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A Bike Ride – Spring of 2020
I found this short story that I had written during the earlier days of the 2020 Pandemic. Thanks goodness for Churches.
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Thanksgiving Revisited
James – Your First Thanksgiving, 11.26.20 It is Thanksgiving week, and yesterday, your grandmother Lizzy and I watched a video that contained a “Thanksgiving Message” from an industry colleague and friend. In her message, she shared some recent challenges faced by a close friend. She talked about grief, but also about gratitude. Her poignant message spurred me to revisit the meaning of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a uniquely American tradition which we, as a country, began to formally celebrate as a National holiday in 1863, during the midst of the American Civil War, when President Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. But how did this tradition…
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Happiness is a Choice
As another delightful weekend at The Homestead with wonderful long-time friends comes to an end, I feel compelled to share some wisdom from a book I read a few years ago. In fact, a friend who was with us at The Homestead a few weeks ago recommended the book – “Happiness Is A Choice You Make” by John Leland. She had heard John Leland speak at a conference on the importance of social connection. She was so impressed by his talk, she bought and read his book. After her recommendation, I have done the same. The following is a review and some key take-always. A writer for the New York…
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Three Movies with Real Heroes
I have chosen to review three movies that some of you may never have heard of. All of us have admired historical figures, people who were famous during our lifetimes, and even ordinary people in our own lives. We may even refer to some of those people as heroes. We may have different reasons for defining them as heroes, but they are heroes to each of us. Each of these movies contain heroes. Each takes place in different parts of the world – Asia, Europe and America. Two movies are sub-titled – one in Japanese and one in French. But they have one thing in common. They are about ordinary…
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T.C. turns 84 years old 11.7.20
Yesterday, my father-in-law, T.C. Dickerson turned eighty-four years old. And it was a great day. T.C.’s health has not been the best for the past four years. Three years ago, he had to leave our oldest son’s wedding reception early, and two years ago, was not able to attend our middle son’s wedding. At the beginning of COVID, the retirement community where he and his wife Sarah reside had to shut down. And I was not able to see them until a few weeks ago when it reopened. So, the thought of Sarah and T.C. actually making a trip to our farm, which neither had seen, seemed out of the…
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A Healthy Exchange of Ideas 11.6.20
Earlier on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd, Lizzy and I were driving back to the lake house after a full day of working at Poor Creek Farm. Our oldest son, who lives in Boston, calls us on our cell phone to check in. After chatting for a few minutes, he asks, “Who did you vote for?” We laugh at the question because he already knew the answer. Elizabeth and I were among the Americans who had voted early. Davis, on the other hand, was going to vote later that day because he wanted to cast his vote on the actual Election Day because it felt more participatory. I can proudly…
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James at six weeks
James, Today, Sunday, November 1st, you are exactly six weeks old. And in your grandparents’ minds that is an important milestone. And here is the reason. When your dad was the same age, I was scheduled to attend my good friend Sam’s bachelor party in Washington D.C. Sam was the best man in our own wedding, and he happens to be your uncle Jack’s Godfather. So, he really wanted me to be there. However, that afternoon before I left, your dad appeared very lethargic. So, as a precaution, I gave your grandmother Lizzy a phone number where she could reach me. Later that evening your grandmother called me to tell…
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The Homestead in October
We love sharing the Homestead with our friends, especially friends who have not visited before. This week we had friends from Gastonia, NC, Southern California, and Richmond share the week here with us. Thanks David and Patty, Bob and Judy, and Jeff and Denise for making this week so special for us. Enjoy the photos.
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James at One Month
James, You are so big. You had your one-month check-up today and you were 8 pounds and 13 ounces. When you were born, you were 6 pounds. So, in one month, you have increased your weight by 46%. Think about that. You came two weeks early. So, if I do my math right, in one month you gained almost 50% of the weight you gained in a little over 8 months. Your mom deserves most of the credit. She has been so diligent in making sure you get all of the nutrients you need for a great start to grow up healthy and strong. In addition, your mom and dad…
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The Football Field Meltdown
My first semester of college was a major transition for me. In addition to happily adjusting to indoor plumbing, I had to adapt socially and academically to my new environment. And although I did not know or care about Phi Beta Kappa when I matriculated to Randolph-Macon College, I would realize its significance later when I narrowly missed graduating with that honor. It was not my nemesis, freshman physics, that kept me from that honor. It would be another freshman class – one that to this day, as a writer, I wish I could take over again. Although my course load was light during my first semester with Pre-calculus, French, English and…
