Sequestration

Day Eleven

 Today I had the good fortune to attend the 2013 Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission and the Cherry Blossom Festival Awards Luncheon.  Shown above is one of the center pieces that the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon placed on the Head Table.

 The other tables were decorated as well and this is a close up of a table decoration with a projection screen in the Background.

This is a picture of the 2013 Senior Cherry Blossom Queen with one of her friends Mrs. Grisamore, who is the wife of a well known writer who works for "The Telegraph."

I share these pictures today simply to show the world that the Thirty-First Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is well on the way here in Middle Georgia.  The Luncheon today focused on the many volunteers that work countless hours so that the Cherry Blossom Festival can be held each year.

The local governments provide security and sanitation for the festival, which draws tourist from all over the world as well as countless tour buses filled with visitors to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival.  Just in case you did not know it, Macon, Georgia has more Blooming Cherry Trees than Washington, D.C.

In summary, everything is proceeding well for the thirty-first annual Festival.  The spirit of cooperation abounds to make this celebration possible.  There are some, including myself, the author of this Blog; that wish our Nation's Duly Elected Leaders at the National level could cooperate to help keep the United States of America the beacon of light that attracts people from all Nations.

Sequestration

Day Ten

• Citizens of the United States of America welcomed Day Light Savings Time with one less hour of sleep.
• Children attended Sunday School
• Adults attended Bible Class or Sunday School
• Many people attended the church of their choice
• People everywhere took the opportunity to visit relatives in hospital.
• Some People even looked forward to the impending birth/s of new family members
• People enjoyed Sunday Dinner.
• Many People viewed the Television or Movies of their choice.
• People also took the opportunity to relax.
• Many of our Nation's Heroes were on duty, even though it was Sunday.

This retiree did not take any pictures today.  Life goes on and Life is Good!!!!!



Sequestration

Day Nine

Citizens of the United States of America are still engaged in labor to support their family.  Here you see a Tree Surgeon sawing the backside of a rotten pine tree so that it will fall to the left to avoid the house.  If you look closely you will see the notch to that the tree will fall in the correct direction.  High above the view this picture allows there is a rope tied to the tree so that it can also be pulled in the correct direction.

Please note that the date of this post is Saturday, March 9, 2013.  The tree was also cut down today.

I share this post today simply to let everyone know that there many citizens who are still conducting labor and are engaged in life without the benefit of government assistance.

Retirees are still taking pictures and I hope to be able to continue to do so. 

Sequestration

Day Eight

 Class AA Boys Basketball Tournament - Macon, Georgia  These loyal fans of Bleckley County await the Championship Game on March 8, 2013.  Their team will play Greater Atlanta Christian.  The Bleckley County Royals wore purple gear.  

 The game saw many time outs and the Royals lead in the third period.  The game was an exciting game to watch.

 The photojournalist even had time to review their work during time outs.

Day Eight of the United States of America Sequestration.  The Georgia State Championship Basketball Games were held as scheduled.  The Georgia Public Broadcasting System broadcast the games and the entire State of Georgia was able to cheer for their teams, either in person or by viewing the television.

Retires even had the opportunity to capture action shots of an exciting game.  So my question today is:  How is this Sequestration thing working out for you? 

I realize that the focus is on the U. S. Military and that on bases everywhere their is a 20 percent reduction in hours worked.  I would suggest that you read my Sequestration Day Seven Post to see what this means!!!!

Somehow the numbers do not compute for this Blog Poster!!!!!

Sequestration

Day Seven

I believe I was twenty-five years old and it was early in 1965 when this picture was taken.  I had attended Church and decided that I would go see what the White House looked like on a pleasant Spring day. 

I was walking around Lafayette Park, which is directly North of the White House when a photographer approached me and suggested that I have my picture taken with the President's Home in the background.  I recall that the price was $5.00 and I took the opportunity to have my picture taken.

Lafayette Park is now known as  "Presidents Park" and the area around the White House has changed since 1965.  I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had accepted a job as a Procurement Trainee as a civil servant and remained in Washington, D.C. at the end of my first enlistment in the U. S. Navy.  However, I decided just two days prior to my expiration of active obligated service (EAOS) to re-enlist in the Navy for a period of six years so that I could receive orders to Shore Duty in London, Engand.

Today as our United States of America hears a lot about Sequestration and the impact on everybody I wonder where my path as a Civilian would have taken me. 

My major concern as I hear  or read the news in the local Middle Georgia Media about eliminating one day out of five for the employees at the Warner Robins Air Force Base has me confused because I do not comprehend a twenty percent reduction in government pay rolls as quite necessary.  If a twenty percent reduction is required to meet the requirements of Sequestration I compute the U. S. Budget as $425,000,000.000.00  I know that this is not accurate, therefore my concern about a twenty percent reduction in hours worked. 

Maybe I should have stayed in Washington, D.C. to help our Nation's Leaders compute the funds necessary to continue to operate our Great United States of America.  Who knows what the future holds?

Sequestration

Day Six

 This morning I checked my rain gauge here in West Bibb County Georgia.  It recorded .35 inches of rain in the previous twenty-four hours.  I get the impression that our rains will continue without Government management. 

 After I checked the rain gauge and collecting my morning newspaper I observed that the plants inside my home were still green.  I therefore can assume that they are continuing to produce oxygen for the benefit of all animal and people kind. 

 I cannot comprehend that our Government will cause all plant life to cease the production of oxygen.  I am confident that my house plants will continue the production of oxygen.  They only require that I water them about twice a week and once the Winter season is over I will also add some liquid fertilizer once a month.

This is but one room in my home where I have placed oxygen producing plants.  I am confident that the oxygen flows from room to room and that I will have a reliable source of this life essential element.  I am also grateful that water was provided to allow the sustainment of life on our Planet.

Sequestration

Day Five

The Flag flies in Macon, Georgia.  What a wonderful sunny day.  I understand that snow is now falling in the Upper Midwest, just as it usually does in Winter and even in March.

Retirees are still taking pictures.  Retirees are also performing yard and garden work in Middle Georgia as we all prepare for the 2013 Cherry Blossom Festival.  Even the Bradford Pear Trees are starting to show a few blooms.

As My Brother reminds me, "Life Is Good!!!!"

Sequestration

Day Four

 What a lovely day in Middle Georgia U. S. A.  Citizens of Macon, Georgia are busy preparing for the 31st Annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Even the Pink Poodles are in place. The large spotted one is the 2010 Pink Poodle.  The Middle Poodle is the 2011 Version and the one on the right is the 2012 Version.  These Poodles have a place of honor at my home.  They are the official Greeters.

Some readers of this Blog Post may not know that Macon, Georgia has over 300,000 Cherry Trees that Bloom every Spring.  That I understand is many, many more than adorn our Nation's Capitol, Washington, D.C.  I also understand that Macon, Georgia is known as the "Cherry Blossom Capitol of the World."

You will note that these poodles have also become the victim of "Sequestration."  They are wearing the same ribbons and bows as last year.  Certainly appropriate to cut back expenditures as we look forward to a better United States of America with the potential of a debt free system that our own dear Grand Children will appreciate. 

One nice feature of a digital camera - they do not require film and any bad images can simply be deleted without undue expenditure of funds.

Sequestration

Day Three

I had the good fortune to attend the Church of My choice today on  Day Three of the Sequestration.  I am happy and glad that I live in the United States of America!!

I decided to focus on the Baptism Font for my Post today.  I was baptized into God's Kingdom seventy-three years ago this month. 

As I was contemplating what I would post about today I thought of this song that I learned many years ago as a member of the Children's Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, Iowa:

"What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer."

I have always found great comfort in the words of this song ever since I learned it so many years ago.  The words are still germane today as we all continue to live out our respective lives here on planet Earth.

Retirees continue to take pictures!!!! I am grateful for my "Bush Camera" that I acquired several years ago. 

Sequestration

Day Two

 I cannot recall a March Second where I had to wear a "Trapper Cap" to keep my ears warm!!!  Maybe the globe is not warming up!!!

 Anyway, I have a lovely Shamrock Plant in Bloom to ward away any bad luck!!!!   Actually My Bride received this last Thursday for her involvement in the Garden Club Organization here in Macon, Georgia.

 This Lenten Rose (Helleboros) reminds me of the season of the year leading up to Easter.  These lovely flowers are in bloom in abundance.  They have been in bloom this time of the year for many years.  Nothing has changed their schedule.

 These Forsythia Blossoms remind me that Spring is almost here.  They always bloom before the Cherry Blossoms show their beauty in Macon, Georgia.

I really do not know what these lovely plants are named.  But I do know that they bloom every Spring at this time.

I have not  noted any changes, yet we all have heard that Sequestration will change everything.  Retirees continue taking pictures.

A Night On The Town

1 March 2013

Last Evening My Bride and I enjoyed a Night on the Town right here in Macon, Georgia.  Our First stop was the Macon Art Alliance on First Street very near the Macon City Hall.  

 The show featured Kirk West, a renown photographer of great performers of Music during the last half of the last century.

 Our next stop was the Cherry Blossom Gift Shop on Mulberry Street very near the Grand Opera House. 

 The highpoint of this stop was the opportunity to meet the 2013 Miss and Mister Cherry Blossom Festival Royalty.

 Our final stop of the evening was 567 Cherry Street to view the Art of Bibb County Students in a special showing. 

 We were also able to enjoy the music provided by these Scholars from Central High School of Macon, Georgia.

Certainly a wonderful evening to enjoy the art and music of Macon, Georgia as well as the opportunity to interact with the people who make these events possible.



Sequestration

Day One

 March 1, 2013.  The Sun came up in the usual location - in the East.  Children proceeded to school to acquire an education.  People were going to work.

Flowers continued blooming.  The Birds were singing and the breakfast was consumed.  Retirees took pictures.