Friends In The Front Row

I know I've got friends with whom I can let my bloomers fly in the front row - hope you as blessed as I am!!

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Today is a gift because:  breakfast with KB and Molly; Everley time; Steve's safe return home from Columbus

Just A Little Wog In The 'Hood

Since Maribeth is working today and Mathieu has National Guard, Everley spent the night at my house. This morning, Molly came over and we decided to walk to the playground - a mile away. In oven-like weather (meaning I think it was 350 degrees). Everley opted for the stroller, at least until she needed to jog a little with Molly. Eventually we made it to the playground and played a little while - until we were all pretty much baked (although we did remember to sunscreen Everley - and maybe ourselves). And we also remembered to take water - which isn't all that delicious once the ice melts and the water warms up to a nice boiling point ...

At one point, Molly decided she would do some weight training, so she hoisted Everley on her back and wogged a bit. And then persuaded Everley to return to the stroller. Before Molly passed out from the added weight and heat.

And where am I during all this fun? I was either (a) pushing an empty stroller, or (b) walking ahead so that I would not be too far behind when Molly and Everley caught up with me and surged ahead, or (c) walking far behind the other two.

At least I wogged today ...

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Today is a gift because: Wogging with Everley and Molly; getting some grocery shopping done; watching Redbox movies; swimming with Everley and Sam and Lindley

Flags

A lot has been said lately in the news and on facebook about the flying of flags. The two flags that are being flown (or not flown) are the Confederate flag and the rainbow flag. It seems that some people are very upset about the flying of flags. And there are some that are very vehement about it. I understand. And that's the whole point, if you ask my opinion (which you haven't, but I'm going to give it to you anyway). The point is - I understand. The question is - do the flag people understand?

I understand the history of the Confederate flag. I understand what it represents. I know that the Civil War was not about slavery but about states rights. My home state of Mississippi has the confederate flag as part of the Mississippi state flag. When I was in the 6th grade, our class play was "Seven Flags Over Mississippi." (I'm fifth from the left on the bottom row). I'm current on why the Confederate flag is important to some people. But when that flag becomes a symbol of hate against a certain segment of our fellow brothers and sisters on this Earth, should we be thinking about why we deem it so important? And if it wasn't so important to some flag-flyers last year (who might not even have owned the flag), then why has it suddenly become so important? I understand why people feel it's important to their history, but what about the people for whom it represents hate? Would it be the same if a person of German descent decided to fly the Nazi flag in a Jewish community? I have read every argument on the pro-Confederate flag issue - and I understand. But again, when it's being used as a symbol of hate, does it do any good in terms of representing the South when some are adamant about keeping it flying? Wouldn't it be a better representation of Southern love and genteelness if it were just put away instead of flaunting it in the feeling of "By Gawd I'll fly what I want?"

So what about the rainbow flag? I understand that it offends those who oppose anything but relationships between two people of the opposite sex. With the recent decision of SCOTUS legalizing same-sex marriage, the flag and its colors have been flying. Not to offend, but to celebrate. Yes, I have read about some people who have been celebrating in ways that I don't understand. Yes, I understand that some are pulling quotes out of the Bible to solidify their condemnation of this ruling. I've stopped and spent some time thinking about all these arguments, because first of all I am a follower of Christ and believer in God. But all I know is that in the Bible, when Jesus spoke and acted, He did it all in the name of love. Period. The only ones He judged were those who were too busy judging instead of loving and helping. I am happy that all of my friends and family are now free to marry whomever they wish. And no, it does not mean that next you will be able to marry your dog, or you will be forced to attend a wedding for those you disapprove. It just means that once again, we're trying to make things equal for everyone in our country.

So, if you're still reading this, offended by what I'm saying or not, here's my bottom line.

If you have a Confederate flag, fine - keep it. But just keep in mind that it's been used more for hate recently than for love or the brotherhood of all people. If you are proud of it, that's fine, too. Just be clear of why you're proud and how you wish to proclaim it. And if you see one flying that offends you, then talk with the one who is flying it. Hopefully the two of you can have a real conversation about the flag and life and liberty and love. The same goes for the rainbow flag. If you disagree with what it represents, try to look beyond the flag. Look at the people it represents. They are your brothers and your sisters in Christ. And He chose love over judgement every time.

John 13:34-35New International Version (NIV)

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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Today is a gift because: quiet evening at home; Everley sleepover

And I'm Back

This morning, Maribeth and Everley decided to leave early from Gatlinburg - like at 4am. This did not seem appealing to Lindley, Lynnette, and me, so we decided to wait until Lindley woke up and then leave. Which we did. Just after I packed the car ...

In case you didn't know, I drive a Prius C, which is a little car. I like it because it is little and I can't haul stuff for other people. However, I did not take into account what I would be taking back to Nashville, or I probably would have suggested that Maribeth take some of the stuff back with her - in her Toyota mini-van. After seeing the three suitcases and the valet cart full of the other stuff that was going to have to go in my car, I began to envision the drive back to Nashville looking something like the car on the left ...

 However, once again my little Prius C showed out. Not only was I able to get all three suitcases in the back hatch, I was also able to load everything else into the car, and still leave room for Lindley and her various dolls and ipads and blanket and pillow. And Lynnette even had room in the front seat! We made it back to Nashville with only a few stops here and there.

All in all it was a great trip to Gatlinburg and Dollywood. If only I didn't have to deal with this now ... Not only do I have the Gatlinburg luggage and stuff, but I also have the Disney World luggage and stuff that Molly brought back with her. If there's anything I love less than packing, it's unpacking. Oh well, maybe I'll get it done by day's end - how's that for a goal!!

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Today is a gift because: safe travel home to Nashville; successful car packing; finding a bathroom (but not mac and cheese) when needed on the road

Our Last Day In Gatlinburg

The Screaming Eagle. Or something like it.
Lynnette and Maribeth are on the fourth row from the back - in red.
I (along with Lindley and Everley) am on the ground, watching.
I don't know the balding dude in front of me, but I hope he has on sunscreen.
It was very hot and sunny today.

And it goes up, up, up before it goes down, down, down.
And around, around, around.  All very fast.
I like being still on the ground.

 

Finally a ride that I would consider riding.
Except that I volunteered to man the strollers and the refillable cups.
Of which one disappeared.  A refillable cup, not the stroller.
Not to worry - they sold us three new refillable cups.

Maribeth and Lynnette decided to ride another twisty turny flippidy-do-dah ride.
Again, the three of us - one chicken and two little chicks - sat it out on the ground.
In the shade this time. But it was still boiling hot.

Being patriotic and visiting the bald eagle, who clearly was not impressed with us.
I would be pretty ticked off too, if I had to sit in a cage all day
while strangers gawked at me.

Finally something on my level - The Bubble Show.
Some dude had a bunch of bubble machines and made lots of bubbles.
It was sort of dark but in the air conditioning.
I would have been content for him to read the dictionary, as long as the ac was working.

For dinner, we went to the Lumberjack Dinner Show Feud.
First some banjo string band serenaded us.
Then they loaded out the food - first a biscuit, then soup, then half a chicken,
then new potatoes, then an ear of corn. And a peach popover for dessert.
It was pretty cool, and our lumberjack team won!
And we got to see a horse with a diaper on.

Last activity of our trip was to play on the playground.
It was lovely because there were no other kids playing on it.
And there were rocking chairs for old grannys to sit in.
And it was in the shade!

 And in the end, a good time was had by all!!

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Today was a gift because: fun times with Lindley, Lynnette, Maribeth, and Everley at Dollywood and the Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show; fun with Everley and Lindley at the playground; it's Maribeth's birthday!!