Dear Reader:

The title picture was taken at the church where Ben gave his Veterans Day Presentation Friday at noon. The church put on a light lunch/brunch for the attendees (which was very nice) while Ben gave his message. Each table had been tastefully decorated with these center-pieces.

I didn’t get back home again until almost seven o’clock last evening and as you can imagine when I got hit with the heart-breaking news about Clemson… I was suddenly drained in more ways than one…it’s been a rather tough week. *As heart-breaking as it was to watch…I am so proud of Clemson for playing to the end with heart. Love you Tigers!

Not-withstanding, however, I know I am blessed for everything that has transpired in my life these past few days and every other day in my life-time.

To name a few of the most recent:

*An opportunity to keep grandchildren, see my brother fulfill a dream to help others through his story, share some time with my Ya friend, Libby, see the magic of James Island Lights with Jakie staring and Eva Cate squealing, go to a fundraising fun fair for Mandy’s school with the grandchildren and then conclude with a beautiful and moving Disney on Ice show.

Here are some photos from the past days….

Westminister Presbyterian Church, Conway, SC

Ben with his pastor…Rev Randy Riddle who is one of Ben’s greatest supporters and “encouragers.”

The “Ben” Team, as it has been called… is comprised of the key people helping Ben get his book together for publication.

As Ben’s sister…a personal thanks to Kathy-L to R- (help on the publishing process) Libby (researching) and Dawn, or “Digital Dawn” as she is called by Ben…the wizard on the computer. Without these gals…I feel sure this book would still be out there in cyberspace some place. A dream without a destination. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

This event even brought in a fellow high school classmate/ graduate whom I haven’t seen since 1967! Jane Taylor Freeman…wow…six degrees of separation…we graduated from Laurens High School together!

Ben did a wonderful job with his presentation and received a standing ovation at the end!

Great job Ben! You are finally doing what you were supposed to do for decades…tell your story.

On the way home from Conway Friday afternoon I could hardly see for my eyes watering and the strange smokey air and glare all the way back to Mt. Pleasant…eerie and treacherous at the same time.

Checked on Honey to see how her and Mike’s home is faring….received this:

“Last weekend we were in Bryson City and the smoke was bad. Lake Lure is being evacuated and there are fires in Pickens on Pinnacle but not our Pinnacle. (Thank goodness!)

After I got back to Mt.Pleasant John, Mandy, the kids and I went to the opening of the James Island Lights for the schools’ artwork/postcards submissions. We were sad that Mandy’s students’ submission was missing some decorations that should have been there…disappointing to the students. (almost need a fence between the artworks and public apparently)

Delivered like this: (One student had the idea of turning a snowman into a “sandman” for a lowcountry Christmas…complete with beads and  fun sunglasses)….the last two items were missing when we arrived. Mandy said she got the students to  “Gorilla glue” everything on and checked it before the “card” left for James Island…it was not falling off without a lot of force.

And then the children were so excited about riding the train and one train wasn’t working (which only left one that was) so we weren’t able to wait for over an hour and half with little Jakie, particularly, who so badly wanted to ride it, along with Eva Cate. Sorta frustrating…but again we take the good with the bad…such is life. They did ride the carousel and loved it.

Because it was Veterans Day Friday evening the park was open to all veterans with a free pass and a small replica flag in each packet per car…Jakie loved our flag…sent this photo to Ben.

Yesterday morning we were off to a Fun Fall Festival (fund-raiser at Buist Academy)…I think the grand-kids definitely had more fun there  than at the “Lights”….lot of games, a cake walk, cut-outs, getting to see mommy’s classroom and a book fair.

We dropped Jakie off for his nap and then Mandy, Eva Cate, and I were off for Disney on Ice. I think this is our third performance that we three have attended together and they just get better and better…we all agreed this one was our favorite…the props and special effects were just phenomenal! Mandy and I left in tears it was so sweet and the messages so good for children to hear.

Eva Cate had won some sparkling stickers for her face at the school fair and she wore them to Disney on Ice quite proudly.

So we came back…enjoyed some popcorn and some playtime and then Boo left to come on home to what I thought would be a wonderful finish to our weekend….watching the end of the Clemson game.

Still nothing can take anything away from the sights, sounds, experiences shared these past few days…family and friends are remembered long after games become a distant faded memory.

So until tomorrow…If the sun doesn’t come up today or tomorrow…we can all rejoice in the rain we so badly need…covered either way!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Eva Cate and her best friend, Isabelle, who attended four years of pre-school together (but now go to separate elementary schools)…bumped into each other at the fund-raiser at Buist and hugged in delight at the sight of each other again …as only little girls can do!