More Rabun Ramblings!

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!

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

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

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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/flowering tree that was shading my parking space.  As I was unlocking my car door, I wondered what kind of tree it was. Suddenly, a gust of wind brought me face to face with a cluster of leaves/buds that were hiding a bug! I realized if I had not been forced to look closely at the leaves, as the branch hit me in the head, I would have missed the 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 realization that there must be an amazing number of things I miss, simply because I don’t always pay attention to details. It’s certainly 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, Sally Belveal, and I were in Rabun County, hoping Sally would be able to see some bears. 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 time I’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 kept watch continuously for several hours. No bears. We watched on and off during the day, knowing if we didn’t keep watch, we would miss them. I saw a mama deer with her spotted fawn, but no bruins.

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

I turned, and loudly whispered to Sally, “BEAR!” It took her a moment to realize what I meant and look in the right direction. As we watched, a mama bear with two cubs proceeded to explore the area and forage for food. We were able to watch 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!

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!

Southern Hospitality 
at the Blue Willow Inn! 


UPDATE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing family traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches!
Thank you!
www.traditionplace.com


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)

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

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!