It's Been A While...

It's been a while since I last posted....a tad over 2 months. I've been fairly busy lately and haven't had a whole lot of time to get in here and post like I would like to do. I'm going to try to do better, though.

For now I have a lot of catching up to do...this will be rather lengthy...

August 26th:

I've had a few days off again, but I'm back to work now. I took the weekend off and combined with my 3 regular days off that gave me 5 - almost a vacation! This will be kind of lengthy, I warn you.

Saturday I went with a group from my church via chartered bus down to New Orleans. The Women's Ministry had put the trip together. There were about 50 or so women plus the male bus driver (he owns the bus). Our reason for going was to attend a conference headlined by Anne Graham Lotz - yes, Dr. Graham's daughter. It was held at the New Orleans Arena which is next door to the Superdome. It was also free.

We left Jackson about 5:30 a.m. and got into New Orleans about 8:30 a.m. and to the Arena about 8:45 a.m. I noticed how quiet it was for a Saturday in New Orleans as we rode in on I-10. There was very little traffic. As we rode in, I noticed that there were houses with those infamous blue tarps on them and that some of the areas looked to be deserted. I also saw some of those codes - the ones that were spray painted on once they were checked - still on some buildings. This was to the south side of I-10. To the north side there seemed to be a little more activity.

When we got to the Arena, the bus dropped us off and we started inside but the Security people stopped our group - some of the women had brought their lunch with them. There was apparently a miscommunication and the Women's Ministry had understood that we could either bring a "sack lunch" or purchase lunch from the concession stands. I'm not sure what eventually happened as those of us who didn't bring food with us were told that we could go on in to the Arena and find seats. My co-worker Vicki and her friend Mary Nelle and I had chosen to go the concessions route, so we went on in.

We found good seats and then Vicki and I went and rambled around for a while at the tables and made purchases before rejoining Mary Nelle and waiting for the conference to start at 10:00 a.m. Besides Anne Graham Lotz, there were other speakers and musical performers. There were breaks in the morning and afternoon as well as for lunch. Vicki, Mary Nelle and I went to the concessions area and got boxed lunches (complete with drinks) for $11.00 each and went outside to eat.

We noticed that the Hyatt Hotel was still quite pockmarked with blown out windows, the Entergy HQ building had a couple of windows missing and another building nearby had a window or two missing. The Amtrak train came in while we were outside and I noticed that not many passengers got off or on the train going back to Chicago. There was a menacing looking cloud overhead and we got back inside the Arena just before it burst and let loose with a ferocious thunderstorm. Fortunately, there were no power issues.

I don't have any idea what the head count was in attendance, but I'd guess about 5,000 or so. There were buses from other churches and we heard there were people who had traveled in from Texas, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee plus other groups from Mississippi, in addition to all the ones from Louisiana. The conference ended about 6:30 p.m. and we were underway about 6:45 p.m. headed back north.

We stopped at Pass Manchac on Lake Maurepas for dinner at Middendorf's Seafood and our group split into two groups - about 25 in each group - so that we wouldn't overburden one of the restaurants (there are two - next to each other) with all of us. Even so, we received excellent service and I certainly enjoyed my fried shrimp dinner. We left again about 8:30 p.m. and arrived back in Jackson about 10:45 p.m. Vicki and Mary Nelle dropped me off and headed home. I got up to my apartment and Sukiey was glad to see me. I was in bed for 11:00 p.m. and she was close to me.

September 14th:

Good afternoon Ted... It's 2:15 p.m. as I'm writing this. I got a call from Aunt Fran last night letting me know that Mollie is failing. She has been given three days to one week to live. This sudden and abrupt change in her condition was brought about due to a procedure that had a complication - a fatal complication. The doctors put a scope down her esophagus to look at her heart and check on it and they made a mistake. They accidentally punctured a hole in the esophagus and fluid began building up in her body. They've said that there's nothing they can do to fix the problem. From what I understand, it has to do with her being so weak - they're afraid that she's not strong enough to withstand surgery to try to stitch up the hole. According to Virgie, her sister, she's not in any pain, but she is conscious and aware of what has happened to her and what her prognosis is. I talked with Virgie last night - her son Jonathan was driving her home to pick up her car so she could return to the hospital and spend the night with Mollie - along with Mollie's daughter Tara. She said that she and Tara are trying to spend as much time with Mollie as possible while she is still alive. She told me that "we're going to lose her" and "there's nothing they can do". She's a retired nurse, but has kept up with medical advances and procedures, so she ought to know.

Mollie and Virgie's sister, Beverly and her daughter, Virginia, are flying in tomorrow (Friday) from California (San Diego area). I understand that Beverly is quite upset (rightly so) and feels like "the doctors have taken her sister away from her". I talked with Ray last night and he said that he is in a quandary as to what to do. He was supposed to have left earlier this week on his grand trip that takes him through Canada and around the country, but he had to postpone it (again) due to a dental problem. He had to postpone the trip he had planned to make when his mother (Aunt Hilda) died and had rescheduled it for now. He's undecided as to whether to go ahead and embark on the trip and then when Mollie goes, to catch a flight from wherever he is (the closest airport in the area) to New Orleans or to stick around home and wait for word and then fly to New Orleans from Los Angeles or even to go ahead and fly on out to New Orleans ahead of time.

I also learned that Aunt Ruby and Robin were in an accident in the van on Monday. It was a "doozy" from what Aunt Ruby said; however, they weren't hurt and the van's rear bumper was all that sustained damage. They had gone to Hammond and were in the left turn lane waiting to make their turn when all of a sudden a car plowed into the back of them. The woman driving the car was going about 40 miles per hour and she was talking away on her cell phone - and obviously not paying attention to the traffic ahead of her. The "doozy" part is that when the van was struck the collision turned the van completely around facing the opposite direction from which they had come. Fortunately, there was no traffic in the inside lane next to them or they would've been nailed by oncoming traffic. When they stopped, Aunt Ruby said that she and Robin were both stunned and it took them a minute or so to figure out what had happened. She said that first she thought that the end of the world was starting, then she thought that Osama Bin Laden had set off a bomb on them, then she finally realized that they had been hit by another vehicle. They recovered themselves and got out and the woman driving the car that had hit them was already out examining the damage to her car. There were plenty of witnesses and someone had already called the police - who arrived moments later - and they had the vehicles moved into a nearby parking lot. Once they took the information, the police released Aunt Ruby and Robin and told them they could go on their way, so they did. However, the woman who hit them had extensive damage to her car and the police told her that she could drive her car, but that they didn't recommend it because it might lock up on her. Aunt Ruby didn't say what the woman chose to do (if she knew). They went on and did some shopping, then returned home. Robin had called her mother and so she called Carol back and told her they were okay. I'm surprised, knowing Carol, that she didn't leave work immediately after getting Robin's first call and come down there.

September 17th:

Okay, I promised to let you know what Bill had to say about Bootsie. He said that he had taken her to Dodge City - not the vet they normally use - and the vet had found that Bootsie is full of tumors - stomach, back, lungs and possibly even in her brain. Now whether they're cancerous or not, we don't know. Well, he had the option of having her put down when he was there at the vet, but he was so emotional that he was unable to handle doing it then. He said that if she lasts through the weekend, he's going to take her in to Dodge City on Monday afternoon after work. He wants to do the humane thing, but at the same time he's reluctant to let Bootsie go. By the way, Pat is in agreement with him - she doesn't like the idea of putting Bootsie down anymore than he does, but it has to be done if she makes it till Monday afternoon. Even so, it won't be the same in their household without Bootsie - with Rascal only.

I did get news last night that Mollie is still with us. She is calm, semi-conscious and aware of what's going on around her. The medical personnel are beginning to disconnect some of the IV and tubing connected to her. They're giving her morphine every couple of hours to keep her pain down and keep her comfortable. The task fell to Tara to explain to her mother that she's dying; Mollie seemed to know already and told Tara that she's "tired of fighting". Beverly and Virginia arrived Friday night from San Diego and Beverly said that when Mollie saw her, she smiled and gave an indication that she recognized her sister.

September 22nd:

Monday morning - around 9:30 a.m. I got a call from my cousin Ray in California. It was around 7:30 a.m. his time since there's a two hour time difference. He was calling to inform me that Mollie had died earlier that morning, but he didn't know what time, as Beverly hadn't told him when she called. He did tell me that she had told him that she wanted to call Aunt Fran herself, so he wasn't going to call her. I held off calling her as well.

Ray's sister Kay called while I was on another call; she didn't get to leave a message as she got another call. When I got free, I saw that it was her and so I called her back. She said she had gotten another call and that she was about to call me back, but I got to her first. Kay told me that she was planning to drive down to Baton Rouge from Little Rock for the visitation and funeral. She asked if I would like to ride down with her. I was still waiting for the arrangements; I hadn't yet made any travel plans, but I said yes - that would be great. She said that she was going to stay a couple of extra days past the funeral, so I would have to find another way back. I told her that was no problem - I could catch the Amtrak back to Jackson. We decided to talk again later after we had the arrangements information and make our plans.

I went on with Vicki and Laura to the Women's Luncheon at Church. It rained on Monday so we took Vicki's car. Actually, we would've gone in Vicki's car anyway; she detoured by the Credit Union on the way back for me to get some cash for travel purposes. When we came back, I found a notice on the door of the entrance to Sterling advising us that the hot water was going to be turned off at 1:00 p.m. to work on repairing a leak in the lobby area and it would remain off until the leak was fixed. Along about 6:00 p.m. I went down and saw they were still working on it.

Well - it got to be an interesting evening - when they turned the water back on, it flooded the lobby and the carpet in Jean's office was soaked. There was a major mess. They got it cleaned up pretty well and got the leak fixed and the water back on. But - Chris and I had to walk down here to the Center in order to use the restroom before the repairs and cleanup was done.

I went back upstairs and around 8:00 p.m. I called Kay and she said that she was about to call me. She said she was doing some laundry in preparation for making the trip to Baton Rouge. She said that they were also having hot water issues at their house - the hot water heater had gone out. Anyway, she had the arrangements and gave them to me. We made plans for her to come into Jackson Tuesday afternoon on the way to Baton Rouge - a little bit of a detour - and pick me up. I gave her directions to Sterling so she would be able to come straight to me. She figured she would be about 3:00 p.m. getting here.

Tuesday morning I got a shower and dressed; then I called Steve about the spare keys I had given him. A little later I walked over and got them, then took them to Chris. She was going to keep an eye on Sukiey for me. I hung out at home - in order to get packed. I determined to travel light and I did. I took one gym bag with all the clothes and underclothes I planned to bring and the other stuff I needed - toiletries, etc.

I was ready and waiting on Kay. She called to tell me that she was running later than she thought - she had left Little Rock later than she had planned. She got to Sterling around 4:00 p.m. and we put my gym bag and a tote bag with some other stuff in it in her car and took off. We headed to I-55 South and got on there. On the ride down we had a very good conversation - catching up with what each other was doing and all. When we reached Amite, I had her to exit and turn right towards Montpelier and we drove through the countryside - which Bill and I have found quicker than going all the way to Hammond to get on I-12 and go in to Baton Rouge that way. We came out at Denham Springs and got onto Florida Blvd. and made our way down to Greenoaks Funeral Home.

When we pulled in, we saw the parking lot was quite full - people were having to pull around on the sides of the cemetery to park. There were also lots of people around. I had come dressed for the occasion; Kay wasn't - she had come comfortable for the long drive. She had planned to change in the restroom but there was no chance of her slipping in there to do that without being seen by some of our family members.

We pulled around where others were parking. I got out and Kay drove off. She later told me that she had located a somewhat isolated and semidark area where she did a quick change. Then she drove back around and found a parking space, then joined me in the Chapel. I had been asked by several people where Kay was and I certainly didn't want to tell them that she was in the car changing clothes, so I said that she was taking care of something and would be in shortly.

When Bill and Pat saw me, Bill realized he had forgotten to order flowers and so after we visited with some family members - since we were seen before we could escape - he and I went to the front desk of the funeral home and inquired about placing an order. One of the ladies there gave him the phone number for the flower shop that was attached and he called and left a message on their answering machine. Then we went back in the Chapel.

Kay showed up and we reconnected. She visited with various family members; Bill and Pat left early because he had an early wake-up call Wednesday morning. We stayed till around 8:30 p.m. and then I realized I had forgotten my medication, so she and I left and went to Ryan's - down the street - for dinner. I took the meds and after we finished eating, we set out to find a hotel. We went down Airline to where there was "hotel row". We went to several of them inquiring about rates and had determined which would be the least expensive and were on our way back there when I caught a sign at Days Inn with a lower rate. We decided to stop and inquire. We found that indeed they had the lowest rate, so we jumped on it and rented a room in what they called "University Hall".

We pulled around back to the room we had gotten and unloaded our stuff from the car and hauled it up the stairs to the room and after some difficulty, we got the door open. We put our stuff down or hung it up in Kay's case. We were both tired - it was around 11:00 p.m. by the time we were ready for bed. The only room they had for the rate we got was a king size - so they claimed - but it looked more like a queen to me since it appeared to be the same size as my waterbed. By that time we didn't care...it was okay with us. We set a wake-up call for 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday morning we were given the wake-up call and then got up and moving. I took a shower and got dressed and then Kay did the same. We went over to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then headed out. Kay stopped at a car wash - she wanted her car washed before going to the funeral, but the place was swamped with customers and it was going to be 20-30 minutes at least. We went on and got there around 10:30-11:00 a.m. The funeral began at noon. I noticed that the plant that Bill and I sent was delivered while we were sitting and waiting for the service to begin.

There were several pews with reserved notices on them - for the pallbearers and for the family. Well, Kay and I wound up sitting with Beverly, Virginia, Guy, Harvine and a couple of other family members - on the 3rd pew I think it was. We were about to move, since we weren't the type of family in the marker description, but the service started before we could and also the chapel was packed - just about SRO. Besides, our sitting where we did was what Mollie herself would've wanted. When her mother died, although Bill and I were related to her mother by marriage, when we tried to move elsewhere prior to the service, Mollie grabbed us and asked us where we thought we were going. She insisted we sit in the family section with them.

When the service began, there were two pastors who got up and spoke - taking turns of course. Guy, Mollie's brother, also got up and spoke. He later said that it was easy for him to write the eulogy he delivered because every word of it was true. He said that it's easy when it's the truth.

After the funeral service was over, we made our way to the car and got in the procession line. The cemetery is directly behind the funeral home, so we didn't have all that far to go in order to reach the burial spot. We found that we had to park and walk a little way, though. After a short service there, it was announced that everyone was invited to Mollie's house for a celebration of her life party. That was a perfectly natural thing to do: have a celebration - because Mollie loved to entertain and serve as hostess for various functions since she had the size house to do that kind of thing in. There was food, food and more food. It seemed to keep showing up.

I took just a few pictures and I didn't try to get a group shot although i wish I had now. Finally, around 3:30 p.m., Kay and I decided it was time to go back to the hotel and change. En route, we stopped at a Circle K convenience store on Airline and Kay gassed the car while I went in and got copies of the newspaper - for the obituary. We went on back to the hotel and changed - I put on shorts. I realized that I had only brought one tee shirt. Kay and I went out to ramble a little bit. We stopped at the car wash and this time we were successful. Then we went to the Wal*Mart at Cortana and while in the store I got an LSU tee (what other school is there?!) and a couple of other things. Kay got a couple of things as well.

From there we drove back down Airline and on down Goodwood Blvd. to the library there. We went in and were able to use computers there to check e-mail. I had a flood of e-mail and only checked the ones that were most important - I scanned the senders/subject lines. Still - I didn't get through all of them since Kay was waiting on me. I did print several of them and took them back to the hotel to read.

After we finished at the library, we rode down Goodwood Blvd. and back over to Airport Blvd. to get on Florida Blvd. and swing back around to Airline. We decided to check out the Hammond Aire Shopping Center and located Purple and Gold Sports Shop in there. I went to look at their selection through the window since they were already closed. We decided we would go back the next day and I made note of what time they opened.

Then, we drove on down Airline to Coursey Blvd. and rode down it a little ways and decided to get something to eat there and take it back to the hotel. Even though we weren't really hungry, we figured it would be better to eat rather than wake up in the middle of the night and be hungry and have a problem!!

We got back to the hotel and settled in for the night, ate and then made a few phone calls. It was around midnight by the time we got to bed because we stayed up talking and swapping stories. Kay had talked with Lowell's Uncle Howell a couple of times and we had been trying to run down family history. He's very knowledgeable about it. The crazy thing is this...Tara, Mollie and Melvin's daughter is married to Lowell - and he's related to Mollie through his mother, Marie, and consequently is related to us (and Tara of course, however, it's distant enough that they were able to marry). We're still not sure how the tree shakes out - Kay said she would've liked to have taken notes as Howell (who is related to us as well) was explaining things to her, but she didn't because she wasn't sure about how that would've looked or been taken by the others at the get together after the funeral. She noted that Ray (her brother - remember?) wouldn't have been the least bit embarrassed to whip out a note pad and take notes while talking with Howell.

Then Thursday morning we were awakened by my cell phone. We more or less slept in since we weren't in any real hurry. The call was from Vicki and she was calling to tell me that her aunt had died and that the funeral was Saturday in Baton Rouge at the same funeral home and burial in the same cemetery. She wanted information on getting there and on where to stay as far as hotels go. I gave her the information she requested. When I got off the phone, Kay asked me what that was about and I told her.

We decided we might as well get up since we were awake. I took a shower and got dressed and then Kay did the same. I called and talked with Bill while she was in the shower and getting dressed. I made arrangements that we would meet him about 1:30 p.m. at the Wal*Mart in Walker. We packed up and got all our stuff and took it on out to the car - we were done with the room. Then, we pulled around, went in and checked out.

It was decided we would skip breakfast and stop first at the Purple and Gold Sports shop. We went in and browsed quite a while. I wound up purchasing two ittems - a key ring and a can cooler. When we left there, we began discussing where to eat lunch. Kay suggested Piccadilly Cafeteria and then I suggested Brunet's Cajun Restaurant. She was agreeable to that and we made our way to the place. I had a fried shrimp poboy and she had some type of crabmeat entree.

Once we were done at Brunet's, we drove on out to Walker and to the Wal*Mart - but pulled over in the strip mall next to it and went in at the Dollar Tree and went in and browsed and ended up buying a few things. I got Sukiey a toy and a couple of beef- hide bones for Romeo since Chris won't let him have rawhide and I'm aware of that.

When we got done in Dollar Tree, Kay and I rode over to Wal*Mart and I called Bill and told him where we were parked. We went in for a few minutes - we needed to use the restroom for one thing. Then I went in the store and looked at their LSU stuff while Kay went to the Customer Service area to return something she had bought and wound up not needing. I opted to purchase a gold LSU hooded sweatshirt with a purple fleece interior. I got checked out and was looking around for Kay when my phone rang - it was Bill and he was out in the parking lot. Kay saw me and came to where I was and we were walking out and met Bill coming in the store.

He was talking about going in and getting a drink, but we decided not to. He wanted to stop and get his car washed, but decided not to either as it looked like rain. He pulled his car down by Kay's and we moved my stuff to the trunk. After a few minutes, he and I headed out and got on I-12 and drove over to Hammond. We stopped at a convenience store and got drinks and snacks, then he took me on to the Amtrak station and I purchased my ticket to Jackson. He waited with me until the train showed up and I got on board.

While we were waiting all of a sudden we heard a noise and it seemed like everyone in the crowd went to look - turned out there was a "fender bender". We heard it but didn't see it happen, so we didn't stick around waiting for the Hammond PD to show up. The train was a few minutes late, about 10 I guess. Then we got underway and bound for Jackson. We stopped en route at McComb, Hazlehurst and Brookhaven. At one point we had to stop and just sit as a southbound freight train was coming and it had to pass us on the other side. We also had to back up past Crystal Springs in order to let a freight train change tracks so it could pass us. Once we were clear of freight trains, the engineer put the hammer down and although the speed limit for the Amtrak trains is supposed to be 70, I heard a guy say we were doing 90. We got in to Jackson about 6:00 p.m.

When I came out of Union Station in Jackson, I knew Noelle would be picking me up. I saw her car and went to it and found that Mrs. Palmer was with her. As it turned out, Christina was there to pick up incoming passengers also. We got back to Sterling and Noelle stopped and let me out prior to going into the parking lot so it would be easier for me with my bags. When I got in, I went and got the mail and saw Lena. She checked Jean's office and found that I had packages waiting and got them for me. They were the Guideposts Christmas cards and a book I had ordered from Amazon.

I got upstairs and began unpacking and also made a few phone calls to let family members know I had arrived back home. Then I started going through the mail and I also had to get Sukiey calmed down as she was kind of hyper and excited to see me. I had a pile of mail and so it took a while to get through it all. When I finished, I called my cousin Jeannine in North Carolina - she lives in the Raleigh area, but my cell bill shows it as Wake Forest. We talked for a few minutes and then it was lights out - I was tired and went to bed.

This morning I got up and going before the alarm went off. No - Sukiey did not wake me up, but I did wake up during the night once to find her snuggled up next to me. This was the first time I had been gone for several days and "Auntie Chris" had been tending to her. I don't think she was thrilled that i left this morning, but she did realize I was returning to work.

Our time together gave us a chance to catch back up with each other. I learned some things about Kay's life that I didn't know and she learned some about me. She's married to Jimmy - a real estate developer - and they live in midtown Little Rock. They have two daughters - Courtney (25) and Kelly (21). They also have a couple of cats and a dog. Courtney is a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock attending law school. Kelly is a senior at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. She spent a semester attending school in London, although I don't remember which one. Kay and Jimmy were both students at Florida State when they met and got married. After graduation they moved to Memphis, but wound up moving on to Little Rock, Jimmy's hometown. His dad had died and so they felt that he would have a better opportunity in the real estate business there where he knew people plus they could keep an eye on his mother. Kay and Ray (her brother) were born in St. Louis because that's where their parents were at the time. Their dad, my dad's brother, worked for the FDA as a chemist and had been transferred from New Orleans.

The pictures I did take while at Mollie's house include shots of the lake in the backyard and the stone walkway with the flagpole in the center that had been put in since I was last there. I also got shots of Beverly and her daughter Virginia, Trase and his wife (I don't know her name), Victoria - who is pregnant and it was announced at the funeral and in the obituary that she is expecting a girl and will name her "Mollie Elizabeth" after Aunt Mollie. This was planned prior to Mollie's death; it takes on added significance now. Oh - I did get a picture of Kay with Beverly, too.

There was quite a crowd at Mollie's house. When Kay and I reached the Bellingrath subdivision, I told her to just drive down the main street to where all the cars would be parked - and that's what she did. It worked - we had to park on the side of the street a few houses down and walk back to Mollie's house. We stayed until it looked like a lot of people were leaving and that the main family members were starting to get tired out and ready for guests to leave.

Tara took her cousin Michael (bad boy that he is) outside for a "discussion". They were sitting on the bench that Mollie and Melvin had installed on the deck by the lake. We didn't get to say goodbye to her, but we did speak to most of the other family before leaving. I don't know what the "discussion" was all about, but it was none of my business regardless.

Melvin, Mollie's husband of 53 years, has Parkinson's and is in the beginning stages of dementia. He has a tendency to stumble and fall when he walks, so they have to watch him. He can't live alone, although he has told them he would like to go back to his house (the one where the get together was) to live. Lowell told us that at the visitation and went on to say that he had had to sit his father-in-law down and have a strong talk with him. That's the reverse of the way it usually is, but... Anyway, Lowell said that he told Melvin that he can't go back to his house because of the risk of him stumbling and falling. He said that he went on to explain to him that Tara had just lost her mother and he wasn't going to take the chance of him stumbling and falling and her losing her daddy too. He said that Melvin seemed to understand and accept that.

Lowell also told us that arrangements for Melvin's care have been made. He said that they have fixed up a room in their house for him - with a bed, TV, telephone and clothes. Sidney has done the same at his house for his father. In addition, Pete, the golden lab retriever that Mollie gave Melvin as a Christmas gift a few years ago has moved over to Sidney's house and stays there. Tara later told us that she has made arrangements for Home Health to come in twice a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays I think she said - and spend the day with her father so she can get out and do things she needs to do - run errands, meet people, etc.

I got a chance to talk with Beverly for a few minutes while at the "Celebration of Mollie". I asked her what they were planning to do with the house. She said that Tara and Sidney have the luxury of waiting. They don't have to sell it right away, so they're going to wait. From what I gather, Melvin is not really mentally in a position to make such decisions and Tara and/or Sidney have power of attorney. I know that Tara was making all the decisions regarding Mollie's care and needs.

By the way, Mollie and I shared a special bond - that I won't let be broken, even though she's gone. The bond is that she is the oldest grandchild and I'm the youngest grandchild on our fathers' side of the family. There's a 26 year age difference - but it mattered to neither of us. Mollie's middle name was Leila, after our grandmother, but she didn't like it, so she shortened it to Lee. They used Lee in the program and in the obituary since that was Mollie's preference.

September 28th:

I walked over to the Clark Building about 4:45 p.m. to meet Vicki and Laura. I rode with Vicki and we swung over by the Woolfolk Building to pick up Mary Nelle and Laura followed in her car. We swung around by First Baptist and Laura parked her car and then came and got in with us.

We all rode over Hal and Mal’s. It’s a restaurant/brewery that’s in what I think was the old train station. There we met Laura’s friend Sue – she had gotten there ahead of us and got a table. I was not impressed with Hal and Mal’s. I ordered a shrimp poboy and it was mostly French bread and lettuce. The fries weren’t all that good either. According to what I saw, it appears that Vicki and Mary Nelle made the best choices (roast beef and gravy and a hamburger, respectively). Plus, the service was lousy. It took way too long for us to get our orders and then we had to more or less rush eating. When we paid our checks, it took more time to get our change. Then, fortunately I realized that something was wrong – I had given a $20 and at first I didn’t think anything about it, but then noticed that I didn’t have the right change. My bill was $11.50 and I received $3 in change. We called the waitress over and inquired and she said that apparently the cashier couldn’t read her handwriting and apologized. She went and got that straightened out and came back with the right change.

We left there and headed on over to First Baptist – it was about 6:35 when we finally got inside and since it was “Artist Circle” and then “General Admission”, we wound up sitting in the “back 40”, the elevated section in the back of the Sanctuary. We had some time before the concert started, so Mary Nelle and I went out to the foyer and checked out the tables. We got some K-LOVE radio stuff (I’m sending a couple of things from them to you) and then at Michael W. Smith’s table, I purchased two tee shirts – the tour tee and a tee with a graphic of a piano and his name on it. When we came back in, I showed the tees to Vicki and she hurried out there and got one for Holly – the piano tee.

There are three Christian radio stations in Metro Jackson: K-LOVE, STAR 93.5 and American Family Radio. All three had representation at the concert. Each was giving away materials of a promotional nature and K-LOVE was selling shirts, caps and other items.

Okay – back to the concert…

One of Michael’s “roadies” came out and spoke and then the house lights went down and out came Michael along with a lady and another guy. I don’t recall their names. The lady played guitar and fiddle; the other guy played a synthesizer of some sort – a mix of piano and percussion. Michael was also on piano. There was no drummer. They put on a great concert – playing for about an hour and a half and then taking about a 15-20 minute intermission break and then returning to the stage to play for about another hour; they received a standing ovation demanding more, so they came back out and did a one song encore. The songs were a mix of old songs from the beginning of Michael’s career, middle of career and new songs – from his upcoming new CD Stand that will be released in about a month or so.

At the beginning of the concert, I made my way down to the front and took a couple of shots, then crept close and knelt down to get a few more. I had taken some from where we were sitting, but didn’t think those would be very good. After making my way down there and taking those few shots, I went back to where we were sitting. Then, when Michael came out from behind the piano, I went back down and got a couple of shots of him standing up at the microphone talking to the crowd and then made my way back to where we were sitting.

Michael was talking about Compassion International. It’s an organization that works with children in countries that aren’t as developed as the U.S. They teach the kids about Jesus and the Bible and they seek sponsors for these children. He had a video from the organization that he had put onscreen for us to watch. Michael and his wife Debbie sponsor five children each month if I remember correctly. During intermission Vicki asked a volunteer for one of the sponsor packets and then I went out into the foyer to view the packets and I decided that I wanted a boy from Colombia since I’m familiar with that country due to knowing Jim and Kay Harless – retired missionaries to that country. They partnered with Colonial Heights while they were in service there, so that’s how I know them.

I found a little boy – almost six years old – in Colombia. His name is Carlos Manuel Gomez Riascos and his birthday is the same as Vicki’s, and Randy and Allison Owen. That’s December 13. I read his profile and looked at his picture and decided he was the one. At first I didn’t realize about the birthday, but after I filled out the paperwork and turned it in, I looked at the packet again and saw his birth date and then it registered with me.

When I finished getting registered, I was handed a package. It was a gift from Michael. There had been an announcement that if you chose to sign up as a sponsor and paid your first month at the concert – by check, cash or credit card – you would receive a CD set of Michael narrating The Gospel – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – an eight audio CD set as a gift. I accepted it, along with my copy of the paperwork (which serves as my receipt) and made my way back into the Sanctuary – where the concert had just resumed. It took a few minutes to do the paperwork.

When I returned to my seat, I showed the packet to Vicki and told her I had sponsored him. I also told her that he shares her birthday. She thought that was interesting. Then I showed her the audio CD set that I had received as a gift from Michael. I didn’t take any more pictures because I had finished the roll that was in the camera and wanted to just enjoy the remainder of the show, which I did.

At the end of the concert, Vicki slipped out and took off – out into the foyer – with the sponsor packet she had gotten. We sat and waited for her and after about 10 minutes she returned and she had the audio CD set too. She had decided to sponsor the little boy whose packet she had been given. I don’t know what his name is – Vicki didn’t bring her packet with her today – and she couldn’t remember his name – but he’s also from Colombia.

When she came back, we began making our way out of the Sanctuary and to the vehicles. Sue had some stuff that belonged to Laura and so she drove Laura over to her car so they could move it into her car. Vicki, Mary Nelle and I loaded up in Vicki’s car and they took me around to Sterling and dropped me off, then headed home to Morton – where Vicki would drop Mary Nelle on her way home. She said that Holly was already in bed when she got in, so it was this morning before she could give Holly the tee shirt. She said that Holly liked it. She also said that she wasn’t able to say anything about the child she picked to sponsor from Compassion as they were in a rush this morning.

The only disappointment of the night was that I didn’t get to meet Michael and get an autograph. Oh well…

Now, for some “breaking news”….

Alabama - Songs of Inspiration, an album of traditional hymns, standards and two new songs that will hit stores October 24, 2006.

The album will be simultaneously released by RCA Records to traditional retailers and by Provident Music Group to Christian retail outlets. We first started thinking about this in 1990," recalls Randy, "and it seems like fans have been asking for it longer than that!
The timing just happened to finally work out to record the album now."

Alabama - Songs of Inspiration is the Country Music Hall of Fame band's first new album in over five years, the first since the band's farewell tour wrapped up in October 2004, and the first album with inspirational content in the group's history. Included are classics like "Rock of Ages," "How Great Thou Art," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Amazing Grace," "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," "In The Garden" and more.

Two original songs, "One Big Heaven" and "Rain" - both written by Randy - were recorded for the album. Dr. Ralph Stanley contributes vocals on "I Am The Man Thomas." Stanley co-wrote the song, which also features Stanley's grandson on mandolin.

Gospel standouts The Isaacs provide beautiful vocals on "I Need Thee." Teddy's three granddaughters join the kids group that sings along on "Jesus Loves Me."

The enduring Christmas classic "Silent Night" was also recorded for the album. Says Randy, "We recorded two Christmas albums, but we never cut that song. It fit the project, and it's beautiful!"

Alabama will make a rare live appearance on QVC Wed. Oct 11 at 7pm ET/6pm CT with a preview performance of portions of this new release.

Hmm…I never watch QVC, but I just might have to make an exception and try to get home early that day to see this!!

October 2nd:

At a tad after 4:00 p.m. I began freshening up and getting ready and then headed off to church – for the David Phelps Concert.

The concert wasn’t to begin until 6:00 p.m., but I wanted to get a good seat. When I got over there, there weren’t many people in line – maybe 15-20, and I put my stuff down on the floor at the end of the line to hold my place. I went over to David’s table and purchased a copy of his new CD/DVD – Legacy of Love – it has two discs in it. I also got a baseball jersey from his song The End of the Beginning and then went back to my spot in line.

They opened the doors to the Sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. and let us begin going in. I was able to get a seat on the front row on the right side. A perfect view of the stage – excellent for picture taking! J J A crowd began coming in and the Sanctuary nearly filled up. I would estimate a couple of thousand, maybe a little more, turned out. Then Stan took the stage to open the concert and one of his announcements was that it had been requested that there be no flash photography. Well – that kind of deflated some people, but not me. My Vivitar camera has different modes it can be set in. One of them is “no flash”. I found that mode and used it to shoot almost the entire roll during the concert, but leaving about three frames for the post concert “meet and greet”. There’s a thing next to the viewfinder that will blink red if the light is not right or green if it is as the camera is automatic exposure. Well – with 400 film in the camera and a front row seat, plus shooting frames when the light was right – I always got a green light when I put the camera up to take the shot – I feel like I should have some good pictures.

David played for a little over an hour – his concert was our Sunday night Worship service – and then left the stage. Shortly after, I left out too. I went on out to find out about the “meet and greet” and wound up second in line. He did an encore, but by that time I wouldn’t have taken anymore stage photos anyway.

It was a short wait for David to come out to the table area where his products were set up. When I got up to him, I asked him to sign the CD – and he signed the CD itself, not the cover – and also I had a birthday card with me. I had bought this card sometime back because I liked it, although at the time I didn’t really know who I would give it to. Well – I knew Vicki wasn’t coming to the concert because she had other plans. So – I decided it would be her card and took it with me, although her birthday isn’t until December 13^th.

I told David that it was a birthday card for a friend of mine and asked him if he would sign it for her. He said “it’s a birthday?” and I said “yes”. So – on the left (blank) side, he wrote “Happy B-Day” and then signed below it. I didn’t tell David that her birthday isn’t till December. It’ll keep!! J J I asked if I could get my picture with him and he said yes, so I found someone to take the picture. A lady behind me told me she’d take it for me if I would take hers for her. I said yes and set the camera and gave it to her. I asked her to take two shots in hopes that one will turn out well and I can include it in my Christmas card photos. When I was done, I started to leave but then remembered I had to take the lady’s picture. She set the camera for me (a digital) while David was signing her items. Then, she and her daughter posed with David and I got a couple of shots with her camera.

After that, I found I had one more frame remaining on my roll, so I turned back and took a picture of David talking with fans. I thought it would make a neat picture. Then I stopped to talk with a couple of people I knew. After that I headed home. It was dark out, but I opted to walk, rather than go try to find someone to give me a ride to Sterling. I called Aunt Ruby and talked with her all the way home, and also kept a watch on my surroundings. The streets were just about deserted – only a couple of vehicles and no pedestrians out and about, until I reached Sterling – but by then it wasn’t a big deal. I got inside the lobby and finished up my conversation with Aunt Ruby as I got inside my apartment.

I made a couple of other calls after that and then went on to bed. I had to get up this morning and come in to work. I’m making the transition back to Monday thru Thursday days. So, I got Sukiey settled down and she was in the bed with me for a while, then got up and went rambling like cats like to do.

Well – it’s about 11:20 a.m. and I’ll be leaving in about 25 minutes for lunch. Vicki and Laura aren’t going to be able to go – they’re taking Kathy out to lunch for her birthday. I’m not going with them – I’m going on to church for lunch. I know Rose and her friends will be there, but I’m not sure about Mary Nelle.

I brought the two rolls of film that I have taken – the other roll I started while in Baton Rouge and finished at Michael W. Smith’s show – with me this morning along with the York Photo Lab kit. I filled out the order form and got it ready and put the stickers where they needed to go and then packaged it up to put in the mail. Around 10:15 a.m. Vicki came over and we walked down to the AmSouth Building and I went in and dropped it in the mail – it’s a postage paid mailer – while she went on. With my left calf muscle bothering me, I didn’t think I could walk any more than there and back to the Center if I were going to walk over to the church for lunch. I daresay I’m anxious to get these rolls processed and the pictures and CDs back so I can see them.

I’m moving back to David Phelps for a few…

To share with you, on the CD Legacy of Love he does a sort of rockin’ version of Just As I Am – he did it last night during the concert – and he also did Vicki’s favorite song of his – one that I like a lot too. That’s called The End of the Beginning and it appeared on his CD Revelation a couple of years ago or so. He also did the traditional version of Just As I Am, which is also on the CD. There are 18 songs on the DVD and 15 on the CD. Three songs are on the DVD only – Arms Open Wide, Interlude: Behold the Lamb, and Behold the Lamb.

Okay, the dates that I have listed aren't necessarily the dates these events took place. They're the dates I noted them in another log that I keep.