Selma

 Sheila is part of the Stonecatchers reading club at our church. Recently they have been reading Jon Meacham's book, His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. As a culminating activity the group took an overnight trip to Selma, Alabama and I got to tag along.

Most of us met at the church at two on Friday afternoon and boarded a big van driven by speed demon Thom Holt, who managed to sell at least two properties (hands free) while driving a huge van at speeds approaching sonic levels and simultaneously regaling us with assorted tales covering the last 60 years. JK - it was great to be able to enjoy that trip and conversations with the great folks abouard while leaving the driving to someone else. Thanks, Thom.

In Selma Sheila and I were thrilled to greet our friend (and fellow storyteller), Andy Offutt Irwin. He would be our discussion leader. We checked into our rooms at the historic St. James Hotel right on the banks of the Alabama River and gathered in its restaurant, "Sterlings," for dinner. Then it was time to gather in a conference room of the historic old hotel (built in 1837).

We gathered for breakfast at about seven Saturday morning, then were joined by Terry Chesnut at eight. Terry is a renowned tour guide in Selma. As the son of renowned attorney,