Happy New Year 2023

 I do apologize for my inability to keep this blog going in 2022. It has been a difficult year for me physically and emotionally. Long story short I had health issues in the spring aggravated by stress. This led to the amputation of my left foot. My journey back to good health and my learning to walk again was a surprisingly rewarding although difficult one. 

So with a challenging year behind me I am looking forward to an awesome 2023. My wish is that you all have a safe, healthy and joy filled year.

One of my goals for 2023 is to read 50 books. I would love suggestions!  What are you reading? 

I will post my books as I am reading them and include a link to either the publisher in the case of The University of Georgia Press or my favorite bookstore, Avid Bookshop located here in Athens, GA.  I am not affiliated with either group nor do I receive any compensation for the links. These are just the two places where I choose to purchase my books.

Book #1:  We Shall Not Be Moved - The Desegregation of The University of Georgia by Robert A. Pratt

Available from The Georgia Press. Link here. 

 HAPPY READING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moina Michael's First Poppy

Moina Michael, the Poppy Lady is the originator of the idea of using the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for our fallen servicemen in World War II.  In November 1918 Ms. Michael was inspired by John McCrae's poem, In Flanders Field to her poem, We Shall Keep the Faith. She also went to Wanamaker's Department store and purchases several poppies. She vowed to wear a poppy in remembrance. She campaigned not only to have the poppy adopted as the symbol of remembrance but also for the sale of poppies to support returning disabled veterans. as a result of Ms. Moina's efforts the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1921.

This is one of the original poppies. It is now on exhibit at the University of Georgia Special Collections Library in Athens, Georgia.  

To learn more about Moina Michael check out the Moina Michael Poppy Project. 

We Shall Keep the Faith

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,

Sleep sweet - to rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields

 

                                                                                                                      

Friday Finds - Jerry Reed

While visiting the University of Georgia Special Collections Library I saw Jerry Reed's guitar.  Jerry Reed was an amazing singer, songwriter, actor, and one of the best entertainers ever.

  

City Lights of Commerce, GA

Recently I went back to Commerce, Georgia where I lived when I finished high school a long, long time ago.  Unlike most of North Georgia not much has changed in Commerce.  One thing I did notice was that the city had moved the monument to Bill Anderson.  At least I remember it being on the other side of the railroad tracks but then I have been away for a long time.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, Bill Anderson was working at WJJC in Commerce when he wrote the song City Lights.  Ray Price recorded it in 1958 and the song spent 13 weeks as the number one record on the new Billboard County Chart.  I highly recommend you listen to Mr. Anderson's account of writing his first hit.  You can check it here:
http://uga.edu/livinghistory/video/bill-anderson-city-lights/

Whisperin' Bill went on to record over 40 albums and has had seven number one hits of his own starting with Mama Sang a Song (1962).  Yet with all of his success he continues to remember Commerce.  He has returned several times to perform at benefits and raise money for the Bill Anderson Scholarship Fund at Commerce High School.  In fact, as of today tickets are still available for his upcoming benefit on November 16th.  Tickets are available from WJJC at http://www.wjjc.net/billanderson.html

As a graduate of Commerce High School I just have to say thank you Mr. Anderson.  We love you.

Week in review

I can hardly believe it 's May already. Classes are ending and my friends who are graduating are starting to leave Athens. Everybody's excited about graduation and busy making plans.

One great thing about May is that the Farmer's Market opens back up. I am looking forward to having another way to purchase fresh produce. Tomorrow is the first day so we'll have to be early. I expect everyone to be sold out by 10 am.

Decided to work on my Etsy store this spring. I want to have some fun making magnets and working with upcycled, recycled items. Here's a pair of earrings I posted tonight. I have always been a baseball fan so spring and summer means watching the Diamond Dogs (UGA) and the Atlanta Braves. These would be fun to wear to the games.