I'm still trying to get used to all this. I read a lot of blogs and comments (sometimes they are much more interesting and informative than the original article), but actually doing it is a first. I just posted a comment about the Year of the Dragon - that's interesting.
I do wish a great 2009 for all. I gave up making resolutions a number of years ago, but I do try to make a list of what I'm doing in the upcoming year. Of course, prominent on last year's was our reunion and the school birthday party, Rhea Stadium, and our Historic Russellville Lincoln Exhibit (which will continue through this year). It seems I have nothing comparable this year. I do intend to make one more stab at saving our old gym, but I'm truly afraid that's a lost cause - sad. As always, money is the great roadblock. I also hope that we can all stay in close touch. This blog is a help, and us locals really should make an effort to get together on some sort of regular basis. Anytime an out-of-towner is in the area, let somebody know. Charlotte, let me know when you're going to be in Nashville - we can at least "do" lunch, among my favorite activities.
Keith, I have been listening to news that Jean Richey is donating her collection to the Library of Congress. I assume that it will eventually be on-line. I thought of you when I heard.
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Happy New Year, Lucy and thanks for the first post of 2009! I had also hoped the old gym could be saved, but when we looked at the wavy floor last year, I realized it meant big bucks - hard to come by in this economy. But hope you'll keep the issue alive locally. I remember multiple passes across that floor with the push broom-mop, my introduction to physical education... ;o) I think the floor was a little flatter in those days.
Charlotte's observations about our astrological tags are certainly dim sum to be ingested. I hadn't realized until her post that I was a metal Dragon, and also hadn't appreciated the attributes that go with it. Most seem to stick, so I'm paying more attention, even at this advanced date in my education.
You'll have to catch me up on the Jean Richey collection - probably something I should know about but don't.
I'm still trying to figure out how to reorder multiple comment responses to a post, so that the last comment appears first. So far, no luck.
We had wind chills to -15 deg here last night and it was 4 deg when I woke up this morning. Brrr....
Keith, you folks have real winter - we had our first night below freezing in several days last night. It is unusual for it to remain below 32 during the day here although we do get cold snaps for short periods from time to time - and ice storms - just to frustrate the gardener I am convinced.
Lucy, it seems money is always the stumbling block with preservation, that and the fact that many have no attachment to the past and see no value in preserving it at all. It is an uphill fight - we were involved early on here but right now Fred and I are both sitting on the sidelines although I suspect at some point we will get sucked back in as it is a compelling mission. Not as compelling as it would be if this were the place where we grew up - but when you are transplanted you have to take on the history of others.
I do think that our being Dragons of varying degrees is interesting - I was born on the cusp of Virgo and Libra in my more conventional horoscope, but I have always identified more closely with the Chinese version.
My only list of to dos for the next year other than to be healthy, less poor, and wiser, is to get the seven band roses that I have been growing in sixteen inch pots into the ground. Roses don't do particularly well for me, but they are a passion and I do keep trying despite disappointments. I have one old friend (Madame Issac Pereire) who came from Tennessee with me who has done quite well and an unnamed (Daisy Thorpe the former owner of what is still known as the Thorpe house told me she took a cutting in England.) OGR on the front fence along side a moss rose that I believe is Napoleon's Chapeau also thrive here. Several others are struggling along but not particularly promising so I have started a number of different ones to try and find others who like our climate and my inept care. They are all antique roses which is what I prefer. Hopefully a few will "like it here."
Charlotte, any chance you could post a couple of photos of your antique roses? We need some colorful interesting images on the blog! I just didn't realize that those old roses had such aristocratic names. Another item on my "to be learned list."
Happy New Year to you Lucy and to all others on this blog.
I know that I can certainly use a happy new year. Starting on Dec 28th, my birthday, Marty and I were put down for several days with either the stomach flu or food poisoning. Either way it was not a good way to end the year or lose seven pounds.
As for my list of things to do this year, I have to start off with knee replacement surgery. That will put quite a burden on Marty for about two months. My middle brother, Frank, is about seven weeks past having knee replacement and said that the Brown brothers seem to do things in bunches. However, our youngest brother, Brian, does not have anything on his schedule.
We all know how hard it is to save old land sites Lucy and yes it always comes down to the money. Good luck in your effort to save our old gym. A lot of memories are tied to the gym. Do you remember when there was a swimming pool where the stage was built? Like Keith, I can remember physical education as well as other activities on that gym floor.
Charlotte, as far as the astrological information, I have to say that I am getting some education here as this is not an area that I have been exposed to in the past. Interesting.
David, I think you're right about the swimming pool being under the gym. It must be still there. Lucy can straighten us out on that.
Good luck with your knee surgery. It will put you down and put Marty to extra work for awhile, but everyone I've talked to who has had that procedure says the new knee is much better than the old one. It's really high-tech stuff these days. You'll have to call in Brian to do the heavy lifting while you're recuperating. Keep us posted - on this blog!
Keith, I misspelled Jean RITCHIE's name. You can Google her; she's the one who has done so much to save the mountain music over the years. You might be able to find a KET special from several years ago about her family; their singing "Amazing Grace" on the porch of their old homeplace is perfectly beautiful. As I recall, she revived the dulcimer. I thought of your grandfather's fiddle.
Charlotte, I love the old roses. I have three pink bushes - singles, and they require absolutely no care here, - so far. As I understand, a major source are slips from old graveyards, and you all know I like that.
David, good for you to have the knee surgery. As I understand, it will be an initial inconvenience but worth it over the long haul. Personally, I think that stomach flu/food poisoning is a terrible affliction. Bless your hearts - and at Christmas time too.
Yes, there was/is a swimming pool under that stage. The building was "renovated" about the time the current Middle School building was constructed. That gym was the last of the Logan College construction (1920's) and the pool was quite grand for its time. It is actually still there - used for "storage". I understand ground water does get into it, which is a problem with the building - leads to mold. My solution to that is to simply fill it up with concrete, but folks don't seem to think much of my engineering abilities.
Hope everybody has eaten some black-eyed peas today. I see no reason to take any chances.
I knew about the swimming pool under the old gym as that is where I learned to swim. After it was sealed over with the stage, my brother Frank almost lost three fingers when he fell into the open trap door to the storage area and it fell shut on him. I seem to remember graduation on that stage as well.
David, I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery. Fred's brother who is in his mid forties is having both of his knees replaced this spring and someone else we know here in Rocky Somewhere is getting a new hip at the age of 29 so it is not just us older folks who get creaky. No consolation when its your turn I am sure, but I hope that shortly you will be kicking higher than ever.
Here is hoping for a healthy 2009 for all of us.
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