Thank You For 2013 and Welcome 2014

U.S. Navy Ships in Hong Kong Harbor.  Thank You to all
of our Members of the United States Military, Army, Air Force,
Marines and Sailors and also to our Coast Guard for keeping
our United States Safe in 2013.  I believe this picture was taken
in 1963 some fifty years ago.

The Attack Carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) also located in
Hong Kong Harbor, but at least ten miles out toward Sea.
I have fond memories of waiting in the Liberty Line as an E-2 for over
four hours to partake of my first Liberty in Hong Kong during
the deployment of this Great War Ship.  I took this
picture as I was riding the Liberty Launch toward Hong
Kong and the opportunity to enjoy this the B.C.C. and acquire
Tailor Made Shoes and a Suit.  Well, I also did enjoy
several adult beverages, also.

Thank You God for the abundant Blessings which you
provided for Us All in 2013 and Please continue to watch over
us all in 2014. 

As we close out 2013  I also want to Wish my fellow
peoplekind here in Earth a Wonderful 2014 and also
a year with God's Love and Blessings.

May God also Continue to Bless America!!!!!

An Historic Event in Middle Georgia - Macon-Bibb

Macon-Bibb County Inaugural Swearing in
December 31, 2013
The new merged Government was sworn in at the Government Center
at 11:00 A.M.  The picture may say "Macon City Hall," however
in the future it will be known as the Government Center

I captured this picture prior to the swearing in ceremony.
This displays the seats that the new Commissioners will
enact legislation for the citizens of Macon-Bibb.

When I saw this photo opportunity the first thought that
crossed my mind is that we need at least one more clothes
shop in Macon, Georgia to avoid this type of situation.  Shown
here is the new Commissioner for District Three and a Member
of the Bibb County School Board, Thelma Dillard.

I believe every print media outlet as well as every electronic
media organization was present to record for all citizens and
all time this Historice Event.  The Merger of Macon - Bibb!!

After a prayer led by Reverend Ronald Terry the Representatives
of the Sheriff's Office, Macon Police Department and the Macon Bibb
County Fire Department conducted the Presentation of the Colors. 
The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited by a Standing Room
only crowd in the Government Center Meeting Chambers.  I estimate
that at least 210 citizens were in attendance.

The First member of the new government to be sworn in by
The Honorable Tilman E. Self, III was the Mayor Robert A.B.
Reichert.  Also shown here is his wife holding the Bible.



District One Commissioner Gary Bechtel was then sworn in.

The District Two Commissioner has yet to be elected.  A run off
race will be conducted on January 14, 2014.



District Three Commissioner Elaine H. Lucas was then sworn in.

District Four Commissioner Mallory Jones, III was then sworn in.

District Five Commissioner Bert Bivins, III was then sworn in.

District Six Commissioner Ed DeFore was then sworn in.



District Seven Commissioner Scotty Shepherd was then sworn in.



District Eight Commissioner Virgil Watkins was then sworn in.

District Nine Commissioner Al Tillman was then sworn in.



After the swearing in ceremony each official took their assigned seat
to conduct the first order of business which was to ratify several
appointments and enact specific rules and regulations to
the the new government would be effective at one minute after
mid-night without any disruption in essential government
services.  All are shown here, except for Commissioner
Virgil Watkins because of my vantage point to take this picture.



Government Siblings.  After the meeting I took the opportunity to
take a picture of Commissioner Bivins of District Five who was
elected to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem.  Commissioner Bivins is
shown here with his Sister Thelma Dillard who served on the
Bibb County School Board.

Shown here is Commissioner Al Tillman of District Nine.  I had to
take this picture as he posed with a member of the Macon Bibb
Fire Department because he was the only male at this Historice
Event who wore a Pink Tie, which is considered an essential
item of any official's wardrobe in the Cherry Blossom Capital
of the World.  Well Done Commissioner Tillman.  Only he
remembered that in Macon real men wear "Pink."



This picture was taken prior to the Swearing In Ceremony.  It shows
the Mayor Elect, Robert A. B. Reichert along with Commissioner for
District Three Elect Elaine H. Lucas checking if anyone was going
to be in attendance.



Rolling Acres Dairy Farm

This is a picture of a Dairy Farm I worked at when I was between
College and the U. S. Navy in 1961.

The owner of this Farm hosted the American
Guernsey Cattle Association National Convention.

This farm was located about 20 miles West
of O/Hare Airfield near Chicago.  I  worked on the
field crew, however on this day I also helped with the
cows as everyone was expected to help show them
to the visitors.  Here you see the State Patrol Car in
front of many busses that were used to transport the
attendees of the Convention to Rolling Acres Dairy Farm.

Alan's Blessings and Concerns as 2013 Concludes

Today I post a series of pictures.  The first two display some of the many Blessings that I am enjoying as we conclude 2013.  I recently acquired a lovely platter at Robinson Home here in Macon, Georgia on First Street.  The second picture shows me enjoying my Boxing Day Breakfast which was prepared by my loving Bride, Janice Marie.

The third picture displays what it may be like for the hundreds of thousands who live in the Upper Mid-west and the Northeast USA as they suffer from the consequences of major ice storms that have taken out the power lines.  I understand from reports that I have recently heard on Public Radio that our Federal Government has yet to offer assistance.  What a shame?  Maybe our President is too busy enjoying this Christmas Vacation (Winter Holiday) in Hawaii with his Family to be bothered with the plight of so many U. S. A Citizens.  I would suspect that many have voted for him in the past; however now that he cannot run again, who cares!!!!   Just my thoughts on the situation.  However this should be a major Concern for all of us.  Who knows where the next disaster may strike.

The final pictures displays the logo for the Ford Motor Company.  I understand that Ford is the only American Car Company that has produced a "Very Safe Car" according to recent government safety test.  What happened to GMC and Chrysler?  Did they not recently receive government assistance to keep them in business.  I would suggest that maybe if you can rely on the Federal Government to keep your business in business that you may lose your competitive edge.  Just my thought on the situation.

As we Conclude 2013 this is a brief report of My Blessings and My Concerns.  Happy 2014.

Weekend Get Away to North Carolina

Last weekend My Bride and I enjoyed a wonderful time in Ashville, NC.  My Bride even let me play in the playground at the Resort where we stayed.  It was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed the opportunity to visit Biltmore which was decorated with great Christmas Season splendor.

Typhoon Cobra

Here is a picture of some of the suvivors of Typhoon Cobra which
happened on 18 December 1944.  Some are from the USS Hull (DD-350).

I met some of the Hull Survivors during a USS Hull (DD-945) Reunion
in 2004 in Las Vegas.  They related some very interesting Sea Stories.

Remember the Hull!!!!!!!

You can learn a lot more by conducting a "Typhoon Cobra" WWW
Search.

Honoring Pearl Harbor's Heroes

I post this Official U. S. Navy Photograph as We Remember Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.  Thank You!!!!

Current Events - The World Today

I realize that this picture is many years old.  I believe it was taken in 1971, however I may be off by a year.

I am also confident that everyone knows this structure, but here is the only clue you will receive.  This was taken in Rome, Italy.

Recently the Pope issued a rather long document which stated in part that the theory of "trickle down economics" was not appropriate.  I would disagree.  I recall where many of the Heroes we respect in the Old Testament of Holy Scripture had large holdings of livestock and often moved from place to place with the help of their people. 

I would also suggest that as long as there are human beings on the planet that we will have the haves and the have-nots.  This has been the situation since time began, expecially after the three lettered word of "SIN" entered into the lives of all peoples.

In short, this side of eternal life in Heaven there will never be a level playing field.  I would  suggest that the Pope and especially our U. S. President realize that they can never achieve the goal of all people having the same resources.  How would the President like to travel on his daily errands in my 1998 Dodge Ram?  I have no security staff.  I do  not even have an aircraft assigned for my personal use.  I need to say no more about that!!!!

Yesterday, December 5, 2013 we all heard of the passing of Nelson Mandela of South Africa.  Here was a person, a real Hero, that was dedicated to the improvement of the lot in life of the common man.  He suffered and lived his beliefs.  Once he was out of prison he could have sought revenge, however as many have pointed out in the last 20 hours, he sought and achieved reconcilation in his country.  Even our President went on the electronic media and told us all how President Mandela influences his own personal life.  I would submit that the President of the United States is simply making talk to achieve greatness as President Mandela did.  I cannot comprehend the concept that our President even will ever come close to being the kind of person that President Mandela was.  How can our President state that President Mandela has influenced him, when he did not achieve his goals regarding the U. S. Budget and then implemented "Sequestration" on the whole U. S. A?  This was pure revenge on our President's Part.  It can never be stated that "Sequestration" was an act of reconcilation!!!!

Reconcilation without Sequestration should become our National Battle Cry!!!!   Your comments on this post - Please!!!!

Family Obligations

Recently I have heard a lot of conversation regarding Family Obligations
focused on where and even how to spend the Holidays.  These
conversations usually come to pass as we all prepare to celebrate
Thanksgiving and/or Christmas each year.

The above picture is of this Blog Editor taken in 1963 as this
tender young Sailor, who was a crewmember of the USS Ranger CVA-61
on a routine deployment over Christmas.

The most refreshing conversation I heard was from a young married couple
with several children.  I suspect that neither the Husband or the Wife were
over 26 years of age.

They were relating how they take turns celebrating with their
respective families.  One year they participate in Thanksgiving with
His Family and Her Family at Christmas.

The following year the scheme is reversed.  I think that this is a wonderful
arrangement.  When I asked them how the parents of each the Bride and the Groom
supported this arrangement I was told that they were adults and besides that
each of them now had their own family.  What a mature concept!!!

As I prepared to compile this post I thought of the verses from Holy Scripture
that are a part of many marriage ceremonies.  These verses can be
found in Genesis Chapter 2 verse 24 and several places in the New
Testament such as Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 31.  Each of these referenced
verses states something like:  A Man shall leave his Father and Mother and
become one with His Wife.

The following pictures were taken during My Navy Career and you can quickly ascertain
that I traveled the world.

Even as a Married Sailor and now a Married Retiree, I often do not
celebrate the Holidays with My Family.  I love them all, however I am
also mature enough to know that each of my children has a
family that they love and respect very much.

For that, I am very gratefull.  Please Have a Very Blessed Christmas
and a Wonderful 2014.

Tripp Family Christmas Lights

While the above picture displays the blooms of a Christmas Cactus, it is not the intent of this post to look a flower pictures. 

This past weekend it was my pleasure to visit the trip Family Christmas Lights in the community of Yonkers just Southeast of Cochran, Georgia.  This wonderful Christmas Light Show is located at 63 Macedonia Church Road.  I was able to enjoy the display in the company of My Bride, My Son and His Family which included two Grandchildren.

If you have never experienced this Christmas Display I would suggest that you do so this Christmas.  To learn more about this and the history of this Family Activity please visit:

http://www.trippchristmas.com/2011/11/wonderland-of-christmas-lights-in-yonkers-ga/

Merry Christmas 2013

I Wish Each Of You and Your Family
A Very Blessed Christmas And A
Wonderful 2014!!!

Holiday Artists' Market - Middle Georgia Art Association

2330 Ingleside Avenue
Macon, Georgia  31204
The Middle Georgia Art Association is conducting the 2013 Holiday
Artists' Market in December.

The schedule includes several special shopping opportunities:

Friday, 6 December Opening Reception - 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Saturday, 7 December Kid's Shopping Special Hours - 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Wednesday, 11 December Yount Professionals' After Hours - 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Saturday, 21 December Extended Hours for Last Minute Shopping - 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

In addition to the special times listed above the Gallery will be Open

Holiday Marketplace 2013 - The Neel House at 730 College Street, Macon, Georgia

What you have just viewed is a series of interior photographs of the
Headquarters of the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc. 
These Headquarters are located at 730 College Street in the Historic
Neel House, which is over 100 years old.

This weekend - December 6 - 8, 2013 the Federation will
present the Holiday Marketplace 2013.  These views in addition
to over 20 vendors displaying and selling their Christmas
items  will be available during these hours:

Friday, December 6, Noon - 5:00 P.M.
Saturday, December 7, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, December 8, 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.