantly satiated!!

Sister Chick Book Club P.S.

2011-07-20T19:23:00.003-04:00

Sister Chick Book Club P.S.

One of our Sister Chick Book Club members, Maggie, is moving to Virginia next week. Friends from book club, and from Maggie's Bible Study group, got together today at Sheron's house for a Going Away Pool Party honoring Maggie. We enjoyed a Salad Luncheon with desserts, followed by a refreshing dip in the pool, until thunder drove us out!

I'm glad I got to know Maggie and enjoy her friendship for a season. I know Maggie will continue to bloom wherever she is planted. God speed, Maggie. Our prayers go with you, and you'll remain in our hearts!

Maggie's in the middle, in the yellow hat, surrounded by friends!

OK, we're all paying attention for the photo now!

V.V.B.C. The Postmistress Review (Online Book Club)

2011-07-19T23:56:00.003-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club

The Postmistress Review

(Online Book Club)

NOTE: My husband, Ed, and I had the opportunity to attend our nephew, Eric Watkiss' retirement ceremony from the Navy at the National Reconnaissance Office (which is an amazing story for another day!) Long time friend, and fellow Sister Chick Book Club member, Nancy Hooper, agreed to write the review for this month! Thanks, Nancy! You did a great job! Y'all jump in and comment!

WARNING: IF YOU PLAN TO READ THE BOOK, STOP READING NOW. SPOILERS!

The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake

Sisterchicksmet as usual, the third Monday of the month (July 19, 2011) at our usualStarbucks. Carol Edge was ourdiscussion leader. Though Carol wasnervous about this being her first time to ‘lead’ we all agreed she did a finejob keeping us engaged in discussion and theorizing. She needn’t be nervous again.

Short Synopsis: In 1940, Iris James the postmistress incoastal Franklin, Massachusetts becomes aware of all sorts of details about thetownspeople. It is unthinkable,but, she conceals a letter given to her ‘with conditions’ and finds herselfunable to deliver it once she fears its contents will bring additional pain. Additionally, a news reporter during WorldWar II is witness to an accident that will break long-held hope to shambles forthat same individual. Understanding that random acts happen without explanation or apologiesbecome a hard pill to swallow.

General consensusof The Postmistress was “liked” by the13 Sisterchicks present. However,there were some who stated they felt the writer failed to keep their attention,that the story “dragged at times”, early character development was confusing,and that a specific plot had not been clear. But, staying with it was rewarded with not only a plot but,interesting stories from all sorts of people in all sorts of situations;un-nerving/unwanted/horrific. Someevents happen by choices we make (i.e. Will leaving his new wife to be a wardoctor). We felt the author’sresearch was adequate and that our interest in World War II events washeightened.

Many of usfelt that we learned much about news reporting and that there exist manyreasons why today, as opposed to the 1940s, the ‘news’ we hear is alreadydissected, nothing is left to the imagination and the listeners are not givenchance to develop a personal opinion/response. Reporters today seem eager tohave exclusive rights to a story and want to create a specific ‘reaction’ fromreaders. It is believed that muchof the news today is politically motivated and we lose confidence that we arehearing the whole truth. Manybroadcasters seize the power to influence public opinion. News today is too much reporters’perception vs. reality. Most peopledo not want to be naive – hearing only what we can handle, or what we want tobelieve - but they do want to be given the choice to draw their own conclusionsand then have personal investment in making things different/better.

We all lovedthe main character, Frankie. She was said to be brave, gutsy, independent,“loose” (just once), and a trail-blazer. Reporting the news caused her to become aware of (and often involved in)the personal hardship, grief, destruction, and intimate heartache of those who experienceda terrifying war all around, and repugnant attitudes of those far removed fromit.

Much of ourconversation included members’ recollections of war-time events either personalor that of relatives; in particular, letters of engaged or married relativesexchanging life, love, and horrors of war in letters sent during WWII. Also noted was that some of theseletters, though personal, had been governmentally ‘blacked out’ (censored) ofwhat might be considered sensitive material; secrets could be leaked throughsuch correspondence. (Again, wefelt much is ‘handed to the enemy on a silver platter’ by all the instant newsreporting we have today.)

Many feltthe story ended too soon. Wewanted to write (imagine) our own endings: giving Will & Emma’s baby aname, that Otto’s hope would be realized in seeing his wife alive, to seeFrankie years later using her recordings to educate everyone on the realitiesof war.

Themes thatpresented themselves: general public complacency to persecution; the injusticeand inhumane treatment toward individuals regardless of age, ethnicity, gender,conduct; denial ( i.e. ‘holocaust never happened’ or ‘wasn’t as bad as peoplesaid’) exhibited by Europeans and Americans alike; racism/prejudice/bigotry;bravery (particularly of Frankie traveling during WWII Europe alone withresponsibility to find “the news” happening, record it, to stay safe, thenbring the story ‘home’. What aperilous assignment.)

Our group,as diverse as we are, enjoys the camaraderie. We are careful to consider allcomments as valid. I, for one, amglad to be a part. We had a new memberjoin us both last month and this. Others are welcome anytime. We’ve not outgrown the room yet.

Submitted byNancy Hooper

V.V.B.C. The Noticer Review (Online Book Club)

2011-07-11T23:30:00.003-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club
The Noticer Review for the Online Book Club

A business trip, and the 4th of July Holiday, delayed my posting of this Review of The Noticer by Andy Andrews. With The Postmistress discussion coming up week after next, I figured I'd better get on the stick!

I took copious notes, but now, two weeks later, my mind is not remembering all the details! Sister Chicks: feel free to jump in and clarify or correct me! Everyone else, feel free to comment!

WARNING: SPOILERS!
STOP READING NOW IF YOU PLAN TO READ THE BOOK!

Our leader, Alice, facilitated the discussion on The Noticer. There were 12 Sister Chick Book Club members present. 3 and a half (one person was sort of undecided) didn't really like the book. "Trite," "self-help," and "pop psychology" summarize their reasons for not liking the book. Some of the other nine "really loved" the book. They said things like, "I learned a lot," "I'm reading it again," and "Good life lessons."

I was one of those who did not care for the book. I was very disturbed, and disappointed, that this book, published by Christian publisher Thomas Nelson was "lukewarm," at best. I saw the main character, alternately known as Jones, Chen, and Garcia, as a possible angelic being, capable of pointing people toward God, but falling short. Another book club member saw him as a Jesus figure. There were some Biblical-type references, but nothing concrete about God/Jesus. Because of those things, I was disappointed.

Everyone agreed there was good advice and interesting food for thought in the book. Perspective was Jones' favorite word, and we enjoyed some discussion about how important perspective is. Several people admitted to being prone to having negative perspectives, based on past experiences. (Optimistically calling a meal of sardines and vienna sausages "surf and turf" epitomizes Jones' examples of looking on the bright side of things, and focusing on what you want to achieve.)

Jones said very little about himself. We don't know much about his character, except for how he was able to point people toward changes of perspective. A good "noticer" listens. We miss so much when we don't really pay attention. When we're looking at something else, instead of looking at whomever is talking, we're not really listening. How much we must miss, because, as a society, we're so distracted. So many people slip through the cracks because we don't notice, or don't go to the effort, to make a difference in someone's life.

One Sister Chick said she felt guilty because she has realized she's missed opportunities to touch people because she's been so worried about her own issues. She said she's spent a lot of time worrying about things--especially as a mother. She said she could understand Walker (suicidal), because for a while, every year was worse for her than the year before. She was programmed by her circumstances to think that things would always be that way. She thought she would never be happy again. She's found joy in painting a room. She is gradually getting used to being happy, and to the changes in her perspective. She's extremely grateful.

One of the Sister Chicks mentioned their best friend's losing her son who was the same age as the Sister Chick's daughter. We often take our blessings for granted, as did many people in The Noticer, until something or someone helps change our perspective.

We discussed how important gratitude is. It colors the was we look at life. (Perspective, again!) We often tend to focus on the things we don't have. We need to remember to count our blessings. We have food, beds, clean sheets and comfortable rooms when so many around the world have none of those things. We can lose water or power for half a day, and feel so inconvenienced. A different perspective reminds us that many people could live on what we waste....

We discussed the difference between intent and actions, and how we need to follow through and DO, not just say and think about what we intend to do. The question was raised, "if there are 5 birds on a power line, and one decides to leave, how many are left on the line?" The correct answer is 5. Deciding to do something doesn't necessarily mean you follow through.

We talked about how we judge some people by their actions, and others by their intentions. We need to consider that some things we dismiss as "mistakes" are actually conscious "choices." We all make choices what to do and not do every day.

We discussed the question posed by Jones, "What would other people change about you if they could." Things they would want changed might not necessarily be bad, but could lead to improvements. This led to a discussion about how good friends are honest, even when it may not feel kind or helpful, and even if it may not initially be well-received.

We discussed the importance of friends, and our gratitude for good friends, and fun opportunities, like book club, to spend time with our friends! We talked about gratitude for freedom to worship God, and how we are seeing our freedoms eroding.

There was much discussion about how much impact someone's efforts in caring for someone, and/or showing kindness, can make. We discussed examples of time when we reached out to others, and also missed opportunities we later regretted.

We discussed what we thought about what Jones left in his suitcase. The seeds were a disappointing choice for the majority. Suggested alternatives, that people wished were in the suitcase, included: empty, the books Jones loaned out, "sky swirling when you looked into the suitcase," a wand--a la Harry Potter(--but they were just kidding about that one!)

Just as perspective was the main thing Jones espoused, perspective was the big takeaway for our group. We never know what might happen. We need to be mindful about counting our blessings. Everything is a matter of perspective!

DID I MISS ANYTHING? WHAT DO Y'ALL THINK ABOUT THE NOTICER?

V.V.B.C. Online Book Club Upcoming Books July-December 2011

2011-07-11T21:21:00.003-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club
Online Book Club
Upcoming Books July-December 2011

For Newcomers:
These are the books from my "real life" book club, the Sister Chicks Book Club, that meets in Peachtree City, GA. Books are nominated by members, and chosen twice a year.

After we have our "real" book club meetings the third Monday of each month, I summarize our discussions, post a review, and welcome input. Anyone is invited to join us in reading any, or all, of our selections! You may participate in a book club, wherever you are! Welcome, and enjoy!

Selections for July-December 2011

July
The Postmistress
by Sarah Blake

August
Have a Little Faith: A True Story
by Mitch Albom

September
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot

October
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand

November
The Confession: A Novel
John Grisham

December
The Lacuna: A Novel (P.S.)
Barbara Kingsolver

Whirlwind Rabun County Tour!

2011-06-21T13:01:00.000-04:00

Whirlwind Rabun County Tour!

Late this past Monday afternoon, I drove up to Clayton, Georgia, and took a tour of Chevin Woodruff's beautiful event facility, Splendor Mountain. It's an ideal place for a small wedding, family reunion, or special retreat. Here's one of the many scenic views at Splendor Mountain.

I'm hoping to possibly partner with Chevin for some Christian retreats in beautiful Rabun County. My newest retreat topic, "JOY on the Journey," is designed to help women refresh their minds and bodies through retreat sessions and activities, restore their souls through Bible study, and rediscover the joy of their salvation, while meeting and interacting with other amazing women! Anybody interested in prayer and inspirational retreats, individually, with friends, or for groups, contact me!

A fortuitous phone call to my childhood friend, and neighbor from Fernandina Beach, Florida, Hugh Williams, resulted in a visit from his family while they were on the way to Tennessee. Hugh, his wife, Ann, and daughter Landyn arrived Monday night, for a spur-of-the-moment stay. We "caught up," made some tentative plans for the next day, and enjoyed the hot tub before bedtime!

Tuesday morning, we realized the coffee pot didn't work. No problem for me, since I don't drink coffee; but we piled into the car for a quick trip to Grapes and Beans for Hugh and Ann. Coffee, tea, and muffins fortified everyone!

We picked up the new issue of Georgia Mountain Laurel magazine at Grapes and Beans. It's always my "bible" for where to go and what to do in northeast Georgia and adjacent areas of North Carolina! The new online version makes it so easy to share stories, shopping finds, and restaurants with friends who're coming to the area!

While everyone was at Grapes and Beans, Cook's Computer Services, across Savannah Street, let me use their wi-fi to send some documents! They're very nice!

We went to Warwoman Dell, and climbed the stone steps up to the old railroad bed, then crossed the road to climb up to Becky Branch Falls.

All the climbing and hiking made us hungry, so we headed to Tiger Food Mart for the world's best burgers and sweet tea! (And a BLT for Landyn.)

Since Tiger Food Mart didn't have their famous chocolate cake, our dessert was from my favorite dessert place: Linda's Sweet Treats and Antiques in Tiger. Fresh German Chocolate cake, and white cake with Chocolate icing were finger lickin' good! (When I get Linda's caramel cake, I want to keep eating it till it's gone!)

Next stop: Goats on the Roof! Landyn loved feeding the goats. She earned her "Goat Ranger" sticker by delivering goat food to the goats via pedaling a bike and hand pulling a clothesline-type delivery system. Landyn also cracked open a couple of geodes to discover what kinds of crystals were inside.

Pedaling to deliver goat food.

Mission Accomplished

Overview of part of the Goats' Rooftop Village

Geode Cracking Machine

Next on our tour, was viewing the Tallulah Gorge from the Tallulah Point Overlook, and, of course, doing a little bit of shopping! They have GREAT nature and children's books, toys, souvenirs, and nostalgic signs, furnishings, and foods!

Since Tallulah Point Overlook didn't have any boiled peanuts for Landyn, we went on the Indian Springs Trading Post to get some. There are lots of oddities and antiques here, and it's where I bought my bear bench for outside. We had our pictures taken with their indian and bear cutouts.

We made a quick stop at the Chattahoochee National Forest Tallulah Ranger District Office, north of Tallulah Falls, on 441, so everyone could see a taxidermied black bear, the size of one we'd seen at our house. We also picked up some brochures and area information.

Hillside Orchard is one of my regular stops. We sampled their peach and strawberry ice cream--both of which were delicious--and some of their jellies and salsas. Hugh and Ann stocked up on jellies, jams, pecan apple butter, salsa and honey! (We also bought some peach bread, which I used for French Toast with Praline Pecan Sauce, the following morning. Their breads make AMAZING French Toast!) After we finished shopping, Landyn and Hugh enjoyed feeding more animals at their petting zoo.

After a tour of the area near my house, we headed to another water fall to wade and take photos. I was trying to recreate the Raisen book cover photo below, by sitting on the rock, and letting the water massage my back. However, as you can see, the water flow was so powerful I was unable to even get close to the rock ledge! The further left I got, into the main flow, the more difficult it was to stand. The water was literally holding me away from the rocks! I asked Hugh to hold on to me so the force of the water didn't push me over headfirst, but I was unable to climb on the rock! (By the way, the water was probably about 60 degrees!)

As you can see by comparing this with the photos below,
there was a lot more water flowing when we were there!

I could stand to the right of the main flow, but as soon as I moved left and closer to the rocks,
the water started pushing me over!

Hugh was helping me balance as I was trying to back up to sit on the rock.
The force of the water is literally holding me off the rocks!

We called Mama G's to pick up pizza and Greek salad to take home with us for supper. Always delicious!

Pizza on the porch!

After supper, we took a walk to a little waterfall near the house, and Landyn found several LARGE bear tracks! We didn't see any bears, though!

After a relaxing time in the hot tub, we looked at the photos from the day, and went to bed, tired and happy!

Next morning, after French toast, a little more local exploration by Hugh and Landyn, and packing up, we went to the Dillard House for their bountiful, family style lunch! Ed was happy! I brought the leftovers home for him!

Sunrise--I love all the layers of mountains!

Sated, but not stuffed!

We ran out of "available meals" and didn't get to go to Zeppelin's or the Clayton Cafe, which are two of my favorites. I wanted the Williams to see

Reeve's Hardware, too, but we'd need a full second day to fit all those in!

We tried to go to the Tiger Drive-In, but they're not currently open on Monday-Wednesday! Maybe next time!

Click HERE for more photos!

Thankful Thursday!

2011-06-09T20:23:00.001-04:00

I'm linking from my friend, Kim's blog, for Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful to be living in the United States of America, where I am free to worship God!

I'm thankful to be involved with Wellspring Living, an organization that provides a safe place for girls victimized by sex trafficking, and others victimized by childhood sexual trauma.

I am thankful that we are getting two new lab puppies (in a week)! Even though I'm not much of an animal person, I know Blake and Ed really miss Tommy (the bird dog we just lost to cancer.) As you can see, these are CUTE puppies! It's going to be like having babies at home again! LOL!

Ed and Champ (with me in the background on left!)

Blake and his puppy. Name to be announced!

I am thankful for my family and friends! I am thankful to be alive and in relatively good health. I think that sums it up!

A Journey Back to Simpler Times in My Mountains of Rabun County, Georgia

2011-06-07T22:29:00.005-04:00

A Journey Back

to Simpler Times

in "My Mountains"

of Rabun County, Georgia

I recently had the opportunity to read an un-proofed, pre-production manuscript, written by Rabun County native, Barbara Woodall. The upcoming book, which I understand has just undergone final edits, and been sent to press as I write this, is due out in mid to late July, and is called It's Not My Mountain Anymore.

Barbara's stories, and lyrical descriptions, evoked many wonderful memories of my childhood visits, with my maternal grandparents, Sam and Helen Queen, of Mountain City. I called my grandparents "Papa" and "Gan." I was also reminded of time spent with other relatives and friends, in Rabun Gap, Dillard, Clayton, and environs. I decided to share some of my own memories, to whet your appetite for Barbara's reflections.

Papa and Gan with Daddy and Mama (Herb and Betty (Queen) White)

My grandmother, Helen (Wilson) Queen, far right, with her cousin, Beth Moon, and and unidentified Man, in front of the Old Hotel in Mountain City
(which was in the movie Deliverance, also mentioned in Barbara's book!)
My grandmother used to send me over to the hotel with a pyrex container,
and the proprietress would fill it with thick slices of ham for our supper!

While reading Barbara's book, it was interesting for me to note how many "connections" we have had in common! I guess that's not so rare in the relatively "small county" of 30-50 years ago! I wouldn't be too surprised to find out that we may even be related, somehow! It's interesting how often I'm finding "new" relatives, and "relatives by marriage," as I'm spending more time in Rabun County!

Rainbow, April 2010

Sunrise, June 2010

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to have a home in Rabun County. I grew up at the beach, but have always been a "mountain girl" at heart! For six years now, I've been living my dream--part time! I think Rabun County today is the "best of both worlds!" My Rabun County roots go VERY deep, as you can see from the tombstones below. I love my rich mountain heritage and my cloggin' "hillbilly bones!" (Ahhh, what I wouldn't give to have the Mountain City Playhouse reopen for clogging and other "mountain dancing!") I'm also enjoying, and embracing, many of the changes that have come about over the last 50 plus years. (I love the new restaurants and shops and galleries featuring the works of local artists and artisans.) The changes are not all good, but they're not all bad, either!

Great-Great Grandfather, Samuel Patton Queen's Original Grave Marker
at Blue Heights Baptist Church, Mountain City, GA

Great-Great Grandfather, Samuel Patton Queen's Confederate Grave Marker

Barbara's colleague, and dear friend who is mentioned throughout It's Not My Mountain Anymore, Laurie Brunson Altieri, worked on the Foxfire project, while in high school, with my college friend, Frank Hill. Laurie and I met over 35 years ago, and recently reconnected via facebook. I surprised Laurie with this photo of her with Frank.

Frank Wells Hill with Laurie Dale Brunson Altieri

My earliest "Mountain Memory" is of visiting my great-grandmother, "Gran Queen," Ida Rosette Minnie Elizabeth Earwood Queen, in Mountain City. (I love saying her "whole name!") I don't remember my great-grandfather. I was just a little over a year old when he died. "Gran Queen's" home was always bustling with activity! She had ten children who lived to grow up, and lots of grandchildren. There were always plenty of family and friends around when we were there!

My Great-Grandfather's and Great-Grandmother's Graves
Tyra Queen was a former mayor of Passover, now known as Mountain City

My grandparents (Gan and Papa) didn't have a bathroom until about 1965, and Gan wouldn't let me go to the "outhouse" by myself. She was afraid I'd fall in. (I was probably 7 or 8.) I never "fell in" the toilet at home, and was indignant that my parents wouldn't tell my grandmother it was ok for me to use the bathroom without Gan standing there watching with the door open! At night, we had to pee in a "slop jar!" It was dark outside, and you had to walk "a right good piece" to get to the outhouse, so I don't remember anyone going to the outhouse during the night.

Since there was no bathtub, we had to go to my great-aunt Reecie Cathey's house to bathe--Her husband George spoke with some kind of "device." He'd had throat cancer, I think, and had a "hole in his neck," (tracheostomy) through which he breathed and still smoked cigarettes! He'd put a "microphone thing" up to his neck to talk, and it gave him a funny electronic voice, which was a little scary to me at the time.

My grandparents, and Aunt Reecie and Uncle George used to go "rock hunting." Papa and Aunt Reecie were "rockhounds." Papa found a really big ruby in Franklin, and had it cut and polished. He made my grandmother a necklace out of what was left. Uncle George burned a hole in my grandfather's car seat, during one of their rock hunting adventures, which remained a very sore subject with my grandfather, until Papa got rid of that car! My grandmother stuffed the car seat's hole full of Kleenex!

Uncle George and Aunt Reecie lived on 441, across from the turn off to Black Rock State Park--their house is still there. The old hotel (shown above) used to be right across from them. Aunt Reecie was my "hero!" She had red hair till she died, and she drank CoCola's, and ate cookies, for breakfast, dinner, and supper! (By the way, Karan Cathey, the caterer who owned Karan's Restaurant was also a great-niece on Uncle George's side. She and I established that a couple of years ago!)

We spent Sundays at Blue Heights Baptist Church in Mountain City, and the singing doesn't get much better than that! Store owner, Mr. Jimmy Law, did some fine Sunday School teaching there over the years! The stained glass windows, adorned with the familiar names of family and friends, make me feel at home.

Gan's and Papa's "Back" Neighbor, Mr. Hoyt Dixon, whose wife is Mary.

Chevin Woodruff, mentions Madison McCrackin's work in Barbara's book. Madison's done grading work for me, too. Ed and I enjoy our theological discussions with him. I've heard Madison preach at Battle Branch Baptist, on Warwoman Road, a couple of times recently, and I can't wait to go back.

And, speaking of Warwoman Road: a childhood trip to the mountains wasn't complete without my yearly pilgrimage to Warwoman Dell. We'd wade in the icy cold stream till we couldn't feel our feet, then we'd get out for a picnic and buckeye hunting! Another favorite memory is horseback riding in the apple orchards in Mountain City, with my cousin, Danny Farmer, who lived next door to my grandparents.

Horseback riding at the Dillard House, 1975

Papa always planted a big garden behind his house. He grew the best potatoes, fordhook limas, butternut squash, corn, tomatoes, and raspberries that I've ever put in my mouth! There's nothing as good as tomato sandwiches, with ripe tomatoes fresh from the garden, or fresh raspberry cobbler with ice cream--except maybe Gan's biscuits and her Butternut Squash pie!

Not sure what's in Papa's basket, but I think I see a mess of string beans!

Another view of Papa's Garden.

Barbara mentioned Mr. Grover Bradley in her book. Papa loved to buy his
cornmeal for my grandmother to use for corn muffins. Gan didn't put eggs in her corn bread, like my other grandmother did! (Gan called that "egg bread, not cornbread!")

I'm holding some freshly ground white cornmeal. Grover Bradley is between Papa and Me!

Papa used to take me hiking, and climbing, on Scrugg's Mountain (or Scrugg's Hill), which was owned by my grandmother's best friend, Sally Mae Scrugg's family, in Rabun Gap. Papa taught me to identify medicinal plants like sassafras. From the top of the mountain, papa showed me a peaceful valley, which was mostly untouched by civilization. That was my favorite place in the world for over thirty years, till we got our own "Mountain Fortress." There were also old graves, and an old "Indian burial cave" on the land, that Papa said had been "diney-mited" because "people who didn't have any business, kept a goin' in there!"

Papa and me on top of Scrugg's Mountain.

Old grave marker that has since been vandalized on Scrugg's mountain.

In my mountain home, I have furniture, crafts, quilts, and toys handmade by Kenny and Clyde Runion, and other local residents of Foxfire fame. Rabun native, Tim Lovell, built us some beautiful furniture, and did an amazing job with our renovations. According to my husband, Tim "replaced everything but the septic tank!"

Fish Bed, designed by Tim Lovell

Rockers built by Foxfire's Clyde Runion, Buffet Table by Tim Lovell

Thanks for joining me on my tour down "Memory Lane," in my piece of "heaven on earth," Rabun County, Georgia! I invite you to follow my blog, and continue to literally, and figuratively, dance along with me, and share in the "JOY on the Journey!"

Barbara is taking orders for pre-sales of her book on the website that is linked to her book title here and above. It's Not My Mountain Anymore left me wanting to hear more details and more stories. I told her she should have included some recipes. Y'all tell her that, too, and maybe she'll do her sequel as a cookbook!

Rabun County, GA--Lake Burton Tornado Damage

2011-06-03T18:09:00.001-04:00

I took these photos last week at lake Rabun. Over a month after the tornado, a lot of clean up has been accomplished, and damage cleared. Even so, evidence of the scope and ferocity of the storm was awesome to behold. It is hard to imagine the powerful force that can twist and snap huge trees as if they are match sticks, and move entire buildings hundreds of feet! The good news is that most of the homes weren't primary residences, and not many people were at the lake. One man lost his life as a result of the tornado. Rabun County was relatively fortunate.

I saw hundreds, probably even thousands, of twisted and broken trees.

The one mattress I saw with a sheet on it!

I can't imagine losing everything. It was very poignant seeing tangible evidence of "everyday life," in the shallow waters of the lake, stuck up in trees, and strewn on the ground. This is a little random, but one thing struck me as very mysterious. There seemed to be mattresses all over the place, but no box springs! Only one of the mattresses had a sheet on it! You'd think more of the fitted sheets would have stayed on, wouldn't you? I also wondered, exactly where everyone's "stuff" went! You hear about some things, like paperwork, being found miles away. It still seems like A LOT of "stuff" just DISAPPEARED! Clothing, towels, dishes, food, furniture, toys, electronics...the "stuff" was there, in all the houses, then the houses and "stuff" were just GONE! My prayers are with all those who lost friends, family, and possessions during the spring tornadoes. God Bless You All.

Click here for Gallery of Tornado Damage Photos.

V.V.B.C.--Sister Chick Book Club--2011 July-Dec Books

2011-05-29T22:43:00.002-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club &
Sister Chick Book Club
2011 July-Dec Books

We selected the books for the next six months at our May Sister Chick book club meeting. List follows. (Names in parentheses are the "presenters"--the person who nominated the book, who will lead the discussion for the month.)

Our June selection, (chosen previously) is The Noticer by Andy Andrews.

July--The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (Carole)

August--Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom (Debbie)

September--The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Tracy)

October--Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Jamie W--This was my suggestion, via my friend Jean Jones!)

November--The Confession by John Grisham (Sandi)

December--The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (Sheron)

Feel free to join the Vicarious Virtual Book Club in reading any (or all!) of these books, then comment on the blog discussion in the same month my "Real Book Club" reads them. I will post entries for each book, so you can add your questions and opinions as you read the books.

Amazon.com Widgets

V.V.B.C.--I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg

2011-05-21T19:08:00.004-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club--
I Still Dream About You
by Fannie Flagg

For other Book Discussions, check the blog archives for entries that start out V.V.B.C. (Vicarious Virtual Book Club).
Warning: Spoilers! If you plan to read the book, don't read this review!

Ann was the facilitator for our Monday, May 16th, Sister Chicks Book Club discussion, since I Still Dream About You was her book suggestion. Ann did a great job of giving us Fannie Flagg's history, and experiences, which made it easy for us to see how events from Flagg's life were woven into the book.

One of the most interesting things Ann brought up, was that Fannie Flagg is severely dyslexic, and a terrible speller. She won a writing contest, in which she wrote from the perspective of a twelve year old, who was a poor speller. When a publisher asked her to expand the story into a novel, Flagg confessed she couldn't spell. The sympathetic editor asked, "Honey, what do you think editors are for?" Fannie Flagg's career as a novelist was launched!

Someone brought a past issue of a Thanksgiving Southern Living Magazine, which featured Fannie Flagg, with photos of the mansion she used as the model for Crestview. We all enjoyed seeing the pictures of Fanny Flagg throughout the years, and reading about her various careers.

I just finished reading a lot of reader reviews for the book, from the internet. They were divided in much the same way as our book club opinions. Pretty much, you either loved it, or thought it was "just ok." A small minority hated the book. Out of our 14 members attending Monday night, Ten "liked, really liked, or loved" the book, two disliked it, one thought it was o.k. One said "It was slapstick."

I was one of the two who didn't particularly like the book. I thought it was boring at the beginning, and predictable. I didn't care for the way Ms. Flagg inserted the "history" of Edwin and Edwina into the story, by saying in essence "nobody will ever know this, but I'm going to tell the readers...." I thought that part of the plot should have been better integrated into the story, especially since the research librarian had done so much work on the subject! I guess I prefer books with a little more complexity and substance.

I appreciate Ms. Flagg's storytelling ability, her affinity for quirkiness, and her distinctive dialogues. Fannie Flagg indeed has a gift for creating, and bringing to life, colorful characters. Her vivid descriptions, lively language, and memorable sayings ARE entertaining. One reviewer said if the exclamation, "Oh, Lord!" had been omitted, the book would have been several chapters shorter! I didn't object to that particular phrase, because I found Flagg's usage to be characteristically Southern!

I believe the dramatized Audible Version of I Still Dream About You was better than simply reading the book. That's definitely not always the case! The Audible interpretation, especially of some of the more phantasmagorical scenes in the book, was very entertaining! (Click on one of the Audible links in the right margin, to listen to an excerpt.)

I thought some of the characters were more like caricatures, which, I guess, helped them served their purposes in the book. The truth is, all small Southern towns DO have characters like Flagg portrayed! In general, things that seemed like deficits to me, were appreciated by those who said they enjoyed the book.

The general consensus of the people who liked the book, was that the book was "entertaining," "great escape fiction," "light reading," etc. They enjoyed Hazel's character, and thought the friendship between Brenda and Maggie was surprising, but sweet and believable.

We were asked to consider what would be on our "pro and con" suicide list. We discussed some of Maggie's entries, with varying degrees of identification with her thoughts!

One of the articles I read said that Flagg was outed by a former partner. I don't think that came up at book club. Reading about that gave me more insight into some of Flagg's subject matter, including Brenda's confession of being gay, and Edward/Edwina's cross-dressing.

Treating the subject of suicide so casually, bothered me, personally. Several others agreed. Sister Chick, Sheron, said Maggie should have tried an anti-depressant, which I thought was a great observation! However, if Maggie had been more mellow from prescription drugs, there wouldn't have been a story!

Someone at book club said they read that I Still Dream About You was Flagg's love story to her home state, and birth city of Birmingham. That would make sense. The book did it's best to present Birmingham and Alabama positively.

I think everyone agreed that Maggie's perfectionism was one of her primary problems. Maybe half felt that the book was predictable. Most everyone agreed that there were some hysterical situations/predicaments in the book. People spoke of laughing out loud.

We had an interesting discussion about "little people," "dwarves," and "midgets." Everyone loved Hazel's character, because she seemed so well-adjusted. We thought Hazel's parents did a great job rearing her!

We also discussed Whirling Dervishes, and a number of other interesting topics inspired by the book. I don't think we ever came to a conclusive reason for the name of the book. I've searched online, and haven't found one either. The ideas that were put forth included that Maggie always dreamed about life in Birmingham, and maybe more specifically, of living in Crestview. Does anyone have any information in that regard?

Do any Sister Chicks have anything to add? Anyone else? Ann did a great job laying the groundwork for the book, and giving us good discussion questions. I didn't take too many notes, thinking I'd remember more than I have! This book was an example of a book I probably wouldn't have read, if not for book club. It's good to get outside of my literary comfort zone occasionally!

The best part of the book, for me, was the happy ending! When I thought Maggie was drowning, I didn't think she'd ever get married and live "happily ever after!"

The Sister Chicks voted on our books for the next six months. A couple of them sound really good! I will post the list soon! Y'all feel free to jump in, and weigh in, on I Still Dream About You!

P.S. I found this video with Fannie Flagg, and it made me appreciate the book a little more!

Wellspring Living--Helping Change One Life at a Time!

2011-05-19T21:56:00.002-04:00

Wellspring Living--
Helping Change One Life at a Time!

Ed and I were blessed, today, to witness the graduation ceremony for a young sex trafficking victim, as she completed 7 months in the Wellspring Living Victory Program. A celebratory meal of spaghetti, with all the fixings, kicked off the festivities.

The 9th grader, whom I'll call "G" for Graduate, will be going back home to live with her family. G plans to finish high school, go to college, and become a counselor. G wants to help girls, like herself, avoid the mistakes she made.

I don't know the details of G's personal story, but I know that there are commonalities among many of the girls in Wellspring Living's Victory Program. Some girls are encouraged into sex trafficking by other girls their age, while some are wooed by pimps offering money and gifts, while initially posing as "boyfriends."

Some girls are beaten into submission by their pimps or by other girls in the "stable." Some girls are forced to have their pimp's name tattooed on their necks, or to be otherwise branded or marked.

Girls, like G, in the Victory program were most likely molested at a young age by someone who was not a stranger to them. While being trafficked, G may have been raped for profit 10-15 times a day, and forced to bring in $1,000 a day for her pimp.

Girls like G are "kept in line" through drugs, violence, torture, fear, and emotional blackmail. Girls aged 12-17, like those in Wellspring Living's Victory Program, are targeted by pimps and organized crime, because they are easier to control than older girls.

The average life expectancy of a girl "on the street" in sex trafficking is only 7 years. AIDS and violence take a major toll on victims.

G could be your daughter, sister, niece, or granddaughter. One minute G looks and acts with the confidence of someone in her twenties, the next she is more like a vulnerable, young child. G appears to be a "normal" teenager, but she is not. G is a Survivor. She has lived through a lot of trauma, and become stronger from her experiences.

G was portrayed by staff and volunteers as someone who is always respectful. She kept her room neat. She set goals and accomplished them. She was the first to be ready to work in class, and always remembered what was covered during prior sessions. G's peers--other girls in the Victory program--talked about how G encouraged them, made them study, and made them laugh!

G was honored, by staff and others, through Scripture readings, a poem, a song (sung by another Victory Program participant), and a slide show with special music. Staff and residents also personally selected attributes, and actions, for which G should be recognized, then presented G with certificates naming those characteristics.
G received flowers and other token gifts recognizing her accomplishments.

G's mother thanked Wellspring Living and our residential care partner. "Thank you for accepting my child. It has been a journey. Keep us in your prayers."

G's words (paraphrased and condensed):
"When I came into the Victory Program, I was determined to finish it....I realize I put my family through a lot of things that they did not deserve and could not really afford, and I am truly sorry for that....I decided to make some changes....I became more considerate of other people's feelings....I learned how to deal with things in different ways....I am happy I am changed. My life is on the right track, and I plan to keep it that way....To the Girls: I want to leave you with words of encouragement. Don't give up. Your day will come. Learn everything you can from the Victory Program."

To protect the identities of participants of the Victory Program, no photographs of the girls are shared. Instead, here are photos of two staff members honoring G today, as well as a video of another graduate's speech, read by a volunteer.

Wellspring Living will continue to mentor and follow up with G and her family, to ensure her continued success. If you would like to help Wellspring Rescue, Restore, and Renew girls like

G, you may text "FREEHER" to 85944, to make a $10.00 donation via your cell phone bill, right now! Please share this story, and the LINK FOR

"FREEHER" with others!

Rabun County, GA--My Slice of Heaven on Earth!

2011-05-14T21:43:00.001-04:00

Rabun County, GA--
My Slice of Heaven on Earth!

View from my favorite place on earth--above the clouds after a spring shower this week!

Wild flowers are blooming everywhere in Rabun County! I meant to use my Field Guides to identify everything, but forgot and left my books in the mountains! So, Master Gardener friends: please help me out with identifications! Blackberries, Mountain Laurel, Rhododendron, and lots of other flowers are blooming now.

Rhododendron (I think! Master Gardeners: HELP PLEASE!)

There are large blossom clusters on bushes, as well as tiny wild flowers that are less than half an inch across, hiding in moss and under leaves.

Laurel

My friend, Susie, showing off the "freckles" in a Mountain Laurel blossom!

Blackberry bushes are blooming! Will be picking berries before too long!

My Mountain Herb Garden, newly mulched, with 4 new plants added to those that made it through the winter!

Click HERE For More Wildflower Photos

Buses, Barbecue, and Baptists!

2011-05-04T00:24:00.003-04:00

Buses, Barbecue, and Baptists!

First Baptist Peachtree City's church van and bus were both unexpectedly "out of commission" yesterday, leaving us scrambling for transportation. First Baptist Fayetteville agreed to loan us their AMAZINGLY plush bus, so that over fifty JOY-ful travelers could make the trip to Reed and Robin Lewis' Lonesome Jake Hunting Preserve, in Heard County. (Our group was definitely spoiled by the fancy bus!)

This is a BIG bus!

Our hostess, Robin, second from left, in front of THE BUS!

The weather was a little on the warm side, but fans, and occasional periods of overcast skies, made the weather almost perfect! The flowers were blooming, and swings and lawn chairs presented plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the tranquil setting in the woods!

This is an annual trip for our group, and as always, Reed's and Robin's barbecue pork, and all the "fixin's," were finger-lickin' good. Sweet tea, lemonade, and homemade desserts rounded out the meal. Reed and Robin are selling their special barbecue sauce, for $5.00 per pint jar, to benefit one of their church members who has a brain tumor.

Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church, built in 1888, is part of the Lewis property, and is used for weddings and events. After lunch, Robin gave us some area history, and told us some stories. She told us how they acquired the church, and how her son's and daughter-in-law's desire to be married there hastened the restoration process! Click here for information on Pleasant Grove Weddings.

The dog wanted to be in church, too!

Click here for the entire photo gallery!

Next trip, Thursday, July 28, to Yoder's Mennonite Restaurant, and to get peaches, at William Brown's in Montezuma. Let me know if you want to go!

Easter Trip Down Memory Lane!

2011-04-22T22:53:00.004-04:00

Easter Trip Down Memory Lane!

One of my favorite childhood books was The Enchanted Egg (A Rand McNally Elf Book.)

This was a story about an "enchanted egg" that rolled down a hill, and caused quite a stir among an elf and his animal friends!

When the friends looked inside the egg, there was a view of a castle, complete with princess and knights in shining armor!

When my niece, Tricia, was about 8, we took a class together on making "enchanted eggs," from sugar and egg whites. Afterward, when I had my own children, I made "enchanted eggs" with them. That was many years ago.

Today, with Tricia here, along with my great-niece Chloe, Blake's girlfriend, Faith, my mother, Betty White Stewart, Tricia's friend Kari, and Kari's daughter, Averi, we all produced new "Enchanted Egg Masterpieces!" We also baked Easter sugar cookies, which we haven't yet decorated!

I scanned and made color copies of the inside of the egg, from the book, "The Enchanted Egg," for my background, and added a plastic horse in the foreground.

A close up of MY Enchanted Egg! My great-niece Chloe read "The Enchanted Egg" book today, before she made her enchanted egg. After sharing my trip down memory lane with Chloe, I realized there are now four generations of my family who are enchanted by enchanted eggs! Representatives of all four generations were there! Click Here for More Photos.

We had a fun, albeit exhausting, day! What a GOOD FRIDAY, literally! As the 1983 song by Carmen declares, "Sunday's on the Way!"
(Lyrics and video below!) Happy Easter, y'all!

Close up of my "copy" of the Enchanted Egg from the book that was one of my Childhood Favorites!

Sunday's On The Way


The demons where planning on having a party one night.
They got beer and Jack Daniels and pretzels,
a little Red wine, and some white.
They were celebrating how they crucified Christ, on that tree.
But Satan, the snake himself, wasn't so at ease.
He took his crooked finger and he dialed the phone by his bed,
To call an old faithful friend, to know for sure, that he was dead.

He said, "Grave, Grave tell, did my plan fail?"
Old Grave just laughed and said, "Oh man, the dude is dead as nails."

Chorus
Well hey, hey, hey on Friday Night, they crucified the Lord at Calvary,
But He said, "Don't dread, in three days, I'm gonna live again, you'll

see."
When problems try to bury you and make it hard to pray,
It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way!

A tranquilizer and a horror flick could not calm Satan's fear.
So Saturday night, he calls up the grave...scared, of what he'd hear.
"Hey, Grave, what's goin' on?"
Grave said, "Man, you called me twice, and I'll tell you, once more

again boss, the Jew's on ice!"

Devil said "Man grave, do you remember when old Lazurus was in his grave?

You said everything's cool and four days later, BOOM, Ol' Lazurus, he was raised!
Now this Jesus, He is much more trouble than anyone has ever been

to me.
And look, Grave, He's got old Devil shook cuz He said, He's only

gonna' be dead for three!"

Chorus 

Sunday morning Satan woke with a jump, ready to blow a fuse.
He was shaking from the tips of his pointed ears,
to the toes of his pointed shoes.
He said "Grave tell me is He alive? I don't want to lose my neck!"
Grave said, "Your evilness, maintain your cool. You are a wreck!"
Grave said, "Now just cool your jets, Big D, my sting is still intact,
You see, Jesus is dead forever, he ain't never coming back,
so just mellow out man, just go drink up or shoot up,
but just leave old Grave alone, and I'll catch you la.....
la....oh no! OH no! OH NO! OH NO....SOMEBODY'S MESSING WITH THE STONE!

Then the stone was rolled away and it bounced a time or two,
and an Angel stepped inside and said, "I'm Gabriel, who're you?
And if you're wondering where the Lord is, at this very hour,
I'll tell you He's alive and well, with resurrection power!"

The Cyclorama and DeKalb Farmer's Market

2011-04-21T01:39:00.002-04:00

The Cyclorama and

Your DeKalb Farmer's Market

Forty-one "young at heart" travelers from First Baptist Peachtree City, whose ages ranged from 14 to 92, enjoyed a "field trip" to The Atlanta Cyclorama, and lunch afterward at Your DeKalb Farmer's Market on Tuesday. (We have regular excursions scheduled 9 out of 12 months, usually on the third Tuesday.)

The Cyclorama is located next to the Atlanta Zoo property, in Grant Park. The Cyclorama, depicts the second Battle of Atlanta, during the Civil War, otherwise known in the South as "The War of Northern Aggression. The circular painting is said to be the world's largest oil painting: 42 feet tall, 358 feet in circumference, painted on linen. The painting is enhanced by a diorama-like foreground, which features three dimensional figures, wagons, plants, etc., that are gradually scaled down to fade into the painting. At some points, it is impossible to determine where the foreground ends, and the painting begins. Technically, this painting was quite a feat! It was painted in 1885-86, by German artists. It's over 125 years old!

Admission includes a 15 minute film, then a 30+ minute tour of the painting, while seated in rotating tiered seats, with a guide who answers questions, and supplements the recorded tour information. In the Cyclorama Building, there are also a gift shop, artifacts from the civil war, and the Texas, a steam locomotive involved in the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862.After everyone had time to prowl around the exhibits for a while, we departed for our lunch destination!

Lunch at Your DeKalb Farmer's Market is $4.99 per pound for salad and hot bar together. I ate a full plate for just $3.49!

Your DeKalb Farmer's Market is in a huge building housing 140,000 square feet of fresh produce, meat, seafood, prepared foods, bakery goods, exotic groceries and beverages from around the world, books, gadgets, and other oddities! It's a grocery store, entertainment, and travel experience. Most employees are from foreign countries. The cafeteria features international foods. People watching is engrossing, and perusing unusual and interesting "food items" is educational and fun!

Your DeKalb Farmer's Market, located at 3000 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA. 30030, is situated on 120 acres, and provides a complete recycling center as a service to customers. The market averages over 100,000 customers per week. They're open to the general public daily from 9-9, except when they close on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Waiting for the movie to start.

Movie scene.

Segment of the World's Largest Painting.

Cyclorama Entrance

Most of our group, after our Cyclorama tour.

Part of our group! This whole row of tables, and people on the rows on either side, are in our group.

Most everyone found something that enticed them to make a purchase! You can see from my buggy that I certainly did!

Waiting for the bus!

To see More Photos in a gallery, click HERE!

V.V.B.C. Discussion: My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

2011-04-20T00:26:00.005-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club Discussion:
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

We just had our Sisterchick Book Club "live" discussion about My Reading Life last night. The next three paragraphs are what I posted previously. If you are interested in reading this book, stop reading when I post the notice below, otherwise, you may learn more than you want to know! Read the book, then come back and join in the discussion, and read the feedback! This was one of my favorite books, EVER!

I'm already reading our Sisterchick Book Club's April selection, in book form, because it's "MY" book. That means I'll lead the discussion, because I suggested the book! (I'm trying to "be prepared!" I welcome your insight, and questions on the blog, for blog discussions, and to share with my non-virtual book club! Any ideas?)

I'm not going to comment about the book until April, except to say, this book has thoroughly captured my fancy. I LOVE Pat Conroy's vocabulary and storytelling abilities. So far, about 1/4 of the way through, this book is BY FAR the best book I've read in a long time, because of Pat Conroy's command of the English language. I really appreciate someone who uses their vocabulary to precisely express themselves in an entertaining way!

After I finish reading My Reading Life, before book club in April, I'm going to listen to Pat Conroy, via audible, as he reads his book! You may listen to a sample of Pat Conroy reading, and to part of a free 8 minute interview with Pat Conroy, by putting the book title in the search box below!

To sample/order Kindle and all other formats from Amazon:

STOP READING NOW, if you don't want to risk "spoilers!"

We had ten Sisterchicks at last night's Book Club meeting. I proposed this book, so I led the discussion.

Since this is basically a book of essays on Pat Conroy's favorite books, and those people whose contributions were instrumental in his literary journey, thus far, it was a very easy read. Each chapter stood alone, and there was a complete story

My Reading Life captivated me, because it made me believe that Pat Conroy and I are kindred spirits. I learned to read at an early age, my parents read to me (a lot!) I devoured library books, and I preferred the company of a good book over most everything else in my childhood.

We both grew up with a somewhat romanticized Southern influence. We both love books, language, stories, and writing. I felt like I "knew" and understood Pat Conroy so well, that I invited him (a couple of different ways) to come to our book club meeting. I didn't "hold my breath," and give it a lot of consideration, but I did have a smidgeon of hope that Pat Conroy, and his wife, Cassandra King, just MIGHT show up, "just because!" Unfortunately, they didn't!

However, if by some chance Pat Conroy reads or hears about this review, THE INVITATION STILL STANDS! The Sisterchicks Book Club in Peachtreee City would love to show Pat Conroy and Cassandra King some South Atlanta hospitality anytime!

I took a "quick poll" to determine if there was anyone who did not like
My Reading Life (which I'll abbreviate MRL.) The results: Half those present LOVED the book. The other half loved PARTS of the book. Most of those who weren't wild about the entire book, were not life-long readers. Several members said they were "slow readers" and/or didn't enjoy reading growing up. EVERYONE was inspired by SOMETHING in MRL.

I showed the group an 8 minute youtube video (below) on my computer, so "the girls" could hear, in the author's voice, and words, what Pat Conroy wanted readers to gain from MRL. (Last month, we found that the minority opinion in our group was actually the author's interpretation. This month, I wanted to go "straight to the horse's mouth" to get Pat Conroy's perspective.)

I read with pen in hand, with a pad of sticky note flags in the back of the book. While reading MRL, I was underlining or flagging something on most every page! I had to really restrain myself, to limit the number of quotes I shared at Book Club. There were SO MANY good ones!

Every quote that pierced my heart, every book recommendation that piqued my interest, made me want to devour the books Pat Conroy loved. MRL also made me want to revisit several books I'd already read. Here are just a FEW of my favorite quotes
(some shared in book club, some different):

"In a scene that has haunted me since I first read it, the father lifted his son off the Cretan earth and made the boy kiss the dead men's feet. Though nearly gagging, the young Kazantzakis kisses dirt from the lifeless feet as the father tells him that's what courage tastes like, that's what freedom tastes like." (POWERFUL quote!)

"But Southern women, forced to live with that defeat, had to build granaries around the heart to store the poisons that the glands of rage produced during that war and its aftermath. The Civil War stills feel personal in the South." (Pat Conroy's inspired tribute to Gone With the Wind made it a favorite segment with both our Southern and Yankee Sisterchicks!)

"With the introduction of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, Miss Mitchell managed to create the two most famous lovers in the English-speaking world since Romeo and Juliet."

"Because of the military life, I'm a stranger everywhere, and a stranger nowhere." (This quote, and others, made it unanimous that we'd all love to give Pat Conroy a big hug--for all the hurt and angst of his past!)

"Finally, when her hostility had become a palpable, living thing at the Grand Hotel des Balcons, I took her aside and, in a carefully memorized speech, confessed to her I was mentally retarded and had been sent to Paris on a special program of rehabilitation. (We loved Pat Conroy's wicked sense of humor!)

"The book's impact on me was so visceral that I mark the reading of Look Homeward Angel as one of the pivotal events of my life....The book itself took full possession of me in a way no book has before of since." (One of our members said she thought she felt this same way about MRL!)

"My mother promised that reading would make me smart, and I found myself recruited in Mom's battle over her own lack of higher education."
(The main character in "Her Mother's Hope," by Francine Rivers, last months Sisterchick's Book Club selection, also gained her "degrees" vicariously through reading and studying with her children.)

"Here's what I love: when a great writer turns me into a Jew from Chicago, a lesbian out of South Carolina, or a black woman moving into a subway entrance in Harlem. Turn me into something else, writers of the world. Make me Muslim, heretic, hermaphrodite. Put me into a crusader's armor, a cardinal's vestments. Let me feel the pygmy's heartbeat, the queen's breast, the torturer's pleasure, the Nile's taste, or the nomad's thirst. Tell me everything I must know. Hold nothing back." (This quote convinced two of us that Pat Conroy had read Middlesex: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club) )

"A novel is my fingerprint, my identity card, and the writing of novels is one of the few ways I have found to approach the altar of God and creation itself. You try to worship God by performing the singularly courageous and impossible favor of knowing yourself. You watch for the black wings of fighters writing messages in the skies over the South. Your mother plays with snakes and poison and raises you to tell the stories that will make all of our lives clear. It all congeals and moves and hurts in the remembering. I can ask for nothing more." (Writing as an act of worship! What a wonderful way to look at writing!)

"It's the tortoises that hold all the secrets." (You'll have to read that chapter yourself, if you haven't already!)

To close, we went around the table and each told our favorite parts of MRL, and named books that had changed our own lives. The chapters on Gone With the Wind, Gene Norris, and Peg Conroy were by far the favorites.

Everyone loved Pat Conroy's treatment of his mother and his beloved teacher. The chapter about Gene Norris was one of the most beautiful and loving tributes we'd ever read. We talked about how it would not be acceptable now for a student to spend so much time out of school with a teacher, and how much Pat Conroy would have missed out on, had it not been for Mr. Norris.

Alice, our "leader," said she was worrying about what she would say if Pat Conroy had shown up at our meeting. Alice said that after reading how Gene Norris coached Pat Conroy before he visited South Carolina's Poet Laureate, and how Mr. Norris coached the kids before they talked to Pat Conroy, she would be afraid to ask anything!

One member had met James Dickey, in the context of her job, so she enjoyed reading Pat Conroy's perspective in that chapter. Her encounter with Dickey was not very positive, and served to confirm Pat Conroy's observation that getting caught up in the movie industry changed Dickey.

The chapters on Gene Norris and the librarian led to a discussion about the impact and contributions that teachers, and other concerned, non-related individuals, can make in the lives of children. (We have a number of book club members who are teachers and people with family military experiences.)

One of our member's experiences at a writer's worksop caused her to identify with Pat Conroy's struggles with writing and publishing. She sympathized with the "blood, sweat and tears" that Pat Conroy pours into his writing.

The Old New York Book Shop chapter intrigued most everyone. We loved Pat Conroy's relationship with the owner. I was the only person to have ever frequented the shop.

The life changing books that were mentioned were: My Reading Life, Gone With the Wind, A Biography of Helen Keller (unnamed),A Biography of Mary Todd Lincoln (unnamed), Hawaii, A Grace Disguised, Scarlet Pimpernel, Ivanhoe, Tale of Two Cities, and "anything by Louisa May Alcott." (Girls, did I leave any books out?)

I loved listening to the Audible version of Pat Conroy reading MRL.
I agree with his assessment that only an author reads his work as it is intended to be read. I also agree with him that hearing books is a wonderful way to enjoy literature, and there are some wonderfully gifted readers out there!

Mission accomplished, Pat Conroy. You launched each of us on an expanded literary journey, starting with your work! THANK YOU!
P.S. We're pulling for you and Susannah to be reconciled!

Sister Chicks: Jump in with any comments/corrections/clarifications! Vicarious Virtual Book Club Members: What did y'all think?
New friends: Check my blog archives for posts that start with V.V.B.C. for more book club selections/reviews/recommended reading lists.

Free Georgia State Scrimmage at the Dome Thursday!

2011-04-13T23:30:00.000-04:00

FREE ADMISSION!

Georgia State Panthers Football

Blue-White Spring Scrimmage

Thursday, April 14th, 6:30

Georgia Dome

Reminder! Spring Scrimmage tomorrow night!

PantherTalk Tailgate Party before the game!

Come out with family and friends, and let's

ROCK THE DOME!

V.V.B.C.-Friends' Book Suggestions-March 2011, List 2

2011-03-30T23:47:00.000-04:00

Vicarious Virtual Book Club Suggestions
V.V.B.C.-Friends' Book Suggestions-March 2011, List 2

Here's part two of the list of book suggestions from friends, posted March 16th. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments!

Babette Wald: I'm reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". About 200 pages in...and good so far. (Jamie's Note: This was a Sisterchick Book Club selection before I joined, and from what I recall, most everyone thought the story was riveting, albeit somewhat sexually graphic. I agree. Several members said they'd read the sequel, and liked it.)

Annelle Trigg Johnson: Loved My Reading Life so much that I've downloaded two of his recommendations: War and Peace, and Anna Karenina. Slowly working through the first one. Expect to get lots of reading done on flights to/from China over spring break. Thank heavens for the Kindle. Love it, love it, love it. (Jamie's Note: the April Book Selection for my regular and online book clubs! Online Vicarious Virtual Book Club right here on my blog!
Search my archives for post titles starting with V.V.B.C.)

Sheron Craig Womack: I'm reading a dumb mystery and A Secret Gift in which a man traces his father's monetary gifts during the great depression. He finds as many people as possible to see how these gifts might have changed them and their families. Non-fiction. (Jamie's note: I read A Secret Gift. I thought it was interesting and inspirational.)A Secret Gift: How One Man's Kindness--and a Trove of Letters--Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

Karen Carbonneau: Pillars of the Earth...very good. (Jamie's Note: I loved Pillars of the Earth and the Sequel: World Without End. There is a tv series on Pillars of the Earth (on Starz) that was VERY well done!)Ken Follett

Peggy Perry: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (author of Seabiscuit) ....incredible story, I couldn't put it down...

Samuel A. Waters: ‎'The Bostonians.' The Bostonians

Cathie Lopez Breath....the autobiography is the woman who lived in an iron lung. What a writer! Breath: A Lifetime in the Rhythm of an Iron Lung: A Memoir (Jamie's Note: There is a book club review of this book in my archives.)

Julie Lasserre The Lotus Eaters by Tatiana Soli Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, and on my future list: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, any cookbook Sarah's Key, The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean The Secret Lives of Dresses, another cookbook, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel, The Memory Palace by Mira Bartok The Memory Palace, The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer The Invisible Bridge (Vintage Contemporaries), Room by Emma Donaghue Room: A Novel, and did I mention cookbooks? Seriously, I think this list will last for quite a while!

Laurye Campbell Ray ‎"Breaking Night" book by a young woman who went from tragic childhood to homeless teenager to Harvard.Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard

Jana Graf getting ready to read Jodi Picoults new book that came out this week..."Sing You Home"...Sing You Home: A Novel
recently read "The Kitchen House"by Kathleen Grissom, excellent...The Kitchen House: A Novel

Julie Taylor Fitzgerald Just read "Homer's Odyssey", sweet story of a blind cat (Valentine's Day present from my sweetie ♥)Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat, Julia Child's "My Life in France" My Life in France (Movie Tie-In Edition) (Random House Movie Tie-In Books) and a new cookbook - Dorie Greenspan's "Around My French Table". Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours Would like to read the Stig Larson mystery/thriller trilogy next.Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy Deluxe Boxed Set: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Plus On Stieg Larsson

Mona McChesney Williams ‎"How to SELL a House FAST in a SLOW Real Estate Market" William Bronchick & Ray Cooper, 2009.How to Sell a House Fast in a Slow Real Estate Market: A 30-Day Plan for Motivated Sellers

I'll be adding lots of these books to my "To Read" list! Comments?
Suggestions?

Choosing our Attitudes!

2011-03-27T20:30:00.001-04:00

Choosing our Attitudes!

As I'm closing in on sixty, I'm finding that more of my friends are experiencing significant medical issues. I'm becoming increasingly aware of the need to take care of, and pay attention to, my body. I'm acutely aware that we shouldn't take our health for granted. It doesn't take much to throw bodily functions out of whack! I am trying to watch what I eat, and am making an intentional effort to exercise more, in order to postpone all the ailments I can! I recently saw this quote:

"Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it."
--Tagore

This quote reminds me that our attitude determines how we experience everything, and we CHOOSE our own attitudes! It also reminds me that sometimes our trials are meant to shape us and "prune" us. If we don't have some trials, we'll miss out on a lot of lessons! I'm trying to approach every situation with humor, and I'm finding that I'm laughing at myself a lot!

Praying to be fearless, and to conquer pain, are bold and scary prayers! I'm sure we'd all rather pray for protection and no pain, instead of praying about how to face danger and deal with pain! However, once we find ourselves in situations we cannot change quickly, we will be better served by considering how to deal with our circumstances, instead of whining, or railing against them!

I shared the Tagore's quote with my friend, Sheila, who is facing her FOURTH bout of cancer. The quote spoke to her, too. Sheila wrote of the quote, "I like this. Let me be FEARLESS!!!"

Although we can't control everything that happens to us, we can decide that we won't allow negative circumstances to cause us to react negatively! We need to determine positive steps we can take, in every situation, and move forward, one step at a time.

My high school classmate, Steve, had a heart attack, which required a stent, last week. When I reached him by phone 4 days later, his attitude epitomized what I hope mine would be, should I find myself facing similar circumstances!

Steve was positive, optimistic, and doing what he could to get better. He accepted his temporary restrictions, and physical limitations, as necessary for his progress. I felt confident enough about Steve's decisiveness, and prognosis of a complete recovery, that I jokingly told him he'd "better not die on me, because we're having our class reunion at your place in September."

He replied, "If I die, just prop me up by the juke box, and party on!" That seemed fearless to me as well! He was extremely grateful that his wife had recognized that the severity of his symptoms required immediate help. Steve was marveling that he'd been transported by "Life Flight" to have emergency surgery for a stent, when he'd been feeling "perfectly fine," and eating lunch, just prior to the episode. Steve was facing all kinds of restrictions on his activities, but Steve was not focusing on anything negative. He was remaining positive, and looking forward!

Over and over, I've seen friends overcome dire prognoses, to live longer, healthier, and happier lives than anyone could imagine, because of their faith in God's Sovereignty over their situations. My friends didn't let the way things appeared affect their faith that their circumstances were part of God's plans. Those optimistic friends believed that regardless of how bleak things seemed, God could turn things around! Time and again, God performed miracles! Even in situations when no miracles were forthcoming, my positive and "fearless" friends experienced more peace and less pain, than less positive friends.

Let's start practicing for our "old age," as well as for Eternity! Let's live each day with a sense of gratitude for our blessings, and let's look for the blessings in every circumstance! Let's approach our "problems" with ideas for solutions, instead of letting our problems overwhelm us. Let's try to always have hope! Let's be sure we follow Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer, to "Accept the things !/we cannot change, and change the things I/we can!"

Let's take it a step beyond choosing to have attitudes that are positive and grateful. Let's purposefully pursue, and spread, joy and laughter! After all, laughter is purportedly great medicine, and, it's contagious! May our upbeat attitudes create an epidemic of joy and laughter, that infects everyone around us!

Cultural Immersion Week!

2011-03-25T20:32:00.005-04:00

Cultural Immersion Week!

I am feeling well-cultured this week! When it rains, it pours! I'm not sure if I've ever had such a cultural feast! In the last 7 days, I've been to one "art film," two plays, and my book club! I also watched "Dancing With the Stars" and "American Idol!" (O.K., so maybe those last two don't FULLY count as cultural dance and concert experiences, but they were fun, too!)

My childhood friend, Cindy Gass Fetch, sent an e-mail recommending the movie "Barney's Version," starring Dustin Hoffman. Knowing Ed was going to be out of town, I asked my long-time friend, and hairdresser of 26 years, Robert Vento, to go to the movie with me, after my hair appointment!

After I was "colored and trimmed," (I hope I didn't shock anyone too much with the revelation that I color my hair!) Robert and I successfully navigated rush hour traffic, and made it to the movie with a few minutes to spare! Although I enjoyed the 60's and 70's music, and the scenes shot in Italy, I found the movie to be "unsettling." It's the kind of movie you find yourself contemplating, long after it's over. The aging issues presented in the movie are not fun to think about! Enough said.

Book Club met Monday. I've already blogged about that! Always a good time. I'm looking forward to discussing Pat Conroy's My Reading Life next month. (I've issued an invitation to Pat Conroy, via his blog, to come to book club! I'll let you know if he responds!)

Robert mentioned that he'd heard from two different clients, that the play, "Superior Donuts," at the Horizon theater, was really good. I asked Ed if he wanted to go to the play with Robert on Wednesday, and Ed said, "Why not!"

We joined Robert for a very interesting (and delicious) dinner, with New Orleans undertones, at Parish, in Inman Park. I had a veggie plate over some great grits. Ed tried the stuffed catfish, and Robert had a HUGE fried boneless chicken breast with collards. The bluesy keyboard player added just the right touch of atmosphere, without being so loud we couldn't enjoy our conversations.

We moved on to the theater, and got good seats, to the right of center stage. (We were across the aisle from Atlanta's Frugal Guru, Clarke Howard!)

While we were waiting for the play to start, we had some YUMMY giant cookies for dessert. (And I MEAN G-I-A-N-T! Butter Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin.) During intermission, we also sampled some OH-MY-GOODNESS-GREAT doughnuts from Sublime Doughnuts! We had a "S'more" doughnut and a STAR SHAPED "Orange Dream" doughnut! (I had never seen a star shaped doughnut before!)

When I got the cookies, I saw 4 PERFECT doughnuts in a clear cake stand, on the counter, which I thought were wax decorations, setting the mood for the play! Later, the director told us that there would be doughnuts for sale during intermission. That's when I "got a clue" that the doughnuts I'd seen on the counter were REAL!

"Superior Donuts" lived up to its hype. The entire play took place in the doughnut shop. The actors were exceptional. We pulled for the underdogs, disliked the jerks, and empathized where appropriate! None of us wanted the play to end. Best play I've seen in a long time!

Lastly, last night, Ed and I took Brittany, her friend Caitlin, Blake, and Faith to see Peter Pan, in 360 degrees! (Pemberton Place, between the World of Coca Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.) The flying scenes reminded me of standing in the old Disney "America the Beautiful" attraction, where everyone felt like they were flying!

The flying scenes were breathtaking, the sets were creative, and the circular projections enhanced both. The dog and two-person-rolling-ticking crocodile were scene stealers. When the audience chanted together to revive Tinkerbell, even the most hardened skeptics must have felt a smidgeon of the magic!

What a great production! What a great week! And now, after all the excitement I've had, I have a whole WEEKEND to enjoy! Y'all have a great weekend, too!

V.V.B.C.--Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

2011-03-22T13:50:00.003-04:00

V.V.B.C.--Discussion/Review
Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

Caution: This review contains "spoilers." If you have not read the book, and intend to, stop reading now!

There were 14 Sisterchicks at Book Club tonight, and, since the book was nominated by Pam, she led the discussion. Everyone liked the book--although 2 of the girls said they were "mad" the whole way through the book! They said Marta's mistreatment by her father, Hildemara's mistreatment by her teacher, and some of the other situations in the book, kept them "stirred up!"

It was pretty much universally agreed that one of Francine Rivers' strengths is her character development. In the epilogue, Ms. Rivers revealed that she based some of the characters in Her Mother's Hope, loosely, on members of her own family. (Since I listened to the book, I had not read that commentary, or seen the accompanying pictures, until tonight.)

We all felt like we got to know the characters. We continued to think about them, long after finishing the book. Alice made everyone laugh when she said, "What's bad is when you find yourself praying for these people. Well, almost!" We knew what Alice meant. Francine Rivers has a real gift for bringing her characters to life!

Several people shared that, based on their own pasts, the scenarios were very believable. They identified so much with the beatings, abuse, comparison between siblings, and other situations, they were uncomfortable while reading.

Everyone agreed that this book was a departure from Francine Rivers other books. Her Mother's Hope had good moral lessons, and the Bible was mentioned, but was not a prevailing theme.

One of the strongest discussions about prayer was when Niclas counseled Hildemara to pray for the teacher who continued to demean her. Hildemara did so, very conscientiously. Even though the prayers didn't noticeably change Hildemara's teacher's behavior, Hildemara realized that her prayers had changed her own attitude, and given her empathy toward her teacher, because of the loss of her son during World War II.

The first part of the book was told from Marta's point of view. We started out with a discussion about how Marta's childhood difficulties affected her life. We agreed they gave her skills and taught her to be independent. Several of us had also read the sequel, which made us have trouble remembering what happened in which book, and several others had read the book long enough ago (2 weeks, one said), that the details were sketchy. Trying to remember character names sent us to the book, looking for the name of Marta's mother.

After a couple of minutes scanning the beginning of the book, it was determined, and announced, that Marta's mother's name was "Mama." That brought a fresh round of giggles as one of our members declared in mock astonishment, "That was MY Mother's Name!" and another chimed in, "Mine, too!"

We have a lot of laughs and fun in our book club! (I won't reveal ALL of the funny stories, private revelations, and prayer concerns about our children, and other family members and friends, though. What goes on at Book Club, stays at Book Club, you know! LOL!)

We discussed how Marta's relationship with her father colored how she saw God. We decided that Marta's mother was the more devout parent, and that Marta's father taught her that church was a only place to see people, and be seen. By forcing Marta to go to church with her eyes blackened from beatings, and making Marta sit on the back row, Marta's father gave Marta the message that she was only good enough to sit on the back row, "far away" from God.

Marta internalized the message that there was no hope of her ever pleasing God, the Heavenly Father, if she couldn't even please her earthly father. When Marta's husband was terminally ill, Marta finally started talking to God--even yelling at Him, while walking in the orchard to which Marta's husband had devoted so much of his time.

Marta's "Mama" wanted Marta to soar, while Marta's father wanted to control Marta. His primary objective was to collect the money Marta could contribute to the family. Marta epitomized her own Mother's "Hope" to escape, hence the title. OOPS! We were wrong! Hildemara was HER mother, Marta's "Hope!" Read the comments for more explanation!

Marta's "Mama" wanted her daughter to be freed from enslavement in the tailor shop, which "Mama" knew would be inevitable, especially after her death, if Marta did not leave. After Marta endured her father's hiring her out as a hotel assistant, then his exiling her to a school for maids, "Mama" sent Marta away, with a little bit of money, to fend for herself. "Mama" unselfishly released Marta, with the blessing to "Fly, Liebling!"

Marta showed great resourcefulness, and was to be admired, for making her dream of owning a boarding house come true. We were all glad Marta fell in love with Niclas. We understood that Marta had a hard time trusting Niclas, because of her own Father.

We all agreed that Niclas had pride, and that Marta wasn't "the best wife," but we weren't impressed with his passive aggressive actions, (for example: leaving Marta and making decisions to move and enter contracts, without consulting Marta.) There was much discussion about how we would have reacted, had we been put in the situation to abandon our hard-earned dreams, and follow our husbands to a farm!

The story continues, and changes at some point to the perspective of Marta's daughter, Hildemara. It was almost universally agreed that Marta really believed that she was helping Hildemara by being extra tough on her, because Marta did not want Hildemara to grow up weak and dependent, as Marta's sister, Elise, had been. (We all thought it was peculiar that Marta never once told Hildemara about Elise. The only reason we came up with, that Hildemara didn't tell, was the shame of unmarried pregnancy and suicide.)

Then, we were forced to rethink Marta's actions. One member raised the possibility that Marta was jealous of Hildemara. Even though Marta's motives for "toughening up" Hildemara were in many ways sound, Marta may have been jealous of Hildemara's tender, servant's heart. Hildemara may have irritated Marta, as Marta, maybe even subconsciously, compared the differences between her Hildemara's and her own personalities.

It was ironic that Marta longed for a college degree, and continually read and tried to better her education, while Niclas had a degree in Engineering, and only aspired to be a farmer. She always read her son's text books, and asked what he was learning in college.

Marta's mother's applying to college for Hildemara was an example of everyone's frustration that none of the characters in the book TALKED to each other! Sisterchicks kept saying, throughout our entire book discussion, "if they'd just had ONE conversation!" At least Hildemara's decision to be a nurse finally gave her the courage to stand up to her mother!

Marta said she didn't want her daughter to be a nurse, which was simply, in Marta's mind, a glorified maid. We thought that was interesting, especially since Marta had started out the same way, as a servant, by training, and by owning a boarding house.

Somebody pointed out that Hildemara had the most honorable and "normal" career out of Marta's three daughters, except that, for the times, nursing was probably less highly esteemed. The other two sisters' careers were artist and costume designer.

Lack of communication allowed so many misconceptions to flourish. Lack of communication sentenced several generations to unnecessarily troubled relationships. Hurtful secrets sentenced people to years of unnecessary torment. Kind words, gentle questions, and thoughtful explanations--efforts at communication--would have changed the course of Marta's family's history.

There was discussion about how "times have changed." Most everyone had stories about how our grandparents and parents were not as vocal or demonstrative as people are now. I think we all interpreted the book as an example of how NOT to interact with our own families!

We went down a few interesting rabbit trails as we were concluding our discussion! Pam signaled the end of our formal discussion after nobody had any more comments or questions.

Alice brought in information about a fundraising bookmark project, in support of the tsunami victims in Japan, which some local Japanese women are organizing. The bookmarks will have "Hope" written in Japanese on one side, and a name of your choice, in Japanese characters, on the other side, for $2.00. Alice collected money and order details from everyone at book club. If you're local, and interested in a bookmark, please leave contact information in the comment section, or e-mail or call me, and I will get the details to you.

The April Book Club Selection (which I nominated) is Pat Conroy's My Reading Life. I'm really enjoying it. I love Pat Conroy's vocabulary, and command of the English language. (I am reading the book AND listening to Pat Conroy read it!)

Sister Chicks: Did I miss anything you'd like to comment on, about My Reading Life? Anyone else have any comments? It's your turn!