"I hope you're happy now..."

OK... they are electric power lines and not telegraph lines. But they are Blue Birds!!!

Cola Wars Prisoner

The Cola Wars will get their first POW today.... The Coca-Cola employee convicted of cooperate espionage was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for a failed scheme to sell the trade secrets to rival Pepsi for at least $1.5 million.

I'm NOT a big fan of Diet Coke! I prefer Diet Dr. Pepper - if it has to be a low/no calorie soft drink. But I have been tempted to try Coke Zero...

The vending machines in the break room are loaded with various 12 oz. cans and 20 oz. bottles just waiting to quench your thirst. From Vault to fruit juice to Gatorade.

Now, it would seem that the Cola Wars are venturing into uncharted territories - Diet Coke Plus:

What's the plus? Vitamins and minerals! Diet Coke Plus includes "25% of the recommended daily allowance of niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 as well as 15% of the RDA for magnesium and zinc in each 12-ounce serving."

Whodathunkit?!? I can now pass on the veggies --

In just variations of "Regular" Coca-Cola - there is:

• Caffeine Free
• Coke Blak (coffee flavor)
• Coke w/Lime
• Coke w/Lemon
• Coke w/Citra
• Raspberry Coke
• C2 (whatever that is)
• Vanilla Coke
• Black Cherry Vanilla Coke

So, what's the next great variant flavor from the Coca-Cola cooperate folks in Atlanta...

Donkey Parable

The little donkey was old, weak and nearly blind. So it was he stumbled into the old, dried up well behind the barn.

The farmer knowing he couldn’t lift the little donkey out the well, he decided to solve two problems at once. He would fill in the dried up well and bury the little donkey at the same time.

He called his neighbors to bring their shovels to help him in his task. With the first shovels of dirt, the donkey brayed and hollered. With each round of dirt sent down, the screams from the donkey grew louder and louder. The farmer hung his head - but kept throwing dirt down the hole. Then the sound of pain and despair ceased. The farmer encouraged his neighbors to continue.

Meanwhile, deep in the well, the little donkey was thinking his end was near. His yelling was no avail. Shovels full of dirt cascade upon him. His reflexes took over. He began to shake to rid his head of the dirt. Then shaking to free his shoulders, and finally his back – he waited for more dirt to fall. He lifted his hoofs, stomped a couple of times and stood on the newly deposited ground. More dirt, more shaking and again stepping up.

As the hole filled, the donkey continued, slowing gaining elevation. As soon as he was able, the donkey stepped over the edge of the well and walked away.

as told by Bro. Bill this morning

Aren't we just like the donkey in the well sometimes? We all have days when we feel as if we are trapped. We can't get out, and there seems to be a never-ending stream of dirt raining down on us. So when you find yourself down and out by some mistake you made, don’t let others bury you with ridicule and harsh words. Rather, shake them off and STEP UP.

Donkey, from Shrek - Dreamworks

Shadow Dancing

The hummingbird numbers are increasing (slightly). I saw 6, maybe 7 this morning...

Because she doesn't know the words....

South Georgia Fires

A thick layer of smoke hung in the air this morning as I opened the front door for Metro. The wind shift over night has once again sent a pungent reminder that the ordeal for the folk around the Okefenokee is far from over. The sun glowed a orange-red for an hour longer than normal this morning.

Lastest update from Waycross:

Number of acres burned: An estimated 22,000.

Size of the fire: One mile wide; 11 miles long.

The fire is about 25 percent contained.

Number of homes destroyed: 14.

Number of firefighters on the scene: 300.

Fire break: Twelve plows side-by-side cutting a 12-mile-long swath between the fire and Waycross.

Number of injuries: Three firefighters, one with a broken leg, one with a broken wrist and one with heat exhaustion.

Overhead flight restriction by Federal Aviation Administration: 8 miles from fire.

Cost: Undetermined.

Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance: 75 percent of eligible costs.

Number of evacuation areas reopened to residents: None.

State highways closed: U.S. 84 and Georgia 122 in Ware County; Georgia 177 between U.S. 1 and Okefenokee Swamp Park.

Other closures: Ware County public schools; Waycross College; Okefenokee Technical College; Okefenokee Swamp Park.

Happy Mother's Day

The Touch-me-Nots planted on the west wall of the house.

The black iron skillet that was used three times a day.

The crocheting needle that twisted countless yards of yarn.

The African Violets that sat on every flat surface

The many children that called you and Dad:
Granny and Pa.

Chewing Gum that tasted like the press powder of the compact in your purse

The hardwood floors that were so shiny that it hurt your eyes. (they were also the prefect “sock skating” surface).

The worn pages of your Bible on the end table next to the couch

I remember these things. I remember you, Mom!

DE-Construction

The ONE WAY PAIR PROJECT is progressing in Vidalia. Making 1st Street (Highway 280) eastbound and South East Main Street westbound is something that was on the drawing boards for many years. It will not only improve traffic flow through Vidalia, but will make the streets smoother and easier to navigate. One of the major obstruction on 1st Street has always been the railroad overpass between Adams and Church streets. Its low clearance made many trucks with high loads slow down and creep under. And sometimes, when the loads were too high, eighteen wheelers would have to back up and go around - really causing traffic jams. No more. The overpass is now gone.

Above photo taking Friday, April 27

But the next Monday morning, the railroad overpass was no more.

Defination - Traffic: too many cars, not enough asphalt

What's this wet stuff falling from the sky?

The last time we had any rain was April 15.

Lord, Thank you for the rain!!!

Don't Count Your Ducklings Before They Hatch

She had gone pass her due date. We first saw her on the nest the last weekend of March. And we had no idea when she started sitting. But she was at least a week beyond the normal 28 days of incubation.

Sarah removed one of the eggs, with great protest from Mama Duck this morning. It was too light for its size. A whack on the ground revealed the nearly dehydrated contents. An infertile egg. On our return from our afternoon bird watching at the Beaver Pond, we found her off the nest for the first time in over a month. A quick evaulation of the size/weight ratio for the other half dozen eggs revealed the same disappointing results.

No ducklings from this one...

Bird Watching Fun

Click on the one of the birds below to get started. And then, put your mouse cursor over each of the birds to keep them flying and off of the power lines...

Fishing Update!!!

We went fishing again tonight!



3 more catfish - this time, two of them were filleting size!

Fishing in the Dark

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had it right. -

The catfish down at the pond have been very elusive for a couple of years. In the past, all you had to do to catch a mess would be to toss out a line and reel it back in, with a two to five pounder wiggling on the hook. They have either gotten wiser or thinned out over the last few years, and now they are much harder to catch.

Saturday evening I was listening to Prairie Home Companion, since this week it was being broadcasted from Columbus, GA. (Wished I had the transcript of the trio of poets that were musing of all things Southern!) With about ten minutes (7:47) left in the show, Sarah had gone ahead on her evening walk and stopped at the feeding ring in the pond. I stuck my head out the door --- "Bring my spinning reel. CATFISH!!!" They were swimming around in circles waiting for an evening meal.

Sunlight was fading as I unearthed a few Red Wigglers and grabbed rods & reels. A nearly full moon was already above the pine trees. We played with the brim for a few moments and then threw to the bottom of the deeper water.

FISH ON!

For the next 30 or so minutes we took turns bringing another catfish to the banks. And then as suddenly as they started biting, they stopped.

Cleaned and dressed, seven 'just the right eating size' catfish are waiting to be joined with coleslaw and hushpuppies.

Spring is almost over and the summer's come
And the days are gettin' long
Waited all winter for the time to be right, just to take you along
Baby get ready.....

And it don't matter if we sit forever and the fish don't bite
Jump in the river and cool ourselves from the heat of the night
Baby get ready.....ooooooooooo.

-from Fishing in the Dark lyrics

Ugly Mail

I got an ugly envelope from the mail box this afternoon.

• Not a bill


• Not a notice of audit from the IRS


• Not another credit card offer

No, this was from a company offering me a membership if I choose to pay their 'dues'. The letter inside says that their records indicates that I am now fully eligible. And I would get some great benefits:

• Their Magazine, special bulletins and guides


• Discount on hotel/motel stays


• Their lobbyist are in Washington D.C. and all state capitols looking after my interest


• Special financial resources


• Health care benefits


• Educational programs


• Shopping discounts

Wait a minute, how do THEY know about ME?

And why are they so ashamed of their full name that they only use initials???

Down Graded Airshow (and Cookout)

Last year - it was Steaks and Blue Angels

This year - Hot Dogs and Hambugers and NO Blue Angels

But it was still good and fun!

Runny Babbit

Sarah was cutting grass Thursday afternoon... I get a call on my cell phone, "Uh, what do you feed a baby rabbit?"

He (it was a boy) ran out of the pine straw around the trio Crape Myrtles. He scurried about five feet and stop. Sarah got the catfish net from the storage building. But she didn't really need it, he was still sitting in the same spot. Max(imum Speed) was put in the small cage that contained Mason and Morgan, when they came to live with us.




We took several photos and placed him on the ground beside the crape myrtles. He ran over to the old plough that we hope will some day be covered with a Trumpet Vine.


From here, he realized that his freedom was regained. "He ran real fast" toward the cedar trees. Yesterday, Mama Rabbit was seen hopping around nearby.

Look at us, we're walking

I have mentioned the song in the Remember When Post and the blog about Metro's first steps after his accident . And I got to thinking... Do I remember all the lyrics? A Google search confirmed my fears --- I got most of them.

Look at us, we're walking,
Look at us, we're talking,
We who never walked or talked before.

Look at us, we're laughing,
We're happy and we're laughing,
Thank you from our hearts forevermore.

But there are so many other children
Who only speak with a silent prayer
For those of us who haven't been so lucky
We hope and pray you will always care.

And someday they'll be walking
Someday they'll be talking.
Imagine walking to the candy store!

But the fight has just begun
Get behind us everyone
The hope will make our dreams come true-
Thanks to you, thanks to you.

< s h u t t e r >

Moooooo and Baaaaaaaa BnB

After picking the strawberries, it was a short ride to the next destination.

White House Farm Bed and Breakfast

The lawn was perfectly manicured. The large pecan trees were dressed with new leaves and shaded the yard with fragmented shadows. We were invited inside by the owners (Anna and Christian Yoders) and received a tour of the three rooms available that welcome guest with the names – Magnolia Room, Rose Room and Spring Banquet Room.

But it was the things outside that sparked our interest. Pheasants (Rainbow, Golden and Silver) Bantam and regular size chickens and Great Pyrenees mom and dad and their 5 week old pups. Sheep, peafowl and cat and kittens. Including a set of quads that were just opening their eyes for the first time.




Anna saw that we also had a love for animals and made sure we enjoy our time on their farm. “Would you like to hand feed the sheep?”


4 o’clock, whether it is AM or PM is a busy time on the farm. The 120 to 130 Holsteins will gather outside the milking parlor. Inverted showers give the ladies their twice a day rinsing. Twelve at a time they walk up the ramp to the line of four legged steel and rubber spiders. Fifteen minutes later, 30 pounds of milk per cow is delivered to the 1000 gallon stainless steel tank. (That’s about 7 gallons per cow daily).




One of the ladies is a recent transfer from Pennsylvania. She was apparently spoiled as a calf and still craves human interaction. We were invited to give her a hug!!!

Strawberry Fields Forever...

Nope, not the Lennon/McCartney collaboration...

Rather, one of the sweetest, ready to eat fruits around. I remember picking strawberries as a youngin'. Let's see - one in pail, one in mouth, two in pail, three in mouth.


Blackberries were done the same way, except you had to worry about the chiggers crawling on your legs.

After lunch on Tuesday, we drove over to Kauffman Farm Market.

Fields of plastic covered rows with straw covering have become the accepted practice of planting for many crops. And for sure it was in use here. But another method was also employed... A unique planting technique eliminated the stooping over to pick the berries from ankle height. Pyramids of 4 pots were stacked, largest of about 10 inches at the bottom to 4 inches on top. With the irrigation pipes acting as the trunks, it made for rows of strawberry trees. The results were an easier harvest and virtually grass/weed free crop. The ruby jewels glistened against the towered emerald backdrop. Each one with the promise of juicy goodness.

A pair of puppies slept and played in the greenhouse.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream! How and the world did we have room for a cup so shortly after the lunch we had enjoyed. But we did!

Can you guess what this is???

You may have passed many as you drove through the country side. But most likely you've never seen one from the inside... I hadn't. My engineering mind went crazy with possibilities!

From the Halls of Montezuma...

The journey began at 9:30 this morning. 19 folks loaded into the church bus. We traveled the sixty seven miles that took a little under two hours (with the 'necessary' stops). But we travel back in time... to a simpler time and life.

Montezuma, Georgia was our destination. Just outside Montezuma is a large community of Beachy Amish Mennonites. The roots of these Mennonites go back to the Old Order Amish of Somerset County, Pennsylvania and they share many of the same beliefs. They wear plain clothes and the women wear head coverings. Unlike the Amish, they have church buildings, drive automobiles and use electricity. But they do not watch television or participate in other forms of modern entertainment..

We were a few minutes early for the 11:30 opening time for the Yoder's Deitsch Haus Restaurant and Bakery. So we made the loop around the area viewing the various farms in the community and the options for the afternoon of sights and shopping. More on those later.

The food is served cafeteria style. But the selections are nothing like the ones 'the Lunch Lady' of your school days flopped on your tray.

First of all, right after the salad bar, was the deserts. "Life's short... Eat Desert First!" Pecan Pie, Buttermilk Chess Pie, Coconut Pie, Lemon Custard, Strawberry Pie, Chocolate Pie. Mmmmmm, PIE!!!

Meatloaf, Shredded Roast Beef, Skillet Fried Chicken, Pineapple Glazed Ham, Fish Fillets, Meat Balls in a yummy looking sauce.

Rice and Gravy, perfect Mash Taters, Mac and Cheese, Turnip Greens, Creamed Corn, Fried Apples, Fried Okra, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole, Yeast Rolls and Corn Muffins.

The food was excellent, the atmosphere was just right for a relaxing meal, the waitstaff was courteous and attentive.

The sign out front


Our Waitress

After the meal, we visited the gift shop and investaged the 'Tea Rooms' and Gazebos.

The old tractors brought back some great memories... I remember driving a Model A John Deere on my uncles' farm so many years ago --- that one seemed much larger or was I much smaller?!?