Flower Child's Recycling Day

Thirty-Six Years and 373 days ago the Flower Child was recycled in Macon, Georgia. The picture displayed above was taken about 2:00 P.M. as he and his new Bride ran for the Get-Away Car.

Here we are getting ready for the Honeymoon. No one else knew our destination but I can tell you that we did not waste any time getting there. If I recall correctly we checked in at about 2:24 P.M.

Rhythm and Jazz

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Macon, Georgia

Gateway Park

What a delightful evening for a concert/jazz session. The evening was cool and the music was terrific.

The Gateway Park in downtown Macon, Georgia was the perfect setting for this evening of relaxing music. Even though there was a slight drizzle, the event was well attended and everyone appeared to be enjoying the music.

No report of an event at the Gateway park would be complete without a photograph of Macon Georgia's Otis Redding we was also performing.

Molly Stevens and her friend John Michael Phillips entertained us with a few vocals. You will also note that "The Telegraph" had a photojournalist on the scene.

A wonderful evening will be repeated the next two Sunday evenings with different performers. Mark October 11 and October 18th on your schedules and attend these concerts which feature local talent. The City of Macon, Parks and Recreation department sponsor these events. Thank You!!!

Ken Burns Visits Macon, Georgia

William Segal Gallery Opening

Mr. Ken Burns was one of three individuals who discussed the life of Mr. William Segal during a presentation at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, Georgia on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009.
Mr. Ken Burns visited Macon to assist in the opening of the William Segal Gallery Display. Ken was a personal friend of William Segal who was born in Macon, Georgia in 1904.

Of course the Flower Child captured many pictures of the gallery display and you may be confident that many will be posted here in the days to come. The sequence shown above is from the "Young Man Series" that Mr. William Segal painted.

Mr. Segal's work is known for vivid primary colors and it's simplicity. This is but one example.

Wear Red Friday

Macon's Fox Television Broadcast

This picture was part of the Fox Television News Broadcast here in Macon, Georgia on Friday, October 2, 2009. It was submitted as part of the "Wear Red Friday" project where local business organizations and groups may submit pictures of their work force wearing red to honor our Nation's Heroes who are serving in our Military.

The 2009 Photography Contest Staff of the Georgia National Fair determined that they would honor our Heroes and posed for this picture. The 2009 Photography Contest has drawn over 1500 entries from the entire State of Georgia. The pictures will be on display in the Miller-Murphy-Howard Building during the Georgia National Fair which runs from October 8, 2009 through October 18, 2009.

Happy Meals

by

McDonald's

Many, many years ago when I owned a a light blue Ford Ranger pickup and I was working the night shift at a local factory here in Bibb County I suspected that my Bride was overcome with grief as she was to soon observe forty years of life.

The Ford Motor Company had a neat commercial on television that featured "Fun Trucking" with an upbeat melody. So on the afternoon of her birthday I told her to get in the Ford Ranger and that we were going to do a bit of "Fun Trucking." You may also like to know that I opened the sliding rear window and kept the driver and passenger wide windows open. We set off on our "Fun Trucking" route which I had not shared with my Bride. We traveled up Riverside Drive toward Northside Drive and I pulled into the McDonald's parking lot.

On entry to the establishment shown above which was formerly a McDonald's I seated my Bride at a quite table for two. I recall that no one else was present. It was about 4:30 P.M. and I went to the counter and ordered two happy meals. One with a boy toy and the other with a girl toy. My Bride could see me, but she did not hear what I asked the young male order taker to do. I quickly passed him a dollar bill and asked that he deliver the two happy meals to our table and to also sing "Happy Birthday" to my Bride. This was in September of 1991 and as you can see from the above picture, this establishment is no longer a McDonald's.

It was a fun evening, however by the time the next birthday rolled around, I learned that I had started a tradition. We continued our yearly Birthday Trips to the scene of the first event, however the passage of time required that we change the location to the McDonald's on Forsyth Road here in Macon. Since the Forsyth Road location was sold out to become a dry cleaner operation we have had to travel to Zebulon Road in West Bibb County for our yearly Happy Meal Celebration's of my Bride's Birthday.

The 2009 Celebration was conducted at the McDonald's shown in the picture below. You will also note, if you look closer that the Ford Ranger has been replaced with a full size Dodge pickup.

For those who may be wondering what my Bride looks like and how she savors the Annual tradition I would invite you to view the 2009 "Fun Trucking, Celebrate My Bride's Birthday Party with yet another "Happy Meal."

Thanks go to the McDonald's organization for allowing a fun tradition to continue in Macon, Georgia.

Photography Contest - 2009 Georgia National Fair

For at least ten years The Flower Child has submitted entries to the Georgia National Fair Photography. Over the course of this time he has move from the "Beginner" Division to the "Advanced" Division. In recent years The Flower Child's Bride has also joined the Middle Georgia Camera Club and has also participated in the Photography Contest. At first she participated in the "Beginner" Division and has just moved up to the "Advanced" Division. Well the results are in and following you will view some award winning images.

This above entry was submitted by The Flower Child's Bride. Here is a summary of her winnings in the Advanced Division of the Photography Contest at the 2009 Georgia National Fair:

• Color - People - Third Place - I'll Play for You
• Color - Creative - Sixth Place - Night Blooming Cereus
• Mono - Still Life - Fifth Place - Tools and Things
• Mono - Plant Life - First Place - Night Bloomer
• Mono - Photojournalism - Fifth Place - Helping Grandpa

The First Place award was received on the Night Bloomer Image displayed above. The Flower Child's Bride entered a total of fourteen images and received five awards. The Night Bloomer Image was acquired in the Gardens surround the Home of The Flower Child and his Bride here in West Bibb County, Georgia.

The above image was submitted by the Flower Child. He had a total of fifteen entries and won two awards. The following is a summary of his awards:

• Mono - People - Third Place - Three Tubas
• Mono - Plant Live - Second Place - Tree Trunks

Tree Trunks is shown above. It was acquired during a Garden Club Field Trip to the Hill and Dale home of the Calloway Family in LaGrange, Georgia

I submit this post in great humility and to also let all the readers of "The World This Week" know that there are some fine images to be viewed at the 2009 Georgia National Fair, which is will be held near Perry, Georgia from 8 October through 18 October 2009.

Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you each and every day.

Cirque Dreams illumination

Last evening, Sunday, September 27, 2009 I had the good fortune to attend the Macon, Georgia performance of "Cirque Dreams illumination."

This high energy performance was simply fantastic. I can not put the performance into words other than to repeat the word, "fantastic."

This touring company has a web site which I am confident you will enjoy:

http://www.cirqueproductions.com/

To view a list of future performances please visit:

http://www.cirqueproductions.com/calendar.php

The performance certainly was worth the price of admission. If you have the opportunity to attend a performance of Cirque Dreams illumination please do so.

USS Cole (DDG-67)

" ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept 24, 2009) The guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) transits the Atlantic Ocean while participating in Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2. Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2 is a multi-national warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Bookwalter/Released)"


You may recall that on 12 October 2000 the tragic bombing of this Great Warship was executed by Terrorist. This proud ship is a testament to the will of the People of the United States of America, the U. S. Navy and those USS Cole Crewmembers who have served on this ship and to those who are currently serving on this ship.

All of us in the U. S. Navy owe a great debt of gratitude as we will soon remember this tragic event on 12 October 2009. Today, I the Flower Child salute those families who lost loved ones when the USS Cole was bombed on 12 October 2000.

Thank You and may we as a grateful nation never forget the devotion of the lost crewmembers of the USS Cole (DDG-67.

Rest in Peace, great Warriors. Thank You!!!!

Shutterbug Camera Club - Macon, Georgia

Last evening, September 25th, 2009 I attended a Photography Sale and a Fundraiser at FrancarsWings Shop near Mercer University.

The Shutterbug Camera Club in Macon is sponsored by the City of Macon, Georgia Parks and Recreation Department. The photographers in this club are special needs individuals; but you would not know that by observing their photography.

Of course, as the event was hosted by Francars it was not possible to leave the Photography Sale without consuming some of the "Hot" Wings that were available. I only consumed the Level III sauce, but that was hot enough for me.

A delightful evening and I certainly felt honored to be able to purchase two of the photographs of the hundreds that were on sale. I purchased one photo that featured corn stalks and one that featured a flower.

In as much as I was raised in Iowa and I am known in the Blog World as the Flower Child the two images I purchased did indeed "Talk To Me!"

I am very happy that I attended this event and the evening was well spent.

U. S. Navy

During my daily check of the U. S. Navy News Website I discovered two images that were of great importance to me as a retired Navy Sailor. My first Sea Duty was as a crewmember of the USS Ranger (CVA-61). Although that great Ship is no longer in service, Sailors still operate Aircraft Carriers in the same manner as was performed way back in the 1960s. This image of Sailors and Marines scrubbing the Hangar Deck shows everyone that team work is still vital in our U. S. Military.

(Sept. 21, 2009) Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Frank Diaz assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) holds his four-month old son for the first time following his return home to Naval Station Norfolk, Va. On April 12, 2009, Bainbridge Sailors assisted in the rescue of Richard Phillips, captain of American container ship MV Maresk Alabama after being seized by Somali pirates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Suits/Released)

Please note that the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) was, as indicated above very involved in the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips. I can testify that it is a very emotional day when a U. S. Navy Ship returns to Homeport after a major deployment. This picture invoked memories for me from my own Navy Service and I cannot describe them.

May God Continue to Bless our Nation's Warriors of the U. S. Navy, the U. S. Army, the U. S. Air Force, the U. S. Marines and the U. S. Coast Guard.

Lutherans

Wheat Ridge Ministries

I have fond memories from my youth when I participated in packaging and mailing 'Wheat Ridge Christmas Seals" to the members of the Church I attended. This organization has a legacy of providing service to humanity.

"Mission statement"

"Wheat Ridge Ministries is “Lutherans seeding new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ.”

"Our Mission"

"Wheat Ridge Ministries is a charitable organization with roots in the Lutheran Church that provides support for new church-related health and human care ministries – and we have been doing so for more than 100 years! It is our desire that all people experience wellness of body, mind and spirit made possible in Christ Jesus."

To learn more about this dynamic organization please visit:

http://www.wheatridge.org/site/c.khLSKZPDLoF/b.2144581/k.BDCB/Home.htm

Lutherans

Lutheran Women's Missionary League

The Mission Statement of this Lutheran Organization is:

"The mission of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League is to assist each woman of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world."

To learn more about this organization I would encourage you to visit their Web Site at:

http://www.lwml.org/

This organization was established in 1942 and it's members save money in "mite" boxes and turn them in during annual conventions. The sum of the mite box donations has exceeded $80,000,000.00 with the money going to various organizations that support the mission statement posted above: "In ministry to the people of the world."

Angel Trumpet Blooms

In addition to Lenten Rose (Helleborus) Blooms in December through March each year I enjoy the Angel Trumpet Blooms. Here you see two views of one bloom. You can appreciate the size of this flower as you compare it to the Flower Child.

You may also recall that recently I published a Post about the delightful looking Night Blooming Cereus Flower.

Recently a good friend of mine reminded me of the potential dangers of the Angel Trumpet Plant and Flowers. This caused me to conduct a search on the World Wide Web and I found this site:

http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/angeltrumpet.htm

Please scroll down to the section labeled "A Highly Toxic Plant" and learn more about the dangers of this plant. I would urge everyone to respect this plant, just as you would a potato or tomado plant.

In addition to learning about the dangers of this plant the above referenced site contains other useful information about this lovely plant, especially when it is in bloom.

"Having The Big Picture"

Way back in 1963 when I was a very young Sailor onboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61) I was assigned to work in the Operations Office as a clerk. Admittedly the Navy had a different name for the task and I was a Yeoman Striker. For those who do not know what a CVA is let me inform you that it was an attack aircraft carrier. We carried a mix of fighters and bombers.

The Operations Officer was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and was always keeping us informed about what was going to happen next during our deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean. As a Yeoman Striker I was assigned the night shift which commenced at 1800 hours (6:00 P.M.) to 0600 hours (6:00 A.M.) and we had the task of scrubbing and waxing the deck each night when were at sea. Additionally we had to type up the daily flight schedule, run it off on a mimeograph machine, assemble it and carry it to the stateroom of every pilot on board the Carrier.

The task of distributing the "Daily Flight Schedule" was quite an undertaking. As anyone who has every served in the U. S. Navy knows, once Taps is sounded at 10:00 P.M. all passageways and berthing areas are lite with small red lights. Therefore the task of delivering the flight schedules was a challenge because you almost had to know the ship without the benefit of effective lighting.

However, that is not the purpose of this Blog Entry. At one time we had an Assistant Operations Officer who thought that it was his duty to micro manage us low pay grade personnel. This went on for several weeks and one day the Operations Officer called a meeting of the Operations Office Staff which included the Assistant Operations Officer. He delivered a brief story about his marching in the Bataan Death March and then went on to inform us all that he trusted that our Boot Camp Training was sufficient in regard to how to swab a deck and to polish it to a magnificant shine. We used paste wax and buffed it with an electric buffer. It always looked good each morning when the Officers arrived to conduct their daily task. The Operations Officer used very effective language to let us all know that he trusted us and during the conclusion of the Meeting he informed the worrysome Assistant Operations Officer that he needed to be concerned and also focused on the Big Picture and to let the Enlisted Personnal perform their assigned duties. That stated he also told all of us that if we ever failed in the execution of our duties that he, The Operations Officer expected his Assistant to then become involved in addressing our shortcomings.

For the past eight months I have witnessed our President and his Leadership style. To be brief and to the point it is my impression that at times he is focused on the small items and has lost his focus on the "Big Picture." We have an established Staff System of Department Heads that should be conducting their own affairs. For example the "Secretary of State" needs to run the State Department, etc.

As it is I have witnessed a President that is focused on so many small things that he can not effective lead on the important things. I trust that as our Commander in Chief he should be focused on the Safety of our Country and working to support the various treaties that we as a County have obligations to be a part of. As regards Health Care, if it is to be the center piece of his Presidency as I often hear, then he should focus on Health Care Reform/Health Care Insurance Reform and let the respective Department Heads perform thier constitutional duties.

I would not expect to see a long list of Czars appointed who have as their sole duty to advise the President. We have Department Heads for this purpose.

I am currently witnessing a Federal Government that is so self centered that it might not be very easy to comprehend or even see "The Big Picture." I will never forget the words of the Bataan Death March Survivor - Work With The Big Picture.

I would respectfully suggest that our President, our Congress, both the House and Senate work/labor to function within the confines of our Approved Constitution and always keeping the "Big Picture" foremost in their minds. We The People deserve no less.

U. S. A. Bank Failures

Recent Bank Failures in the United States of America have caused many Bank Stock Holders to loose money. While this statement should come as no surprise I have a proposal for the Banking Organizations that have taken over these failed banks. To view a list of failed banks please visit:

http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Admittedly the stock holders in these failed banks have lost considerable sums of money. For the organizations that have taken over the failed banks I would encourage the new organizations to provide some comfort to these stock holders who may have lost a lot of their retirement investments.

I know for a fact that several Middle Georgia Banks that have been taken over by other Banking Organizations have large lobbies that could serve as "Reception Areas" for Wedding Receptions. Those who have lost sums of money could be given the use of these Lobbies for the weddings of their Grandchildren and in some cases their Children. This would appear fair to me. After a family has lost money in a Bank it would be a nice gesture for the follow on organization to at least provide an appropriate "Wedding Reception" area for the losers. Certainly a gesture that would provide good will. If a stock loser has no children or grandchildren in the marriage age groups maybe the new Banking Organization could make their lobbies available for "Funeral" visitations. Another measure that would certainly be a good will gesture. Some might consider this a marketing ploy, but if I were to loose a sum on money on an investment in a bank I would most certainly appreciate any good will gesture on the part of the organization that might take over a failed bank.

From what I have heard and also read in various media reports the State of Georgia leads the Nation in the number of failed banks. The link I referenced above has 146 Banks on the Failed list. About 52 of these failures happened prior to 2009. Therefore there a lot of Georgia Investors who would welcome the good will of a no cost reception for a family wedding or even a funeral wake/visitation. After all they have lost money for their own funding for these events.

Just a thought from the Flower Child which may help reduce the pain for the losers who have invested in the Banks that have failed so far. From what I understand the problem that causes banks to fail is that they are under capitalized. Or to put it in terms that I might be able to understand, some banks have loans outstanding with a balance that is more than the assets of the banks. While this may work in the short term we as a Society are finding out that this concept does not work for the long term. Or as they used to say down at the General Store, the Chickens are coming home to roost.

Unfortunately a lot of good people have lost a considerable sum of money. My suggestion to provide an appropriate reception area in bank lobbies just may help ease the pain.

United States of America

New Citizens of our Great Republic

One Nation Under God

Last evening as I viewed the evening news I learned that since September 11, 2001, our Nation has had 52,000 young men and women become citizens of our Great Republic. I was impressed. Here we have 52,000 young men and women who joined our U. S. Military Forces for the opportunity to serve and to also become United States Citizens. I acquired the following four images from a U. S. Navy News Website. All images were released.

I can appreciate the fact that 52,000 young men and women chose to serve our Nation and to also work to acquire Citizenship in our United States. I realize that not all joined our U. S. Navy or U. S. Marine Corps, however I am a frequent visitor to the U. S. Navy News Website so I acquired my images for this post there. All of these images show some of our newest citizens. In addition to these fine young men and women who joined our Sea Services, I also salute those who joined our U. S. Air Force, our U. S. Army and our U. S. Coast Guard.

We can all be grateful for their service to our Nation and we can also salute them for their dedication to our Country and we all can Welcome them as your peers in the Greatest Land on Earth. I am not aware of any other country in the World where people come to the shores to serve and also acquire Citizenship.

Again, New Citizens, Welcome to America and I wish you great success and appreciate your quest for Freedom.

Thank You!!!

Middle Georgia Challenge

Locations Revealed

On September 10th the Flower Child published a Challenge. The deadline for submission of replies was September 16th at 2400 hours. Therefore today is the time to reveal the locations.

1241 Adams Street

596 College Street

Here Is Your Sign!!!

I am confident that many readers here will recall that several years ago when there was a "Comedy" routine that included this phrase: "Here Is You Sign."

Today as I was out and about conducting errands I was listening to my radio and I heard this commercial. You know the ones, just like every evening when the drug companies are pushing a pill for this or that ailment. Well now the commercials have pentrated the Radio Networks.

As I was driving along I was asked this question:

Men!!! Do You Wake Up To Urinate?

As I pondered that question for all of one brief second I laughingly responded to my radio: "Of Course I Do!!" I had quickly figured out that if I did not wake up I would soon would get that warm feeling that I am sure all babies appreciate prior to being toilet trained.

To the Drug Company that is marketing a pill and to the ad agency who developed this commerical:

"Here Is Your Sign!!"

Golden Rain Tree

Greetings Everyone. Today I visited the home of a friend that has one of these trees in the front garden. The Flower Child was not able to capture a picture of this lovely looking tree because he did not have a camera with him. Therefore I picked, with permission, a branch with leaves and a branch with the seed pods which you are able to view above. The friend indicated that this tree is a lot like the famous Blooming Cherry Trees that abound in Middle Georgia. They have a short life span. I performed some research on the World Wide Web and found some who did not enjoy the tree and the mess it can create as well as many who enjoyed the delightful spring blooms and the color of the fall seed pods. I would encourage you to conduct your own research to acquire appropriate information before you rush out to obtain this tree that is impressive to some and depressing to others.

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

A Lesson on Team Work

I recently received this message from a Friend of Mine who also served in our great U. S. Navy many years ago.

A must read for Grandparents. Those who aren't will love it, too!


At one point during a game, the coach called one of his 9-year-old baseball players aside and asked, 'Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?'

The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

'Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together as a team?'

The little boy nodded yes.

'So,' the coach continued, 'I'm sure you know, when an out is called, you shouldn't argue, curse, attack the umpire, or call him a pecker-head. Do you understand all that?'

The little boy nodded again.

He continued, 'And when I take you out of the game so another boy gets a chance to play, it's not good sportsmanship to call your coach 'a dumb ass' is it?'

Again, the little boy nodded.

'Good,' said the coach. 'Now go over there and explain all that to your grandmother.'