Gleaning Facebook: Veterans Day 2013

On this Veterans Day I am thankful for the men and women who have risked all to establish, secure, and maintain the “republic for which it stands” since 1775. Some of them have been my close friends or cousins or other relatives..

I especially want to remember these close relatives who fought for our country:

Charles Shaw - USMC (my father)

James C. Matthews, US Army (my father-in-law)

James Shaw, US Army (my uncle)

Grady Shaw, US Air Force (my uncle)

Bill Shaw, US Navy (my uncle)

Jack Baird, US Air Force (my uncle)

Tom Baird, US Army, (my uncle)

Charles Roszel, US Navy (my brother-in-law)

All these are gone from us now.

Still with us are:

Jimmy Matthews, US Navy (my brother-in-law)

...and my nephew, Josh Hearn, is still on active duty with the US Army.

These great guys served during perilous times, leaving their loved ones for months and years at a time, never knowing whether they would return, to fight in lands far away, no doubt lonely and frightened, but getting up every day and doing what they thought was right, despite all that.

Daddy (Cpl. Charles Columbus Shaw) in the South Pacific c. 1944

Cpl. Charles Columbus Shaw home on leave with Ruth Baird Shaw c. 1944

John Thomas Baird with his sister Mary in Porterdale, GA c. 1944.

Grady Columbus Shaw, Jr. 

Gleaning Facebook: Pucker Up!

 When someone on the board came up with the idea of the Catfish Kissin' Contest none of us dreamed it would produce over $7000 for our rivers in its second year. (Who was it?) This has become a fun, and lucrative for our watershed, tradition! Who should be put in the Catfish Kissin' competition next year? The lucky kissee is now swimming in one of the display tanks at the Rome ECO Center. Director Eric Lindberg invites you to visit him there. He is the only catfish of nearly a thousand at First Methodist on this day that escaped a delicious coating of savory breading and a swim in a much warmer ta

Notice Vivian Davis Chesley's shiny lips? She has them liberally smeared with goopy lip gloss to form a barrier to the horrible germs her brother Fletcher has convinced her are awaiting her if she kisses the catfish. Luckily she missed that treat by 99¢. 

Joe Cook's champion pucker. Can you see the terror in the eyes of the poor abused channel cat?

Dr. Jim Watkins of Berry College plants a big smack on the catfish.

Walking home from the Fish fry we got a peek at the new Riverwalk boardwalk under the Fifth Avenue bridge.

The new boardwalk can be seen through the trees along the Oostanaula behind the law enforcement center.

Gleaning Facebook: Diwali

This may have been the largest Diwali celebration in the history of our fair city. Sponsored by five couples the event was catered by an Indian restaurant out of Marietta. I was in gourmand heaven. Lillian Shaw you would have loved it.

Our beautiful hostess for the Diwali celebration was Nancy Johal Singh. Nancy and Jagdeep with four other couples sponsored the event at the Rome Area History Museum.

Two of our dinner companions were our friends David and Melissa McLaughlin. Melissa is the wonderful art teacher at Armuchee Elementary.

Nancy John Singh: Melissa McLaughlin you look stunning...very classy and beautiful as always:)

Samosas!

I wish this pic had turned out better.

Nancy snapped this as I was mugging.

The RAHM has a very nice upstairs event space overlooking Broad Street at the front and the Town Green at the back. My date was gorgeous and great company.

I noticed this sculpture in an adjoining room and had to record it. "Mr. Magillicuddy " I think he is called, was sculpted by famous Rome artist McLean Marshall and stood on Shorter Avenue at a bank building for many years.

Robert Jordan: first national bank of rome. I remember Him.

Tracy S Lawler: I have wondered where this sculpture ended up after they did a few bank changeovers. Thanks for sharing it!

Tony Pope: I was just thinking about this a couple of months ago and even snapped a photo of the bank out across from the West Rome Krystal where it used to rest. Planned to post a picture on FB to see if anyone remembered it and could tell something about it. Fascinated me as a kid and wanted to know what it was (I always thought someone panning for gold).  Selena Tilly hope you see this. Would be a good photo for the Rome/Floyd County History page on FB. I also remember it being hit by a car and kind of sat cock-eyed for years I think. At some point may also have been sitting in the window of the bank and not outside as I remember it.

 

Gleaning Facebook: A New Toilet

Wow! We raised over $7000 for our rivers in the Catfish Kissin' Contest!!!

My "boss" Vivian Davis Chesley missed her chance to give the ol' bottom feeder a smackeroo by 99¢!.

Great times were had by all at the 12th Annual CRBI Fish Fry... and after winning the Kayak raffle last year, I skipped that raffle to try for the super-efficient toilet raffle... AND WON!! We already have three dual-flush super-efficient toilets in our big old house. Now we have a fourth, leaving only one old inefficient toilet.

And Jacob Hawkins pulled my name out again. I swear there was no kick-back involved. 

Gleaning Facebook: Fish Fry

 If you are in the Rome area today, you have an opportunity. Come by First Methodist Church's fellowship hall and have some farm-raised catfish, deliciously fried in a crispy breading and laid on plate of tangy cheese grits, with cole slaw and hushpuppies, and a glass of sweet tea (or if you are some sort of Yankee you can have the tea unsweetened, I suppose.) Anyway, Y'all come!! 11 a.m- 3 p.m.

---------

Y'all come! Delicious. Helps a great cause. It's calorie-free!!! (i.e. You only pay for the flavor, scent, texture, and ambiance... no charge for the calories.)

And sponsor one of our catfish kissers! A donation of $35 or more earns you a membership.

No time to sit with us and enjoy the company? Get it to go!

________

Gleaning Facebook: The Angry Right

The hard right is so angry. Why? I think it must be that they see that they are losing. They may win a race here and there, but the long-term trend is clear. We are a moderate country, trending more toward the middle and then slightly left than the reverse. Democrats have garnered the most votes for Congress in general the last few years and the GOP controls the House only because of Gerrymandering. Democratic presidential candidates have garnered the most votes in five of the last six elections. The polls show most Americans agree more with Democratic platforms than with GOP platforms consistently.

We have a President who is, by personality and demeanor, a very conservative person. But by intellect he is moderately liberal in the tradition of FDR, Truman, Stevenson, JFK, LBJ, HH, McGovern, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, and Kerry. To characterize our president as some wild aberration is patently absurd.

The hard right makes wild accusations about our motives. They can read our minds and now perceive that we are out to destroy wealth and create Democratic voters. Well, yes, we hope voters will choose us. And yes we believe that extreme concentration of wealth is a recipe for tyranny or revolution. But we support civil equality, universal healthcare, strong financial markets, a thriving middle class, environmental regulation, strong infrastructure, and progressive taxation because we believe that is best for our economy, our nation, ourselves, our children, our posterity.

A challenge to my friends on the right: Post on your walls your beliefs and your program for a strong future. Make arguments. Support them with evidence. Quit trying to smear those of us who disagree. We the People usually, at least eventually, see the ad hominem arguments for what they are.

Chris Goodwin

R u smearing?

Raymond Atkins

And quit with the vitriol, the hate, and the personal attacks on those who don't believe as you do.

Wayne Jones

Raymond who are you talking to? Surely it isn't the same group that made W to be history's greatest monster, who accused him of orchestrating 911, who accused him of knowing that Sadaam didn't have weapons of mass destruction, and who still accuse him of all that's wrong with the country 5 years after he left office. Not the same people who have raked Sarah Palin across the coals, attributing quotes to her that she never said, making her a laughing stock. Not the same people who cold called our elderly across the country, especially in Florida, scaring them into voting for Obama by telling them that Romney was going to get rid of Medicare, Social Security, etc. Surely not the people who have not targeted Ted Cruz and other tea partiers as the new greatest monsters, simply because they have a different viewpoint and mindset. Surely not the people who have targeted those groups for audit? Surely not the President who willingly and knowingly lied to the American people about the new Health Care System, and is doing his best to spin his way out of it now? I saw Harry Truman referred to earlier. I refer to two of his most famous sayings. "The buck stops here". "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Raymond Atkins

Sounds like I'm talking to you...

Wayne Jones

That's what I thought.

Beckie Gurley

Democrats in this area must live in quiet silence or else we are accused of being baby killers who support free loaders. That is so far from the truth. I am a democrat. I can't stand lazy people sucking off the government. And I am against abortion. But I also believe some people do need help. And I do think our system is flawed, just like our tax system is flawed. But I think if grown adults started acting like statesmen and not politicians these problems could be fixed.

Wayne Jones

Becky, neither side has a copyright on moral outrage. Or clean hands in the political arena, for that matter. Most of us, if we have the inate ability to be free thinkers instead of blind followers, would admit to beliefs which would be diametrically opposed to those we seemingly are on the "same side" as. Many folks who share my economic views would be greatly opposed to some of my views on social issues, for instance. I haven't agreed totally with a single President in my lifetime about everything they did, while I greatly supported one or more things they did. But I absolutely loath the politicians and supporters who have no problems bashing their opponents unmercifully and then cry about disrespect when they get it back. That attitude, more than any other, is what has pushed me more right of center through the years. Especially when media and entertainment types, more times than not in positions that should be neutral, join in the fray. But that's me.

Doyal Cape

someone please explain to me how anyone can support a President when he opens his mouth, a lie just jumps out. you people need to get off the cool-aid and see what kind of idiot is (trying) to run this country...

Beckie Gurley

Most people believe everything they read on Facebook. And the media likes to give only half of the facts. Years ago when my father died in an accident at work our local paper ran an article that was completely false. I learned then at a young age the media and journalist aren't out for the truth. They want what will sell. I'm not drink any kool aid. I just look at what makes sense.

Wayne Jones

Just always keep an open mind, Becky. That's the key.

Beckie Gurley

Yep, and don't believe everything you hear or read....lol

Gleaning Facebook: Thankful Day 8

Day 8: 

I am thankful for Howard Smith, because he wants me to be, evidently, and well, why not? And even tho his roots extend practically under Sumter itself and I was born 'neath the shadow of Stone Mountain with its Confederate Memorial, he and I are that rarest of breeds, the Southern Pale Male Moderately Bleedin' Heart Liberal Old Geezer. It always feels good to find a kindred spirit.

Comments:

Howard: I am appreciative...I guess..and, yes, I am a son of the South...the state that fired the first shot of the "war between the states". I doubt very seriously that I would have fought for the confederacy and, truth be known, if given the choice I wouldn't have fought for either side, for it is well known, or should be, that I am much more of a lover than a fighter, although my sympathy would have been with the Union. Anyway, I am thankful for you being thankful at my request....and, thankful that I have a somewhat kindred spirit..

Ray Langley: Many in North Georgia fought for the Union, including my GGGFather Thaddus Ellis.

Gleaning Facebook: Catfish Kissin'

The Fish Fry and Catfish Kissin' Contest are only TWO DAYS AWAY!! There's still time to vote for your favorite contestant - Vivian Davis Chesley, Joan Ledbetter, Jim Watkins, Jonathan Hershey, Doug Walker, Jacob Hawkins, and Troy Fitzpatrick all need your help! Vote today and make plans to be at the Fish Fry this Saturday so you can see your favorite contestant kiss a LIVE CATFISH! http://www.coosa.org/events/fish-fry/catfish-kissin-contest

Gleaning Facebook: Beginning a Month of Thankfulness.

I'm late getting to this thankfulness stuff, but why not? Catching up:

Nov. 1 - I am thankful for consciousness and pledge to work at explicit enjoyment of it through the five tools I teach my kindergartners -- touch, taste, sound, scent, and sight.

Nov. 2 - I am thankful for the inner senses that organize consciousness and make it worthwhile: story, song, desire, dance, imagination, light & dark & nuance, ("What good is light without a dark to stick it in?" - Arlo Guthrie) color, flavor, loyalty, love.

Nov. 3 - (All Saints' Day) Those who have gone before: each of the millions of my forebears who have contributed to the me that I am, the millions of Americans who have contributed to the America of 2013, to those who have loved me, and whom I have loved, who are gone from earth but whose work continues in my life - especial my father, my grandparents, and Sheila's parents. And to the saints we celebrated in church this morning - especially Nell Candler and Frances Hancock who, with their husbands were friends to my parents and me and great examples for Christ on Earth of love and marriage, and Ingrid McConkey who gave me two great students and whose love inspired a good guy to be better (by his own testimony), Dale McConkey.

Gleaning Facebook: Baxter Is Home

First:

This little fellow named Baxter, according to his tag, is in our back yard. He needs his owner! Spread the word, please.

Later:

Baxter was beginning to feel right at home. A sweet little dog. But you should have seen how happy he was when his "Mama" finally came to pick him up. He was one happy canine. He had been missing for two days she said.

 

Gleaning Facebook: Sturgeon

 Arrowhead Environmental Education Center and the Georgia DNR fisheries folk have been involved for several years in trying to bring back the Lake Sturgeon to our watershed. As recently as the fifties these huge and ancient fish were being caught in our rivers. Now we are raising them from Wisconsin eggs in our hatcheries and releasing them once again into our waters. And elementary students are participating in the release. Last week students in Kristi Taylor's and Holly Bettler's classes at Armuchee Elementary met us at the Highway 140 boat ramp on the Oostanaula to make the latest fingerling deposits from its banks. It was a great time for all involved. I include not only photographic documentation, but some of the sketches of the little sturgeon created by the third-graders in Ms. Bettler's class.

Gleaning Facebook: Another Eagle Project for AES

Thomas Fitzpatrick and his completed Eagle project.

Update for Halloween: Today I got to take three classes for tours of the Nature Trail at Armuchee Elementary by way of the new entrance, stairs, and bridge built as an Eagle Project by Thomas Fitzpatrick and his buddies in Boy Scout Troop 113. The leaves at Armuchee are about at their peak. I hope the gorgeous leaves will survive the rain tonight.

Boy Scout Troop 113, sponsored by First United Methodist Church in Rome, gathered at Armuchee Elementary School on Saturday, October 26, 2013 to help Thomas Fitzpatrick finish up his Eagle Project.

Looking up the bridge and stairs from the creek  bank

Looking down the stairs from the entrance

Thomas's bridge and stairs project is the sixth Eagle project that I have been privileged to be associated with at Armuchee Elementary, and the twelfth Eagle project on our campus overall. Thomas was a great fourth grader on our team several years ago and has grown into a fine teen.

Besides helping Thomas finish up the stairs and bridge, the scouts tidied up the entire trail along the creek, trimming back overhanging limbs, cutting out fallen tree trunks, blowing off the trail to better mnark it, and clearing out debris from under the three bridges.

The week of the Eastern Gray Squirrel

I have been working at developing a different lesson for each grade level that visits Arrowhead, and seven lesson plans for our "outreach" lessons for kindergarten -- we visit each kindergarten in the Floyd County school system seven times during the school year. My plan is to introduce a different Georgia animal in each lesson, illustrate several of the Georgia Performance Standards for that grade level through that animal, and tell a story that involves that animal to reinforce a few of those standards. 

I've used the wonderful American marsupial, the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) with several second grade classes. It's a fascinating animal, and I just happen to have several stories in my repertoire that feature this animal.

With kindergarten I've taught about the alligator and the box turtle and used native American stories about how alligator lost his beautiful smooth golden skin, and the time turtle went on the warpath. Watching kindergartners respond to real live animals like these two is a lot of fun.

We have had lots of "outreaches" and field trip visits so far this year, but on Wednesday we had our first Third Grade field trip of the year. I decided to make the ever-present Eastern Gray Squirrel our third grade animal. It is a very successful species as homeowners know. As any bird-feeder knows. As British folk know, since invasive Gray Squirrels from America have all but obliterated the native squirrels of Great Britain.

One of my old standby folktales is the old "Sody Saleratus" and, ta-dah!, it features a squirrel. So I prepared a squirrel coloring/memento sheet, read up on those fascinating critters, -- They can turn their rear feet to face backwards which allows them to run head-first down a tree trunk! -- and practiced my story. I had a great time with the Cave Spring third-graders. 

Our "Coloring Sheet" for Third Grade

We had a lot of work done on our house last year, as some of you will remember. One job I gave the contractor was to squirrel-proof our attic. They made a heroic effort, nailing up hardware cloth inside the attic eaves. Still I have heard occasional tale-tale scurrying footpads over my head, and this week as colder weather arrived the bushy-tailed rodents relocated in noisy numbers to our attic space. I made a mental note last night to buy some more hardware cloth.

Then came today. 

Sheila rises early twice a week to exercise at a local gym. She was dressed this morning and going out the door when she noticed our lights playing games. They would dim down to a faint yellow, then suddenly glow brightly, then just as quickly blink completely off, then bright, then dim then bright then off, etc. Up the stairs she comes to tell me. About the same time my consciousness is beginning to comprehend that something is amiss. I smell a rancid electrical burning and hear periodic pops and crackles. My first thought was: Eastern Gray Tree Rats! --errr, squirrels.

After walking around the house, turning things off, hearing more pops and watching the continuing light show, and ascending the stairs to even stronger acrid smells, I decided to call 911 and keep our 144-year-old from burning down. 

I was too busy trying to find fire to take pics of the wonderful firefighters
who came to our rescue this morning. They came is several vehicles, 

including one that looked a lot like this.

The firefighters were here in no time, in force, armed with some pretty impressive technology. Their heat-seeking video gun soon located a burned out surge suppressor on some of our computer equipment in our bedroom. But the popping light show was undiminished and they decided that cutting electricity to the house was the best course till Georgia power could check things out.

The bucket truck

Sheila HAD to get to work -- big deadlines this week, so she showered in the dark while I waited on Georgia Power, and the fire department were barely out of the yard before two friendly and efficient linemen for Georgia Power showed up with a bucket truck and more amazing equipment. 

The bucket truck

In a matter of minutes they had isolated the root cause of our problems. 

 The section of shorted wire 

Yep. You guessed it. Sciurus carolinensis, the good old Eastern Gray Squirrel. There, right at the old telephone pole at the edge of the road at the driveway, the insulation on the Georgia Power supply line to our house had attracted the attention of a squirrel, and as a result it was shorted almost completely out. 

I enjoyed talking with the two men as they worked, demonstrating the marvelous advances in technology that allow linemen to avoid much of the danger and muscle strain of past decades. They taught me how to read the poles along our street. The new pole across the street with its recent tag with a "12" nail signifying 2012 installation. The many climbing spike wounds and darkened square (from an old-style Georgia Power metal notice) that showed the pole at the drive to be a 1940s pole. The one on the corner with two bands of faded paint that used to denote a bus stop when Georgia Power ran the city buses.

They let me keep the bad section of wire to show off and walked with me to our electric meter and main cutoff so we could let the energy flow again. And they left. 

Sheila was ready to head out to Kennesaw. I showed her the wire. She told mer about our friend Welton's recommendation of Purdy Electric. And she was gone. I walked around the house checking on stuff. The stove was definitely damaged. The microwave was dead. Lights and electronics in the downstairs hall were off. A clock-radio had expired. The laser printer had bit the dust. There may be more. 

Two fine young fellows from Purdy Electric showed up about noon. They got to work, first carefully checking the circuit breaker panel. they found the breaker for the front heat-pump buzzing and hot, and so replaced it. They climbed into the attic and checked out the wiring and junction boxes there, then crawled under house and checked the wiring there. One of the guys is from Trion, the other from Armuchee. He came through our school but missed me by way of Nancy Smith's fourth grade class.

Tomorrow morning North Georgia Equipment will be here to check out the AC/Heat System. It seems to be working fine. And I guess I'll have to get out and find a stove and microwave.

My friend, former student-teacher, present "boss" at Arrowhead, and genuine animal lover, Vivian Davis Chesley kept a pet Eastern Gray Squirrel named Charlie for more than a decade. She loved that rodent. So I hesitate to tell of my current emotions regarding Eastern Gray Tree Rats.