My Baby Boy is getting married.

Once upon a time... decades ago... after my first son was born... I had one of those hormonal moments new moms have. I cried, not big blubbery tears, but tears.

When my husband asked what was wrong, I sobbed " One day he will be six feet tall, his feet will hang off the bottom of the bed and he won't want to kiss me goodbye."

A few years later when Chris was a preschooler, we were out somewhere in Rock Hill. I asked him to give me a kiss. His response was priceless.

"Not here, wait 'till we get home."

It made me laugh. This little guy was so particular about who would see his feelings. There was never a doubt he loved me. I was Mom, but he was private.

Well, Chris, my "baby boy", is six two, his feet can hang off the bed, but he still gives me goodbye kisses.

Now he is in love. In love with a beautiful young woman. He is still private about his feelings. It doesn't matter. It shows. It creeps out of the corner of his smiles, in the twinkle in his eyes. It shows in his laughter. He can hardly wait to begin the next chapter in his life. He is in love! He adores Danielle.

It is easy to see why. She is bright, funny, and she loves him in return. What a wonderful gift to love someone who loves in return. She motivates him and empowers him. They free each other to be their very best.

Danielle brings along a wonderful family. Parents, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and more who love and support her.

Mom's pray for many blessings for their children. We want them to be healthy, to get past the emotional aches and pains of life. Mom's are fixers. We want everything to be all better. Ultimately we know that it is about having them become the adults they need to be. Then they need someone new to help them.

Even when my children were little, I have asked the Lord to prepare someone special for them. To surround that special person with good people to help them grow. To give them strengths that would help as they faced challenges together - challenges I could not anticipate - challenges that were for them to handle. I have prayed for a special wife for each of my sons and a special husband for my daughter. Someone who would make them better, stronger and happier. Someone to share laughter and tears. Someone to hold them close.

So I left it up to Heavenly Father. To put those special people right there in front of one another. All ready and prepared to be a helpmeet in life. They had to choose one another. Mom's don't get to pick (at least not today)..

I hope my sons are the answer to another Mom's prayers. I hope they are all they need to be to support her little girl - all grown up. Then Heavenly Father will have answered all our prayers.

Talk to the Animals - My Dr Dolittle

Everyone has favorite memories. This picture captures one of mine.

This was Matthew's first birthday. Matthew was busy exploring the yard from the new vantage point of becoming a walker. He noticed everything. Grass. Pinecones. Leaves. Everything looked new and more interesting looking down on them.

Plus

Grandparents were coming for a birthday party. I brought down a broom to sweep the patio. Matt was on his own (right at my feet).

I didn't notice the magic at first. Nope - I didn't realize anything was different, but Matthew did.

While I swept the patio, pulled out the grill, unfolded lawn chairs, Matt was engrossed in a corner next to the steps. Then I heard it. Matt was talking. No not talking to me, but to something in the corner. When I crept over to see just what was so interesting, I heard him again.

"Meow. Meow."

There was no cat.
There was no kitten.
Nope there wasn't a dog either.

Ants. A row of ants.

Matthew was talking to ants with the only animal "words" he knew. "Meow." He had learned his animal language playing with a friend who lived next door. She knew how to talk animal because she had a cat.

Matthew has forgotten how to "talk animal" now. Lots of people forget as they grow older.

Writing Your Story

Even very accomplished, currently famous people, who achieve a great deal of recognition, will be forgotten in the blink of an eye. (Watch "Jeopardy" some evening, the contestants may not remember who was Secretary of State four years ago.)

I am unaware of any ancestors who have a history book written about them. Most likely that won't happen in the future either. A few have been mentioned in a county history. A few have been mentioned in news articles. Some are recognized for military service. Some had political positions. But in the course of time even Presidents are forgotten by most people.

Our family has a nice collection of interesting folks. Most led fairly ordinary lives. Occastionaly they did/do something special or received recognition. As much as I enjoy learning about their lives, their challenges, their accomplishlishments, I also love learning about the simple memories of more recent relatives. My Aunt Lois remembers her Grandmother Poteat's Gingerbread and Sweet Potatoes. Her Grandfather Poteat liked to tell ghost stories and play checkers. My mother-in-law never forgot a birthday. My dad asked great questions.

Everyone has special stories and memories. Hopefully you are recording your stories. The sweet, the sad, the funny, the awe inspiring,and the tender stories all have a place in "your story".

If you were sitting around the table talking about your freshman year in high school, what story is always shared.... write it down. If you could see your best friend from fourth grade, what would you talk about... write it down. My most embarassing moment in junior high ... was when I slid down a dry spillway for a large pool. I tipped back on my heels and my backside. The concrete surface was rough like sandpaper; so when I got to the bottom of the grade, the back of my shorts was gone. I had to walk home through two neighborhoods with an almost bare backside.

Every life has ups and downs, choices to make and outcomes that follow. Somethings are private for now. Someday you may find a reason to share when feelings once tender have healed. Those are personal decisions. Your Story is yours to share as You choose. I encourage you to record memories that will help your family through the years.

Someone said, "A life recorded is a life twice lived."

John Bishop Harry

Birth: Mar. 7, 1774
Death: Feb. 10, 1868

John Bishop Harry and his wife Sarah Ann traveled to Lincoln County , NC on their honeymoon in a covered wagon. They settled in Lincolntown where he kept the old tavern and inn. By trade he was also a silversmith, clock maker and gunsmith.

In 1835 John Bishop, whose nickname was "John Bull", was a State Senator representing Lincoln County . He took an active part in the organization of Cleveland County in 1840-41. He help survey the new county and lay out the county seat, Shelby .

He surveyed the bounds of the new county (Cleveland NC) and laid out the court house square and the streets of Shelby, the county seat of the new county. Shortly after the new county was formed, he purchased a large tract of land in the southern end of the new county which on its south side joined the South Carolina state line. Here, he established his home on Buffalo Creek. Later he built a home and moved to a new location about 2 miles south of his first home. Here he lived the rest of his life. He established a great slave plantation on this farm which included about 8 square miles.

Buried ( Near Gaston, York Co. NC.?) in Old Shiloh Pres. Church cemetery about a half mile inside the South Carolina line from his big plantation and about 3 miles from his old home place.


An unfortunate accident befell John Bishop while returning from Raleigh on horseback. He was caught in a heavy thunderstorm and thoroughly drenched for hours. The dye from the red lining of his hat mixed with the rain and ran in his eyes. It injured his eyesight and he was almost blind during the last years of his life.

John Bishop owned many slaves and over a thousand acres between Buffalo Creek and the South Carolina line. The land lay along a stream called Jacob's Branch. There he built a large home for his wife and family. After the death of Sarah Ann, he sold his home to Major Borders. He moved two miles up the road and built a smaller, rectangular home with one large room, a fireplace in the south and two pot racks at the north end. He had a dozen slaves that lived nearby and assisted him. Here he lived out his last years in luxury and comfort. A beautifully executed will in his own handwriting shows that he was well educated. It is also interesting to note that a map of his property made by him showed the location of a money swamp where gold, silver and Confederate money was hidden during the War Between the States. The money swamp was never found.

s/o David & Anna Bishop Harry

A different side of W G Harry

As an adult looking back at my grandfather, he was an "old man" in his late 50's and beyond. We know parents and grandparents from our vantage point. Our children and grandchildren see us as the people we have become. These pictures are from the Universtiy of North Carolina college yearbook, the "Yackty Yack". They show his classmates view of who he was.

(As an aside, the yearbook did not play it safe in describing students. A number of comments regarding other students were very biting and judgemental.)

While I never thought of my grandfather as a "Bull Moose", the reference seems to apply to his defense of Teddy Roosevelt in a debate. Another article shows he was a big man on campus, he was on a select student government "Grand Council". Apparently it was a select group of student government campus representatives. Hope to include a picture and comments.






The young man in the lower picture is not identified. Mother told me that the college asked him to have an extremely young roommate. The young man was the youngest college student accepted at UNC at that time. Apparently he went on to become someone of prominence in some way. But this might not be the same person.

http://library.digitalnc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/yearbooks/id/856   This is a link to the digital copy of the yearbook.

Granddaddy always felt close to UNC. Mother and I took him back for his 50th reunion.


In 1910 Granddaddy Harry was a census enumerator.

 https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11573-36460-11?cc=1727033&wc=M9WN-78J:1554826732  Try this link if you are interested in seeing his handwriting.

		F
		F

Head	David F Harry	M	59	North Carolina
Wife	Fanny G Harry	F	60	North Carolina
Daughter	Maggie L Harry	F	22	North Carolina
Son	Woodfin G Harry	M	19	North Carolina
Son	Benjamin A Harry	M	18	North Carolina

 

Poteat Family Home

***

Grandmother Bennett often spoke about Cherokee Springs. As a girl I pictured it as someplace far away, but it was right in Spartanburg County. My mother clipped thisr this article which appeared in the Spartanburg Herald, Thursday, September 3, 1981. John Henry Poteat, my great grand father owned it. At one time it had been landmark for the area; however, it was not in the years he owned it. The article is repeated below.

****
There were times when Cherokee Springs was - to borrow some 1950's ling - a boppin' place.

Mineral spring water was perceived as a natural health potion in the 1800s and the early part of this century. (1900's) Cerokee Springs had plenty of it. A hotel there attracted tourist from the North for the benefits thought to be derived from drinking the draught. The spring area was well groomed for guests and area residents and was the local point of the community.

In the summers of her youth, 79-year-onl Ruth Williams spent many hours around that meeting spot. "@e had swings in those big trees, the grass was kept cut and there was a real wide concrete walkway around the water, which was in a three-foot wide pool," she remembers.

"There was a group of young people here then. That's where we had our good times - our picnics and our fun. ......

I will post the rest later.

Market House in Elizabeth-town started with help of Martin Harry

Martin Harry and several other men obtained permission to build a Market House for their city.  (Elizabeth-town became Hagerstown in 1815.)  They were responcible for insuring weights used were accurate. Market days were Wednesday and Saturday; so families could plan their shopping trips and farmers could plan their market days to sell their goods.
It sounds a "little monopolistic" - also like a pre-walmart.

CHAP. XI.
An ACT to establish a market-house in Elizabeth-town, in Washington county, and for the regulation of the same.

Preamble. WHEREAS it has been represented to this general assembly, by sundry inhabitants of Washington county, that they labour under many great inconveniencies, for want of a market-house in Elizabeth-town, in said county; that a large and commodious space of ground was laid out for that purpose, in the center of said town, and appropriated for said purpose; and that the said petitioners propose to build thereon at their own expence; and it appearing reasonable to grant the prayer of said petition: Therefore, Commissioners to lay out ground, &c.

II. Be it enacted, by the general assembly of Maryland, That Henry Shryock,
Matthias Need, and Martin Harry, be and are hereby nominated and appointed commissioners, who are vested with full power and authority, in virtue of this act, to lay out a certain portion or part of the said reserved ground, as before mentioned, in said town, for the purpose of building a market-house thereon, and to contract with fit and proper persons for the building a house, not less than fifty feet in length and thirty in breadth, for a market-house, for the use of the inhabitants of said town and county.

III. And be it enacted, That the said portion of ground, laid out by the said
commissioners as aforesaid, shall be bounded. To be bounded, &c.

IV. And be it enacted, That from and after the twentieth day of August next,two days in every week shall be held as market days within the town of Elizabeth aforesaid, to wit, Wednesdays and Saturdays; and victuals and provisions whatsoever, brought to the said town for sale, except beef by the quarter or large quantity, and pork by the hog or hogs, upon those or any other days, shall be carried to the public market-house of the said town, there to be sold to the inhabitants, at the stated market hours, to wit, from any time in the morning to twelve at noon. Market days, &c.

V. And be it enacted, That no inhabitant of the said town, or other person, shall presume to buy, or cause to be bought, or any person or persons, being and within one mile thereof, or having brought any kind of victuals or provisions whatsoever to the said market for sale (except as before excepted) either upon the above stated market days, or any other day of the week, during the time of the above stated market hours, at any other place whatsoever, but at or in the aforesaid market-house, under the penalty of twenty shillings current money for every such offence, to be recovered by warrant, before any justice of the peace for Washington county, or the county where the person shall reside, as in case of small debts, to be paid to such person as the commissioners aforesaid shall appoint as their clerk of the market in Elizabeth-town aforesaid, to be by them applied to the repairing of the said market-house, and such other purposes as they may think necessary. Penalty on persons buying provisions out of market, &c.

VI. And be it enacted, That no person whatsoever, after the time aforesaid,
bringing or sending, or having brought or sent, any provisions or victuals to the said town for sale, shall presume to sell, or cause to be sold, the said victuals or
provisions so bringing or sending, or brought or sent, as aforesaid, to the said town, or within one mile thereof (except as before excepted) under the penalty
of ten shillings current money, with costs as aforesaid (if a free person) to be recovered, paid and applied, as aforesaid. On persons selling, &c.

VII. And be it enacted, That if any person or persons shall hereafter presume to slaughter or butcher any cattle kind, sheep or hogs, in or near about the said market-house, that he or they, so doing, shall forfeit and pay seven shillings and six-pence current money for every such offence, to be recovered, paid and applied, as aforesaid, with cost aforesaid. On persons slaughtering cattle, &c.

VIII. And be it enacted, That if any person shall sell, or offer for sale, any meat within the said market which shall be blown, in such case it shall and may be lawful for the clerk of the said market to seize all such meat sold or offered for sale in the said market, and the same to condemn to and for the use of the prisoners confined in Washington county gaol; and the butcher, or other person, for every such offence, shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings current money, which shall be applied as aforesaid. Blown meat to be seized, &c.

IX. And be it enacted, That from and after the twentieth day of August next, all such and every article of provision sold by weight within the said market, shall
be weighed in scales and weights tried by the standard of the county, or the standard to be provided and kept by the commissioners aforesaid. Provisions to
be weighed in scales, &c.

X. And be it enacted, That the clerk of said market shall have power and authority to take the possession, care and charge, of the market and market-house Clerk's duty,&c.

CHAP.XI.
LAWS of MARYLAND.
aforesaid, during his continuance in office, and to inspect all provisions brought thereto for sale, and destroy any he shall find and adjudge unsound or unwholesome; and also to try the weights and measures used at the said market by standards,if any provided and kept there by said commissioners of said market for that purpose, and the same, when false or untrue, to seize and dispose to the highest bidder, and shall pay the money arising from such sale to the said commissioners, to be by them applied as aforesaid; and the clerk of the said market (unless revented by sickness, or other unavoidable accident or necessity all, and he is hereby required to attend in the said market, at such hours as the commissioners may appoint at the different seasons; and if such clerk shall neglect or refuse to attend as aforesaid, he shall, for every such offence, forfeit and pay the sum of five shillings current money, to be recovered by the commissioners of said market for the time being, before any justice of the peace for Washington county, to be paid and applied by them to the use aforesaid; and the said clerk may be removed and displaced by said commissioners for the time being at their pleasure or direction.

Horses not to be put under market-house,&c.

XI. And, whereas it has been practised by people coming in from the county,
to tie their horses in the said market-house, which is very indecent, and offensive
to the inhabitants of the said town; Be it enacted, That any person or persons,
who shall, after the time aforesaid, put their own, or any other person's horse,
mare or gelding, into or under the said market-house, on any pretence whatsoever,
he or they shall pay or forfeit two shillings and six-pence current money, with
cost aforesaid, to be recovered, paid and applied, as aforesaid. Justices to fill up vacancies, &c.

XII. And be it enacted, That if any person appointed commissioner by this act, shall die, refuse, or otherwise be rendered incapable to discharge the duties enjoined by this act, that the justices of Washington county may nominate and appoint some person or persons in his or their place, so as to make the number of three commissioners as aforesaid, that the commissioners so appointed shall have the same powers as the commissioners appointed by this act.

David Harry - tax collector 1803 Washington County, Maryland

1803.

NOVEMBER. LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. XCII.

On application,chancellor may dived a sale,&c.

An ACT for the valuation of real and personal property within this state.

Passed 7th of January, 1804,

BE IT ENACTED, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That all real and personal property, in this state, except property belonging to this state, or the United States, houses for public worship,burying-grounds, or property belonging to any county, or to any college, or to any county school, and except also the crop and produce of the land in the hands of the person whose land produced the same, or in the hands of the tenant, and provisions necessary for the use and consumption of the person to whom the same shall belong, an.d his family, for the year, and plantation utensils, the working tools of mechanics and manufacturers, actually and constantly employed in their respective Properly to be valued occupations, wearing apparel, goods, wares and merchandise, and all home made manufactures in the hands of manufacturers, all ready money, all grain and tobacco, and all licensed vessels whatever, shall be valued agreeably to the directions of this act, and shall be chargeable according to such valuation with the public assessment.
Commissioners to be appointed, &c.

II. AND BE IT ENACTED, That five sensible, discreet and experienced persons, shall be appointed in each- county of this state, who shall be commissioners of the tax, and they, or any three or more of them, shall be commissioners for the county for which they shall severally be appointed; and five persons as aforesaid shall be appointed, and called Commissioners of the Tax for the City of Baltimore, for the same time.
Their names.
III. AND BE IT ENACTED, That the following persons shall be and are hereby appointed commissioners for the several and respective counties of this state, and for the city of Baltimore, to wit :
For Saint-Mary's county, Jame....for Washington county, Martin Kershner, William Webb, David Harry, Frisby Tiighman and James M'Clain; for Montgomery county, Wi

Alex! Alexander Lamont Reynolds

Chris, Julie, Alex, Andy, Amy
John, Michael, Zack, Daniel

Best Friends are a gift. Andy met his in the seventh grade. I am not sure if they met on the bus ride to school or in class. But shortly after we moved from Smithfield to Newport News, Andy and Alex got to know each other.

This is an unmailed letter to little Alex... Alex's son.

(I write lots of letters, but don't mail them. This is probably one that could / should have been mailed. When I was in college my mom corrected my letters and returned them with spelling and punctuation errors noted in red. Now I perpetually revise my writing.

There is always more that could be said. Often the letters are more for me than anyone else anyway. Sort of like this blog.)

"Dear Little Alex,

I have known your Dad since he was in the seventh grade. Now you are just a little guy (he was a toddler when I wrote this); so that doesn't mean too much to you right now. But that is a long time. I thought I would tell you a little bit about your dad. It is fun to hear about what other people thing about parents.

Your dad was always a funny kid. He was always laughing and smiling. Of course he was not "always happy", but he always tried to find the best things that happened each day to enjoy. He always had a job. He raked leaves in the fall. He baby-sat for Col Rock's* two boys; they lived across the street from us. He bought baseball card bubblegum by the box and sold it by the pack to other kids at school. Somehow he always had a little money, but never enough to satisfy him.

I admired his drive. Alex wanted to accomplish someting and he worked like it all depended on him. I am fairly sure that your Dad bought his own clothes and his little brothers clothes too. Wow! He expected a lot from himself.

Your dad was the best friend of my son Andy (or Drew). They spent lots of time talking with each other about school or whatever boys talk about. They had other friends, but they just had a special friendship that still lasts today.

As a matter of fact my family just thought Alex belonged with us.... At our house, when we went to see fireworks, or a school play or a football game, or just about anywhere he would go too.... we took Alex because it was more fun when he came too.

Alex & Drew were voted "Best Friends" their senior year in high school. That means that all the 12Th graders knew that when you saw one... if you waited a second you would see the other one. "

When your Mom and Dad married, Andy made sure he could be there as Best Man. Before your dad went overseas, he came to visit Andy's family in Utah. I think even when they are old men with gray hair, they will still be best friends.

I hope you have a best friend. Someone who means as much to you as your dad does to my family. All of my kids (now grown) love your dad. I do too. When your dad talks about his family he is so proud of all of you. He loves you, your sisters and your Mom. There isn't any sacrifice too big when it comes to his family.

* Col Rock is now BRIGADIER GENERAL ANTHONY J. ROCK. The most important skill a leader must have is the ability to know who to trust. Col Rock knew he could trust your dad to take care of his boys. Your dad impressed lots of people early in his life.

Car Stories

A picture of an antique auto reminded me of several car stories involving my parents.

*********
One warm day my dad, Jim Bennett, was outside with some friends. As luck would have it he was wearing his first store bought suit. His mom, a skilled seamstress, had always made the clothes for the family. This must have been a big deal.

His friends had firecrackers they had brought over. Jim had just started to light one when a car filled with girls pulled up to say hello. He quickly stuffed the firecracker in his back pocket.

Unlike all those times when a boy thinks the fire cracker is lit and it isn't, this time it was... POP!

The firecracker went off and so did his pocket.

***********

When my mom, Julia, was a teen. Her dad was persuaded to take Julia and a car full of her friends for an ice cream in their new car. Mother was trying to show everyone how much she knew about cars. This certainly proved to be an exaggeration.

My grandfathers concern had probably been keeping his car clean while all these girls ate ice cream. Instead as he left the ice cream shop, he was greeted by screaming girls in a car rolling down a hill. My mother had moved the car from park into neutral. The car was moving and she didn't know how to brake.

Up in the air went the ice cream. Off he went chasing the car. Luckily the hill wasn't too steep; so the car wasn't going very fast. He was young and took off racing to jump on the foot board,reach in and steer the car safely until it came to rest at the bottom of the hill.

No one had an ice cream that day.

**********

My dad had a football scholarship to college. It paid for books and tuition, but not for housing, food or living expenses. He always had jobs to cover those expenses plus he helped his sister Lois pay for college.

In addition to football practice. He worked for Floyd's mortuary as an ambulance driver. He would pick up the deceased and perhaps drove for funerals. He was the precursor to an EMT. He was dispatched to bring people to the hospital and actually delivered a baby or two in the process. He did dishes and other tasks at the boarding houses where he stayed.

During the summer he worked in area mills and saved his money for school. One year he bought a car which he rented to other students on weekends. He had his own Hertz rent-a-car, before Hertz. He couldn't afford to take a girl on a date, but he could still get the benefit.

******

Growing up in the South, there were many cold days, but fewer frigid days.

The winter after we married was very, very cold. As a young couple, we frequently came to Spartanburg. It is hard to remember if we were talking at the table or watching the 11 o'clock news. The talk turned to how cold it was going to be that night. My dad was inspired to ask if we had added antifreeze to the car.

It is amazing what is not taught in college. I had a nice vocabulary, but didn't know what antifreeze was. I probablly would have recognized the term antigravity from Star Trek. I certainly didn't know I needed to add antifreeze to a car. I had never needed to before. (My dad had always taken care of the car.)

Up the stairs we went... out to the carport ... up went the hood... opened the radiator... ICE! It was too late for antifreeze. Out came very long extension cords and a hair dryer. My dad rigged it to blow on the radiator through the night and saved it.

Sam Bulloch - not a pretty story

If we record the good stories, we should record the bad also.

If Sam Bulloch was born in 1891, he was 3 years older than Mabel. At twelve his father died. At twenty four he died. This article says he was 28. I wonder how his father's death changed his life. This article (word for word) was on the front page of the Atlanta Journal.

HOTEL MAN KILLED; SLAYER IS DYING
9 Sept 1915 , Bullochville, GA

In Dying Condition, Hotel Proprietor Wrests Pistol From Slayer and Returns Three Deadly Bullets.
Columbus, Ga., September 9. - (Special.) -- G.A. Thompson, agent of the Southern railway and proprietor of the Tuscawilla hotel at Bullochville, Ga., and member of a leading family at Bullochville, is in a dying condition early tonight, the result of a sensational shooting affray in the dining room of the hotel this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Reports from Bullochville are that Bulloch was in the dining room of the hotel creating a disturbance and that Thompson reproved him and then stepped out to get the town marshal to have him removed. Not seeing the marshal, he asked W.B. Butts, a friend of Bulloch's, to remove him. Butts induced Bulloch to leave the dining room and Thompson asked the guest to leave the dining room, saying that he feared trouble. It is stated that just then Bulloch broke loose from Butts and ran inside the dining room, drawing his pistol and shooting Thompson, who seized him. Thompson, Bulloch and Butts were all struggling for the pistol, but Thompson succeeding in getting it and remarking that he was going to die and that he would get the man who shot him, began firing at Bulloch despite earnest pleas. The first shot struck Bulloch in the breast and he fell to the floor and Thompson then shot him three times, two of the bullets lodging in his head. With the last shot Thompson fell to the floor, dying almost before anyone could reach him.

Thompson has been railroad agent at Warm Springs for a good many years and a year or two ago bought the handsome three-story Tuscawilla hotel from W.B. Butts at a reported consideration of $10,000. He leaves a family.

Bulloch is a 28 years old and unmarried. He is a member of the prominent Bulloch family for whom Bullochville is named.

Various versions have reached Columbus as to the reason of the original disturbance in the hotel, in which Bulloch is said to have figured. One report is that Bulloch became angered at one of the waiters and was about to punish him when the proprietor of the hotel interfered. Whatever the nature of the trouble Thompson thought it best to have Bulloch removed from the dining room.

A long-distance message from Bullochville early tonight stated that Bulloch was shot in the chest, over the eye and in the head, that his spinal column was struck by one of the bullets and that there is seemingly no possible hop for him to recover.

The Atlanta Constitution Sept 10,1915 Front page

Usually there is time to change direction in life. If there was time, Sam didn't take advantage of it.

Mabel - College Graduation 1914

In April 1914, Mabel graduated from "Georgia Normal and Industrial School" in Milledgeville, GA. Today it is Georgia College and State University or just Georgia College for short. This picture of her graduating class appeared in the Atlanta Journal.

Notice the heading of the column just below and to the left regarding Women's Sufferage. Massachusetts had just passed the right to vote in their state.

Each generation lives in interesting times. It is nice to reflect on our ancestors in context of their time. I wonder what events our decendents will see as significant in our time.

Andrea and Peggy may smile when they see that "Miss Regina Pinkston" was her classmate. Miss Pinkston was my favorite teacher in high school. I had her for Geometry, Trig, and Senior English. If I had known how great she was, I would have taken Latin from her. I was told that she was certified to teach every course taught at our high school except shop.

I believe she had Macbeth memorized. I can almost hear her recite the part of the witches talking around the cauldron "double, double toil and trouble". I never had a teacher or professor who entranced me from the moment she began class until it concluded. My worst nightmare was being required to memorize a poem and reciting it in her class. My knees were literally knocking.

Year after year Miss Pinkston was chosen as the Teacher of the Year by the Valedictorian. After she retired from teaching, she wrote a comprehensive history of Meriwether County. I was told her father lived to 101 years old and walked to church every Sunday of his life. Perhaps he lived next door to his church. She was an amazing lady.

If Grandmother's education was similiar to Miss Pinkston's, I would have loved to hear her stories and experiences. Grandmother was ill from the time I was a toddler and died when I was in first grade.

Cyprian Bulloch, Jr and Benjamin F Bulloch

(Refer to the August 2009 post for additional information)

Cyprian, our direct ancestor, is shown in this picture with his brother Benjamin F Bulloch. They were business partners along with their cousin.

Cyprian's Home



Ben's Home

History of Bullochville by Julia Harry Bennett
, Bullochville/ Warm Springs, Georgia

Responce to incorrect information appearing in Manchester Newspaper:

Dear Mr Grimes,

My brother, Henry G Harry, has sent me your nice article about Bullochville. We hope you will rectify the fact that Bullochville was not named for Theodore Roosevelt's mother, Martha.

Please read Regina Pinkston's "The Historicle Account of Meriwether County". On page 349 she tells that Bullochville was named for Benjamin F Bulloch and my Grandfather Cyprian Bulloch, Jr. They, with their brother-in-law, W.T. Bussey, formed Bulloch, Bussey and Coimpany. I am enclosing a 1911 article which tells thaey owned some 2,000 acres of land, most of Warm Springs from the top of the Warm Springs Mountain to the top of the mountain above Manchester.

These 3 men owned 3 of the store buildings still in use on Main Street, a coffin factory, cotton gin, bank, gristmill, 2 Bulloch homes, one or both on the National Register of Colonial Homes.

The gave the land for the Baptist church, the cemetary, the school, the US Fishery plus 2/3 of the water from Cold Springs.

Our Bullochs came from Edgecombe County, NC. In 1800 Stephen Bulloch married Winnie Robinson. Their home was between Rocky Mount, NC and Wilson, NC. Winnie died in 1806. Stephen Bulloch brought his two young sons to Greenville, GA to live with their Grandmother Robinson.

Cyprian Bulloch Sr. settled between Bussey's Cross Road and the Raleigh Rd. His brother, Henry moved to Arkansas. These boys were not related to Martha Bulloch who lived in Roswell, GA. Her ancestors are buried in Savanah, GA.

Elliott Roosevelt, in his book about Warm Springs called my Aunt Minnie who ran the store in Warm Spings forever, "Cousin Minnie", but they were not related.

Sincerely, Julia H(arry) Bennett

PS. My brother, Henry, is on the Board of Directors of the new museum. My father, Rev W. G. Harry, was Mayor of Warm Springs all the years FDR was President but the last one.




Article: "Group Studied Valuable Estate 50 Years Ago" December 8, 1911
Probably the most extensive subdivision of land in western Georgia is now going on in Bullochville, where a committee of division of the Bulloch, Bussey and Estate is now located.

The property consists of approximatedly 2,000 acres and is considered one of the most valuable estates in Meriwether County comprising town lots in the corporation of various _________, Bullochville, Cold Springs and South Springs. It entirely surrounds the property of the U. S. Fish Hatchery at Cold Springs, and extends from Bullochville to nearly the prosperous town of Manchester

At the request of different interests the court appointed a committee of division to make an equitable allotment so that all hiers, including minors numbering 12, would be fully protected. The commission which has been in closed continurous session about a week, consists for seven men.

Henry Valentine Parkman

.




Henry Valentine Parkman was married twice. There were three children born to his marriage with Elizabeth Huffman. Serana b 1836, David b March 22,1838, and Rebekah b 1840 she died unmarried 1909. I do not know the cause of Elizabeth's death.

His second wife, Mary Ann Glanton (b Oct 22, 1819/ Oct 27, 1903)married him about 1842. It must have been daunting to start marriage with three small children.

Both ladies married Henry in Edgefield, South Carolina. Henry and Mary Ann had five daughters - Julia Cordelia Parkman my GG Grandmother - was their third child.

In 1847 the family moved to Cherokee County, Georgia. Within a year they decided there was too much illness in the area, they moved to Meriwether County. They settled about 1 mile south of Bussey's Crossroads.

According to a family history Henry was the first area farmer to engage in terracing. Neighbors thought he was wasting his time, but came use the same practices. He built a large grist mill and gin on his plantation that were used for many years. To provide water for the mill, he built a large pond known for years as Parkman's Pond. The dam was built of rock by slave labor. Probably they were the slaves Mary Ann received from her grandfather John Kilcrease (Gilcrease). Those slaves moved with the couple from South Carolina when they moved to Meriwether, County.

Although he was 60 years old, Henry fought in the Civil War. This is interesting because he hired a substitute so his son David would not need to enlist. David ran away and enlisted anyway. David fought under General Gordan in many prominent battles, including Gettysburg.

Henry and Mary Ann are both buried in the Macedonia Cemetery.

Gaye - Teacher of the Year - 2008 Aiken County

By ROB NOVIT
Senior writer
One wouldn't call the annual Aiken County Teacher of the Year banquet overly stuffy by any means, but it is a rather formal event. Then Gaye Pappas was named the new district teacher of the year at the banquet last week. Things got a bit more informal in a hurry, thanks to her hearty laughter and infectious smiles that never seem to go away.

At Paul Knox Middle School the next day, Pappas was still smiling in her special needs classroom as she accepted congratulations from students and faculty members.

"I'm just a hot dog and blue jeans kind of girl," she said cheerfully.

But Pappas is also a serious professional with 34 years of experience, even as she describes herself as an education "gypsy." Her husband Ted is an accountant /troubleshooter, and the couple has moved often.

Pappas has taught in seven South Carolina school districts and three other states. She has worked with special education, including administration, for most of her career, but in recent years taught science in a Dorchester District 2 middle school. When she interviewed with principal Brenda Smith at Paul Knox three years ago, Pappas was ready to return to special education.

"I've been extremely pleased how the faculty has accepted me, and I'm proud to be a part of it," she said. "The kids had a party for me and the faculty did, too, and I was amazed."

Pappas spent the early part of her childhood in the small town of Manchester, Ga. Her military dad was overseas much of that time, and her grandfather, W.G. Herry - a minister and farmer - was a big influence.

"He always let me follow him as he trooped through the woods," she said. "He had such a love of nature, and the Georgia pines still speak to me."

Her mother and other relatives, including those dating back to the 1700s, were teachers. After enrolling at Winthrop University in the early 1970s, Pappas was steered to special education by a professor, Dr. John Gallien.

She felt drawn to that field, recognizing that for many years, special needs children rarely could get an education. Pappas took a course in special education "and yes, this was something I could do," she said. "We have a responsibly to care for one another."

In a professional biography written for the teacher of the year competition, Pappas believes her biggest contribution is the progress that so many of her students made through hard work. Over the years she has received invitations from former students for their high school graduations and weddings.

She helped Carl, an eighth-grader and non-reader, learn to read during lunch every day. Pappas worked with LaKeisha, who in desperation had written "help me" over and over on a test she didn't understand. Hank was a ninth-grader - big and tough-looking and intimidating. But he had no mother and no support and was ready to drop out of school until Pappas took an interest in him. Today he's married with children and operates his own welding business.

"I believe it takes courage to teach," Pappas wrote. "... We teach so many broken children who are in need of more from us than we, as a profession, have ever been asked to give. If a teacher has courage, he or she will take risks necessary to achieve the excellence that is so essential to a child's learning."

Pappas loves her kids at Paul Knox and can't help but smile when she sees them, so full of joy. Previously, she taught most of them all day in self-contained classes, but the district now has inclusion with traditional classes in science and social students. That's a process that's still being worked out, Pappas said.

"But today was a beautiful day," she said Monday, "to see the progress they've made, the 100s they've made on quizzes. The other teachers themselves are so willing for me to help. It's amazing how accepting they have been."

Pappas welcomes the opportunity to serve as an "encourager" for young teachers. But she is still amazed that she has been chosen to represent the district's teachers for the next year.

"I don't think it has sunk in yet," Pappas said. "It's such an honor, but I'm extremely humbled. There are so many master teachers at this school. I'm not the finest teacher you will ever meet, but this year I'll speak for the finest."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.


It is especially nice to have other people recognize my sweet sister for her hard work. When she was in grade school, she played with a little girl who had serious health issues. I wondered if knowing her contributed to her decision to become a special education teacher.

Gaye has active compassion. She doesn't stop in the classroom. Her love for others is demonstrated daily.

My Matriarchal Line

Me...Jan
Mother - Julia - (1922 living)
G - Mabel BULLOCH (1894-1954)
GG - Julia Cordelia PARKMAN (1853-1936)
2G - Mary Ann GLANTON (1819-1903)
3G - Jane (Jincy) KILCREASE/GILCREASE
(1795-1823)
4G - Mary unknown. (______-1849)

I should find a simple explanation of DNA. It has been a long time since I took biology. Don't laugh if my explanation is flawed.

The women in a line share one identical X chromosome passed from mothers to daughters. My sisters, my nieces, my daughter, my mother's sister and her daughters and grand daughters all share the same matriarchal DNA. It goes back unchanged for many generations, but is difficult to follow because women change their name when they marry and records are limited.

If my matriarchal line contributed to Anna's red hair, it might have been from one of these ladies. That is because she receives an X chromosome from both parents. However, her matriarchal DNA will be from her mom. She will share the same X chromosome as Wendy's girls, but Jon & Michelle's daughter has Michelle's matriarichael DNA.

Sons all receive one X chromosome from mom, but not always the same one. They always have the same Y chromosome..going back generations. So theY DNA of my son's and grandson's DNA is identical with one another, plus their Dad and his father's Y DNA.

I will post my boys Patriarchal Line too.

I would love to have a family member submit our Bennett DNA or Harry DNA. My dad only had sisters and daughters. Uncle Henry had 3 sons; so perhaps they will find it worthwhile.

Living in Warm Springs early 1900's

Lives are so different today it is hard to imagine what it would have been like to live around 1900 in a busy little town like Warm Springs. Spielberg could recreate a visual Warm Springs for a movie, but places like it was no longer exist. It’s unlikely the people who live there today would recognize the town or the life.

Without air conditioners people rock away early evening hours on the veranda.. Often a swing would lazily move back and forth with the hypnotizing creak of the chain rubbing against the hook it hung from. Large trees provided shade around the home. The rustle of leaves plus the clucking of chickens, frogs croaking and crickets chirping provided a quiet background of sounds for conversation or daydreams. Dirt roads, wagons, a stage coach and the train were the transportation. Church or the women’s club were the big social outlets for ladies. The men gathered on benches in front of the large general store to catch up on news while waiting to pick up their supplies. Meals were prepared from scratch with produce picked from the garden. Ice came from an ice house. The fried chicken for Sunday dinner probably had been scurrying around your yard on Saturday.


This photo of a hay ride was in Grandmother's wedding album.


A few years ago I found a small out of print book "The History of Warm Springs, Georgia" on Heritage Quest Online. The book was more about life in Warm Springs than in the history. I thought I would share some of my favorite sections. Mother didn’t like book perhaps because the author’s experiences included less idealized memories. Mother led a very protected life.

Warm Springs was after all named after the very warm waters that people enjoyed for swimming. Public pools were a big attraction. Swim wear was quite different from today’s.

*** *** *** *** ***

“Even Venus, herself, would have attracted little notice in one of the bathing suits of that day. There was nothing romantic about them and the feminine form divine was entirely lost to view.

These alluring garments were voluminous affairs of heavy blue serge. A full blouse of this carpet like fabric was surmounted and adorned by a sailor collar of double thickness trimmed with three rows of white braid and a “shield” of the same guaranteed strict privacy to ones collar bones. Long sleeves completed the dainty upper portion which was attached to a pleated skirt … which reached the knees and beneath it bloomers and stockings – heavy black cotton ones.

“The public pool was surrounded by an unattractive frame building containing the dressing rooms, giving it somewhat the appearance of a stock yard. There was a chute at one end and a spring board at the other and any one who would use either was daring beyond all words.

The private pools were more popular with the rank and file then, for “mixed bathing” was looked upon askance by many, with tolerance by some and completely denounced by others.

Indeed, more than one minister in the village church used to grow red in the face on occasion, drip perspiration all over the ;pulpit and sprain his tongue enumerating the evils of its malign influence and, then, after a protracted meeting, take his converts to that same pool that he had so vilified and baptize them. The amount of sin washed away in that pool, already stained so black, according to the well-meaning pastor’s version, would surely have ruined it for posterity had not its free flow enabled it to empty itself each day.”

Many bathers going into these pools went armed with a goodly cake of soap. Mothers often went down on Saturday afternoon accompanied by their entire broods who were scrubbed and shampooed. It certainly beat getting out the old tin tub, drawing numberless buckets of water and heating it on the kitchen stove."

*** *** *** *** ***

Years later my grandfather built a public swimming pool. A cement pond… well almost. Water spilled from Parkman’s Pond into the very large pool; so there were also fish. Occasionally the pool would empty as a snake swam through. There was a very large sliding board at one side of the pool. A “peninsula went out to the center of the pool.

Dressing rooms were downstairs and upstairs guests could buy snacks, etc.

Yes there were still baptism’s there. I missed the occasion, but once Bobby,my almost cousin, was trying to get a better view by squeezing past someone and caused a lady to fall into the water. I can only imagine the excitement that created.

Years later the poolhouse was remodeled and became a home for my cousin’s family.


Picnics were most popular in pre-automobile days and Warm Springs was the ideal place in which to have them. Churches, schools and societies never thought of trying to go through the summer without one.


*** *** *** *** ***

"Special trains would take Sunday school and Fraternity members and often almost the entire population of some small town there for the great day. Great doings! For instance: the Red Men or Firemen, or Policemen from Atlanta and Columbus would be scheduled for a picnic on a certain day. Grocery store keepers and dispensers of soft drinks would be up betimes, sweeping and dusting, and laying out extra supplies of commodities and often enlisting the services of the entire family to take care of the rush. There would be tension and excitement in the very air at the depot. Often people from the country would drive in with fruits and melons to sell or just to see the sights. The hour would arrive and an expectant hush would hover over most of the establishments. Presently a long drawn out “T-o-o-t, t-o-o-t” in the distance would send everybody in the neighborhood who was not bed-ridden to a window or door or to the very depot itself.

Another toot, a column of black smoke, a huge bulk rushing from around the curve (there was a curve coming from either direction), a whistle, a screeching of air brakes and the monster would come to a panting standstill, every aperture bulging with eager, expectant faces. A deep sigh from the engine, loud shouts from hundreds of throats, a few rat-tats from a drum and men, women and children, laden with boxes, baskets and various and sundry impediments, would pour from every opening like so many mice let loose and make a bee-line for the springs or the woods…. Or the old picnic platform.

On splendid days the latter was the usual center of amusement, especially with the crowds that took along their own bands. This platform, a huge floor containing at least twenty-five hundred square feet of floor space, stood in the beautiful oak and hickory grove that lies like a big slice of mince pie between the roads that divide just below the railroad station, one fork going to the pools and one to the Inn on the “crust” side connecting the two near bath houses. There was a seat all around its outer edge and a flight of steps going up from three sides. On the other was a raised dias for the dance orchestra.

Generally, the day before the outing, an arbor of green boughs would be erected over the platform to give it a sylvan aspect and, more important still, to protect the dancers from the sunlight. Suntan then was shunned along with leprosy.

The high spot of the day would be a plunge in one of the pools, just which one depended upon a number of things. And, although the smaller pools were not exactly neglected, the public pool would come into its own on such occasions and the ticket seller and towel woman have a busy and remunerative day.

The woods and surrounding countryside would be explored for flowers and ferns which have long abounded in them – no more beautiful wild ferns are found anywhere – miles and miles of steps taken, vast quantities of food consumed, barrels of water drunk, dancing and swimming enjoyed the day long – Carefree abandon from the usual things of everyday home life.

Sometimes an adventurous male, determined to get the very most out of his day, would make a surreptitious trip to the “Grocery” and have to be looked up before train time. Once in a while one of these adventurers would resent interference with his “constitutional rights” having attained the bellicose stage, and there would follow a little slicing or target practice.

…But to get back to the picnic. The main objective of each individual was to get the very most out of the allotted number of hours, for they might not have another day like that for another year. After swimming, dancing, eating, tramping, looking for misplaced children, attending to red bug bites, killing snakes and trying to see how much warm water they could drink, a tired, wilted, bedraggled, but happy mob would begin to settle their hats and gather up their debris.

Then, at a series of warning “toots” from their train, they would drag themselves wearily toward the station, leaving a trail of paper, cracker boxes, sardine tins, soda water and beer bottles in their wake, and drop into the first seats available.

Presently, a puff from the engine and a loud “all ‘bord,” from the conductor would send the last dawdler scampering for a seat and, in another minute or two, a cloud of smoke above the little platform and the forementioned trail of debris would be all that remained of that picnic from Atlanta except the nickels, dimes and quarters that were being counted and deposited in many tills. For all concerned, a great day.”

*** *** *** *** ***

Mabel's Wedding part 2

When Ashley was married I promised to send her a copy of grandmothers wedding announcement. Yesterday I was looking for info in the Atlanta Constitution - bada bing, bada boom... there it was.

Don't get too excited about the wedding photo. It is not Grandmother. The picture appeared next to her announcement. She saved it in her wedding scrapbook; to I am sharing it with you.

Grandmother wore a charming Wedding Suit... trimmed with Beaver Fur and matching hat. Her bouquet had White Roses with Valley Lillies entwined with streamers. The maid of honor wore a beaded brown satin dress. Grandmother's bridesmaids wore cinnamon brown velvet.

Mabel's father, Cyprian Bulloch, Jr., died when Mabel was young. The writer recognized the family connection. He mistakenly lists Ben Bulloch, her uncle and father's business partner, as her father.

I recognize the name Mrs H.R. Lipscomb as a college friend. Grandmother saved her wedding announcement.

Click on announcement to read the details.



The descriptions of wedding details is fascinating. The Atlanta Journal also had an announcement of Mabel's sister Ira Gene Bulloch's wedding to Henry Bateman Worth. The wedding took place in her mother's home. Mabel sang "Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold". The announcement said, " The house was artistically decorated with goldenrod, and smilax and pink roses filled vases on the mantel, which was banked with ferns."

Today we understand Goldenrod may be beautiful, but causes allergic reactions for many. I would never think of using it in a home. Of course I am not sure folks realised the relationship at the time.

Margaret Bishop Harry's brother.

To give you a little background:

Margaret Bishop was wife of David HARRY and mother of John Bishop HARRY.

David Harry is listed on the muster rolls in Maryland,but I have not found a pension application. His obituary refers to his participation in the Revolutionary War.

The challenges and hardships our female ancestors faced were equally challenging, but seldom documented. Reading between the lines helps to understand a lot of what life must have been like for them. So stretch you mind to imagine the faith and determination these women had to raise families in such times.

After Hans Jakob Bischoff, Margaret's grandfather, died in 1739, Anna Catharina Rauch/Rouch Bischoff, and her sons traveled down the Rhine River to Rotterdam in the south of Holland. Rotterdam was the port they used to leave Germany. They traveled on the ship "Two Brothers". (Remember this is the name of the ship. There are more than two brothers in the family.)

Hans Johannes Bischoff/ John Bishop
Frantz Michael Bischoff
Johann Jacob Bischoff/(Jacob Bishop) Margaret's father. They eventually were naturalized in Philadelphia.

(I accidentally deleted information about a married brother and his family. I will add that info when I dig it out. But we don't know where he moved with his family after arriving in the US.)

Margaret's mother was Margaret Church, who was born in Germany in 1729.

Margaret Bishop grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland. Her family lived next to the Lutheran church they attended. The Harry family also attended the same church. They wanted a better life.

When you hear about George Washington crossing the Delaware river...



.. you will know that Jacob Bishop, Margaret's younger brother was there. Perhaps David was with him.

Jacob enlisted in the Continental Army twice. The first time he was sixteen or seventeen years old. Friends had him released from service because of his youth. But in the summer of 1776, he enlisted again for a three year term. He founght in the engagements of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, White Plains and Monmouth. He help capture the Hessians. In one of his engagements he received a wound in his foot. He and others were compelled during the winter to wrap their feet in rags and wear old shoes and often he with others left traces of blood from their feet upon frozen ground and snow.

Jacob completed his service 26 July 1779 and received an honorable discharge. He had served in Col Haussegger's German Regiment. (This same regiment was at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered.)

Jacob married Mary Powell at Philadelphia, PA on 25 December 1781. The Minister, Joseph Powell, appears to be her father. He was one of the 69 delegates who attended the PA state convention in 1777, which ratified the Constitution of the United States..

Jacob died 10 April 1813. Mary received a widows pension or $80/year. This information is from her application for the pension and from letters supporting her application. One supporting document attested to a statement by David Harry, who married Margaret Bishop. These documents are stored at the National Archives.

If you are interested in the Battle of Trenton, read David McCullough's "1776". Jacob was a private.

David Harry Obituary 1750 to 1843

Birth: Nov. 13, 1750
Death: Mar. 18, 1843

David Harry seems to have been an accomplished man.

He and twenty five citizens petitioned the state of Maryland to start "The
Hager's Town Fire Company".

He was the executor of his Father-in-law's will.

His Obituary:

"Another Revolutionary Patriot Gone!

On Saturday last in this town, Mr. David Harry, in the 93rd year of his age. Thus has another link which connected this present generation with their patriot fathers of that glorious revolution been dissolved, and in a few years faithful history will supply the place of the small remnant of living witnesses, in testifying to the chivalrous deeds of our noble sires in the days which tried men's principals in a just but doubtful contest -- The deceased retained his physical powers and mental faculties to an extraordinary extent. Previous to the late winter he was not limited to his house, nor was he confined to his bed or helpless prior to his last indisposition, which was of short duration, and until which he was conversant intelligent and cheerful.Mr Harry was for more than half a century a communicant in the Lutheran Church and possessed those noble traits of moral character and industrious habits which constituted him as one of the most respectable and useful members of religious and civil society. On Monday last his remains were accompanied from his late residence by numerous relatives and friends, by the military companies of the town, the Mechanics Band, a vast concourse of friends and strangers to the Lutheran Church where an appropriate and impressive discourse was delivered from Revelations 7th Chapter from the 14th verse to the end of the Chapter by the Reverend Mr. Winter of Clearspring, the Reverend Mr. Douglas and the Reverend Mr. Startzman. After his remains were committed to their parent dust with military obsequies.






Family links:
Parents:
Johann Martin Harry (1720 - 1788)

Children:
John Bishop Harry (1774 - 1868)*
Mary Harry Dechert (1794 - 1826)*

Spouse:
Margaret Bishop Harry (1755 - 1836)*

*Point here for explanation

Note: Reinterred from St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery . A monument once stood in the Church yard Cemetery for David Harry celebrating his service to his country.

Burial:
Rose Hill Cemetery
Hagerstown
Washington County
Maryland, USA
Plot: Section D lot 16

Times are changing

Despite my best intentions I have not added any articles in months. This article will probably not remain here for long. I found some fascinating information that I want to record. This is purely for my entertainment.

When I was a girl (back when dirt was new) we had a "party line". Several families shared a phone line. Until you lifted the receiver you could not tell if a phone was in use. The only person with a "mobile phone" was Dick Tracy, a cop in the comic strips.

There were times when I was in elementary school I picked up the line and "listened in on someones call", which was very rude. You might listen for a second to determine if a call sounded like it was starting or ending, but no one appreciated an eaves dropper.

Now cell phones place calls, text, surf the internet. Mobile skype can send video calls. Tablets,U-tube, facebook, tweets, digital cameras, GPS and more commonplace. Adding machines zipped from basic calculators to laptops. Real techies are aware of the latest and greatest. Just when I feel comfortable with one technology, it is replaced by something more spectacular. Amazing apps are downloadable. Ebooks are rocking the publishing domain.

The three networks have been dwarfed by cable. Cable is threatened by online services like HULU and netflicks.

Our family subscribed to and read cover to cover "The Atlanta Journal", a local paper, "Saturday Evening Post", "Life","Ladies Home Journal"."Readers Digest", "US News & World Report", and "Time" magazines. Today there are folk who get their news from comedians "pretending to talk about issues" and newscasts are lightened with stories about Oprah retiring and Utube videos.

My mother told me of traveling with hot potatoes to keep your hands warm when traveling in a Model T in winter. Travel by plane was noteable. Today international travel is both a necessity and a nuisance. Friends and family travel the world to Asia, Europe, and Australia. Years ago I insured an astronaut who flew the Space Shuttle. Oh, that phrase "American as Apple pie" might need to be updated because the apples may be imported from China.

Andy's best friend is living with his family in Japan. One of my favorite people is a wonderful Muslim mom from Turkey. Our congregation has wonderful members from Japan, Korea, Germany, India, England and yes the US. Education, shared experiences, and testimony provide a wonderful starting point to build friendships. The differences that seem so significant when isolated without opportunities to know others are non-existent when working together. We can appreciate the talents, gifts and contribution each offers. It really is the "content of soul" that matters.

My feeble imagination has seen fantasy become reality. Technology. Diversity. Globalization. What is next?