The Soldiers Came

The dedication service was more spectacular than I could even imagine. Diana and I got there one hour and fifteen minutes early. We were greeted by two men dressed up and a buglar. I was impressed. Shortly another soldier appeared. At this time we were so excited that we started texting a few friends that the Confederates had arrived. However, that was not the end. In the next forty-five minutes, eighteen more solders and three widows appeared. We felt like we were a part of "Sweet Home, Alabama" when they did the war re-enactment scenes.

The service was a perfect tribute to Lindsey and Julia. Nelda had the Eulagy memorized. Marlon's solo and  "Taps" by the buglar brought tears to my eyes. WOW! is all that could be said about the soldiers, the 21 gun salute, and the three cannon shots. Then when we thought we had experienced it all, the widows performed the "Black Rose ceremony".

It was a perfect the day. We met more Scoggin/Scogginses and visited with the ones we were already familiar with. I did appreciated that Chad and Tara were with me to experience this day in history (I did NOT make him come).  The lady from the funeral home summed the event up best by saying that this was by far the neatest thing that she had ever witnessed at a memorial service.

Crazy and Getting Crazier by the Day

There is no doubt that I can be and have been called the crazy "mom," "sister," or"aunt." I now have a new title; I am now the "crazy cousin." But that is ok with me. I and some of my very distant cousins are planning a tombstone dedication ceremony this Saturday for my Great-great grandfather and mother. They were buried over 100 years ago. He fought in the Civil War, which it is 150th anniversary of the Civil War, so we are having a special ceremony for this, too.

He never had a marker, and hers had broken into three pieces. We have had both of them a new marker made and her old marker set in a cradle to preserve it.

With the genealogy that I am involved with, each new piece of information that I come across is a jewel. This last week I received several jewels to take to the ceremony to share with others. I have my grandparents' family Bible, Papa's pocket watch, and Granny's glasses.

The New England States - again

Rick and I just got back from his sprinkler show in Providence, Rhode Island. I had another great experience. Highlights for me from the trip are as follows:

We got to stay at a nice hotel, which was next door to a three-story mall. The time I spend in this mall while Rick was in his show is more time than I have spent in a mall in the last five years total. I am no longer a shopper. The amazing fact is I did NOT buy anything but lunch and a coke either day.

The touristy thing that Rick and I probably enjoyed the most was the mansions at Newport. We did tour four of them. All were spectacular in their own way. The other item we toured with the show was Gillette stadium where the New England Patriots play ball.

The food was delicious. The seafood and cheesecake were to die far. I even splurged on a chocolate turtle walnut cluster blizzard just for the girls back at home.

We were a little early for "leaf peeping," but that did not stop us from driving. On Saturday, Rick wanted to travel to all the New England states so that he could get stars on these states. We have on our bucket list to visit each of the the 50 states. We did hit Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine all in one day.

Sunday was our Boston day. We did a Freedom Trail walking tour, the USS Constitution tour, and a Hop-A-Bus tour of the city. I just wish that I could remember a fraction of the facts that I have heard from my travels.

Rick did not enjoy the trip nearly as much as I did. There were way too many people, too much traffic, and Sunday in Boston was way too cold for him. He can relate to Dorothy with the thought that "there is no place like home."

Oh, What a Wonderful Day - Chapter 2

September 21, 2007

I finally got the picture to go on this post. Is was another wonderful day in my life. God has truly blessed me. After three years, Rick is adjusting or at least not whining as much as he did the first year.

Bennie Scoggins

June 21, 1923 - September 10, 2005

This morning as I was backing out of the garage the first words I heard from the radio were, “When you think of me smile.” This was another evidence of the providence of God. Today marks the five-year anniversary of my mother’s death. I had already been thinking a great deal about her this week because of the Labor Day weekend. I know that Diana and I have written many posts about this great lady, but I could not let this day go without acknowledging her one more time.

There are so many things that I could write about her, but this morning it was her pride that came to my mind first.  The pride was in all areas of her life – looks, family, car, and house. I assure you that only a very few people every saw her without her make-up on and her hair “fixed.”  She loved “pretty” clothes. She was the epitome of a lady.  

 We lived in a farm house that looked good. She kept it spotless inside and out. After Daddy passed away she would go out before normal people got up to paint – the well, the garage, the doors, etc.

I could go on forever, but I think in remembrance of this great lady, I may go buy myself something “pretty” this weekend. I will decide later what it is that will make me smile and remember Mother.

Bird Season = Rain, Rain, and more RAIN

As I said in an earlier post about a tradition continues. Well another one also continues. It seems like the beginning of bird season brings on the rain. During the Fourth of July when we were diligently praying for rain, Rick said several times that it will rain sometime - what a profound statement. The rest of us with Scoggins blood, joked that it would rain September 1. We were ALL right! However, we never dreamed that we would get so much rain. By 2:00 today we had already had 6 inches; and it is still flooding. If you think you hear some complaining in my voice, you misunderstood me. I am thrilled to death, as it is an answer to prayer We needed rain for the hay, the tanks, and the ground. The picture is before the rain on Labor Day. I will post another picture when I can get back to the pond for an after shot. It is God's timing.

Another Great Holiday - Scoggins Style

As I reflect on this Labor Day holiday, the legacy that our parents started many years ago continues - good food, fun, fellowship and birds with a few additions of our own. Chad and friends came in on Friday. We got to go hear his friend sing - Rick would add ALL night long. I got to watch Chad work on our mission project for the church, which always does a mom good. The kids then went to the lake house. They got to have fun on the lake with the water toys. We went to another oldie concert - Three Dog Night. Then Sunday I took the day off to cook and hang out at the lake. I am so ready for fall. The girls and I just sat on the porch under the trees and enjoyed the cooler temperatures. Then today at Diana's, we celebrated  Jenna's birthday with another great meal and family time. To end the weekend, we fished off the dock with Cade and Cali. I know you might be thinking where are the birds. Well as I was thinking about writing a post earlier today I was going to say that Gregory's weekend included several bird hunts in west Texas. However, after the kids had left right before dark, while Rick and I were still fishing; the dove flew over  - first two, then three. It was like they were putting the finishing touch on a great holiday weekend.