Sometimes I have some really off base ideas. It occurred to me that there should be some way I could use the poly/blend tote bags which are found in almost every retail store in my town. They are cheap, sometimes only fifty cents, but usually are one dollar. I thought it might work to use them as planters. I had accumulated enough to experiment with them. So, I filled the first one with good potting soil and planted some year old seeds in it. I used white scallop squash seeds, often they are called "patty pan squash". I even put a date on a card with indelible pen and took a picture of this first odd planter. I was so pleased when all of the seeds came up. I had put in many more than I wanted as I did not trust them to be viable.
Encouraged that they came up so well, I forged ahead and prepared more bags. My neighbor volunteered one huge bag along with five different kinds of pumpkin seeds that she had saved from pumpkins the year before. They all came up and looked so healthy that I faithfully watered them and watched them travel out of the bag and onto the hillside. One of them now has a green pumpkin growing on the vine. It is small, about the size of a golf ball.
After a month had passed and I watered and watched, I noticed something disturbing. Two of the bags were disintegrating. I had a tiny white squash on the patty pan plant, but in time it began to shrivel. One of the pumpkin bags was disintegrating rapidly. It was literally crumbling. I began to pull on the bag and saw that the water was not getting down into the bag. We are in a drought and no doubt I had not kept up with the watering as well as I needed to. I had a decision to make.
The patty pan was not going to make it and the soil was still usable so I put the whole thing in my rubber garden tub and took it over to the healthy pumpkins which were traveling down the hill. I tore away the shreds of the bag and dumped the good soil all around it and gave it a good drenching. Hopefully it will be revived and still make at least one pumpkin. The other pumpkin bag was partly in the shade and seemed to fare better, at least enough to have a little green pumpkin on it.
I will still water these pumpkins for the rest of the summer, but my experiment did not prove to give me a good way to grow plants. It seemed like a good idea, to tote the plant around. I still have some hope for one of the bags which was in part shade. It is still intact and is showing promise. This bag is larger than the others and on the side is printed "Dalton Carpet.com". They do make good carpets in Dalton. It could be that this bag will last and there may be hope for my idea after all.
After I had started my experiment I received the May/June issue of Birds and Blooms. A reader had sent in a picture of a tote bag from the Wine Store. She had the same idea that I had for using her tote for a mobile planter. She had sent a picture of the bag with spinach (from the market) inside the bag. I knew it was not actually grown in the bag as it was mature and the bag was too clean. I am wondering how her idea worked out for her.
When things do not work out as I had planned with my experiments, I think of Robert Burns the Scottish poet. He was ploughing in his field and uprooted the nest of a little mouse. He wrote a poem about it called "To a Mouse". Lines from that poem have become known world wide. He felt really bad that he had disturbed the mouse's home as it was in the month of November and the mouse did not have time, or materials available to built another nest before harsh weather. The lines are "the best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry". Below is the verse of the poem in which the line appears.
But mousie, thou are no thy-lane, (not alone)
in proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice and Men,
Gang aft agley, (often go awry)
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
It is believed that he was comparing his own life to the problems of the mouse. He loved nature and was deeply hurt by what he had done to the tiny creature. No doubt he had plans in his personal life which did not turn out as expected, and was reminded of them by this event in his garden. My experiment not turning out well did not disturb me at all. I have plenty of other experiments in progress to make up for this failed one.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Do Churches Have Personalities?
The church where I have been a member for almost 30 years was originally organized as a mission church, and that is what it is today. We are small in membership and also generally older in age. Some people prefer to be in a larger church. A lady told me once that she liked a big church because she liked to "get lost" in it. I suppose that means that you go on Sunday morning and then return next Sunday, revived but unencumbered by any close associations. For very busy people that may work for a time, but then the time comes when you no longer want to get lost, you want to be an integral part of the group.
Some years ago there was a popular television sitcom called "Cheers". Ted Danson, the bar owner and bar maid Diane, were the central characters who were surrounded by the regular customers. They were like a family and entertained us for years. They learned to know each other quite well, perhaps because the alcohol loosened their tongues and they became less inhibited. Whereas, in our churches we do not go for a drink and conversation, we do receive a balm of affirmation with like minded people.
I was thinking about some of the activities that are an integral part of our church. Because of the hot weather and some temporary health conditions, I have not been there in about three weeks. I miss the connection and this directed my thinking into comparing the aura of our group to the aura of the one time
television sitcom, Cheers. The lead in song says, "Cheers, where everybody knows your name". The same could be said of our church. Maybe we should change the name of our church to Cheers Trinity Presbyterian Church, because after two visits, everybody knows your name.
In order for folks there to really know you, you need to have some other connections. There are lots of opportunities. To name a few: adult Bible class, Bible instruction for children during the church hour, coffee time in fellowship hall before service, a well trained Biblical scholar to lead the service, opportunity to serve as lay leader each Sunday, participate in the adult choir, the bell ringer group, monthly ladies circle, monthly men of the church meeting (usually with a meal), monthly fellowship covered dish dinner. There are multiple service opportunities also. Each month, on the first Wednesday a few members take a meal to the Good News at Noon, Kitchen in our town. Other churches take food on a different day, so every day of the month is supplied. In the hallway of our building, there are shelves which our members keep full of canned goods, dog food, and other household items. Anyone in the community who is struggling to maintain their home can come and take what they need. Last, but not least, the ladies of the church are invited to be a part of a prayer chain. When someone has an emergency, and requests prayer, the calls go out and are passed along to the next person. Prayer is basic to our faith, and expresses concern for each other.
Psychologist stress that children need the association of groups to help them build a lifetime of wholeness. Starting with the child's family, he hopefully branches out with school groups, then sports groups, and various groups structured to train good habits. Circles of friends is a lifelong need, and they should be nurtured and treasured for as long possible.
To answer my question, do churches have personalities, yes I think they do. For the church is the people who gather and worship in oneness of purpose. It is that oneness of purpose which defines our basic personality, it is who we are and how we live.
Some years ago there was a popular television sitcom called "Cheers". Ted Danson, the bar owner and bar maid Diane, were the central characters who were surrounded by the regular customers. They were like a family and entertained us for years. They learned to know each other quite well, perhaps because the alcohol loosened their tongues and they became less inhibited. Whereas, in our churches we do not go for a drink and conversation, we do receive a balm of affirmation with like minded people.
I was thinking about some of the activities that are an integral part of our church. Because of the hot weather and some temporary health conditions, I have not been there in about three weeks. I miss the connection and this directed my thinking into comparing the aura of our group to the aura of the one time
television sitcom, Cheers. The lead in song says, "Cheers, where everybody knows your name". The same could be said of our church. Maybe we should change the name of our church to Cheers Trinity Presbyterian Church, because after two visits, everybody knows your name.
In order for folks there to really know you, you need to have some other connections. There are lots of opportunities. To name a few: adult Bible class, Bible instruction for children during the church hour, coffee time in fellowship hall before service, a well trained Biblical scholar to lead the service, opportunity to serve as lay leader each Sunday, participate in the adult choir, the bell ringer group, monthly ladies circle, monthly men of the church meeting (usually with a meal), monthly fellowship covered dish dinner. There are multiple service opportunities also. Each month, on the first Wednesday a few members take a meal to the Good News at Noon, Kitchen in our town. Other churches take food on a different day, so every day of the month is supplied. In the hallway of our building, there are shelves which our members keep full of canned goods, dog food, and other household items. Anyone in the community who is struggling to maintain their home can come and take what they need. Last, but not least, the ladies of the church are invited to be a part of a prayer chain. When someone has an emergency, and requests prayer, the calls go out and are passed along to the next person. Prayer is basic to our faith, and expresses concern for each other.
Psychologist stress that children need the association of groups to help them build a lifetime of wholeness. Starting with the child's family, he hopefully branches out with school groups, then sports groups, and various groups structured to train good habits. Circles of friends is a lifelong need, and they should be nurtured and treasured for as long possible.
To answer my question, do churches have personalities, yes I think they do. For the church is the people who gather and worship in oneness of purpose. It is that oneness of purpose which defines our basic personality, it is who we are and how we live.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Pat Yourself On The Back
These words are directed to anyone who has a paying job. It is also for anyone who is responsible for some endeavor, which has no pay check attached to it. Have you been receiving "Attaboys" for the myriad of things you do in that job. I doubt it. It would be impossible for anyone else to know all of the many things you do throughout the day, and perhaps into the night, to be successful in what you do.
Every job is important, it only varies in the weight of consequences. Brain surgery carries a heavy weigh indeed. Properly pruning a flowering shrub has consequences, but far less noticeable. Think about your own job and all of the things you do to accomplish harmony in your day. Do you reward yourself after a job well done? Probably you are too busy to stop and think about it. But at the end of a day, or week, or a month, when you receive that pay check, find a way to pat yourself on the back.
The way you reward yourself will be different from the way someone else finds satisfaction. A small effort may call for a rest, a cup of coffee, or a quick coke. A longer effort could be a good book, or box of fine chocolates as a reward.
Think about the way you felt when someone has said, "Good Job", or "I like the way you handled that situation". It is only human nature to want affirmation from another person. When you are happy about something you have accomplished, a word, or smile from someone is like icing on the cake.
Perhaps you have someone in your life who can give you those pats on the back. If not, I urge you to do it for yourself, and to do it for others. You may soon forget what you did, but the one you encourage will not forget, and the encouragement can last a lifetime.
Every job is important, it only varies in the weight of consequences. Brain surgery carries a heavy weigh indeed. Properly pruning a flowering shrub has consequences, but far less noticeable. Think about your own job and all of the things you do to accomplish harmony in your day. Do you reward yourself after a job well done? Probably you are too busy to stop and think about it. But at the end of a day, or week, or a month, when you receive that pay check, find a way to pat yourself on the back.
The way you reward yourself will be different from the way someone else finds satisfaction. A small effort may call for a rest, a cup of coffee, or a quick coke. A longer effort could be a good book, or box of fine chocolates as a reward.
Think about the way you felt when someone has said, "Good Job", or "I like the way you handled that situation". It is only human nature to want affirmation from another person. When you are happy about something you have accomplished, a word, or smile from someone is like icing on the cake.
Perhaps you have someone in your life who can give you those pats on the back. If not, I urge you to do it for yourself, and to do it for others. You may soon forget what you did, but the one you encourage will not forget, and the encouragement can last a lifetime.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Chronicle From My Garden # 2
This was one of those mornings when I spend a lot of early morning time on the computer. I got started on a search by the word "skylark" which is the name of a speckled bird with a beautiful voice. This led me to remember a newspaper published in the sixties and seventies in Atlanta, Ga. It was called The Great Speckled Bird, and was mostly local in content and interest. It was considered hippy and eventually was drummed out of business. In my search, I discovered that in Jeremiah 12:9 there is a reference to a speckled bird. Roy Acuff recorded a song called The Great Speckled Bird. The founders of this local paper liked the sound of the title and began using it for their newspapers. We had just moved to the Atlanta area when the paper was in its infancy. My daughter remembers reading it and I probably did too. The song that Roy Acuff and also Johnny Cash sang is very southern and according to some Biblical scholars has a misunderstood meaning. The speckled bird that Jeremiah speaks of, refers to the people who lived around the Israelites and were idol worshipers. The song indicates that the bird is a heavenly haven for safety, when in reality the speckled bird refers to the many different peoples who were corrupting the worshipers of the one true God. .
Later in the morning, I was reading a magazine that my neighbor brought over for me to see. It is called "Grit" and is designed for country folks. I found it very interesting and learned that soon camel milk will be available for purchase here in the United States. A lady (Dr. Hinkle) has started a coalition for farmers who want to engage in this kind of farming. You can read about it at http://www.camelmilkusa.com/ . I may want to try it as it is touted as being good for many different reasons, one of which is that people who are lactose intolerant can drink it safely.
I can be sedentary for just so long and then I feel the need to get busy doing something active. My son had given me a small bag of whole wheat pastry flour so I decided to try it out with my favorite muffin recipe. When I make them with white unbleached flour I always put in 1/4 cup of wheat germ. This was my first time to use whole wheat flour. I had some fresh blueberries so that determined what I would use. Wanting to add more protein I got some slivered almonds from my freezer chest and went to work. I liked the result, especially with smart balance spread on the inside. If you are so inclined I am printing the recipe. It came from the new and revised edition of a Betty Crocker cookbook which I have had for over fifty years. I made some changes, as follows.
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil ( I use canola)
2 cups flour- or whole wheat pastry flour (if using self rising flour omit salt and baking powder)
1/3 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 scant teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mace
3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup slivered almonds
Heat oven to 400, Grease bottoms only of 12 cup muffin tin.
Beat egg, stir in milk and oil, add blueberries and slivered almonds, save some almonds for topping
Combine dry ingredients, pour wet ingredients into flour mixture. Mix with spoon only until wet ingredients are absorbed. Do not over mix. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 way full, sprinkle almonds over top, then sprinkle a little sugar on top.
Bake for 20 minutes, let sit in tins a few minutes, then carefully remove each muffin and sit on wire rack.
If 12 are more than you can use, wrap individually and freeze. I find that when they are thawed later they are better if wrapped individually.
Two visitors came by later in the afternoon. My neighbor came to pick up some of my muffins and I took her for a ride in the golf cart. I pulled up under the pear trees and she reached up and pulled a pear from one. I went to the other and pulled two for her to take home. I also drove up close to the wild blackberries and she was able to pick a few without leaving the golf cart.
The other visitors came by to bring me a pint of blueberries from her bushes and a piece of blueberry strudel that she had baked.
I had a phone call from my son who is on a trip out west. He was telling me about walking up the sand dunes in sandals and burning his feet, but having a wonderful trip.
My sister called around 7:00 from her bed in the rehab center. There are pleasures all about on this place and not all are out of doors.
Later in the morning, I was reading a magazine that my neighbor brought over for me to see. It is called "Grit" and is designed for country folks. I found it very interesting and learned that soon camel milk will be available for purchase here in the United States. A lady (Dr. Hinkle) has started a coalition for farmers who want to engage in this kind of farming. You can read about it at http://www.camelmilkusa.com/ . I may want to try it as it is touted as being good for many different reasons, one of which is that people who are lactose intolerant can drink it safely.
I can be sedentary for just so long and then I feel the need to get busy doing something active. My son had given me a small bag of whole wheat pastry flour so I decided to try it out with my favorite muffin recipe. When I make them with white unbleached flour I always put in 1/4 cup of wheat germ. This was my first time to use whole wheat flour. I had some fresh blueberries so that determined what I would use. Wanting to add more protein I got some slivered almonds from my freezer chest and went to work. I liked the result, especially with smart balance spread on the inside. If you are so inclined I am printing the recipe. It came from the new and revised edition of a Betty Crocker cookbook which I have had for over fifty years. I made some changes, as follows.
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil ( I use canola)
2 cups flour- or whole wheat pastry flour (if using self rising flour omit salt and baking powder)
1/3 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 scant teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mace
3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup slivered almonds
Heat oven to 400, Grease bottoms only of 12 cup muffin tin.
Beat egg, stir in milk and oil, add blueberries and slivered almonds, save some almonds for topping
Combine dry ingredients, pour wet ingredients into flour mixture. Mix with spoon only until wet ingredients are absorbed. Do not over mix. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 way full, sprinkle almonds over top, then sprinkle a little sugar on top.
Bake for 20 minutes, let sit in tins a few minutes, then carefully remove each muffin and sit on wire rack.
If 12 are more than you can use, wrap individually and freeze. I find that when they are thawed later they are better if wrapped individually.
Two visitors came by later in the afternoon. My neighbor came to pick up some of my muffins and I took her for a ride in the golf cart. I pulled up under the pear trees and she reached up and pulled a pear from one. I went to the other and pulled two for her to take home. I also drove up close to the wild blackberries and she was able to pick a few without leaving the golf cart.
The other visitors came by to bring me a pint of blueberries from her bushes and a piece of blueberry strudel that she had baked.
I had a phone call from my son who is on a trip out west. He was telling me about walking up the sand dunes in sandals and burning his feet, but having a wonderful trip.
My sister called around 7:00 from her bed in the rehab center. There are pleasures all about on this place and not all are out of doors.
Chronicle From My Garden
July 9, 2011: As I drove the golf cart up to the mail box, 1000 feet away, I saw a young deer in the road. He was standing in the road looking back at me, about 40 feet away. I had slowed down at the curve to look at the yellow day lilies. He was trying to decide which way to go, I suppose. Then he bolted down the road leaping up in the air and then one big leap over the top of the hill and down into the ravine, out of sight. He was the youngest one I have seen out alone, usually a doe is around. I guess he was a teen ager, testing his boundaries.
My lavender crape myrtle is in full bloom, and so is the beautiful dark pink in everyone’s yard but mine. My deep red crape myrtle has never been pruned so it is very tall and the cinnamon colored trunks are the beauty spots on them right now.
The muscadine grapes are the size of big green peas. The big rain last night was a blessing for them. The kiwi are looking good and plentiful. The brown turkey figs are looking fat but not ripe yet, maybe in two weeks. Sometimes they do have a few early ones that I can put in my cereal, but not today.
My luck with blueberries is a bust. Everyone else around here can grow luscious blue berries, but I cannot. I know I am doing something wrong, but have not discovered what it is.
One success, is that the big black ants which I have found indoors, are now outdoors, and very inactive, as in “dead as a door knob”. The trap with sweetened boric acid has done the job.
Yesterday, Jim cut away a lot of the young trees, etc. which are threatening to fall over the electric fence. That fence has been a blessing to my garden, and a challenge to the deer. They are learning to look elsewhere for their favorite tidbits.
When the day cooled down a bit I checked the water in the batteries of my golf cart. They really needed water as I had not looked at them for a couple of weeks. I dislike this one chore, but I am able to do it as it does not require a lot of strength.
I was able to pick a few red tomatoes, but the heirlooms are not yet ripe. I am anxious to have my first one from the German Queen. That tomato plant has rambled over a four foot area and with all of the ties I had to put up it resembles a red neck spider web. In fact the entire area has the red neck stamp of approval. Maybe this was a red neck kind of day, but it is what it is.
My lavender crape myrtle is in full bloom, and so is the beautiful dark pink in everyone’s yard but mine. My deep red crape myrtle has never been pruned so it is very tall and the cinnamon colored trunks are the beauty spots on them right now.
The muscadine grapes are the size of big green peas. The big rain last night was a blessing for them. The kiwi are looking good and plentiful. The brown turkey figs are looking fat but not ripe yet, maybe in two weeks. Sometimes they do have a few early ones that I can put in my cereal, but not today.
My luck with blueberries is a bust. Everyone else around here can grow luscious blue berries, but I cannot. I know I am doing something wrong, but have not discovered what it is.
One success, is that the big black ants which I have found indoors, are now outdoors, and very inactive, as in “dead as a door knob”. The trap with sweetened boric acid has done the job.
Yesterday, Jim cut away a lot of the young trees, etc. which are threatening to fall over the electric fence. That fence has been a blessing to my garden, and a challenge to the deer. They are learning to look elsewhere for their favorite tidbits.
When the day cooled down a bit I checked the water in the batteries of my golf cart. They really needed water as I had not looked at them for a couple of weeks. I dislike this one chore, but I am able to do it as it does not require a lot of strength.
I was able to pick a few red tomatoes, but the heirlooms are not yet ripe. I am anxious to have my first one from the German Queen. That tomato plant has rambled over a four foot area and with all of the ties I had to put up it resembles a red neck spider web. In fact the entire area has the red neck stamp of approval. Maybe this was a red neck kind of day, but it is what it is.
Friday, July 1, 2011
My Favorite Resting Place
When I feel the need for a short nap I tend to go into my sun room. This room was once a screened in porch. I thought I wanted a screened in porch on the east side of my house so my husband made one for me. I can remember watching him on his hands and knees putting down the roof for this room. later he made a sturdy railing all around the edges with corner seats. Thus the porch below was available for indoor use and above it a deck is always ready for use as a gathering place, when the weather is mild and friends appear.
The sun room can be entered through french doors on the east side of the dining area. The deck above it can be entered from a door on the east side of the balcony room above the dining area. Because the deck is upstairs and out of the main line of traffic it is not used as often as it could be. But it is there and ready for use, but only if you enter from the inside. There is no way to get there from the outside. Many happy memories come back to me from time spent there.
Today however, I spent my restful time down below the deck, reclining on a deacons bench. This bench has a history all its own. I will never know who enjoyed it before me as it came from an auction many years ago in Atlanta. Unclaimed furniture was being sold from pieces left in storage, way past the allotted time. My husband was looking for furniture for my son to use in college and he bid forty dollars for a lot which included this deacons bench along with other items. They all became part of a college dorm room at the University of Georgia. I made cushions for the bench and they went along to college also. I can imagine a lot of young students, sat, or reclined on those cushions over the college years.
When it was no longer needed the bench made its way back to my house where my son made his home. The day came when I moved away and took some of the furniture with me. The deacons bench was one item I liked and so it moved with me. This time I had an upholster make new cushions for it. The wood of the bench is made of oak and is a very sturdy piece of furniture. It seats three easily, in comfort. And is long enough for even a tall person to recline, by bending the knees a bit.
Today when I awakened from a short nap on this treasured bench, I was in a perfect position to see two framed photographs on the west wall, straight in my line of vision. Both are photographs taken by my son. One is in sepia tone and is an artistic view of a tree beside a stream. The other is a close up of some grapes from my vineyard. It was pleasant to see and I began to reminisce about the other things on the wall. On the north side is a painting done by my grandson who is now away at college. I had some orange day lilies so I made a vase of them and asked him to paint it for me. He did. The orange color of the vase has faded but that does not matter to me. Also sitting in the corner window shelf is a ceramic owl which is orange and was made by my sister Katrine. The windows frames are wide enough to accompany a glass tray with beautifully embroidered fruit under glass. This was a gift made by my daughter Bonnie and presented to me one Christmas, after she had married and moved away from home.
The other framed picture is a painting of a clipper ship. The words James Baines is under the picture. I do not know if such a ship existed but it was a reminder that my husband loved sailing and once had a sailing boat at our dock.
Looking further to the east wall which is all windows, with some space between; I can see plates hanging between the windows. There are nine of them, all painted by my artist sister, Katrine. She loved birds and painted a lot of them. Two watercolors of birds are on the opposite wall along with other paintings she did back as far as the 1960's. One of my favorites is of a little black girl wearing an orange dress and a tan straw hat. She is sitting beside a huge basket of white laundry. I think my sister saw her in Charleston and was entranced with her, so she painted this portrait of her. I am struck by her beauty, peaceful posture and the look on her face.
My grandson Grant likes this picture also. I think it reminds him of one of his school friends. The other pictures around her are still life painting in chalk of fruit, oranges, etc.
This restful room has very light weight sturdy furniture made of aluminum, painted white with dark green molded mesh backs and seats, all in one piece. I found them in Roswell at a store many years ago and waited six weeks for them to be made at a factory in Florida. The glass topped table that goes with them is oval and big enough to accompany six people or eight in a squeeze. Down at the end of the room is a white cafe table with two metal chairs, perfect in case we had ten to eat on any given day.
Another thing that makes this room special for me is the tile floor. I wanted something that would not crack with weight or scratch. I was assured that these tiles would live up to my expectations, and they have. Someone who comes to visit and sits out here would not know the history of this room. But when I am out here I have many memories to make it special for me. Birthdays have been celebrated here. Easter and Thanksgiving dinners were enjoyed here. Not Christmas dinners, as it is too cold out here at that time of year. Others have crashed on this deacons bench for a short nap and card games have been played at the table. All these memories are there to make me cherish this place. For most of the year I do come out and take advantage of the ambiance and comfort even if only for a little while.
The sun room can be entered through french doors on the east side of the dining area. The deck above it can be entered from a door on the east side of the balcony room above the dining area. Because the deck is upstairs and out of the main line of traffic it is not used as often as it could be. But it is there and ready for use, but only if you enter from the inside. There is no way to get there from the outside. Many happy memories come back to me from time spent there.
Today however, I spent my restful time down below the deck, reclining on a deacons bench. This bench has a history all its own. I will never know who enjoyed it before me as it came from an auction many years ago in Atlanta. Unclaimed furniture was being sold from pieces left in storage, way past the allotted time. My husband was looking for furniture for my son to use in college and he bid forty dollars for a lot which included this deacons bench along with other items. They all became part of a college dorm room at the University of Georgia. I made cushions for the bench and they went along to college also. I can imagine a lot of young students, sat, or reclined on those cushions over the college years.
When it was no longer needed the bench made its way back to my house where my son made his home. The day came when I moved away and took some of the furniture with me. The deacons bench was one item I liked and so it moved with me. This time I had an upholster make new cushions for it. The wood of the bench is made of oak and is a very sturdy piece of furniture. It seats three easily, in comfort. And is long enough for even a tall person to recline, by bending the knees a bit.
Today when I awakened from a short nap on this treasured bench, I was in a perfect position to see two framed photographs on the west wall, straight in my line of vision. Both are photographs taken by my son. One is in sepia tone and is an artistic view of a tree beside a stream. The other is a close up of some grapes from my vineyard. It was pleasant to see and I began to reminisce about the other things on the wall. On the north side is a painting done by my grandson who is now away at college. I had some orange day lilies so I made a vase of them and asked him to paint it for me. He did. The orange color of the vase has faded but that does not matter to me. Also sitting in the corner window shelf is a ceramic owl which is orange and was made by my sister Katrine. The windows frames are wide enough to accompany a glass tray with beautifully embroidered fruit under glass. This was a gift made by my daughter Bonnie and presented to me one Christmas, after she had married and moved away from home.
The other framed picture is a painting of a clipper ship. The words James Baines is under the picture. I do not know if such a ship existed but it was a reminder that my husband loved sailing and once had a sailing boat at our dock.
Looking further to the east wall which is all windows, with some space between; I can see plates hanging between the windows. There are nine of them, all painted by my artist sister, Katrine. She loved birds and painted a lot of them. Two watercolors of birds are on the opposite wall along with other paintings she did back as far as the 1960's. One of my favorites is of a little black girl wearing an orange dress and a tan straw hat. She is sitting beside a huge basket of white laundry. I think my sister saw her in Charleston and was entranced with her, so she painted this portrait of her. I am struck by her beauty, peaceful posture and the look on her face.
My grandson Grant likes this picture also. I think it reminds him of one of his school friends. The other pictures around her are still life painting in chalk of fruit, oranges, etc.
This restful room has very light weight sturdy furniture made of aluminum, painted white with dark green molded mesh backs and seats, all in one piece. I found them in Roswell at a store many years ago and waited six weeks for them to be made at a factory in Florida. The glass topped table that goes with them is oval and big enough to accompany six people or eight in a squeeze. Down at the end of the room is a white cafe table with two metal chairs, perfect in case we had ten to eat on any given day.
Another thing that makes this room special for me is the tile floor. I wanted something that would not crack with weight or scratch. I was assured that these tiles would live up to my expectations, and they have. Someone who comes to visit and sits out here would not know the history of this room. But when I am out here I have many memories to make it special for me. Birthdays have been celebrated here. Easter and Thanksgiving dinners were enjoyed here. Not Christmas dinners, as it is too cold out here at that time of year. Others have crashed on this deacons bench for a short nap and card games have been played at the table. All these memories are there to make me cherish this place. For most of the year I do come out and take advantage of the ambiance and comfort even if only for a little while.
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