Christmas in Macon - Open House

Every Christmas Season the Members of the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Georgia decorate their Headquarters at 730 College Street in Macon, Georgia. An Open house will be held on Sunday, December 2nd from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. The public is invited to attend this event. The Garden Center is a Neel Reid designed home and has been maintained for the past 50 years by the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon. Here you see members decorating the exterior entrance way.
This is a view of but one Christmas Arrangement completed by the members of Pine Ridge Garden Club in the Breakfast Room.

A Table Top arrangement by members of Pine Ridge Garden Club. There are nine other Garden Clubs that decorated the various rooms in the Garden Center. You are certainly encouraged to visit during the Open House Sunday afternoon, December 2nd.

Of course the "Flower Child" who is also a member of Pine Ridge Garden Club had to develope an arrangement. This one is on the top of a Hutch in the Breakfast Room. The foliage was from several members of Pine Ridge Garden Club.

Please note that this event is free and open to the public so plan now to attend this gala event and view for your self the Christmas Decorations created by the Members of the ten Garden Clubs that are part of the Federation. Refreshments will also be served.

Greetings. A Great Friend of "The Flower Child" is the auctioneer at this weekly event. It certainly represents a cross section of Small Town America. I accompanied my Friend several weeks ago to this event. It was fun and the food was great.

Red Cross Blood Donor Rewards

About five months ago when I gave blood I signed up for a reward prize. Then about three months ago I received a phone call that I should come to the Donor Center here in Macon to pick up my Harvard 12 in 1 Game Table. Well I picked it up and finally assembled it this past weekend. It is a fun table. I will continue to donate Whole Blood, but a nice prize once in a while is also nice.

"I Am A Baptized Child of God"

Today the Flower Child has prepared three Banquet Tables for the Baptism Dinner of a Grandaughter.

The tables are set and the food service will be buffet style.

It is with great joy that I prepared this Banquet in Honor of this Child's Baptism. One more Baptized Child of God.

Blessed Thanksgiving 2007

As we prepare to enjoy our Annual Thanksgiving Feast, let us, each of us always remember why we Celebrate this Day. We have all certainly been well Blessed. Enjoy the Day and remember!!!!

Burning Bush

Officially known at "Euonymus Alatus" this shrub is a delight to behold every Fall. The leaves turn bright red. It does not retain these leaves over Winter, but the brilliant Fall Color more than makes up for this aspect of this delightful shrub.

Flower Child's Flowers

This Christmas Cactus adorns our Dining Room Table

One Yuletide Camellia

The Yuletide Camellia plants we have are in planters. There are two plants which have adorned our Front Door since the Fall of 1999. They always put on a show.

Flower Child's Fall Colors

A Lovely Looking Tree

Dog Wood Leaves and Berries

Burning Bush

Burning Bush

Another Lovely Tree

All the foliage in these five images was photographed in Flower Child's Gardens today at about 5:20 P.M. Enjoy!!!!

Honoring All Who Served

Middle Georgia certainly had an abundance of activities to Honor our Veterans, those who Currently Serve and also appropriate Tributes to those who paid the ultimate price for our Freedoms this Veteran's Day, 2007.

The Southwest Magnet High School and Law Academy conducted a program on Monday, November 12th with a guest speaker and a delightful breakfast. The Students at Southwest certainly displayed great pride and confidence in their program. In addition to students at the Law Academy, the Air Force JROTC Unit and the Southwest Patriotic Band certainly represented themselves, their school, their respective families and their Community in an excellent manner. It was a pleasure to be invited to this event.

Later in the Morning, the Flower Child participated in the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc., Dedication of a Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker at the Macon, Georgia Welcome Center on Interstate 75. The Army Junior ROTC Color Guard from Central High School certainly represented themselves, their school, their respective families and their Community in an excellent manner. It was a pleasure to also witness this event.

In summary, a Great Veteran's Day for Flower Child. Thank You!!!

Veteran's Day 2007

The Department of Transportation and the Flower Child preparing the site for the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker at the Welcome Center/Rest Area on I-75 North of Macon, Georgia.

The Marker was put in place on November 7, 2007. Here you see the final check on alignment so that the Marker is level and also straight.

The Marker was Unveiled and Dedicated with appropriate Ceremony on Monday, November 12, 2007. Note the U. S. Military Veteran's Motorcycle Club Member. A large group from this organization was in attendance.

The Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker Program was established after World War II by the National Garden Clubs. These Markers are displayed as a Tribute to those who have Served in the Military, those who are Serving and those who will Serve. This Marker was completed by the Garden Club Members of The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc., The Georgia Department of Transportation and the Garden Clubs of Georgia.

Veteran's Day Event

We all know that Veteran's Day is on November 11th, however it will be observed on Monday, November 12th this year. Please attend this event:

The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc.

Cordially invite you to attend the dedication of a

Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker

A tribute to all members, Past, Present and Future,
of the Armed Forces of the United States of America


Monday, November 12, 2007
11:00 A.M.

At the Interstate 75 South Welcome Center/Rest Stop

Between Forsyth and Macon


Reception Following Dedication

A Love Nest!!!

Now that Fall will soon be turning to Winter it is appropriate to consider sleeping arrangements. While the Flower Child does not hibernate like a Bear, it is comforting to know that a quiet, peaceful and beautiful place awaits when one seeks the rest.

Blessings!!!!!!

Today the Flower Child would like to share a few thoughts and concerns with you. As we all prepare and also look forward to Thanksgiving Dinner 2007 with Family and Friends I think that it is appropriate and also quite proper to remember those who have not been so fortunate.

• 300 - The Number of Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 5 who drown each year in back yard pools or while swimming in the area of family and friends.
• 3467 - The Number of Teens who perish in Automobile Accidents
• 42,000 - The Number of Road Deaths caused by Automobile Accidents
• 44,000 - The Number of Citizens who died as a result of Alzheimer's Disease

Please note that these figures are for the United States of America. Admittedly, some of the figures are not for 2006 simply because such statistics are not current.

• 771 - The Number of Deaths as a result of Duty in Iraq during 2007 for our Heroes who are engaged in the War on Terrorism

I simply point out these figures to remind everyone that if your Family and Social Circle has not experienced any of these tragic deaths that when you gather around your Thanksgiving Dinner Table; that you should consider yourself Very Fortunate. Yes, Even Blessed.

For those Families that have been touched by a Death, they will go on, and Yes, with heavy hearts as they recall the loss of a Loved One.

Enjoy what you have today, because we never know what tomorrow will bring to us. I, the Flower Child am looking forward to Thanksgiving Dinner in the presence of Family and also Friends. I have been Well Blessed and also acknowledge that fact.

We Are Boy Scouts of America

This evening as I was moving plants into the garage because of the impending cold wave I looked into the breakfast room and observed two young boys showing literature to my Bride. I went to the back door and inquired of the visitors as to who they were.

I received an immediate answer. "We are boy Scouts of America." They were both very confident and I quickly determined that they were selling Pop Corn. Needless to say I was impressed with these two young Scouts. Of course my Bride ordered Pop Corn. These boys certainly represented their respective Families and their Scout Troup very well. I also learned that they were a part of Troop Number 222. The Central Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America can certainly take pride on how these two boys reflected the Scout Movement.

Raegan's Rockers

I am sure that most of you know that the "Flower Child" is celebrating a new Granddaughter's arrival over a month ago. Her parents have, of course been busy, so I took it upon myself to rehab two metal rockers for the Front Porch of their Home. They were old and rusty, in addition to needing new fabric on the cushions. What you see in this image is the refurbished Rockers. They have not been delivered yet, so they are currently at the Home of Flower Child awaiting transport.

A Great Saturday

The Iowa Hawkeye's Won. Georgia Won and finally, Navy beat Notre Dame. Can the Flower Child who was a former Iowa citizen now living in Georgia and a Navy veteran desire a more perfect Saturday? No!!!!!!

Of course the high point of the day was when Navy and Notre Dame played three overtime periods and the final score was Navy 46, Notre Dame 44. A dynamic end to a game that had been previously won by Notre Dame for the past 43 years.

"Accord"

"Agreement; harmony of minds, consent or concurrence of opinions or wills.

Recent events here in Macon, Georgia clearly demonstrate that there is a great divide among the local population. May the Flower Child suggest that rather than look for differences, that we focus on what unites us all. During my years in the local labor force I learned that there are but a few people in each economic level, each social level and in each ethnic group who dwell on the bad and the ugly.

For the most part, all of us focus on what is good; which is, as far as I am concerned the one thing we should all do. As the definition of Accord, printed above clearly demonstrates.

As most of you know, "The Flower Child" has been there and done that and can now enjoy life. This did not happen because "The Flower Child" avoided his peers, no matter their creed, race or social/economic background. I have experienced and also enjoyed a life that allowed me to travel the world and associate with many peoples. I have experienced and also enjoyed my life in a military career, employment at a local Nursing Home, and finally a local factory.

Did I ever make any mistakes? Yes!!!! But I can assure you that I do know what the word "accord" means. I hope to focus on the good things that happen around me, rather than dwell on the bad.