Light it up!

Roger loved holidays and what the kids created from those pumpkins he delivered the first of October - or September, if they arrived early. 

Their tradition continued. Pumpkin carving in the park with friends. Potluck dinner. Good fun.

We never did look at Halloween as this spooky time of year - in fact, I don't even remember doing trick or treat with the girls when they were small.  In theory, it was all about the candy, so we would just go to the store 'the day after' and I let them buy whatever they wanted at 75% off.


I guess halloween is good for getting your sugar fix, and being sick enough to not want more sugar for a good long while! 

I think about those lit pumpkins much like the world we live in.  They can be carved in funny or even cute or nice ways - or even scary ways, but nice or not, they are still dark.  When the world grows dark around them and you pop a light inside, it illuminates whatever surrounds it.   Hopefully what you see is wonderful and nice.  Often it is not, and very often you can't really tell the difference. 

The light that shines from the inside, the true light - the one illuminating your soul - is really only evident to Jesus. Hopefully, it is his light and love shining from within you.  Hopefully your life is so transparent that people don't have to wonder what it is that makes that light within you shine. 

Roger liked halloween because of all the chocolate left in the bowl.  

He also liked those 75% off deals I used to find - if they involved chocolate.

Roger's Lesson:  Don't take halloween too seriously - keep in mind that there is darkness in this world, and know of it but don't be part of it - but at the same time, let that light within you shine and make a difference.  And drop off any chocolate you don't want. 

And that...is my halloween story - another year of creative carving. 

You've gotta VOTE!

Our Precinct 129 first string wasn't here for this election. He surely was missed though.

You have to know your strengths. Roger's strength was meeting new people, talking about what interested them, and talking about his favorite statesman. Yes, Statesman.  

Roger did not have a zillion interests in life like I tend to do - he loved a few things -

Faith - Family - Friends - Politics ....yes, and sports. 

He had this unique take on politics, not like too many other people I have ever known. 

He not only knew the issues, but the candidates and quite often what motivated them.

And when he put his support behind someone, he was all in.

He did not do this often.

He always did it for Dan Webster. 

He always believed that Dan would make a difference, and indeed, he has.

He does not make a difference in that - 'he point the camera this way and see what I have done' kind of way. 

No, he makes a difference because he cares about people, but he cares more about eternity. 

He lives his life in an honorable way, and he evaluates issues and makes moral and responsible decisions.

And he listens. 

Today was one of those 'push through' kind of days for me. For all of us, I suppose. 

It was REALLY hard to go to the polls and vote without Roger by my side - or reminding me that it is really good to have a voting number no higher than the teens. (OK, I had 102 or something like that, but I voted!)

It was REALLY hard to put my Webster signs in the appointed place where he always had his Dunkin' Donuts coffee - or Allen's on this occasion.  It was wonderful to have people come by and recall that this was his spot - and even nicer when they happened to know that we went together. 

I did not stand up and chat all day like Roger did, but I did say "first bubble on your ballot!" a lot.  And during the afternoon when traffic got slow - I found a wifi connection. He would NEVER have done that!

And I did bug Karen often, though not as often as he did, to keep up with the count and the voting percentage for the Precinct 129 turnout. 

And I made it until 6:30 and I have not fallen apart.  

And I think I will make it just fine - because there is a party at the end - and I just know that our man Dan is going to go back to DC and work on our behalf to make this country strong again. And we will rightfully celebrate.

And yes, I know he can't do it alone, but I fully believe that his influence and the fact that he cares more about souls than about stuff is beginning to change the hearts of those in office. And I believe that God can and will change this nation for the better if the hearts of men are changed for the better. 

Roger's Lesson:
Push through. Do what is right to do, and keep doing it.  Stand up for those who do right and assist where you can.


I think he would be happy with us on this election day. 

Pick a team, friends and family - just be sure you know what your chosen leader believes and where he is leading you! 

Happy Election Day. God Bless America! 

A Little Pain?

Country road, country road, take me back, where I belong.......

Ok, that song is not exactly about Georgia, nor do I belong there anymore, but I did have a lot of fun going down those old country roads.

There is something very interesting - even emotional at times - about stepping back into your past. On that Georgia trip, Lila and I missed a number of things we were aiming for (like visiting Aunt Sara - one of our main objectives) - but the journey took us down some interesting paths as well.  Let's just say that between the two of us having "GPS' systems on our phones, they somehow did not agree most of the time, and well ----all roads lead somewhere!

Actually, something I have always wanted to do was to take a trip and 'get lost' and see where it took me. This was not planned, of course, but though we were never too far off track, we wandered, for sure!

Get lost. I'm not sure I ever got lost with Roger. He has a pretty innate sense of direction. Now there were plenty of times when I would tell him that he was lost, but he would figure it out. 

On our journey home, after we had pretty much outrun the oncoming storm, we headed through Middle Georgia.  Highway 41 DOES parallel I-75, right?     Well, in theory it does. 

We made it most of the way and ended up at this 'intersection from Hell' in Ft. Valley.  I remembered this thing from my childhood - it was under major construction this time. This thing was like a four-way stop with traffic lights and stop signs and about 6 roads that intersected.  

One thing we learned was that Georgia road signs are nothing like Florida road signs - not like Central Florida road signs anyway - THANK YOU DISNEY FOR SPOILING US!  You might find road signs overhead, on the side of a road, on a corner, behind a bush - and they are almost simply highway NUMBERS.   And there could be five at one location.  And there are no names of streets so much of the time.

All I can say is....GLORY! Someone help me! Someone give me a paper road map!

After visiting the 'intersection from Hell' about three times, we finally headed down what we were confident was the correct highway - only half a block from the 'previous highway" we tried, mind you.  We drove happily along until we came upon a sign that said "Andersonville Trail" and Montezuma.  Now, my Georgia geography might be a little rusty, but something told me this was way south of Ft. Valley and Warner Robbins - and Aunt Sara! 

Since late afternoon was approaching and children were going to be tracking us down, we kept going south. Next time, Aunt Sara! Hang in there! 

But along the way, a lady needs a break every now and again, so imagine where the road led.....to cotton fields - in full bloom.  I just could not resist the photo op. 

Roger's Lesson:  If you REALLY think you are lost, then find a fire station and they can help you EVERY time.  But don't be too quick to get back on the short route, because you might miss an adventure. 

Up close and personal - this is cotton before it is a cotton ball or a garment.  I grew up thinking that cotton was soft and fluffy. 

Not so.

On one trip to the farm, my parent's four children must have been a fussing mess because I remember daddy pulling off the side of the road and saying - 'get out' -  and he made us pick cotton. It was on grandaddy's farm, so it was ok. He made us pick it - I remember it being for a whole day in the blistering sun, but I bet it was only for about 10 minutes.  I can remember crying and pulling thorny things out of my hands. I also remember him talking to us about hard work being a good cure for fussing.  Some time later, in history class, when I began to learn about the south and the "cotton pickers" - I had a real appreciation for what they were talking about. I also gained a great appreciation for the industrial revolution, emerging technology, and more than anything else, Spirituals -as in music.   Just think about it. Maybe that will be another post for another day.  

No, cotton is not soft when it grows on a plant, and no, it does not offer ONLY A LITTLE pain! 

Cotton is good, but you don't get the final product without great sacrifice by someone. 
That's kind of like salvation, isn't it. The final product is amazing, but the sacrifice, by someone other than yourself was pretty brutal. That should make one appreciate the value of salvation even more. 

Catfish Joe

Catfish. These things are U.G.L.Y.  and I remember when Roger and Kristin went fishing and caught a really big one.  I'm so glad they did not feel compelled to stuff it! 

This is Joe's catfish. ONE of Joe's catfish. My uncle has a beautiful place up on Lake Sinclair  (in GA) and goes down to his dock every evening as the sun goes down and feeds his catfish. I guess they hear him coming and show up - or they have this internal timing - or something. It was quite the site to behold. 

Joe - my mom's baby brother. He is less than 20 years older than me and when I was little, I was IN LOVE with him!  Isn't it great to have an uncle like that?  I did not know it then, but I can look back now and see how much he influenced me about the ways a lady should be treated.   He has this amazing, genteel way of speaking. If he ever raised his voice - well I can't even imagine it. The tone of his voice is just soft and nice and that of a real Southern Gentleman. You don't find those so much anymore.  

That crazy drive through Atlanta was so worth it - just to get to see family again. Most of the time I fly OVER Georgia. It's hard to get back to your roots that way. 

Joe and Frank were brothers - and kindred spirits too. That was so special, because my mom and her sister were kindred spirits like that. It is quite something to be able to spend time with another person and not even have to talk, but to just really enjoy that time together. 

Roger and I sat in the swing a lot and just enjoyed time together.  I sat there more often when it was not too hot, nor too cold, nor too buggy - often enough, and yet now I look back and it was not nearly enough. 

Roger missed out. He missed out because he never answered Joe's call to come up for a visit. The two of them would have had quite a swell time together too! They liked so many of the same things.
One thing that I hope that I can always remember to do is to answer the call to 'come visit' - and to say 'come visit.'   I hope that I don't get so wrapped up in the busy-ness of life ever again, that I 'mean to' get around to it.

Roger's Lesson:
I think he would tell me to go where my heart leads me - and if it is on the road to Georgia - then do it. Yes, I know he would say that I should not just sit home and wait until it is my turn to enter Heaven. He would say to live and enjoy those you love until God calls you home. 

When I see a beautiful sunset over Lake Butler, I am going to remember this sunset over Lake Lanier and that wonderful time I spent with Joe and Fran (and Carole Anne too!)

And thanks Lila, for encouraging me along the way. We might have taken the long way around much of the time, but it was a fun Georgia journey! 

I still won't eat them, but those olde ugly catfish will always bring back good memories! 

After the Rain

This was Roger's job. Driving was always Roger's job. He never let me take over for him - never suggested it. I'm pretty sure I offered, but probably not sincerely.

Eh-lahn-eh.  (phonetic spelling for Atlanta) - Ah, one of my favorite cities. I love I-75 through downtown. I loved it more when Roger drove it.

Life throws you these curves and you either have to give into - "I can't do that" or you have to put on your big girl britches and just do it.

Thank goodness for a friend who was willing to go along for the ride. Thank goodness she was not scared for me to drive! She was willing, but I stayed determined that I could do this thing.

I did find that there is a difference between being able to do a thing and enjoying doing a thing though! These days, driving to Oviedo is more than I care to do too often, so driving to Atlanta - that was a big undertaking.

I think Roger would have been proud of me!

Sometimes it rains. Rain can make me sad if I let it, or it can remind me of the sunny days and make me appreciate them even more.

I don't particularly like driving in it, but we survived rainy I-75 through downtown Atlanta.
And sunny days, lots of creativity, and a wonderful visit with siblings and cousins followed.

Roger's Lesson:
In order to get to a desired destination, generally you have to go through some tough stuff to get there. But, you are always glad when the destination was as delightful as your anticipation. 

Yes, I know this journey of mine, though sad at times, will lead me to new growth and I know my final destination will be more amazing than I can even imagine.

And I know that he is experiencing it now.

Chief

10 feet by 10 feet. 
On the asphalt street. 
In Chalk Pastels.
In Marietta, Georgia.

Oh, with a broken, displaced rib.
And several rain delays, over two days.


Indeed, this was not the easiest chalking I have ever done, but it was fun. It feels wonderful to be creative and I needed this little vacation.

Motivation: I have a lot of relatives in the greater Atlanta area and sometimes it is just a lot of fun to see family, get those wonderful hugs, and just reminisce. 

That is what got me in the car in the first place, because I really don't like driving more than an hour at a time.  But chalking friends - yes, that too. They are a fun group of people.  All that creativity in one place...just wow! 

Roger encouraged me to go last year, August 2013, but it was just too hot. I decided then that chalking a body outline on the pavement was probably not a good idea, so I passed.  I endured the Florida heat instead - indoors. 

Marietta was beautiful. The festival was great. 
Halloween was their theme and we were challenged to incorporate the sponsor logo into the design. 
I had two. Hilton Conference Center (Wow - comped rooms!) and the historic Strand Theatre. 
I promised Emily that I would chalk her - huge and in living color, no less!  She decided to be a Fire Chief for their halloween fun. Roger would have gotten a great kick out of it too!

With her fire bucket, there should be lots of sugar to put out those tummy fires, right? 

Between the rain, the broken rib, and some unplanned design edits, it came off ok. The proportion was off, but hey, call it a cartoon. Ribs are more painful than one might think! But it is bright!

And the man in the moon? That is Mr. Hilton.  
My first thought was to put Roger there...but it was too soon....I knew I would cry too much. Maybe one day.... He would like the humor. 

I even had a few tickets dropped in my bucket for 'People's Choice" - well, how about that?!

And people always ask - 
"How long does it stay here?"
It is a road. Till they move the barricades and the cars roll through.
Actually the street sweeper came through after dark.

"How can you stand to have it just erased like that?
Well, just like life, it is temporary.  
You do your best for today and keep your eye on the end of the journey.
You have to let go of perfectionism because when time is up, you can't do any more.

And when I think about it...

Roger's Lesson:
That is exactly what Roger would say about this journey we call life.
Temporary - eyes on the end of the journey - use time wisely, do your best and don't focus on what you can not change. Keep looking forward - the reward is great if you head to the right destination.   (Which is Heaven, of course - and the Way - well, that's in Jesus!)

The morning after drive-by...
not much more than a shadow, a memory.

I'm glad my memories last longer than chalk. 

It's My Pleasure

Oh, for the love of...politics. Roger and I had that in common, though he knew a whole lot more than I ever will. He had this mental capacity to remember and analyze all kinds of information.

Ask him to name countries in the world. He knew the ones we never heart of. And their capitals. And their leaders. 

Ask him to discuss just about any issue and he knew both sides and analyzed them well. Yes, he had his personal opinions, but he generally knew all sides of any issue. 

Ask him about anyone in office and there was a pretty fair chance that he knew more than any of us really cared to know.


Ask him his opinion on a vote - and he could cover any and all of the issues - and candidates.

Ask him who he was willing to support with time and money. Well, those were few.  I can name only one or two. I can always name Webster. As in Daniel Webster. As in US Congressman Daniel Webster. 

Roger was always on Team Webster because he knew Dan's values, he knew Dan's heart, and he knew that Dan was doing what he was doing because God called him to step up to the plate and do it. And he was proud to be part of Team Webster and he practically owned Precinct 129. Roger made it his business to try his best to visit every single home in Precinct 129, and catch people on the street too! 

Ah - and therein lies my failure. I am just not the people person that Roger was. I mean well, but striking up conversations with random people is not my strength. But I will stand in his place at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.  I will do my best to be among the first to cast my vote to keep Congressman Daniel Webster in office. He has EARNED it!  That is a very rare thing in our election process, of course!  I'll be in Webster BLUE and be holding the fort for Roger! 

But when Congressman Webster's office calls, I try to be quick to answer.  In fact, I keep painting because I really really, really, really want to paint his Presidential portrait one day.  Hey - dream big! It is a bigger dream for me to paint his portrait than it is to imagine him as President! I hope it happens before the demise of this once great country! 

Congressman Webster is also a generous man and does so much for his constituents. He answered the call to participate in a project to feed the homeless and asked me to paint the bowl. (Ah! We all have limitations and in the same way that I know who to call when I have AC issues, he knows who to call when he needs art!) What an honor!  Of course, it was a new type of ceramic paint and I am admittedly a little rusty, but I knew that Roger would have said - DO IT!  He would have willingly eaten out for a week so I could paint my little heart away.  

It was much needed therapy for me as well. I have to admit that it took me back to that day, back in the 1980's when a group of friends sat around the pool, watching the kids swim, when "Danny from Pine Hills" shared this idea he had about running for office. (I know why now, but I don't imagine it sunk in much at the time.)  I think that Roger - and maybe Debbie were the only ones who were actually excited about his idea. The rest of us likely saw a lot of work and less playtime ahead of us.  Most of us never gave much more than a passing thought to politics, though we always did our civic duty and voted. 

Of course, tears welled up as the memories returned, for I could still see it in my mind, as if it were yesterday.  But like sunshine after the rain, the tears quickly changed to tears of joy because it was Roger who desperately believed this was a good idea and a good thing for the family to be involved in. Yes, little girls could 'Walk for Webster' too!

Though Dan has been in office for quite a while, he is nothing like what you would call a 'career politician." I guess he is in the history books by now - Florida History, the political kind, at least.  He has weathered many storms involving such negativity, and yet he has never succumbed to negativity himself or in his campaigns. What a breath of fresh air! 

Roger loved the years when we needed to campaign hard. I loved the years when there was no opponent. Roger loved to talk to people, I was always willing to cater a party.  Indeed, we all have our strengths.  Dan lost a great campaigner in February, but had Roger been able to tell him, I just know that he would have said that he would have more and better campaigners to follow.  He knew that he was only doing his little part in the big picture of life. 

I count it an honor to be at the polls on Tuesday to cast my vote for Daniel Webster. I surely do hope that Precinct 129 turns out in force too! I'll be in Roger's spot at the Town Hall, waving that blue sign! 

Roger's Lesson:  This is easy. This country is still great and it is our job to keep it great. That can only be done by putting honorable men and women in office. Look for the character rather than the marketing. And get involved by spreading the word because most people do appreciate knowing when there is a truly honorable candidate out there. 

Yep ....back in the 1980's Dan ran on "Honesty, Integrity, and Leadership" - his first political slogan.  He could still run on it today.  Today he is in DC - that place that is broken.  (America is not broken, Washington is -   oh how true.)  And though we never hear it on tv, we know that little by little, good things can and do happen in DC.  Roger was so proud of his friend Dan and the work he is doing. 

I sure hope his memory is prodding people to vote on election day. I will be quite busy in Precinct 129 on Saturday.  

And the bowl - (It is about 12-15 inches across - a pasta type bowl) - Nice and shiny all fired up! Not too bad for freehand art. 

It was my pleasure to serve. 

And I absolutely know that Roger would be thrilled to have a certain friend as First Lady - even though she got the last word. 
Well done, SJW!