Jamaica 2.2: Culturama

Before you read any further, stop and read my sister's blog post about Culturama.

She explains much better than I could exactly what it is. These are just a few pictures I wanted to add to Carla's post.

DeeDee telling Nathan not to be nervous.

Bubby wondering if he is going to be nervous or not.

A cute candid.

Not sure what he's looking at.

Still nervous, but adorable.

The Braveheart Scots' decapitation scene cracked me up.

Bubby with best buds Darren and Jaleel.

Checking out the program video.

Jamaica 2.1: Nathan's Pre-Birthday Party

This was my second trip to Jamaica, and I know I will write at least two posts, hence the title "Jamaica 2.1." This trip happened as unexpectedly as the first. I actually had no plans to go until I found a good ticket price online. Another influential factor was the fact that Mama and Daddy were already there, and I knew how much Mama wanted us all to be together again. Like last time, Carla, Todd, and I were able to surprise our parents and Nathan again.

Thursday evening we celebrated Nathan's birthday because we won't be there on July 18 when he turns seven. Todd grilled pork chops, per Nathan's request, and Mama and Carla rounded out his menu with garlic mashed potatoes, DeeDee's salad, and brownies. Todd also roasted garlic and grilled bacon-wrapped jalapeño and cream cheese poppers.

Todd grilling on the balcony.

DeeDee and Carla in the kitchen.
Note: DeeDee matches the curtains, and Carla matches the frig.

Making a wish.

Blowing out the candle.

Nathan was very patient during the meal and brownie sundaes. Finally, he asked about his presents. We started teasing him that there were no presents because it wasn't his real birthday yet. He didn't believe us for a second. In fact, he announced, "I'm gonna go look." He started opening cabinet doors in the kitchen, and it didn't take him long to find the hidden cache. Of all the presents, the Nintendo Wii was his favorite. DeeDee, Granddaddy, Todd, Carla, and I all pitched in on that gift, but it was worth it.

Something Mama would never have let me do.

Okay.

Granddaddy, Bubby & DeeDee

"Excited" would be an understatement.

Do you think he liked his Wii?

Do you think Uncle Howie liked his sugar?

DeeDee and Bubby Wii bowling.

To read my sister's account of Nathan's birthday party, click here.

Happy Fathers Day, Daddy!

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!

Daddy, I love you! Happy Fathers Day!

Howie

Happy Birthday, Sister!

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 . . . .

Replacing My Attic Ventilator Fan

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!

Carolina Cousins Visit

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.

Joy, Me & Jacque

Springtime in the Mountains

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.

Perennial phlox on my bank.

Rosemary in bloom in my back yard.

Rosemary flowers

Wild violets edge my driveway.

Tulips beside my porch.

Naturalized daffodils at the tree line.

My dogwoods just beginning to open.

The back of my property.

Part of the trail at Meeks Park.

Another variety of wild violet at the park.

A macro shot.

Pine needles and cones.