Tag Archives: #amblogging

2022 Road Trip-Part 17A

1 Mar

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 17 (6/1/2022)

This morning after breakfast I headed southeast 40 miles on US-431 to try and find the Slosheye Trail Historical Marker, said to be, located in Hawkinsville, GA.  Greta (My Garmin) found the marker in front of the Pulaski County Courthouse (you can barely make out the marker in the photo below).  The marker informed me that the Slosheye Trail once extended from Hawkinsville, on the Ocmulgee River southwest some 65 miles to Drayton, on the Flint River and was used by Indians and early fur traders as early as 1750.  It continued to be a major travel artery in the Georgia frontier area for many years.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed south 45 miles on US-129 to visit the Blue & Gray Museum located in the Fitzgerald Depot in Fitzgerald, GA.  The Blue & Gray Museum displays 1200+ Civil War artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia dating from the early 1800s.  The Blue & Gray Museum shares space in the 1900s Fitzgerald Depot with the AB&A Railroad Exhibit, which includes antique railroad artifacts and memorabilia related to the growth of Fitzgerald and the surrounding Ben Hill County area dating from the 1800s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I continued south about 10 miles on US-129 to visit the Confederate Monument located on the lawn of the Irwin County Courthouse in Ocilla, GA.  This monument was erected in 1911 and is dedicated to all the Georgia soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War.  This massive Irwin County Courthouse was built in 1910 to replace the first county courthouse which was built in 1883, and has served the Irwin County residents until the present day.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was another 30 miles south on US-129 to where I was looking for the Old Coffee Road historical marker in Nashville, GA to see what that was all about.  It turns out The Old Coffee Road was established in 1823 and built by General John Coffee.  It was the first road to link the Ocmulgee River, near Fitzgerald, to Thomasville for the transport of goods back and forth to this area. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Before leaving Nashville, I drove over and stopped to check out the CarterParrett Railnet (CPR).  This turned out not to be a museum, but a rail-yard for another small private railway (80 miles of track) that only services the southern part of central George.  I took a quick photo and continued on my way to find the next museum.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I headed south another 60 miles on US-129, across the border, to visit the Old Hamilton County Jail located in Jasper, FL.  This museum is situated in the old restored 1893 two-story brick Hamilton County jail, which was the only county jail in Hamilton County until 1984, when a new county jail was built, there in Jasper, to replaced it. This museum displays antique artifacts, photos, and memorabilia tracing the history of the Florida jail system in the 1800s.

Photo Credit: www,Bing images/old hamilton county jail jasper florida

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , , , ,

Everlasting Promises

27 Feb

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Ps 105 8-15

For though a thousand generations may pass away,

He is still true to his word. 

He has kept every promise he made to Abraham and Isaac.

His promises have become an everlasting covenant to Jacob, 

And a decree to Jacob.

He told them,  “I will give you all the land of Canaan as your inheritance.”

They were very few when God gave them that promise, and they were all foreigners to that land.

They were wandering from one land to another and kingdom to another. Yet God would not permit anyone to touch them,

Punishing even kings who came against them.

He told them, “Don’t you dare lay a hand on my anointed ones, and don’t do a thing to hurt my prophets!

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Church-Maybe Not

26 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Have you been watching the news the past few weeks?  God’s revival is breaking out just everywhere!  

It started on the small college campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Credit FaceBook and Breitbart

Just amazing – God’s Holy Spirit has filled that campus and it’s students to overflowing.  Students were missing classes because they felt they needed to be in the chapel praising God and worshiping Him.  It became so large that campus officials had to limit it to only those on campus – they had to find other places for the worship to take place for all those descending upon Asbury.  Amazing!

One thing that surprised – and somehow pleased – me was when some prominent names in the Christian community – preachers and musicians – called the officials of Asbury, wanting to “lend their services:” 

They are politely, but firmly, being told: You can come, like anyone else. And if you can find a seat at the back of the auditorium, you’re welcome to worship with us. But we don’t want church as usual. Not the agendas. Not the programs. Not the showboating. The simple worship and meeting will continue to be led by a humble group of students, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Basically, the response has been: Don’t try to hi-jack this sovereign move of God, and make it about you.

This is about people meeting God…nothing more and nothing less.  In another comment I have seen, it was said that true revival doesn’t start with ecstasy – it starts with tears.  The beginning of this revival started with repentance.

And now I see that this revival has spread to Texas A&M.

Credit FaceBook and End Times Headlines

..and to Baylor University.  And I also see it starting in high schools!

Credit FaceBook

But one aMAZing aspect of this – there is country-wide revival in Uganda!  Thousands are being saved daily.  

“Wow! There is a NATIONWIDE REVIVAL that has broke out in UGANDA.”

“From the four corners of this nation, God is setting the place on fire with His presence. It’s hard to describe what we are witnessing here. Close to 1,000 souls saved this week. Each trip in, it builds. Uganda4Jesus crusades may be in August. However, now is the hour for Uganda.”

#U4J.-via James Cowen

You know, this country (USA) and indeed this whole world has begun to think and feel like God is just shoved aside.  And that hurts my heart.  We have NEEDED a revival for so very long – it is happening in spite of what our national and world leaders are trying to convince us where we are heading.  And Thank God for that!  

I have, for many years, felt there is a remnant of God’s people in this country that God will honor.  But we are being told that the majority of U.S. citizens are profoundly anti-God.  And I just don’t believe it – don’t want to believe it.

And what pleases me most, I think, about this revival that started in Asbury, is that it is the young people – the students – who have awakened to the Holy Spirit and His leading.  It’s not just us older folks who feel God’s presence – it’s the young ones!  So many people who have been interviewed at Asbury and other places, say that the “manifest Presence” of God simply permeates the meetings.  Praise God for that!

May God’s manifest Presence continue to fill our hearts and our land and bring this country to its knees in prayer to Him.

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , , , , ,

2022 Road Trip Part 16B

22 Feb

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 16 Continued (5/31/2022)

After the visit to the Criswoldville Battlefield I drove into downtown Macon to visit the Allman Brothers Band Museum located in the Midtown area of Macon.  This museum is housed in the 1900 Grand Tudor style home (known as the ‘Big House’) where Duane Allman and his brother Gregg started a popular American musical revolution (Southern Rock) during the 1960s and 1970s there in Macon.  The museum displays artifacts and memorabilia from the Allman Brothers Band and other groups during their popularity.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Before leaving Macon, I drove a few miles north of the city, to check out the old Fort Hawkins.  The fort was built by the U.S. Army in 1806, in what was then part of the western frontier.  Overlooking the Ocmulgee River, the fort was used by the army as a military command headquarters for the southwestern frontier, and as an Indian training post, to help further Native-American and European-American interaction.  The fort was named for Benjamin Hawkins (1754-1816), who was serving as General Superintendent of Indian Affairs at the time. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was another 20 miles south on US-129 to where I visited the Elberta Train Depot located in Warner-Robins, GA.  This small depot was built in 1816 and served the residents of Houston County as a whistle-stop for many years.  Moved to this location in 2003, the depot now serves as a museum displaying antique railroad artifacts related to the history of the railroad’s influence in the Warner-Robins area dating from the late 1800s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was only a couple of miles south on US-129 from the Elberta Depot, to where I visited the Museum of Aviation located adjacent to the Warner-Robins Airforce Base.  I was pleased to find this military museum off the base and accessible to the public.  This large museum has a really great collection of some 80 static displayed military aircraft, from the single engine Forward Air Control (Bird Dog) to the giant C-141 ‘Starlifter’ multi-engine cargo plane.  The ‘Military Airlift Command’ is represented by 15 of their larger aircraft displayed around the outside of the main museum building.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

As I was passing the Boone Bradford Plaza there in Warner-Robins I happened to see the Splinters Axe House and stopped to see if they were open.  They were open, and since I had missed seeing the one in Lexington, SC this morning I went in to check it out.  I told the young man who was in charge of the house that I didn’t want to throw an axe because of my bad shoulders, but just wanted to see how it worked.  He gave me a short demonstration of one and two handed over-head, and under-handed throwing.  I was really impressed with his skill with the axe.  He made it look so easy.  However, it really is too much for me and my shoulders.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was getting late, and I was getting hungry, so I thanked the young man for the demonstration and gave Greta (My Garmin) the address of the motel in Bryon, GA which was only about 15 miles west of Warner-Robins.  It wasn’t far, and before I knew it, I arrived at the motel.  I got checked in, got my things into my room, and warmed up my leftover fried pork chops meal from ‘The Lizard Thicket’ and enjoyed that delicious ‘Soul Food’ (minus the iced tea & cornbread muffin) again.  Yummm!

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

With a full tummy, I recorded my day’s activities and tried to find some TV to watch.  I couldn’t find anything that interested me, so just went to bed in hopes of getting a good night’s rest.

—– To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , , , , ,

Glory Song

20 Feb

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 118:14+

Lord, you are my true strength and my glory song, my champion, my Savior!

The joyful songs I now sing will be sung again in the hearts and homes of all those who love you. 

My loud shouts of victory will echo throughout the land 

For Yaahweh’s right hand conquers valiantly!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

 

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , ,

Church is Hard

19 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

As I have mentioned in previous musings, I am on facebook quite a bit.  I enjoy the jokes and funny stories, and try to stay away from political stuff.  Not always successful with that, but I do try.

In any case, a friend posted something recently titled “Church is Hard.”   I really liked the piece, and asked her if I could use it in my blog post, and who was the author.  Apparently the author is unknown, so I just present it here for your contemplation.

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the

 lyrics.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.

However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.

But, here is the beauty of church—

Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.

Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.

So even on the hard days at church—

I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.

Church is a body, a family, a place to love God and love others through our struggles!

I love MY church!!

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Three Ways to Prepare for the End Times

18 Feb

Walking by Faith,Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Many ask what to do as we reach the end times.

I was so very curious when I visited my hometown of La Paz a few years back. In particular I wanted to visit the home I was born in where I lived part of my childhood before moving to the U.S.

My desire was satisfied when a cousin and I visited the house. It was in the same place. And it was the same house. But oh, so different. The three-tier garden was leveled and, in its place, sat a two-story building with condos. The garage was turned into a small apartment. I hardly recognized it because of the drastic changes.

The same thing has happened to our country, the USA, the greatest country on earth. It too looks way different. Same country, same location. But goodness gracious, the changes in the moral landscape are alarming. Check out just some of the social changes we’ve seen in the 54 years since Woodstock.

But we shouldn’t be surprised. In the book of Timothy, God lists the terrible times which sadly, mirrors today’s culture: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

It’s hard to deny this depravity at its best. And although we’re in the middle of that mess, we should be at the beginning of wisdom to know how to face it, how to react, and how to prepare.

These three steps could be the start of that preparation: Fear not. Clean up. And be bold.

1: Fear Not. Instead, stand firm, confident on the truth of God’s Word that remains solid no matter the terrible times. God has the victory in place. And He has the reassurance we will remain victorious (Romans 8:37).

When the enemy of our soul advances in this world, he’s powerless. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Through Christ, the divine power that’s at work to demolish, destroy and to dismantle any stronghold is ours. We carry that power and strength. That’s why we don’t sink in fear but rise up in faith.

2: Clean up. It’s true our sins have already been washed, cleaned and forgiven through the blood of Christ Jesus. Of course, they have. But sadly, if today you choose to sit at the table of sin, consequences are disturbing. They disrupt your peace, break you down, and usher in sorrow.

The woman caught in adultery knows this firsthand. With hair a mess, red eyes swollen from crying, and arms limp at her side, she waited. “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin’” (John 8:10-11).

Although forgiven, Jesus didn’t ignore the sin or condone it. He acknowledged it, giving a clear instruction to leave her life of sin. Why did He give that instruction? Because He knew she, as well as you and I, had free will to make choices.

A prisoner is quoted saying: I followed Jesus and believe He died for all my sins. But I made the choice to commit the crime and these cell bars remind me of my choices. I

God wants us to live in the freedom of good, Godly choices. As we prepare, as we wait and anticipate His return, He’s offering the same freedom to leave behind that sin-filled choice which traps us, brings on sorrow and puts us behind bars of regret.

Jesus’ return is imminent, and whom we allow to control our mind is an urgent decision because “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…” (Romans 8:6).

3: Be Bold. The world is sinking. Disasters are increasing, souls are in darkness, and the discouraged are turning to despair. Therefore, being passive is now a thing of the past. Boldness and courage need to be renewed to carry out God’s orders to spread the good news. No need to write books or speak from a platform. Your message is loud enough through the way you conduct your life. How you follow God’s orders. And how you carry God’s Word to dictate what you think, what you do, how you work, how you love and where you go.

God’s pattern is clear: Feeling anxious? Invite God’s peace. Facing troubles? Cast them to the Lord. Seeing financial collapse? Fix your eyes on things above. Others insult and criticize you? Pray for them anyway. Going through trials? Commit to persevere. Government is corrupt? Declare God’s still on the throne. Immorality is growing? Praise God for His mercy. Personal conflicts don’t end? Turn them over to God. Despair threatens? Declare the victory you have in Jesus.

Jesus will return while we’re in the middle of reading blogs, posting on social media, shopping online, heading to the doctor, changing diapers…but we’re prepared, we fear nothing, we make wise choices, and we become bold in sharing the Gospel.

Let’s pray.

Lord, the end times, the tribulation, the persecution and the signs of which we need to be aware are becoming more real. But I will not fear, succumb to the world’s ways, or give in to worry. Instead, I will declare your victory through my thoughts, words, and actions till the day You return. Amen.

Which of these three steps have you taken to prepare for the end times?

Janet

It’s my joy to have you as part of my inspirational family. Please feel free to share today’s post with others.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. Hop on over to this CONTACT FORM.  Once there you can leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE.  You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Tags: , , , ,

Well Hello

17 Feb

On the Porch

Onisha Eills

I haven’t written a blog since January 6. Shortly after writing the post, we began preparing for our return to Florida. We had planned to depart around January 10th, but life happened, bad weather was predicted and then our refrigerator died.

We emptied the refrigerator, moving what we could into an extra one in the garage. Thank goodness for it. We were finally able to leave on Saturday, January 14th. This was cutting it close as my husband had an important doctor appointment on the 16th that would require an out of town trip. He would need a rest day after our 11 hour drive to Florida.

The day after husband’s doctor appointment, I got a much needed hair cut and color. The day after that, I became ill. I decided I had flu. Four days later my husband became ill and since his body is compromised, he had a tough time. He did a home Covid test and it was negative. It has taken us what seems like forever to get our energy back, but we are getting there. It’s crazy that it is taking so long.

I am looking forward to the rest of our time in Florida. We have been making plans to drive out to the beach this week. The beach was closed for several months after last year’s hurricane and we want to see how or if it changed.We haven’t made it yet, but hopefully we will soon.

There hasn’t been much picture taking going on. I do have this one of our daughter’s dog, Ollie snoozing while she watches television. That’s about the sum of our excitement but better days are coming, and hopefully more blog posts.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2023 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , ,

2022 Road Trip-Part 16 A

15 Feb

#Road

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 16 (5/31/2022)

This morning after breakfast, I headed southwest out of Columbia 15 miles on US-1 to visit the Craft Axe Throwing Company located in Lexington, SC.  I have heard about axe throwing, and I’ve read about it. My son tells me he has done it, but I have never been in one of these places to see what it’s all about.  When I got there, this place didn’t open until later in the day, so I just continued another 60 miles southwest on I-20 to visit my first museum of the day.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

This took me across the border, not to a museum, but to Broad Street in downtown Augusta, GA where I stopped to take a photo of the Confederate Monument.  This impressive 76-foot-tall monument, also known as the Richmond County Confederate Monument, was erected in 1878, and is dedicated to all those Georgia Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Just a few blocks from the Confederate Monument, there in Augusta, I saw a mural on the side of a building that honors the musician, James Brown, and his contribution to the music world as the ‘Godfather of Soul’ music.  It appears that the mural by artist, Cole Phail, was the winner of a Greater Augusta Arts Council contest in 2020, and named his mural ‘The Spirit of Funk.‘

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed 35 southwest on US-1 looking for the ‘Old Quaker Road’ historical marker located in Wrens, GA.  I couldn’t find the marker, but the internet tells me this marker designates where that important road ran thru this area in around 1769.  As it turns out, this area is also where the ‘Famous Indian Trail’ connected Augusta with many of the Cherokee, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws Indian tribes in the mid to late 1700s.

Photo Credit: www.bing.com/old+quarker+road+historical+marker+wrens+ga

It was another 30 miles southwest on SR-88 to where I visited the Old Jail Museum located in Sandersville, GA.  This museum is housed in the old 1891 Victorian era sheriffs’ home and jail, and really doesn’t look like the ‘Old Jail’ I was expecting on the outside.  I was sure it had been given a major facelift at some point, but no, that is the way it was built.  Looks like the sheriff lived in style.  The museum is filled with historic jail artifacts as well as historic local county, and state memorabilia dating from the mid-1800s.  The old jail has a gallows yard at the back of the house. That’s not a pretty sight.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was just a few blocks from the Old Jail where I planned to visit the Sandersville Railroad Museum.  However, what I found was the privately owned Sandersville Railroad, which is a relatively short section of track used for freight between Deepstep and Tennile.  The Sandersville Railroad was formed in 1893 with only 3-miles of track.  The railroad continued to grow, over the years, until now it provides rail transport services to a variety of companies on its 37-mile rail system, which also has links with the Norfolk-Southern Railroad.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed west 30 miles on SR-24 to visit the Museum on Main located in Scottsboro, GA but it was closed.  So, I continued west another 35 miles on SR-57 to visit the Griswoldville Historic Battlefield located just outside Macon, GA.  This historic site is dedicated to the memory of the northern and southern soldiers who fought at the Battle of Griswoldville, when General Sherman made his famous ‘March to the Sea’ from Atlanta to Savanah in November of 1864.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Overcoming Loneliness on Valentine’s Day

14 Feb His Way

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged 2/14/23

Better than candy or roses, inspiration for the heart can be sweeter.

Janet

It’s my joy to have you as part of my inspirational family. Please feel free to share today’s post with others.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. Hop on over to this CONTACT FORM.  Once there you can leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE.  You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Tags: , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →