Happy New Year

Wishing You A Blessed 2010

Tucker Road - West Bibb County Georgia

How Long Does It Take To Clean Up From An Accident?

On Sunday Morning, December 13, 2009 I was traveling toward Wesleyan College on Tucker Road here in West Bibb County. I slowed down for an accident scene. At that time there was a white pickup truck and a travel trailer in the ditch. The time of my travel was about 8:00 A.M. After I had completed my shopping at Kroger I traveled the route back to my Home. At that time there were three Bibb County Sheriff Cars on the scene.

I took all of these photographs on Thursday afternoon, December 31 during a slight rain fall, much like the weather on Sunday Morning, December 13, 2009. This is a view of the remains/trash from the travel trailer from the opposite side of Tucker Road at the 300 block looking toward Idle Hour Golf Course.

As you can ascertain the white pickup truck is no longer at this accident scene. You can also ascertain that there is a fair amount of travel trailer trash that has yet to be removed from this accident scene.

I post this series of pictures today so that everyone will know that this mess/trash alongside Tucker Road has been here well over seventeen (17) days. I do not pretend to know who is responsible for cleaning up after an accident. What I do know is that the Bibb County Sheriff had three cars and I assume each had a driver on the scene on Sunday, December 13, 2009.

I am confident that someone is responsible for the clean up of this mess/trash. Surely the deputies on the scene reported this situation to the appropriate authorities.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes before this situation/trash/mess alongside Tucker Road in West Bibb County is cleaned up!!!

You can be sure that I will keep you posted.

Happy New Year 2010 and I know that everyone will operate their vehicles in a safe mode this Holiday period.

U. S. Navy Morale

A Phone Call From The President

Afghanistan - December 24, 2009. Petty Officer Third Class Luis Tun-Ake receives a surprise telephone call from President Barack Obama at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan. Tur-Ake is from Denver, Colorado and is serving with a Provencial Reconstruction Team in Paktika Province. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Dallas Edwards/Released).

Politically Correct

The United States of America

Keeping American and Americans Safe

Prior to enlisting in the United States Military each enlistee must swear this oath. If the enlisted person is reenlisting he or she must affirm the following:


I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.



Each president recites the following oath, in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

I post this Blog entry today to simply point out that it now appears that our President may be obtaining a comprehension of the duties of President and also our Commander in Chief.

With the recent incident of a terrorist trying to explode an airplane on Christmas Day as it prepared to land at Detroit our President is now telling us that our Country needs to protect all U. S. Citizens from extremist.

If I understand the U. S. Constitution correctly that is what he swore to do when he took the Oath of Office on January 20, 2009. I am grateful that he is now realizing the gravity of the task that we elected him to perform.

It is my prayer today that he, our President continue to hold the U. S. Constitution in high esteem and perform the duties of President of the United States of America.

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

Macon, Georgia

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

As everyone concludes the 2009 Christmas Celebration I will post a few images today to allow My Memories to be captured for future generations.

This picture shows how one can use wrapping paper to wrap Christmas Gifts. I saw this idea during a recent Tour of Homes here in Macon, Georgia. I wrapped the gifts and my Bride made the delightful bows to decorate some of the gifts.

I view this sign almost everyday as I conduct my errands in Middle Georgia. I have often wondered and even speculated as to what is going on at the business where this sign is placed!!!

This is what Mail Call looks like on a U. S. Navy Ship. This picture was captured on December 26, 2009. Must be a lot of Christmas Cookies.

West Bibb County Georgia

Christmas Greetings. This is how Christmas looks in Middle Georgia. No Snow, No Ice and Plenty of Opportunity for Fellowship.

Merry Christmas 2009

The Flower Child also hopes that you have a Blessed Christmas.

Christmas Memories

As I prepared for Christmas 2009 I could not help but to reflect on Christmas Traditions from my Youth. I recall that in the late 1940s and early 1950s when my Brother and I helped our Dad on Christmas Eve. We lived on a small Farm in Northeast Iowa in Jefferson Township, Clayton County which has as it's Eastern Border the Mississippi River.

Our Family always attended Chruch on Christmas Eve. The Farm Chores were complete. The Animals had been fed and the cows milked. All was well with the Farm. However all the barns, stalls and sheds for the livestock had to be cleaned out and new straw in place so that at Midnight the Farm Animals could bend a knee to show their respect and adoration to the Christ Child. This was a Tradition for my Dad and I suspect that His Dad had established this as a Family Tradition when he was a Young Farm Boy.

I can not verify that information now because my own Dad died on Christmas Eve 1999. He had lived a long complete life and had just celebrated his 86th Birthday.

As I grow older I often look back and realize that my Dad, and also the Dad to my five Siblings was able to instill a sense of pride in all of us. Yes, He expected us to work and to perform to our best ability and Yes, we can all reflect back now and acknowledge that He gave us the guidance and tools to live a successful life.

Was it easy to be a Farmer's Kid? Of course not, but then I consider myself well Blessed because I was a Farmer's Kid. I can state that none of use grew up self centered. There were six of us and we quickly realized that not one of us was the focus of our Parent's Affection.

In fact, a story I am quick to relate is we all enjoyed the same bicycle. We could take turns riding it.

Macon Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Concert - December 20, 2009

The Macon Symphony Orchestra and Mercer/Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra combined their talents and produced a fabulous Christmas Concert this past Sunday Afternoon.

The Program included:

• Mercer University Children's Choir
• Choral Society of Middle Georgia
• Vineville United Methodist Church Choir
• Mulberry Street United Methodist Church Choir
• First United Methodist Church Choir
• First Baptish Church of Christ Choir

The Soloist were:

Timothy Fountain - Tenor - Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Nadine Cheek Whitney - Mezzo Sorano - Jesu Bambino

Richard G. Kosowski - Tenor - O Holy Night

Rebecca Lanning - Mezzo Soprano - Ave Maria

A Wonderful Afternoon of Music which was concluded with the vocalist and the massed Choirs performing these songs from G. F. Handel's Messiah:

And the Glory of the Lord

For Unto Us a Child Is Born

Hallelujah

U. S. Senate Secures 60 Senators to Pass Health Care Legislation!!!

The United States of America needs more Senators like Ben Nelson of Nebraska. With Senators like him we could have the Federal Government funding each States Medicad.

Unfortunately Georgia's Senators did not get on the bandwagon soon enough. I understand that Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisana also was able to acquire considerable pork for her State.

Now, all we have to do is wait and see how the Conference Committee merge the House and the Senate Health Care Bills.

Should be interesting.

Wreaths Across America

I received this report today from Tobin Slaven the Media and Communications representative for this program.

• 405 participating locations (including the 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil);

161,000 total wreaths placed to honor our servicemen and women;

Over 100,000 (current best estimate) volunteers participated in the wreath-laying event

Over 7,500 (estimated) in attendance at Arlington National Cemetery;

Approximately 15,000 in attendance at Houston National Cemetery - the single largest

wreath-laying event nationwide.

December 18, 1944

Typhoon Cobra

United States Pacific Fleet

My last sea duty station in the U. S. Navy was the USS Hull (DD-945). This ship bears the name Hull and has a long line of U. S. Navy Ships which saw service in our United States Navy.

The USS Hull (DD-350) and other U. S. Navy Destroyers were conducting operations in the Pacific Fleet and were in dire need of fuel. The Typhoon changed all of that.

Please take the time to read this link which tells about this tragic event and the U. S. Navy Heroes who survived. Additionally, please note that one of the former Presidents of the United States of America was involved in the rescue operation.

Here is the Link:

http://www.patriotwatch.com/va/tribute.htm

As we all prepare for Christmas 2009, May I encourage you to daily remember our Nation's Heroes who have defended us and those who currently defend our very way of life. Please remember their respective families, also.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Dinner For The Homeless

Macon, Georgia

Last Evening it was my privilege to assist with the 2009 Dinner For The Homeless sponsored by the Mentor's Project of Bibb County. The event was conducted at Christ Church on Walnut Street in downtown Macon.

I did not keep a count but I suspect that at least 300 people participated. The Children from the Blind Academy sang Christmas Carols as the food was presented. Many Church organizations contributed food and several local merchants donated food items. The children from several of Macon's Academies also assisted as well as young people who are involved in the Mentor's Project.

This was my second year of participation with this project. I continue to be amazed at the Community Support this project receives. The Children from all schools who participated are a real blessing for me to observe as they serve their fellow peoplekind.

This was certainly a Blessing to Me and I look forward to my participation in 2010.

Have a Blessed Christmas!!!

Jobs, It All About Jobs!!!

I consider myself most fortunate because I was born in 1940. I have been retired since 1999. That stated, I can appreciate the situation that many, many people are faced with this year. They simply do not have gainful employment. Then there are some who are under employed, but that must be much better than not having a job at all.

I post this today because I have a variety of reports that the 2008 and 2009 Economic Stimulus Expenditures have not produced the jobs as anticipated. Yet we hear of the potential for expending more funds to spur the economy.

I have recently heard that in Georgia most of the jobs are generated by the owners of small business firms. Yet I also hear that our U. S. Government wants to lay on more taxes on these same small business owners. It just does not seem correct!!!

I have been on this Planet long enough to know that I can not depend on a poor person to employ anyone. It takes operating funds to establish a business and it takes reserve funds to insure that a business can remain effective in tough times. How can our duly elected leaders overlook these basic economic facts?

Therefore I see no need to tax the small business owner out of business. We need to keep these citizens solvent so that they can generate even more job opportunities.

I do not believe that those in Washington understand these basic principles. Our First Lady can not employ enough Social Secretaries to make a dent in our unemployment statistics. Nor can our President employ enough Czars to make a dent in our unemployment statistics.

Certainly something to consider as we look to Washington to solve all of our problems.

December Blooms and Berries

in

The Flower Child's Gardens

Holly Berries

Yuletide Camellia

Paperwhites

What a Lovely Smell

Winter's Flower - Camellia

Wreaths Across America

Part II

My December 12th post displayed the U. S. Navy Wreath. Here you see the young men from the Civil Air Patrol of Griffin, Georgia with wreaths for the U. S. Army, U. S. Navy, U. S. Marines, U. S. Air Force, Merchant Seaman, U. S. Coast Guard and the Prisoner of War Wreath as they prepared for the Dedication Ceremony. This is a view of one small portion of Andersonville. You can appreciate the fact that there were 300 wreaths available for this Cemetery.

Many wreaths were laid by friends and family members. Here is a wreath being placed by a Heroes Family Member.

Citizens of all ages participated in the Laying of Wreaths. Many were volunteers that participated just because it was very important to them to remember a Hero. As the wreaths were laid the person placing the wreath was encouraged to take a minute for silent reflection and consider the person who was being Honored.

This is a wreath that I laid. They were stacked up by location in the Cemetery. I laid this one in the "J" section. The wreath had been sponsored by some unknown to me individual who could not be at the Wreath Laying event. I felt honored to be able to place this wreath.

Wreaths Across America

Andersonville National Cemetery

12:00 Noon, December 12, 2009

I am sure that many of you have seen the Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery after each Christmas for the past few years. The Wreaths at National Cemeteries has now become a Nationwide event. This year it also covered 24 Cemeteries around the World where our Nation's Heroes are also buried. Prior to the laying of the wreaths by volunteers a Dedication Service is conducted. Here you see a young member of the Civil Air Patrol of Griffin, Georgia holding the U. S. Navy Wreath. As you know, I, the Flower Child served in the U. S. Navy, so it is only proper that I display the U. S. Navy Wreath. The young citizens of the Civil Air Patrol headquartered in Griffin has young people from many cities and towns around Griffin, Georgia.

After the dedication ceremony we all went to lay wreaths. Each wreath had a tombstone number assigned so we could place them in the proper place. This picture shows a young citizen laying a wreath at the Tomb of His Grandfather who was a U. S. Army Hero. The young citizens Dad was also present so that there were three generations participating in this event. A very emotional time to be sure.

Here you see a Widow of a POW's tomb with a Wreath that they had just placed. The Hero's Grandson placed the wreath. He is in the green rain coat. Here we have three generations of citizens paying respects to another Hero.

The Dedication Service was also an opportunity for the Minutemen of Revolutionary War legacy to participate. These three were decendents of Revolutionary War Heros.

As I departed Andersonville National Cemetery I had to capture this picture. The Ceremony and the laying of the Wreaths was a very emotional time for all in attendance. There were at least 120 citizens present for this activity. Wreaths Across America is certainly a fitting tribute to our Nation's Heroes.

U. S. Navy

at

Peace and Ready to Defend

We all can certainly be very proud of our Nation's Heroes who serve to Protect us all. There are many facets of service to our Country. Today I will focus on the peaceful endeavors and also the preparations to defend us all.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 10, 2009) Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy Band march through the Secretaries of Defense corridor at the Pentagon before the upcoming 110th Army-Navy college football game. The teams of the U.S. Military Academy (Army) and the U.S. Naval Academy (Navy) will meet Dec. 12 in Philadelphia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason M. Graham/Released)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 6, 2009) Royal Malaysian Navy Sub Lt. Amir Potera Bin Omar gives orders to the helmsman as the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) conducts a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193). Mustin is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio/Released)


GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 7, 2009) Members of the visit, board, search and seizure team of the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) practice transition drills from their primary to secondary weapons. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Edgington/Released)

PERSIAN GULF (Dec. 3, 2009) Sailors manually lift ordnance aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a missile swapping evolution. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nichelle N. Whitfield/ Released)

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 8, 2009) Cmdr. Frank Foley, command chaplain aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) begins communion during a Roman Catholic Mass aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nichelle Noelle Whitfield/Released)

No Matter where our Heroes Serve they are always ready!! May God Bless these Men and Women who Stand in Harms Way and also their Families.

Have a Blessed Christmas!!

Christmas 2009

Christmas Cactus

In as much as I post to this Blog as "The Flower Child" I felt that it was very appropriate to provide everyone with a picture or two of the lovely Christmas Cactus Plants that adorn our Home here in West Bibb County each year. We have six of these lovely plants. Several are well over twenty years old but they continue to provide Beauty to our Home each year. Enjoy.

Merry Christmas!!

Clayton County Iowa

A Snow Scene Near Kale Avenue

December 10, 2009

This certainly looks peaceful and also very scenic. This is a lane leading to a farmstead off of Kale Avenue in Jefferson Township of Clayton County Iowa. Almost appears as a Currier and Ives Christmas Card.

Chrismons

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

Macon, Georgia

Christmas 2009

For the story about the orgin of "Chrismons" for Christmas Trees in a Church please read:

http://www.chrismon.org/site/chrismon/about.htm

"Chrismon" means a monogram of Christ

You are invited to Worship with the Flower Child this Advent and Christmas Season. We will conduct Advent Services at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesdays, December 9th and 16th.

The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be at 5:00 P.M. on December 24th.

The Sunday Worship Services are held at 11:00 A.M. Please Join Us.

Have a Merry as well as a Blessed Christmas. The Church is located at 1899 Tucker Road in West Bibb County Georgia. Looking forward to seeing you. The Church telephone is (478) 474-8393.

Christmas 2009

Historic Stanislaus

Macon, Georgia

This evening it was my pleasure to participate in the 2009 Christmas in Historic Stanislaus Neighborhood in Macon, Georgia. The event featured twelve homes that were open for viewing. The entire neighborhood was lite up with luminaries.

This tour of homes will conclude on Saturday, December 5, 2009. The hours are from 6 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Parking is available at Vineville Baptist Church. The cost of $20.00 per attendee was modest when I realized that there were two stops with hot cider as well as home made cookies.

Not only did we walk the street in this neighborhood, we visited the interiors of twelve homes which were open for the tour. Of course each was very well decorated for the Christmas Season.

I could not pass up this street scene. The beauty of a nice cool, crisp evening in Macon, Georgia. It was simply wonderful.

In addition to the tour of the neighborhood and the interiors of twelve homes they even had Carolers for our listening pleasure.

Christmas in Macon, Georgia was certainly given a fabulous start with this event. I would urge everyone to participate on Saturday, December 6, 2009. Tickets are available once you enter the neighborhood.

Please be aware that the originator of this Blog Entry, the Flower Child, does not live in this Neighborhood, but I simply had to share my pleasure having attending this Christmas Event in Historic Stanislaus.

Christmas Open House

Macon, Georgia

Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc.

730 College Street

The lovely Women of the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon are holding a Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 6, 2009

This arrangement adorns the front door area

These carolers will be singing until December 30, 2009

You are invited to a
Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 6th
2 - 4 p.m.


St. Joseph's School Choir will sing at 2:30
Santa will be there for pictures. Cookies and punch will be served.
Please come and bring your families!
This is a free event !

I, the Flower Child designed and fabricated this

Christmas Centerpiece which

adorns the top of the hutch in the Breakfast Room

at

the Federated Garden Center.

Merry Christmas!!!