Anyone who knows my daddy knows that you could never describe him fully in a blog post. He is truly an amazing man who has accomplished so much in his life. He overcame blindness to fulfill his calling, and recently celebrated fifty years as an ordained minister of the gospel. He is a talented musician, singer, and carpenter, but his best role to me has always been as a father. I know he is not perfect, because no one is, but he has always, as an example, lived what he believes in front of me. He is the wisest and most intelligent person I know, and although we don't always agree, I always consider his view and highly value his advice. What a blessing it is to have such a man to call when I need someone to talk to and know he will always care for me as a son with love and prayer!
My sister is a woman of many talents and amazing strength. I guess she inherited those gifts from our mother, well . . . except for the athletic ability, that is. Quite frankly, I'm not sure where she got that gift. I was six years old when she was born, and I still remember the day.
We have traveled the western hemisphere together, living on two continents, four countries, and countless houses. We even shared our first passport. (Now that's a picture I'll have to find.) Through thick and thin we have always been close.
I know in all the hoopla on my blog surrounding Nathan, it may seem like my sister doesn't get as much attention, but I will never forget that without her I never would have become Nathan's Uncle.
This is a poem I wrote for Carla on her birthday six years ago. Since I haven't written a new one, and this one has never appeared on the blog, I thought this would be a good time to share it.
SISTER
She’s a lady A classic work of art She’s a singer and a worshiper Anointed, set apart
She’s an athlete It all stands to reason Volleyball, basketball, soccer Voted MVP every season
She’s a teacher Imparting what she knows Science was her craft The first career she chose
She’s a lover Of God, her family, and friends And they love her in return With a love that never ends
She’s a servant A caregiver and a nurse A gifted, broken vessel Putting others first
She’s a daughter Roland and Evelyn’s heir She’s a wife The answer to Todd’s prayer
She’s a mother As if she always knew Diapers, bottles, and lullabies Her dream at last came true
She’s a giver Of Nathan, my nephew Since once was not enough Soon she’ll be a mother times two
She’s a friend When others walk away A confidant who knows me Yet loves me anyway
She’s my sister The world’s best indeed The only one I have And the only one I need
—For Carla June 14, 2002
Happy birthday, Carla! You know I love you so . . . .
Some time last year the electrical circuit to my hallway, hall bathroom, and master bedroom closet lights started throwing the breaker. My electrician finally tracked it down to a short in my attic ventilator fan. He disconnected the wire to the fan so it wouldn't throw the switch for the other locations. I didn't get the fan replaced immediately, but there was a noticeable increase in my electric bill every month. A few months later Jerry and I found what we thought would be the right fan to replace it at Home Depot. The price was reasonable, so I bought it.
Several weeks later we climbed up in the attic, or rather Jerry climbed up in the blazing hot attic sauna, to disconnect the thermostat from the rafter. I handed him what I thought was my sturdy hammer to pry it from the rafter. I knew Jerry was a good toolman, but I had no idea he was strong enough to ruin my hammer!
So much for my hammer.
Next we climbed up on the roof to pull out the old fan and install the new one. The fan we had picked out at Home Depot was a perfect fit. And yes, I helped.
Taking out the old fan.
Jerry loves his work.
Prepping the new fan.
Where does this piece go?
Replacing the fan was a fairly easy job. Finding where my electrician disconnected the wire was another story. I ended up having to call my electrician, and he couldn't remember where he made the disconnection. So we had to postpone finishing the job. We finally decided to check the connection behind the attic light socket, and there it was! After Jerry got it wired and set the thermostat, I flipped the switch and the new fan kicked on.
Check out Jerry's cool lighted cap.
Good as new!
I have definitely noticed the house being cooler the last few weeks, but I guess the real proof will be when I get my next TECO bill. Thanks Jerry!
A few weeks ago Uncle Edward and Aunt Frances Blount from Greenville, South Carolina, came down for their grandaughter Ginger's graduation from Southeastern University in Lakeland. Two of their three daughters and a host of their grandchildren and spouses came down as well. On Saturday evening, Uncle Eugene and Aunt Mary put on one of their famous fish fries at the Pleasant Grove Assembly pavilion and invited the local Blounts to attend. It was great to see two of my Carolina cousins, Joy (Blount) Painter (Ginger's mom) and Jacque (Blount) Sweet, again. Their youngest sister Jan, who was my close friend during college, was not able to attend. When we were kids we used to get to see each other fairly often, especially during the summers at Grandaddy's cabin in Franklin, North Carolina. Now that we are adults, getting together is rare. I took my camera to the fish fry, but forgot about taking pictures until we got ready to leave. At least I got a couple of good shots together with my Carolina cousins.
I went up to my cabin in Blairsville, Georgia, for a few days during spring break. The mountains were beautiful as always. Because spring break was later this year, I was hoping I would get to see the wild dogwoods on my property in bloom, but they were only beginning to blossom. However, there were many other spring flowers and trees in bloom across the mountains.
The 2008 Mulberry, Florida, Relay for Life began Friday evening April 25, and continued through the night until Saturday morning when the announcement was made that they had raised $75,000 (currently $76,000) for the American Cancer Society. This was about $30,000 more than the previous record. They also had the best crowd turnout ever in their relay history.
The event was held at the Mulberry High School football stadium AKA "The Phosphate Bowl."
U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam sent an American flag and letter in honor of the event.
Due to technical difficulties, American Cancer Society representative Colleen Mangan stepped in on the spur of the moment to sing the National Anthem and did a beautiful job.
Colleen sings the National Anthem.
My good friend Jerry Woods is a Mulberry city commissioner and the chairman of the Mulberry Relay for Life. Jerry and his daughter Brandy lost their wife and mother, Judy, to breast cancer in 2006.
Purple-shirted cancer survivors take the first lap.
Five faithful community supporters and courageous fighters carried the Relay for Life banner. Luminarias memorializing victims and honoring survivors were placed at intervals around the track. Although there were dozens of luminarias remembering people I did not know, I located the luminarias for Judy Woods and Megan Carpenter, a young lady who attended sixth grade at Tomlin Middle School where I teach.
Luminarias encircle the track.
Judy Woods' luminaria
Megan Carpenter's luminaria
The survivors tent.
Jerry's parents are both cancer survivors.
While raising funds to fight cancer, Relay for Life maintains a fine balance between memory, honor, entertainment, and fun. Each relay team has a tent and campsite where they host games and prizes, sell food and other items, and stay the night. Continuous entertainment is provided and contests are held at the main stage throughout the event. Jerry's team, the Couch Potatoes, sold sloppy joes and drinks for their fundraiser.
Brandy and Jerry try out the Couch Potatoes' couch.
Perry puts his costume together.
Jerry's younger brother Perry, who is stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, was down visiting the family during Relay. He is a man of many talents, including magic illusions and comedy. Before the night was over he would steal the show.
My turn on the couch.
Cloggers
Sikes Elementary Chorus
Mulberry PD and "Sylva" give a demonstration.
Volleyball bumpers (I have never seen so many orbs in one picture before.)
The 2008 Couch Potatoes
The field right before the Luminaria ceremony.
HOPE became . . .
. . . a CURE!
Jerry hosts the 2008 Miss Relay Pageant. Creepy! (Note: Jerry was the 2007 first runner-up.)
Next up was the best mullet contest. Perry took the stage sporting sunglasses, a cut-off shirt, and the coolest mullet you've ever seen. Hilarious!
Perry struts his stuff!
The Pose-Down
As if that wasn't enough, Perry challenged "Tina Turner" to a booty dancing pose-down. But it was all over when she snatched him bald-headed. Literally!
Tony's masterpiece
One of the highlights of the evening was when Tony Trotti painted a canvas to the tune of Every Time I Breathe by Big Daddy Weave. When the song ended, he flipped the canvas over to reveal that he had done a painting of Jesus upside-down. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Tony donated the painting, and later there was a drawing to raise money for ACS. I bet you would love to see it live, and now you can!
It's not too late to contribute. If you would like to make a donation and read Jerry's story, click here. To read more about my family's involvement with Relay for Life, click here. Congratulations to Mulberry Relay Committee and the people of Mulberry! Your hard work and dedication have paid off. Here's to finding the cure in the not too distant future . . . .
Thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you enjoy reading about my life, travels, the people I love, and of course my nephew Nathan. Be sure to check out my other blogs: Eyes Wide Open, Clips, Notes & Quotes, and Mr. Blount's Classroom.
At the end of each post there is a link for comments readers have left on the site. If you click on the links you can read the comments others have left about the post and even leave comments yourself. I have readers who have emailed their comments to me in the past, and I thank you, but I would rather you post your comments to the site. You can leave comments anonymously if you wish.
Thanks in advance! I love to read my readers’ comments!
Howard
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Anyone who knows my daddy knows that you could never describe him fully in a blog post. He is truly an amazing man who has accomplished so much in his life. He overcame blindness to fulfill his calling, and recently celebrated fifty years as an ordained minister of the gospel. He is a talented musician, singer, and carpenter, but his best role to me has always been as a father. I know he is not perfect, because no one is, but he has always, as an example, lived what he believes in front of me. He is the wisest and most intelligent person I know, and although we don't always agree, I always consider his view and highly value his advice. What a blessing it is to have such a man to call when I need someone to talk to and know he will always care for me as a son with love and prayer!
