Promising his superior (General Grant) that he could make Georgia howl, 146 years ago William Tecumseh Sherman embarked this week on his infamous march through my great State. 

Midway through the text of the above historical marker (photo not taken by me), the small town of Flovilla (formerly East End) shows up.  That's where my maternal grandparents grew up.

My great-great-great grandmother Smith busy with her household duties on November 17, 1864, looked out the back door and saw two Federal soldiers riding horseback up to her front gate.  After conferring with her, the officers took only what they needed for their immediate use.  They asked for the family's guns, broke the stocks and returned them on the condition that they not be repaired until after the war. (pg 121 Rival Lovers)

G-g-g-grandmother Mitchell's home was not so fortunate.  When the solders came by, they destroyed bales of cotton and burned the gin house.  She begged them not to burn the cotton gin, the only way she had of making a living for herself and children.  They wouldn't listen.  She was pregnant and as she watched the flames leap up, labor pains started. (pg 125 Rival Lovers)

G-g-g-grandfather Sam Smith was away fighting with the Georgia Militia.  One of the enterprises he left behind was his grist mill, on the Jasper County side of the Ocmulgee River.  While Sam's successful business was spared by Sherman's men, the local cotton mill (Planter's Factory) was not.

Here's what my g-g-g-uncle described:

The worst single act of vandalism committed in our county by Sherman's ruthless band of invaders was the burning of this cotton mill and setting the workers adrift without employment or means of support in the dark November of 1864.  The building was built of timbers from the original pines of the nearby forest and the burning of it make a fire that could be seen for miles in every direction.
(pg 123-Rival Lovers)

A few weeks ago I walked through the ruins of the New Manchester Mill, destroyed on July 9, 1864.  Here's a link to my short post.  Learning the story of these captured men, women, and children is a potent reminder of the evils of big, statist government.

I can't help but see parallels today as I recall the way the Transporation Security Agency (TSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are violating our personal property (our bodies) and freedoms today.

I feel compelled to continue to howl.

I hope you will complain about Big Brother as well.

Laying aside my favored non-fiction, I delved into two easy-reads this month.

I affectionately call such novels *Brain Candy*

To further tease my imagination, I pretend that I'm sitting in this Old English Interior captured by painter Herbert Davis Richter.

Now that we're all settled, I commend to your attention two titles.

Mary Kay Andrews' newest fiction, The Fixer Upper, caught my eye when I was returning some library books.  Several years ago I enjoyed her books, Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze.

Then a good friend thrust Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolfe into my hands, stating "I think you'll really enjoy this one!"  That recommendation and the storyline covering a little art and fashion sealed the deal.

American versus British, each author tackles the trials of a (late)twenty-something female with plausible situations and reasonable resolutions.  Both protaganists face their problems with head-on determination and work through actions that dissolve troubles.

Yes, work!  I think that's why I liked both books so much.  Neither girl wallowed in her misery.

The Vintage Affair is set in London where I would love to visit (again).  Phoebe Swift opens a vintage clothing store and thereby meets an older woman who helps her work through her disappointments.

The Fixer Upper is set in my beloved Georgia where Dempsey Jo Killebrew (great name!) throws herself into renovating an old house.  She too meets an older women who teaches her about life.

So, grab a cup of tea. 

Curl up with a blanket.

Finish a book on this Fine Fall Friday.

Besides the Autumn poets sing
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the Haze—

A few incisive Mornings—
A few Ascetic Eves—
Gone—Mr. Bryant's "Golden Rod"—
And Mr. Thomson's "sheaves."

Still, is the bustle in the Brook—
Sealed are the spicy valves—
Mesmeric fingers softly touch
The Eyes of many Elves—

Perhaps a squirrel may remain—
My sentiments to share—
Grant me, Oh Lord, a sunny mind—
Thy windy will to bear!

Emily Dickinson
American Poet
1830 - 1886

Link to BYU's Dickinson Lexicon

I did not take the picture of the squirrel.

O SUNS and skies and clouds of June,
        And flowers of June together,
    Ye cannot rival for one hour
        October's bright blue weather;

    When loud the bumble-bee makes haste,
        Belated, thriftless vagrant,
    And Golden-Rod is dying fast,
        And lanes with grapes are fragrant;

    When Gentians roll their fringes tight
        To save them for the morning,
    And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
        Without a sound of warning;

    When on the ground red apples lie
        In piles like jewels shining,
    And redder still on old stone walls
        Are leaves of woodbine twining;

    When all the lovely wayside things
        Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
    And in the fields, still green and fair,
        Late aftermaths are growing;

    When springs run low, and on the brooks,
        In idle golden freighting,
    Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush
        Of woods, for winter waiting;

    When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
        By twos and twos together,
    And count like misers, hour by hour,
        October's bright blue weather.

    O suns and skies and flowers of June,
        Count all your boasts together,
    Love loveth best of all the year
        October's bright blue weather.

Helen Hunt Jackson
American Writer and Poet
1830 - 1885

Signing the American Constitution                                                                by Sam Knecht
Oil on canvas   60 in x 104 in                                                                                                                       2010

Before September ends, I'd like to bring again to your attention the importance of the U.S. Constitution.  Last Friday, all across our nation teachers, politicians, journalists, and ministers heralded the principles of this unrivaled document.  Surely we can devote more than ONE day each year when legislators sincerely seek to uphold the constitution they promised to preserve, protect and defend. 

Hillsdale College, my alma mater, was at the forefront of one celebration by co-ordinating the opening of its newest educational endeaver, The Kirby Institute, in Washington, DC.

Furthermore, the trustees commissioned this fine artistic rendition of the event which took place in Philadelphia 243 years prior.  Dedicated last week, the painting now hangs in the library of the Kirby Institute.

Chairman of Hillsdale's Art Department and prize-winning painter, Sam Knecht instilled new life into a familiar painting by pulling back the curtains, throwing up the windows and letting the sun shine brightly.  I cant think of a finer metaphor to challenge our own re-dedication to personal responsibility for maintaining freedom in these great united states.

Be sure and check all the links.  One helps identify the delegates.  Another provides information for purchasing a framed print of Knecht's work.  Consider buying one and donating it to your local Christian school.

BTW, how many statesmen could you locate?

It's past time to renew my commitment to walking with deliberation.  Hence, *Saturday Stomps*.

The Etowah Trail is one I've walked before over the years, but there have been some recent improvements as well as the publishing of an updated map both of which have made the hike more interesting.  A detailed photo log is posted in my Facebook Photo album.

Because DD#3 and I covered only 2.5 miles (in and out) this past weekend, that means that there are 11 more miles to explore. It wont happen this weekend since the service league is hosting their annual event there.  But I hope to get back to these woods real soon. 

In the meantime, Garland Mountain Trail ~

Here I come!

Sunday's Feast provides planned-overs for Tuesday's dinner.  At the top of the collage is the crock pot beef roast that was cooked all night on low.  Steamed vegetables were added right before serving and I think that's why they're still so colorful.

Whole wheat biscuits  rounded out the meal both during and afterwards.  The freshly steamed green beans were from the co-op.

Dessert, you wonder?  Fig preserves (pictured) or Sourwood Honey (unpasteurized) atop those delicious biscuits!

Last but not least, a Lucky Duck Cabernet complimented all the flavors without being overly strong. 

In 1937, the U.S. Post Office released a commemorative postage stamp celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.  The engraving on this issue is after an 1856 painting by Julius Brutus Stearns of Washington and Delegates signing the historic document at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia.

Because that painting is already well-known and because I like engravings, I chose to highlight this philatelic fine art today in honor of Constitution Day.

There are many things that come to mind when I view this 3-cent red postage stamp aside from the hand-engraved copper plate that was used to make it AND the skilled hands that cut the design.  Besides the facts that it now costs 44 cents to mail a first class letter to and more people use electronic mail, I could still use it to mail a letter.  Unfortunately, I would have to add 41 cents to it, even though the collector value is 18 cents.

To me it's a reminder of the meaning of the commemoration.

It's a call to examine the way we treat our Constitution.

Stop ignoring it.

Make sure your representatives, senators, and President remember that they all swore to uphold it ~

to PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND IT.

Covering 5.5 miles around a portion of Lake Allatoona is an invigorating way to spend a Saturday.

I highly recommend it.

Today's romp makes the third time I've traveled the short distance to Red Top Mountain State Park and taken advantage of their well-kept trails.  I should go more often.

Since I first purchased 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Atlanta, the book has been updated with five new hikes, one of which I had already done: Panola Mountain. 

Basically, that means I've got 50 more to check off the list ;-

But you can tell from my hiking tag that I've not been sitting still   Plus Blogger link.

Here are the links for previous romps: 2004  and 2007.

All along my goal has been to just plain *move*.

May not as hurriedly Charles Dickens in his famous quote:

If I could not walk far and fast, I think I should just explode and perish. 

But I do like going the distance.

How are you moving this Fall?

 Difference of Opinion  

28" x 22"   Oil on Canvas by Christopher Stott                                               2010

Clean, simple well-lit space defines the argument presented in this painting but does not declare a winner.

A new-to-me artist, Christopher Stott, captured my attention today when my American Arts Quarterly magazine arrived. I learned that he recently exhibited paintings at the Elliot Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA.  Too far for me, but I did sign up for his mailing list and will be sure to pay a visit, if ever he comes to the Southeast.

His Gumball Machines remind me of another favorite artist, Wayne Theibaud; and Five Pomegrantes reminds me of my own daughter's work (shameless plug).

In light of the many ongoing debates in news (Bible vs Koran burning, Christianity vs Islam, i.e. World Trade Center, and the US Constitution vs UN World Order), Difference of Opinion frames the issues and draws me in.

Lots and lots of closed books or one open book?

Black and gray with a white background? 

Wait a minute!

Shouldnt that be Black and White with a gray background?