During the pandemic when Byron and I made every effort to follow all the rules : sheltering, extensive hand-washing, mask-wearing, vaccinations, and keeping our distance whenever it was necessary to be around people , we broke the boredom by taking a ride late in the afternoons.
And ride around we did ! We saw more of Franklin, Hart, and Stephens counties than we had ever seen. We climbed Currahee Mountain, sat at the stadium at Clemson University, reminisced at UGA , saw points of interest at Tugalo and Victoria Bryant state parks, and bumped on dirt roads that we never knew existed (even when we “parked” back in the day ). The daily rides were a life-saver ( and perhaps a marriage saver !!!! ).
And so I still do that most days. I don’t travel as far and I don’t enjoy it as much as I did with Byron. But it gives me a chance to appreciate what I (and we ) have .
I see :
—–well – kept city maintenance holding area on the corner of Allen Farm and Bear Creek
—–daddies strolling babies
—–church parking lots filled, even during the week
—–one pretty short street housing 9 widows/divorcees who own their own homes
—–teens working
—–8 to 10 DAWG statues at end of driveway
—–flag battered and torn but still flying at abandoned home
—–preacher’s vehicle at church during week ( no others )
—–4 generations of 2 ( maybe more ) local businesses that promote stability for us all
—–lack of political signs
—–library lights inviting people to come in and be informed
—–our local police and sheriff’s departments , visible and diligent
—–one pretty residential street with five empty houses, not advertised for rent or sale
—–our very own Sacred Heart Hospital right in the middle of rural Georgia
—–newspaper and radio station that give us facts and help us to ignore rumors and untruths
—–and beautiful sunsets adding God’s touch.
There’s more , of course. And I challenge you to look at our town and add to my list .
And there are negatives.
But I opted to start my (and your) new year with nothing but a HAPPY !!!!!!
Wonderful. Thanks for sharing. I am reminded of Sunday afternoon “Rides” in the Saunders family. The best ones concluded at the Dairy Queen.
Sadly, one by one, we grew “too old” for this type of family activity. If only we could load up for one more ride.
AMEN ! As we age , all of the ” might have beens ” come back to haunt us.
Thanks for your input………..
I remember walking Rev around Lavonia and seeing you all out for your drives. Your blog brings back sweet memories.
This makes me happy. Those were good times.
I remember when I lived in Bermuda my parents always invited any English sailors, if they were in port, to the house to eat dinner on Christmas Day. We did not have a car so they walked to the house which was not far from Hamilton where they were docked. The most important dishes were Cassava pie, with chunks of Chicken in it and Plum pudding with a silver sixpence and a little rum in it. I did not like either one! Such fond memories!
What a lovely memory ! Thank you for sharing. Reminds me again of the paratroopers from Camp Toccoa coming to the Haley House on Christmas Day. Aren’t we lucky to still remember and appreciate ? Hope your leg is improving……….
There’s beautiful world out there if we look for it. I love a good drive and especially a road trip.
Amen and Amen !!! Those drives were our saving grace during the sheltering. Gotta tell you this : went to the audiologist this morning for a check-up and the young doctor had piercings in both ears. That office is directly across the street from where Crit and Rebie’s house was. When the exam , etc., was over, I asked if I could tell him a story. I told him about Crit’s earring in the 40s in Lavonia !!!!!! He laughed and laughed and said that he would have never had the guts to pierce his back in the day. I also told him about Crit’s remarkable success at Auburn playing poker. Happy New Year ……..