Saturday, October 21, 2023

Ryan's Amazing Origami Magic

 


Years ago, I witnessed Ryan's skill at following intricate
Lego instructions. Within the last year, he demonstrated an
amazing ability to learn and remember ALL my string tricks.
On our recent visit, my awe and admiration reached new highs
as he showed me his origami collection.
Let's take a look.

Introducing Ryan, Origami Master


Ryan with a sampling of his favorite creations.

Each piece is flawlessly formed with his 
skillful folding. And he has memorized all these
 steps learned from books and YouTube videos.

Specially for Halloween he has a pet bat
which perches on his hand.

He's protected by the "Claws of Death."







This cube is made from six colors, each one
a separate creation that he skillfully connects. 
One of my favorites is the delicate rose above, which
seems to be the only one with a "curl" to it.














Below are brief videos of Ryan displaying his
Ninja Star (two stars combined) and his
Crab Claw Pincers (or hedge clippers?).








Perhaps you're thinking like me: someday when I 
need brain surgery, Ryan's the guy for me!


Sunday, January 8, 2023

History and Charm in Madison, Georgia

As part of our post-Christmas trip to Georgia to
see family, we were able to plan a short stopover in
the quaint town of Madison, Georgia, midway between
Augusta and Atlanta. We stayed at the historic James Madison
Inn and got to see quite a bit of this charming town during our
brief stay.

Here's the main entrance to the James Madison Inn.

 
This view of The James Madison Inn is from the adjacent
town park. It has 17 luxuriously furnished rooms and suites.
There are some private apartments in some areas.

This sitting room was across from the welcome desk.

There was also an elevator, but we chose the
stairs whenever we weren't carrying luggage.

The way to our room filled us with anticipation.

Our balcony overlooked the town park.

We had gas logs in our fireplace and a large sitting area.

The bathroom was spacious and first-class.

The room exuded comfort.

This was a great place to begin our Georgia trip.

We would visit this breakfast area and common room
the next morning.

We had arrived mid-afternoon and it was warm enough
for a walking tour of the area. First stop was the nearby
town park.

The park showed a lot of foresight by town planners.
It is in the heart of Madison's business district, but was
not sacrificed to developers.

Sculptures like this add to the atmosphere.

We could imagine the festive activities that must fill
this place through the year.

Judy and I love Free Little Libraries, but we had never
seen a Free Little Art Gallery. Someone is always expanding
on a good idea.

We loved that the public was invited to exchange pieces
to keep the art constantly evolving. Only the easels were
to be left intact.

After walking several downtown blocks, we were back
near our inn and started down a greenway trail. It was
a serendipitous walk.

This is Round Bowl Spring. It is historic and is a focal
point of the town's very founding.

By serendipity, we encountered a lady who thought she 
recognized us. Indeed, she did-- she had seen us downtown
a few minutes earlier! It turned out that her 95 year-old mother
(still living with her) is a retired landscape architect who designed
the very trail we were hiking. We had an enchanting and informative
conversation/stroll with her and she took our picture for us.

She showed us the three historic town cemeteries that come 
together near the railroad tracks.

An interesting climbing tree along our route.

More details about Round Bowl Spring and more.

I'm not sure what type tree this mammoth leaf was from.



The railroad didn't always come through Madison, but
when it came it had a lasting impact on the town.

As we returned from our stroll, we heard a switch
engine on the nearby railroad track. Judy told me
I'd better hurry or I'd miss it. I was off in a flash!

This train gave me a private performance.
It wasn't a through-train. It was switching
some cars back and forth to the east and west
of this overpass. I positioned myself underneath
the trestle and hoped for a view that has been on
my "bucket list", unofficially.
My video was too long to post on Blogger, but I
will post it on Facebook. It was quite thrilling to
the young boy in me who has loved trains all my life.



As darkness fell, we adored the view of the town
park from our balcony once again.

The park and all the rest of the town were still
wonderfully lit for the Christmas season. This was
taken from the balcony.

Several hours later, this was sunrise from our balcony.

We had a little time before heading down the road,
so we got to know this town a little better. It has a
rich Civil War connection. Several on-line sources
explain why General Sherman did not burn this town
on his march from Atlanta to Savannah, where little
else was spared. Here's one version:
"Legend has it that Madison's more than forty-five antebellum houses still stand because the U.S. senator Joshua Hill, an anti-secessionist who resigned his seat rather than defy the wishes of his pro-secessionist constituents, rode out to meet Sherman and pleaded that his hometown be spared."

This old depot of the Georgia Railroad was also of
great interest to me. My ancestor James Loyd's hotel,
Washington Hall, was located where all the Atlanta
railroads came to a junction. The zero milepost is on
display at Underground Atlanta, which was once called 
Loyd Street. By the time Sherman burned Atlanta, James
Loyd had been dead for more than a year and his well-known
hotel was in the hands of others. James Loyd was a pioneer
citizen of Atlanta, and Loyd Street was one of the six original streets.
It is now called Central Avenue.

Being only 68 miles from Atlanta, it was inevitable that
Madison would be of strategic significance. Like my 
great-great grandfather's house, which I wrote about in
"Mystery at the Loyd Homeplace," it was destined NOT to burn.

I've added this to threads of history that require
more study from me. And there are many!

The last site we checked on before leaving
town was this famous old school building,
which now houses the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center.
The kind lady who guided us on our walk told us all 
about it, and she happens to live right next door to it
in a house built by her great grandfather.

Yes, history was everywhere in this charming town.
Perhaps our path will lead us back sometime.

Monday, October 31, 2022

"Old Ball and Chain" or "Mr. Loyd and Mrs. Horne's Class Goes to Summer Camp"

 Here's a truly spooky story-- and not politically correct-- that I wrote for my school class in 1986. This was a memorable class as they were the ones who built and dedicated the Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail that year. The story is a fitting tribute, with some private jokes only they will understand. I would say that names have been changed to protect the innocent, but they haven't. Many of my readers will cleverly deduce who these characters really are. I tried to protect myself from libel charges by using first names only, but that may not be enough to prevent a "class-action suit." 

Mr. Loyd and Mrs. Horne’s Class Goes to Summer Camp

A Tale for Halloween

 

               “Well, here we are,” said Mrs. Horne. “Beautiful Camp Winnebago! It’s just as pretty as the brochure showed.”

               “Well,” added Mr. Loyd, “it was awfully nice of the Boosters Club to send us all to camp.”

“Yeah,” said Bradley. “But we deserved it after all the work we did on the Nature Trail. It was hard!”

“Oh, Bradley, you think everything is hard,” said Jennifer.

“Not as hard as your head,” said Jason.

“Now Jason,” said Mr. Loyd, “let’s not start that!” We’d better get unpacked before it gets dark.  Everybody gets to pick your cabins.”

They were off liked a shot. In no time, bunks were made, lanterns lit, trunks unpacked, and everyone gathered back together.

“Any problems?” asked Mr. Loyd.

“Just one,” answered Amy. “Dee won’t move out of our cabin.”

“WHAT?” said Mr. Loyd. “Dee, you move in with some boys right now!”

“Well,” Dee grinned, “you said we could pick our cabin.”

“Oooh,” Mr. Loyd groaned.





In the meantime, Cheryl, Jonathan and Mary had started a roaring bonfire for toasting marshmallows.  Everyone took sticks and sat near the fire as darkness fell through the camp. Only little eyes could be seen staring out of the surrounding woods.

Clyde started off the ghost stories. “Have y’all heard the one about the ghost of Ronald McDonald?”

“Oh brother,” said Lance. “That’s an old one.”

“Well,” said Clyde, “I have another one that’s a little scarier.”

“YEAH!” roared everybody.

By the time Clyde finished that story, everyone was sitting much closer together and was leaning more toward the fire. It was about a wounded Confederate soldier who some Yankees had drowned in a pond right down the road from the camp. They had chained a cannonball to his leg and pitched him in, laughing. But ever since, his ghost had returned to haunt the area.

“What does the ghost do?” asked Koren in a quivering voice.

“Oh, mainly just wanders around the woods scaring people,” said Clyde.

“B-b-but how?” asked Brent

“Well, he just comes up and says ‘It’s Old Ball-and-Chain’,” John added— “and then he cuts their guts out with his sword.”

“Boy, I’d like to see that pond,” said Skip.

“Sure, you would,” teased Jaime.

“Well, I would,” said Skip, “and I’d throw you in!”

“Mr. Loyd!” whined Jaime.

Suddenly there was a crash.

“Eeek! He’s got me!” screamed Kate.

“Oh! I’m a goner!” yelled Zachary.

But everyone was okay. Dee had just come back from changing cabins and tripped over all the pots and pans. The children thought it was Old Ball-and-Chain coming to get them.

“What’s everybody so jumpy about?” asked Dee.

Tim answered, “Well, if you’d heard Clyde’s story, you’d be jumpy, too.”

“Mr. Loyd,” said Mrs. Horne, “that pond isn’t so far away. Why don’t we get lanterns and take a midnight hike to see this place?”

“Great idea,” agreed Mr. Loyd. “Let’s do it!”

“Uh-uh—I ain’t movin’,” said Mandy.

“Well,” said Mr. Loyd, “then you can stay here by yourself and guard the camp.”

“No way! I’m comin’!” she replied.

Soon they were off with a trail of bobbing lanterns, each person making sure not to get left behind. They followed a winding, but much-used path toward the pond.

Elizabeth asked, “Mr. Loyd, if nobody’s been at this camp since last summer, why is this path so smooth?”

“That’s from that old cannonball being dragged over it,” explained Jimmy.

“Stop it!” shouted Sabrina. “Oh, what I’d give to be coloring right now.”

“I hate coloring,” injected Zachary.

“Mr. Loyd?”

“What is it, Leah?

“I’m sorry to bother you, but something has my leg.”

“EEK!” screamed Danielle. “It’s Old Ball-and-Chain!

“EEK!” echoed twenty other voices.

“Relax,” said Mr. Loyd, “it’s just some smilax (cat-brier).”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Robert.

“Sorry?” exclaimed Ryan. “Why are you SORRY?”

“Well,” explained Robert, “that means I just wet my pants for nothin’.”

“Look,” said Mary. “Moonlight’s reflecting on something up ahead.”

“That looks like water,” observed Brent.

“That’s what it is, all right. Now let’s go home,” said Jason.

“Wait,” said Mr. Loyd, “let’s get up a little closer.”




The class was really packed together now! As they approached the water’s edge, Mr. Loyd caught his breath.

“I don’t believe it!” he gasped. “LOOK!”

Frozen with terror, unable to move, the children watched as a dark form rose from the murky waters. Dripping with slime, it moved toward them.  Everyone’s muscles seemed to have gone limp.




Suddenly, the creature spoke:

“It’s Old Ball-and-Chain,

It’s Old Ball-and-Chain,

A prisoner I’ve been for a hundred years,

And a prisoner I remain.”

Cheryl fainted. The ghost continued, dragging its cold steel ball along.

“It’s time for my decease,

I wish to rest in peace,

But only you can set me free,

And grant me my release”

It came nearer still as the children huddled in silent fear.

“My uniform’s now torn,

I’m ragged and forlorn,

Come close and feel

This ball of steel,

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .”

The ghost stopped.  The children were terrified.

Koren said, “Mr. Loyd, I think I’m having a heart attack!”

“Wait a minute,” exclaimed Zachary. “The ghost didn’t finish that poem. It was a limerick, but the last line was missing.” He repeated the words of the rhyme they had heard. As he slowly said them, he seemed to have an AHA! He walked right up to the ghostly figure and said,

“It’s Old Ball-and-Chain,

It’s Old Ball-and-Chain,

A prisoner I’ve been for a hundred years,

And a prisoner I remain.

It’s time for my decease,

I wish to rest in peace,

But only you can set me free,

And grant me my release.

My uniform’s now torn,

I’m ragged and forlorn,

Come close and feel

This ball of steel,

ATTACHED TO MRS. HORNE!”

Zachary threw back the ghastly figure’s tattered coat. Yes, indeed. It WAS Mrs. Horne! After the shock of this revelation sank in, the students were greatly relieved, and their weak, lifeless bodies gradually returned to normal. Mr. Loyd and Mrs. Horne were just dying with laughter. So was Clyde.

“So, Clyde,” said Adrian, “you were in on this from the beginning?”

“Yup,” said Clyde proudly.

“Good acting,” complimented Mr. Loyd.

“And great thinking by Zachary to solve the mystery,” added Mrs. Horne. “Well, let’s head back to camp. I want to get out of these soggy clothes.

Sabrina interrupted, “Mr. Loyd, Mrs. Horne, and Clyde, I hope you know I will never forgive you for this!”

“Sabrina,” laughed Mr. Loyd, I can’t say I blame you.

Everyone was in a happier mood as they started off down the trail back to camp. A chorus of voices could be heard echoing through the woods:

“It’s Old Ball-and-Chain,

It’s Old Ball-and-Chain,

A prisoner I’ve been for a hundred years,

And a prisoner I remain.”

 


 

 

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Folk Artist Ann Brownlee Hobgood

Ann Hobgood and I were colleagues at Sandhills Farm Life School several years ago. Now, with both of us in retirement, we have reconnected, partly thanks to my music and her art.  I "surprised" Judy for our 46th wedding anniversary by arranging a tour of Ann's studio in Hillsborough.

Ann is a folk artist, and one of amazing skill and imagination. Welcome to her cottage, where she meets up with folks by appointment. I'll include some links with contact info later.

The cottage/studio tells you a lot about Ann, even before you meet her.

She showed us this "self-portrait", created many years ago. I can see why we are such kindred spirits, by our mutual love for UNC-Chapel Hill, a passion for trains, and a healthy respect for snakes.

This photo and the next show her finished creations that are available for purchase. These are in the front of her studio.

Each piece has a descriptive paragraph that gives it a special meaning.

The back portion of the studio houses the vast supply of raw materials for her craft.

It is highly organized, mostly with recyclables, and I believe there is enough there to keep her active for many years to come. I certainly hope so!

There are always some works in progress, some by commission and some just from a stroke of inspiration. Ann shared that many of her creations are inspired by songs or titles. I knew that from comments she has made on my musical Facebook posts. She knows more about my songs than the average person.

Below is the special piece I selected. Ann named it "Peace Train." I'll certainly go along with that. Every detail is lovingly chosen. You can spend quite a while studying the components that comprise the whole.


Even the hubs of the wheels contain peace signs.

Note the Wrigley Spearmint car. Should I call this 
the Chattanooga "Chew-Chew"?

To top it off, here is the work-in-progress that Judy inquired about.
It's called "You are My Sunshine." The significance for us is that
Judy used to sing that song to me when we were dating and also after
we were married. I, in turn, would sing "I Only Have Eyes for You."
Judy asked Ann if anyone had claimed this or commissioned it, and
we were thrilled that it was still available for us. Plus, that will mean
another trip to Hillsborough, which is always a good thing!
I'll be sure to post the finished product when we bring it home.


Here are some links where you can explore Ann's amazing work.

https://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/ann-brownlee-hobgood

https://www.recycledfolks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065250571662