Gleaning Facebook: Thanks!

A word of thanks is due.

About seventy years ago few of the folks hereabouts [San Diego] were having much time to bask in the sea breeze, splash in the surf, gorge on local gourmet restaurant fare, spend carefree moments just wandering the seashore shops. When they weren't enduring very serious training, they were writing to console, reassure, comfort their terrified loved ones, often a continent away, and then trying to find sleep or other distraction from their own terrors in the face of world war.

Those young marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen, many of whom never reached the ages of of my two wonderful offspring, were differently occupied because they wanted their progeny to enjoy this coast, as we do this week, in joy and freedom.

One of those guys was Charles Columbus Shaw, who would live to become my father, younger at the time than my youngest is today. He would crowd aboard navy ships with his brothers bound for the largest Navy base in the world (created -- in about a month's time -- out of atolls at Ulithi in the Pacific) from which to battle the Japanese.

Thank you, Daddy. And thanks to all your comrades, past and present, whose sacrifices make our lavish (really) lifestyles possible.

Comments

Galen Dale Foster Terry you have spoken so truly about "The Great Generation."

Ann Gore Terrell, loved San Diego! Hope y'all make it to Balboa Park. Wonderful place!

Gleaning Facebook: Last Day of Summer?

One of my teacher friends is lamenting that this is her last day of summer. As I sit here in our luxurious vacation home (for the week anyway) eating a leisurely late breakfast with my lovely wife and beautiful daughters, in my jammies, feeling the cool southern California sea breeze coming through the balcony doors, listening to the surf, and to the revelers splashing in the gigantic flower bedecked free-form pool in the rolling green courtyard (Ok, so some of the rolling lush lawn turns out to be manufactured), i get to relish the realization that the end-of-summer, for me, will henceforth be the fall equinox -- barring a retirement trip to even more exotic climes. <he-he-he>

Lillian note: "You left out your complaints about slow WIFI access and your [debate with your daughter concerning the proper consistency of eggs."

Comments

Ruth Baird Shaw I am glad you have TWO daughters who getting you on track..
John McClellan Football season starts before then. That is still the real end of summer in these days of early August starts to school.
Ruth Pinson Woo hoo!
Howard Smith life is good
Nancy Waters Carr sounds wonderful
John Countryman Gloat.
Wanda Mulkey Dagraedt Enjoy your new adventure in retirement world.
Mary Nisbet Asbury What a life!!!!
Barbara Jean Smith Be still my heart!
Jaki Day Stop rubbing it in!  Seriously , glad you are enjoying the family and trip…

Cynthia Latimer Isn't retirement worth the 30 years? Enjoy every minute. And, retired Armuchee and Glenwood teachers meet for breakfast at the Landmark the second Thursday each month.
Anita Stewart Hey.... we should drive by the school on the first day and honk, "Hello".

Terrell Shaw Would love to do that if i could make it back from paradise in time. 

Terrell Shaw Hated to miss your sale.
Rose McDonald Darby I think you'll love retirement. Jim and I have found a whole new season in our marriage.

Gleaning Facebook: Imagining San Diego 1944

Cpl. Charles Columbus Shaw, probably on Ulithi atoll in the Pacific 1944.

A word of thanks is due.

About seventy years ago few of the folks hereabouts [San Diego] were having much time to bask in the sea breeze, splash in the surf, gorge on local gourmet restaurant fare, spend carefree moments just wandering the seashore shops. When they weren't enduring very serious training, they were writing to console, reassure, comfort their terrified loved ones, often a continent away, and then trying to find sleep or other distraction from their own terrors in the face of world war.

Those young marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen, many of whom never reached the ages of of my two wonderful offspring, were differently occupied because they wanted their progeny to enjoy this coast, as we do this week, in joy and freedom.

One of those guys was Charles Columbus Shaw, who would live to become my father, younger at the time than my youngest is today. He would crowd aboard navy ships with his brothers bound for the largest Navy base in the world (created -- in about a month's time -- out of atolls at Ulithi in the Pacific) from which to battle the Japanese.

Thank you, Daddy. And thanks to all your comrades, past and present, whose sacrifices make our lavish (really) lifestyles possible.

Gleaning Facebook: Back to California!

From Brannon Shaw

So excited that I am going to see Terrell Shaw, Sheila Matthews Shaw,& Lillian Shaw in California tonight!

Comments from Terrell:

1. Flight delayed about a hour, but we'll be chasing the sunset soon. 
2. Aboard-- progress.
3. On the ground in San Diego... Welcomed by fireworks!

This is our first trip back to California since 1979.

Gleaning Facebook: Matthews Reunion

Sheila's first cousin is a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator with the Arabia Mountain Preserve near Lithonia. During her visit with us she was kept busy feeding Pedialyte to several baby squirrels on a scedule of once every couple of hours. The little things haven't opened their eyes yet.

 

Vada kept us entertained all weekend. She tried to join me on stage during my performance of "If I Were a Rich Man" on FRiday night, but quick action by her Mom postponed her stage debut.

Sally, Sheila, Vada, & Carol examine a Double Wedding Ring quilt pieced by Shelia's mother (Mavis Snell Matthews) and her friends for Aunt Wilma Matthews McAfee in the seventies.

This gorgeous quilt, over a hundred years old now, is being held by five descendants of Carrie Bell Norris Matthews, one of several little sisters who created it as preteens. Sally Matthews, third from the left, is married to a sixth descendant of Carrie Bell,

All the remaining (very young) eldest generation of Matthews descendants: Sheila Ann Mathews Shaw, James Clarence Matthews, Jr., Carol McAfee Dearborn, and Dona Jane Matthews Ward

Ruth Baird Shaw

Great picture of great looking folks for the youngest looking of your eldest generation! <smile> Looks like you are having a great reunion!

Terrell Shaw

This picture is actually from 2013.

Dona Ward

Actually, my legal name is Dona Jane Matthews Ward. 

Dona Ward

Thanks Terry! Now everyone will know I'm a Matthews!

Seven of the descendants of Carrie Bell Norris Matthews and Joseph Clarence Matthews.

The James (Jimmy) Clarence Matthews, Jr. family -- minus Derrick who had to work this weekend.

Wolf & Carol

Gleaning Facebook: Debby Brown

Debby Brown is very special to me.

She more than any other person I know has promoted the art of storytelling in our area during the last few years. And it was at her instigation that my own storytelling has moved outside my school building during the last several years. But for the "Big Fibber Contest" she nudged me to join I would not likely have gotten into the tall tales that have brought me such joy (and I HOPE some enjoyment to our audiences as well!).

And when she drug me to her Celtic/Cherokee Festival I had to go find some Scottish stories, and now "Donald the Seal Catcher" and "Assipattle" are two of my favorites -- I'm seriously considering purchasing a kilt!

For her Old Ways festival I got to resurrect "Sody Saleratus" which I hadn't told in ages but have had several opportunities to tell since. And I learned a Cherokee tale ("Possum's Nekkid Tale") for another of her Chieftains events.

It was at her events that I reconnected with fellow tellers like Christy Davis (my former elementary student and another storytelling promoter!) and Gary Greene, whose songs blow me away, and Bob Harris, Mary Elena Kirk, and Barbara Reeves -- and several new storytelling acquaintances as well.

And I loved Debby's stories! Her version of "My Pet Catfish" is the best ever. I retold it to my fourth-graders the day after hearing her tell it -- to their delight and mine.

We all feel her sudden loss deeply. She will always remain a part of this community though. Her two wonderful kids (Mollie and Quentin), her artwork, her stories, and the storytelling, interest in local history, community theatre that she boosted, and, I hope and believe, some of the events she started, will continue. When we observe those things we will remember the wonderful diminutive artistic photophobic interested-and-interesting ball-of-fire named Debby Brown.

I hope lots of folks will come for Debby's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Historic Desoto Theater on Friday evening at seven. There is no admission charge. There will be music, storytelling, and a little drama. Some wonderful examples of Debby Brown's art will be sold in a live auction AND you can bid, in a "silent auction," for some great items donated by Debby's many friends for this fundraising event.

Entertainment (I'm told there may be some surprises as well!)

• Celtic Medley (Janet and Sam Baltzer and friends)

• Stories by the Seven Hills Tellers

• Gary Greene, songwriter and storyteller

• Mary Rose Ortwein ("Ruby"!!)

• The cast of Rome Little Theatre's production of The Three Little Pigs and the Trial of the Big Bad Wolf

• Me (Terrell Shaw) singing (with accompaniment by James Willis)

... and more!

Well, I want all my friends to know of this opportunity. I hope lots of you will come. I hope many of you will also help spread the word. And please forgive me if I've gone a little overboard.

This event is a joint effort of many people from the Historic Desoto Theater Foundation, Rome Little Theater, the Seven Hills Tellers, and Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thank you to everyone involved (especially Debby's friend and mine, Mary Elena Rivera Kirk ) for everything done to put this entertaining evening together. What a great way to remember our dear friend, Debby Brown.

Gleaning Facebook: For Debby Brown

I will perform "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof. James Willis, Rome's premier musical theater keyboard artist will supply my accompaniment.

 

Debby Brown was a member of The Seven Hills Tellers, a group of storytellers who are known throughout Northwest Georgia and beyond. This group will remember Debby with some stories to open the program after Celtic Medley plays. Mary Elena Kirk, Jane Cunningham, Bob Harris, and Barbara Reeves.

Gleaning Facebook: Yorktown!

In my fourth grade social studies classes, among the other silly things the teacher required were commemorative actions at the mention of certain words or names. For example if I mentioned "Lexington and Concord" all the children silently (preferably) fire imaginary muskets to salute the "Shot Heard 'Round the World"; at "Saratoga" they stand and turnaround once; and when I say "Yorktown" they throw their hands over their heads to represent Cornwallis's surrender, our victory (Yay!), and the "Y" in the town's name.

I enjoyed telling my recent students that I have nieces & nephews in Yorktown. Here's evidence of that. (Now raise your hands and celebrate.)

I don't believe turbans are standard Revolutionary headgear.

Gleaning Facebook: Hairspray

 If you happen to be in Southern California, go see Brannon Shaw as nasty ol' Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray...

------------------

Brannon Shaw

I like to think that what I lack in inner beauty I make up on the outside!

Terrell Shaw

Remember you are PLAYING a creep! In plays, as in real life, (as Arlo Guthrie states so eloquently) "You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in."

Brannon Shaw

Oh Dad. Remember Velma has some good points! She loves her kid (though it would be nice if the girl learned to dance. It's not as if she hasn't had enough lessons.) She doesn't let MEN push her around (for free). And her self esteem is through the roof! 

Terrell Shaw
Break a leg!!!!! 143

Patricia Canada
Oh my, Terrell. Does she live in Calif. And you don’t have to worry about her; she’s one of the best young actresses i know.

Gleaning Facebook: City Clock Jar

We have had this for a long time. It is the painted wooden top to a scented candle in a jar. To me it looks like Debby Brown's clocktower paintings. Does anyone know for sure?

Mollie Jarrell

Its not.But it is similar.

Christie Hufstedler Boyd
There is another lady in town that does similar paintings. Debby's always featured the top of the tower leaning out. It was sort of like her trademark.

Terrell Shaw
Thanks.The top of the clocktower in Debby's paintings remind me of a crown, as does this one. I was kinda hoping it was Debby's. I'll just have to bid on one of Debby's next week, I guess. 

 

New Access for Armuchee's Nature Trail

 Thomas Fitzpatrick -- a former student of mine -- with his Dad Troy, is hard at work on his Eagle Project at Armuchee Elementary. It may be the most ambitious Eagle project of the dozen or so at our school. It is a new bridge, long stairs, and entrance/exit to link the lower section of our nature trail to the bus entrance to the campus. This will allow a complete circuit of the lower part of the nature trail rather than a "there & back" trip. I think this will encourage more use of that part of our campus for nature walks, writing in the outdoors, and such.

It's a long way down to the stream. Thomas is putting in steps with kid-size risers so that makes for lots of steps.

Thomas working at the top of the steps.

The new entrance is being built right at the bus entrance gate.

A few treads have been installed.

Troy & Thomas.

Now all the treads has been installed and the handrails are attached.

There will be a clear-span bridge at the bottom. We may need a bit of boardwalk on the far side.

These boulders had to be dug/pried out of the way. Ugh! So sorry I wasn't there to help that day! 

Boulders & boards.

AES has the World's Best Elementary School Nature Trail!

July 15 -- And now the Posts have been trimmed to size, the handrails installed on the steps, and the bridge joists are spanning the creek! Wow, Thomas, big progress today!

Sheila's Birthday Dinner

I've finally gotten around to showing off the pics from Sheila's birthday dinner. Lillian was the chef and served us a delicious meal of fresh tossed salad topped with chicken, shaved parmesan, and grapes. The appetisers were tomato disks topped with fresh mozzarella, a fresh basil leaf, and reduced balsamic vinegar.

The appetisers were tomato disks topped with fresh mozzarella, a fresh basil leaf, and reduced balsamic vinegar.

Fresh tossed salad - assortment of greens, assorted baby tomato halves, bell peppers, and grape halves -- topped with chicken sautéed in a special sauce, shaved parmesan, sesame sticks, and walnuts.

My gorgeous bride, in better lighting.

With the beautiful and accomplished chef.

His companion makes even this lucky fellow look better

So good!