Tag Archives: Christian bloggers

2023 Road Trip-Part 17

10 Jan

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 17 – July 31:  

After breakfast this morning, I packed up my things and headed southeast for 35 miles on US-431 to Gadsden, AL where I turned east on US-278 for another 45 miles, across the border into Georgia, to visit the Cocoa Cola Museum located in Cedartown, GA but they were closed.  So, now I headed east 30 miles on SR-113 and tried to visit the Savoy Automobile Museum located in Cartersville, GA but they seemed to also be closed.  As I was driving around the building looking for the entrance, this guy, John, came out and told me they were closed.  When I told him I was on a road trip from Florida he said, “Well, I guess I could show you around some.”

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

This is a really great museum!   With 75+ beautifully restored unique cars and trucks of all types and models (many on a rotation basis), in five galleries, this museum tells the story of the varied aspects of the automobile’s evolution from its inception (the 1901 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout is said to be the first mass produced car in the US-Wikipedia) to the present.  John was very kind to act as my personal tour guide as the other workers were in the process of rearranging the museum’s five galleries for the next event.  I thanked him for allowing me to see the museum’s collection and was on my way to the next museum on my list for today.

                                    1901 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout  

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

From the Savoy Museum, I headed southeast 25 miles on I-75 to visit the Marietta Fire Museum located in Marietta, GA.  This museum is housed in the original 1886 Fire Station #1 building and displays many antique fire engines, pieces of firefighting equipment, and firefighting artifacts, used by the Marietta Fire Department from as early as 1854.  The museum’s centerpiece is their 1879 horse-drawn ‘Silsby Steamer’ steam-powered pumper.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

While I was in Marietta, I wanted to visit the Aviation History & Technology Center, but they were closed.  Not to be discouraged, I tried to visit the Lockheed-Martin Aviation Museum but discovered it was within the company gated complex not open to the public.  So, now I headed the short 15 miles northeast on SR-120 (not so short in traffic) to visit the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Ga just north of downtown Atlanta.  This museum is said to have the largest collection of rolling stock in Georgia, with 21 locomotives, including the ‘General II’ 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive, and 31 pullman, freight, and caboose cars dating from 1911 in their inventory.  Rides in their restored Pullman car train are offered daily and during Special Events.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Several months ago, our son, Billy, had mentioned how someday he would like to join me on one of my road trips.  I really didn’t think he would like the fast-paced type road trip I typically planned.  So, this time I recommended that he meet me in Atlanta, where his daughter (our Granddaughter) lived, and ride with me the last three days of this trip.  He thought that was a great idea, so he and his wife, Lisa, drove to Atlanta a few days before I was planned to arrive, to visit with their daughter, Lacey.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

After my visit to the Southeastern Railway Museum, there in Duluth, I called Billy, and we linked up at the El Rinconcito Mexican Restaurant for dinner.  I had the Chili Relleno, Beef Enchilada and Beef Taco plate with yellow rice and refried beans that was delicious.  We had a great visit at the restaurant, and then went to Lacey’s apartment for some more reminiscing about family, jobs, and my road trip experiences.  Lacey introduced me to her new dog, Russet, and then showed us her ‘garden plot’.  After we were all talked out, I said my good-nights and headed for my motel a short distance away in Norcross for the night.  Greta (My Garmin) found the motel without any problem, and after I got my things into my room, I recorded my day’s activities and tried to watch some TV.  Nothing interested me, so I just went to bed with a full tummy.

Photo Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;chili+relleno+enchilada+taco+plate

—–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

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The Wicked Slink Away

8 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 112:7-8;10

They will not live in fear or dread of what may come,

or their hearts are firm, every foe until they all go in defeat.

Never stingy and always generous to those in need,

Their lives of influence and honor will never be forgotten,

For they were full of good deeds,

But the wicked take one look at a life lived like this 

And they grit their teeth in anger, not understanding their bliss.

The wicked slink away speechless in the darkness that falls,

Where hope dies and all their dreams fade away to nothing,

Nothing at all!

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.”

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Christmas is Coming-Part 6

7 Jan

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Even though Christmas has come and gone – as has the New Year celebration – I would like to continue describing my Christmas decorations – around the house, the neighborhood and our church building.

Therefore:

Here is the kitchen counter, and the decorations I have there.  I have taken to attaching the Christmas cards we receive to the top counter.  We receive about 100 cards, and it’s difficult to find other places to put them.  I usually have a candle in either this snowflake holder or a swirl – either a red or green candle.  As for the “gingerbread” man – It was full of some kind of candy when given to us years ago, but now I have it full of red-hearts (hot cinnamon candies).  I think it makes a cute decoration.  

As for the white candle, it was made by a very good friend, and given to us one Christmas as a present.  Since our grandchildren (now adults) used to come to visit us at Christmas time, that white candle, wrapped in greenery, was always out.  And so our granddaughter came to associate Christmas at Granny and Grandpa’s house with that candle.

One year, I decided to just place the greenery around what I usually have in that spot.  When our granddaughter came in and saw that, she exclaimed:  “that’s just not right!  Where’s the white candle???”  So I put away the other item and got out the white candle.  And it’s been on the counter every Christmas since.

I guess the main item in the family room is the entertainment center.  Here’s a picture of the top of it, which is the only part of it decorated.

As you can see, I have used the gold tinsel garland to top it off.  The two trumpeting angels I purchased  a few years ago, and delight in them each year.  The center multi-colored pyramid I purchased while we were in Germany.  Many of the glass balls have broken through the years, and I have purchased others to take their place.  

On either side of the entertainment center are our two stereo speakers.  We purchased some candle holders while in Germany, which I treasure.  We put them out – with candles – every year.

Next to the entertainment center, is a bakers rack that I call a “birdcage” – don’t know why I call it that, just seems like one to me.  

In previous years, I wrapped greenery around it, but like this “candy cane” look much better.  The top shelf supports a Disney count-down “calendar” that we purchased from the Christmas store at Disney Springs a few years ago.  I try to change it out each morning.  The second shelf supports a figurine from the same place – just because I liked it.  the two Disney plates I purchased from a lady here in Hunter’s Creek who was selling them.  One is from 1997 and one from 1998.

Going down the hallway is this little gem.

Some years ago, when our daughter Janet was working for Disney, she gave us this set of Disney characters.  I always wanted some way to display them.  A man in our church is a master of wood working, and he made this shadow-box for me.  The figurine on top is of Mickey perched on top of his “house” as it was in Magic Kingdom years before, and was given to us by a good friend who worked with Disney.  Just a short garland on this one.

This little decoration tickles my fancy when I put it up.  I saw it in a magazine many years ago, and purchased it.  “Up On The Rooftop” comes out every Christmas, and I get a kick out of seeing it every year.

Next time I will post the decorations around our neighborhood.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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.

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5 Ways You Can Have a Victorious New Year

6 Jan

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged 1/06/2024

A few days ago, I opened an email that read: FRAUD ALERT: There’s suspected fraudulent activity in your bank account.

Another spam, right? No. the email was real. The details included the correct amount and check number. Once I verified the amount deducted and realized there was no fraud, I breathed a sigh of relief that all was well.

But not so when a large amount of joy has been deducted from your life.

Then, you are indeed a victim of fraud. Satan is a liar and is at work. He’s a master in decreasing our confidence, withdrawing our peace, and putting us in the red of fear. And be aware, His lies increase with each year that passes by.

While the world begins another year with more tension, he points out the sorry situation you’re in or the lack of joy because of the adversity that continues into the new year.

He’s quick to point out the financial hardship and repeats you’ll not make it this new year either.

He reminds you of past setbacks, the failures, the regrets and the unexpected heartache.

He speaks of the gloom and doom in the world and the darkness of your own world.

But what Satan doesn’t count on is your bold declaration of God’s power at work in you. His truth that silences his lies, and His faithfulness to lift you above any setback.

5 Truths for You

In the stillness of night, should spiritual fraudulent activity destroy your peace or invade your security, tuck these declarations of God’s truth under the pillow of your heart.ds

  1. No attack can reach you because “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord“ (Isaiah 54:17).
  2. Fear may draw near, and the evil may whisper more lies, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
  3. When the enemy of your soul speaks of your vulnerability and worry, remember “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
  4. If adversity makes you weak and feeling unprotected, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
  5. When feeling alone and anxious, God’s Word reassures you, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God’s wisdom at work in us recognizes the lies. His truth dismantles them. His faithfulness exposes them. That’s why victory comes in the New Year riding in the power of God’s truth.

Let’s Pray

Father, no matter what fraudulent activity surrounds me, I shall carry your Word in my heart to guard me and my family.  I will stand strong and secure as I count on Your protection all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name.

How will you protect yourself against spiritual fraud?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award.

Your copy waits for you HERE.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.

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

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2023 Road Trip-Part 16

3 Jan

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 16 – July 30: 

 This morning, after breakfast, I headed east about 30 minutes on US-72 to visit the Apron Museum located on Main Street in downtown Iuka, MS.  The only thing moving this early on a Sunday morning were the big 18-wheel trucks rumbling thru town on their way somewhere.  Of course, the small street-front museum was closed, but the beautiful First Baptist Church of Iuka across the street was very busy!  A few blocks from the Apron Museum, I tried to visit the Old Courthouse Museum, but it was also closed.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It didn’t look like I was going to have much luck finding museums open today.  That was okay, since my plan was to visit friends later today, and wanted to spend as much time as possible with them.  So, now I continued east on US-72 for another 30 minutes, across the border into Alabama, to visit the Rattlesnake Saloon Restaurant where I was hoping to have lunch.  I had visited this ‘unique’ restaurant on another Road Trip, and wanted to enjoy that unusual dining experience again.  However, they wouldn’t open for another hour, so I just took a photo and headed for my next museum.

 Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was another 15 miles from the Rattlesnake Saloon to where I wanted to visit the Helen Keller Birthplace, located in Tuscumbia, AL but here again they were closed.  Well, I’m batting 1000 today finding anyplace to visit!  Next, while I was in Tuscumbia, I tried to visit the Tuscumbia Railroad Depot Museum, but guess what?  You guessed it.  They were closed.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now it was only about 10 miles east on US-72 and then north on US-43, across the Tennessee River, where I wanted to visit the William C. Handy Museum located in Florence, AL but they were closed.  This is really becoming a habit today.  While in Florence, next I tried the Indian Mound Museum, but it was also closed.  This was too much.  I’ve never had a 100% museum failure day on any of my Road Trips before.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I chucked the ‘Museum’ idea for today and got back on US-72 heading east and then north on SR-99 for about 45 minutes to visit my friends Terry and Mary, who live out in the boonies near Lester, AL.  I had worked with Terry on the Apollo Manned Lunar Landing program, and our families had been church members at the same church back in the 1960s.  Our children were friends and had grown up together, so I try to visit them every chance I get.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

We had a great visit, talking about our families (children), their families (grandchildren), friends, and my road trip adventures.  Then we headed to Monrovia for a delicious meal at one of Terry’s favorite BBQ restaurants, Jim ‘N Nike’s BBQ Restaurant.  I had their Baby Back Rib Plate with baked beans and cold slaw.  Yummm!  For dessert, I had a slice of their ‘To-Die-For’ cornbread with butter and honey.  My tummy was about to bust by the time I finished all of that, and I still had enough left over, in a dogy-bag, for another meal tomorrow.

Photo Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;baby+back+rib+plate

Back at the house, we reminisced about ‘The Good Old Days’ until we couldn’t think of anything else to talk about.  I said my goodbye, and headed to the motel, a good hour southeast, in Guntersville, Al for the night.  By the time I got to the motel, put my things in the room, and recorded my ‘LACK OF’ museum visitations today, I was ready to relax and watch some TV.  But as usual, there wasn’t anything to hold my attention, so I just went to bed and enjoyed another good night’s sleep.

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

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How Great and Wonderful is Yahweh

1 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 107:31

So lift your hands and thank God for his miracles of mercy for those he loves!

Let’s exalt him on high and lift our praises in public;

Let all the people and the leaders of the nation know.

How great and wonderful is Yahweh, our God!

Some relaxing music for the new year.

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.”

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Christmas is Coming-Part 5

31 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Well, Christmas is behind us, but the decorations are still up.  Fred likes to leave them up until January 6, or The Three Kings Day.  I don’t mind – it’s only one month each year, and we like the decorations.

Back to our living room/dining room…early on in our marriage, when we were poor, and I didn’t know how to decorate very well (not sure I do even now!), I went for “simple,” and would just lay or drape gold garlands across some of the furniture – like I’ve done here with our teak-wood sideboard:

and other places around the house, as will be shown in other pictures.

There is a “runner” on the sideboard above – we purchased that from a vendor in Rothenberg, Germany, on our Viking River Cruise in 2015.  She had a lovely little shop along the main street, and I liked this one.  We remember that shop and owner every Christmas when we put it out.

The next thing to see is our teak-wood dining room table.  I purchased the runners through the mail when we were living in Heidelberg, Germany in the early 1980’s.  They have held up nicely, and I use them every Christmas.  The pinecone wreath I purchased while we were living in Wiesbaden, and have used it ever since.  I really enjoy it.

This is how the room(s) look from the kitchen doorway:

In the short hallway between the living room/dining room and the kitchen is a short wall, where I hang a Disney Advent Calendar (regular calendar the rest of the year).

On the opposite wall, I hang these Christmas stockings (regularly baskets and greenery).

And now into the kitchen/family room/den area.

There is a short wall between the kitchen and the living room, where I hang this Santa figurine (usually German bells).

Opposite that wall, I have what I call a “green bakers rack.”   As you can see, I’ve added some gold garlands to each of the shelves.  The candle in the middle of the top shelf we purchased in Wiesbaden.  It has a topper that holds a wick that comes off and allows you to place a candle inside that can burn.

The middle shelf holds a figurine of the gate to Heidelberg, Germany.  Our daughter, Karen gave that to us many years ago, and we love it, since we lived in Heidelberg for three years.  There is a small electric bulb inside that I have kept lit all those years – and it has never burned out!

The lowest shelf holds a Lennox cathedral, given to us by my best friend quite a few years ago.  It also has a small electric bulb in it, but I only burn it during the evening hours.  The “angels” I purchased some time ago, and are “Hope” “Faith” and “Love.”

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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.

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2023 Road Trip-Part 15

27 Dec

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites                                                    

Day 15 – July 29: 

 After Breakfast this morning, I packed up my things and headed east out of Little Rock on I-40 for 30 minutes to visit the Lonoke County Museum in Lonoke, AR but they were closed.  So, I continued east on I-40 for another 45 minutes to visit the Central Delta Railroad Museum located in Brinkley, AR.  This museum is housed in the restored 1912 Union Railroad Depot and displays antique railroad artifacts and memorabilia related to the influence of the railroad on the Monroe County area over the years, dating from the early 1800s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

Continuing east on I-40 for another 25 miles, I visited the St. Francis County Museum located in Forest City, AR.  This museum has recently been moved into the Historic 1906 Rush-Gates house and displays artifacts from Dr. J. O. Rush, such as his medical clinic, a Native American room, including many pre-historic items from Dr. Rush’s collection, a parlor room, and a ’Hall of Schools’ room depicting the evolution of the St. Francis County education system over the years.  Other display rooms include a genealogy room and a railroad room.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

Now it was another 45-minute drive east on I-40, across the famous Mississippi River (the border), to visit the Metal Museum located adjacent to De Soto Park in Memphis, TN.  I had visited Memphis on another road trip, but most of the museums I had visited on that trip revolved around Elvis Presley and the Country Music Industry.  I found that the Metal Museum is very unusual and is dedicated to the art of ornamental metal design.  The museum displays a wide range of metal artwork ranging from jewelry to weathervanes, swords, unique BBQ devices, and many others.  The museum offers visitors an opportunity to watch a blacksmith at work forging metal artwork of all types.  His creative ability is simply amazing!

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

It was just a few blocks drive from the Metal Museum to where I visited the Edge Motor Museum located in downtown Memphis.  This museum displays a variety of some 25+ sport and muscle cars dating from a 1913 Ford T Runabout, that tell the story of the American Sport Car from the prospective of their historical and cultural significance.  

The cars come from different sources, and the selection is rotated from time to time as other cars become available for display.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

Over a couple of streets from the Edge Motor Museum I visited the Fire Museum of Memphis.  This museum is situated in the restored 1910 Fire House #1 and displays fire engines, firefighting equipment, and memorabilia dating from the late 1800s.  A unique ‘Fire Simulation Room’ demonstrates how residential fires can start and how the local fire departments fight and control those fires.  Interactive firefighting stations are available for the education of persons of all ages.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

My plan was to visit the PT Boats Museum located in Germantown on my way out of Memphis, but they were closed.  Bummer!  I had been looking forward to that museum as I love the WWII version of ‘David vs. Goliath’ with the small plywood PT Boat up against the giant Japanese Battleship.  Oh well, maybe next time I’m in the area.  So, now it was southeast on US-72 another 10 miles to visit the Morton Museum of Collierville History located in Collierville, TN.  This small museum displays antique artifacts and memorabilia related to the Bellevue Female College that operated in Collierville from 1872–1904 and the many lives that this educational institution touched over the years.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

On my way out of Collierville, I stopped to take a photo of the Battle of Collierville historical marker.  The marker describes one of the bloodiest Civil War Battles, for control of Collierville’s Union Supply Base, to take place in Shelby County during that war. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

Continuing east on US-72 for about an hour, I crossed the border into Mississippi and wanted to tour the Cocoa Cola Bottling plant located in Corinth, MS but there were no tours today.   So, not to be discouraged, I drove over to visit the Historic Corinth Depot (also known as the Corinth Crossroads Museum) there in Corinth.  This museum is housed in the third railroad depot to be built on this site (1st -1857, 2nd -1912 & 3rd-1960), and displays antique railroad artifacts and many Civil War memorabilia related to the fight for control of this strategic railroad crossroad during historic that war.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites 

It was almost time to head for the motel for the evening, there in Corinth, so I gave Greta (My Garmin) the address.  But on the way I spotted the local Cracker Barrel and stopped for a plate of their Crusted Fried Pork Chop with green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, and one of their famous biscuits with butter and honey for dessert.  Yummmm!  I can’t eat all that food at one sitting.  That means there was plenty left over for another delicious meal tomorrow evening.

Photo Credit: 

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/pork+chops+greenbean+cass arole+potatos+gravy  

By the time I got to the motel, there in Corinth, I was ready to relax and I recorded today’s activities.  No TV tonight, as I was tired and ready for a good night’s sleep.  So, ZZZZ….. 

—–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

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Merry Christmas

25 Dec

Bill, DiVoran, Janet, Judy, and Onisha

Isaiah 9:6

This child is our King. He is our wonderful counsellor when we are hurting or perplexed, He is truly our mighty God who fights for us and He is our everlasting, loving Father. He is not only the Prince of Peace, he is our peace. We hope that He is yours as well.

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Christmas is Coming-Part 4

24 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

After we had lived in Kissimmee for 3½ years, we decided we wanted to move closer to where we worked.  So we hunted around, and finally found a house in a development called Hunter’s Creek.  It’s a nice area, lots of little sub-divisions.  Ours is Chalfont.  We have enjoyed our house and the Chalfont neighborhood for nearly 25 years now.

In any case, I’ve had more fun with the house decorations in this house than any other where we’ve lived. Let’s start with the outside:

Since this picture was taken, we’ve had to add a tree (Robelinni – palm tree family) to the right side of the flower bed.

That’s about all the outside, so we’ll go inside.  I suppose the first thing to catch the eye is the tree we have up.  It’s artificial (Fred really dislikes cleaning up the pine needles from a live tree), and pre-lit.  No more fussing with tangled lights!  

And next to that would be the piano.

We purchased the Disney plates at Disney one time or another.   I haven’t added to those plates – two is enough.  The two Disney figurines – one I purchased and one is Lennox, given to us by my best friend.  The little “store” is a Norman Rockwall figurine, part of a “village” – but I only wanted the store.  There is a light inside, as well.

Do you see a lot of “snow” among the figurines?  Many years ago, we were at Bill and DiVoran’s house, and DiVoran had decorated, using fiber-fill as snow.  I thought it was a great idea, and copied it for myself.  Thanks, DiVoran.  You are an inspiration.

On an end table next to the piano is this little nativity:  

There is a bit of a story behind these figurines.  My mother came to Germany to visit us one year, but made some side trips on her own.  I’m not totally sure whether she picked this up in Spain or Portugal, but she picked them out, just for us.  I think of her every Christmas when I put them out.

On the other side of the piano, in a corner, is this marble pedestal with this Disney ball hanging on it.  It is a very heavy ornament, and this holder is perfect for display.  It’s one of my favorite Disney Christmas ornaments – vintage Mickey and Minnie.

I did forget to mention that, just inside the front door, is a narrow wall where I like to hang this piece of Christmas artwork.  We purchased it in Virginia – the artist was local.  Nothing special about it, except that we liked it  – and still do.

If you will turn around, you will see a sofa table against the wall.  More “snow” and lots of decorations.  Some Precious Moments, some wood ornaments given to us.  The most recent addition was last year’s Christmas when our daughter and her family gave us the German Christmas wooden pyramid.  I’ve not burned the candles yet, but it makes a lovely decoration.

Since the living room and dining room is just one big room, the decorations go on from there.  I actually copied this decorations on the chandelier from a pastor’s wife many years ago.  I have thoroughly enjoyed doing it each year.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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.

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