Memorial Day Alabama

Thank you, Sgt  Grover S. Hunt, Died in 1945 (Flag held by his brother, Ansley E. Hunt)

Tornado Woe

Close to the edge of the Black Belt Region, an area from Eclectic to Santuck was hit by the recent tornadoes. It broke my heart to see this sign "Woe is Me". At least 6 people died in this small area. Susan lost her entire home, which included her daughter's (bride-to-be) wedding dress. Even though there is a wonderful distribution center in Eclectic for essential items, many people will also need furniture as they rebuild their lives. 

The Rattlesnake Rodeo

Okay! Okay! I know! Pretty scary, but oh, so much fun! This will be my 4th trip to the rodeo. This year I will take in the bands and enjoy a Southern night listening to Southern music. My first trip was in the 1970's. I actually spent one of my honeymoon nights in this tiny, once thriving city of Opp, Alabama, home of my Mother-in-law whose family worked in the cotton mill. (I heard the snakes used to race in the streets and it was the only time my husband's Grandmother locked her doors) It's also where I met the lovely Mrs. Queen Esther Ellison, who was walking home one afternoon and took time out for me to take her picture. I hope to re-connect with her on this visit and talk to her about who might need blankets next winter. (I did visit with her in her living room and we discussed writing her life story. She will be 94 in Sept. and is the only sibling left out of 18.)

Just outside the Black Belt region of Alabama, this little town of Opp hosts the famous Rodeo, where rattlesnakes race each other from a circle on concrete to the outskirts, and the first one to cross is declared winner. One can visit the food vendors and eat fried rattlesnake (delicious) or buy snake tails or various goods made of the skins...head bands, wallets etc. There's electric bull riding, bungee jumping, games, and let's not forget the Rattlesnake Rodeo Queens! Two of the most interesting things are the pole climbing and dance competitions. The fans come out in droves and it truly is a day of family fun. About the rattlesnake meat...my brother-in-law says, "If it taste like fried chicken and looks like fried chicken, just give me fried chicken!"

The 2011 Friday night event was great!  Chris and his family wanted a photo, so here it is. Chris's snakeskin boots were amazing! The fans were fixated on the snake race and music and I look forward to the 2012 event. Ya'll come!

William Bray Memorial Checkers and Dominoes Tournament

It happens on Memorial Day! These guys go into "checkers" combat and battle to the end when trophies are given out. They play on the old boards, and fans gather around to cheer them on. William Bray, Jr. who helped me give out a few blankets this past winter continues this tradition in memory of his Father.

My Visit with Mrs. Rice

In February, I visited Mrs. Rice and shared with her my desire to take blankets/books/etc. to the Black Belt Region of Alabama.  She allowed me to come inside and photograph her reading her Bible in her den chair. Her walls were filled with photos of her family, special crosses and plaques with Biblical quotations. Her husband was W.C.Rice who had the most amazing passion for the love of Jesus, the "Book of Life" and bearing the cross. Mrs. Rice and I moved out to the front porch where I did a little more photography. Selling photos like this makes money to take to families who are in need. Thank you, Mrs. Rice!

Cigar Boxes

After searching the city high and low to find pencil boxes for the children of the Black Belt Region of Alabama (specifically for the 6 children posing in the photo "School's Out" and 2 more kids inside the house), I decided to pop into a well known cigar shop in the area. After being pointed in the direction of the 3 stacks of amazing handmade boxes that once held cigars, I sat on the floor for an indefinite time pondering my choices. I could only choose 10. One could never imagine my dilemma. I wanted them all and could envision the items that would go neatly into each one: scissors, pencils, a box of markers or crayons, a small notepad. I made the final decision and reluctantly put the ones back I could not buy at the time. A man we will call Rob, came over and said, "Of all the ones you put back, which would you choose again?" One by one as I held the boxes up that I could not get, he asked for them. I was hopeful he was an owner of the cigar shop and would put them away for me until March. He walked over to the counter and paid for most of the boxes, leaving me with a mere $8 balance.  I really do not think Rob realizes what blessings are in store for these children as I load these boxes with things that most of us take for granted. He will be a part of the gift that delights children as I travel the back roads and meet people who treasure gifts like this. I even know a lady who asked me to bring her a gift, and now I have a precious box that I can fill with  some of my note cards, stamps, and a pen. Thank you Rob, for blessing me today with your generosity and I hope we meet again at the cigar shop when I come back for more "pencil boxes".

I might add here that some of these boxes will be used for my cards to give as gifts. You could never imagine how unique they are. I would love to keep every one of them!

Worldly Goods

Sometimes this is all a homeless person owns. His load is light. Notice the 2nd hat. 

The Homeless Man

I did not get his name. He wandered onto the train, begging for money. He was a homeless Vietnam Vet. I was skeptical of his story until he pulled his knitted toboggan off and you could see where half his forehead was gone from a shatter blast. His wife had died of cancer years ago, and he had slowly sunk into despair, depression and loss of all his worldly goods over the years. He had become a beggar with no home or family.

Now, what I found to be curious was that he was a white man, but every person who gave him money that day (at least 7 individuals) was black. I have often seen the white man give to the black beggar, but this truly warmed my heart, especially to see the black folks' generosity to one in need in spite of his color. I once was told that "God does not see the  color of your skin" and that day, I clearly saw evidence that mercy and charity work both ways.

It was winter and extremely cold outside and I asked, "Where is your coat?"  He told me it was stolen when he was trying to check into one of the local shelters. All I had was a pair of stretch black woolen gloves and I gladly gave him those. The question is, had I been a man, would I have given him my good coat? He loudly recited this verse in its entirety from the Bible.  (Matthew 25:35-40).

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

He was pulled from the train after the next stop by a police officer who happened to be on board. I will never see this man again but he and the other "givers" taught me the greatest story of love that day.

Bless You, First Lady of Alabama, Patsy Riley

First Lady Patsy Riley has a ministry called Blankets with a Blessing. I was blessed myself in being allowed to go to the Governor's Mansion, thanks to my talented and beautiful friend, Dorothy Ziegler,  to get a bundle of blankets to give out on one of my back roads trips to those who would need them in this brutal ~~so far~~ Southern winter. My wonderful Tuskeegee friend, William Bray, knows his community well and promised to give a few to those in his area.  My next stop was to a gentleman who is shut in and lives alone. Another blanket was given to a terminally ill man in Montgomery, who just wanted something warm for his bed.

The blankets have a simple prayer by St. Francis and the Bible verse John 16:33 attached. The message simply ends with

"This blanket comes to you with blessings from the First Lady of Alabama, Patsy Riley, and the citizens of Alabama."

So, thank you, Mrs. Riley, for this great ministry you started and your generous heart to reach out to those in need. Thank you also to the people of Alabama who donate these warm, fleecy blankets and to Leah and Emily, assistants to the First Lady. I wish you could meet each person you bless with your generosity!

Heavy Hearts

I had never been this close to poverty before. At least four boys played ball in the street. The ladies and small children were inside. I was invited in. The room was bare and could not have been more than 12x12'. Two closed doors led to other small rooms. There were nine of us and it was warm inside even though it was 37 outside. They had one piece of furniture, a sofa, and all the ladies sat on it while I sat with the children on the floor. My husband and I had taken a few toys and a few jackets to the kids, thanks to a generous donation from a family I met. My nervous husband sat in the car waiting. He was not happy about being in this place. As I approached the car after my visit, a lady in a wheelchair rolled down the street and asked if I had a gift for her. I promised to return with one. My heart was overwhelmed with thoughts of this moment as we witnessed the many needs of this entire street of families. We traveled back to the comforts of our home with a heaviness in our hearts over the poverty in our great state of Alabama.

Lunch

He reached his hand down into the trash can and looked up to glare at me. I asked permission to take the picture and he nodded yes. Have you ever seen someone eat from a trash can? It is heartbreaking. It truly makes me count my blessings that I take so much for granted. If you have read ~same kind of different As me~, you will understand the reason some eat (or pretend to eat) the leftovers from the filthy can when they are down and out and hungry. During this Christmas I encourage you who have plenty to share with others....toys, books, warm blankets, and food. It is such a privilege and joy to be able to help others who have so little. Unfortunately, the day I took this photo, I did not have money with me and will perhaps never see the man again. I hope someone else fed him that day.

Lonely

He sat in a wheelchair close to the side of the busy county road. It was my back roads route from the interstate to the family farm. Each time I passed by, the memory of his loneliness haunted me. I finally pulled over one day and met the old man. His family had left him and had taken almost everything he owned. Alcohol was his best friend. He had a little peanut butter and some shabby clothes. I knew where to get him a blanket and my husband was happy to raid his own closet for a few pairs of pants and sweaters to keep this man warm during the oncoming winter weather. After all, his electric bill was really past due. We will check on him again soon.

He sat in his wheelchair by the side of the busy road. It was my back road route from the interstate to the family farm. I saw him often and when I passed him the memory of his lon

Alabama Capitol

The Alabama Capitol sits in the Black Belt region of Alabama.

 The state has numerous opportunities for anyone to help those less fortunate:

Jimmie Hale Mission   (B'ham. AL)
Jessie's Place   (B'ham. AL)
First Lady Patsy Riley's Blankets with a Blessing Ministry  (Montgomery, AL)
Faith Rescue Mission   (Montgomery, AL)
Montgomery Area Food Bank  (Montgomery, AL)
Auburn Food Bank    (Auburn, AL)

Gees Bend Generations

Often generations of a family in the rural South live near each other. I have the privilege of knowing Velma, and on my last trip to see her, I met her Daughter and Grandson who live next door. They invited me to attend church with them, but I had to decline that day. I hope to go back soon with some framed photos of her Grandson.

Neverland Ferris Wheel

The Autauga County Fair, just miles from the Black Belt Region has Michael Jackson's wonderful Neverland Ferris Wheel! Jeremy, also known as Hillbilly, helps put the big wheel together. He has been in the fair business 18 years. He's only about 21, so I think he got started early. His next stop is Moody, Alabama, but the Neverland Ferris Wheel goes in another direction. Jeremy is the "Never Ending" story of the wonderful Southern people that cross my path. Young and passionate about his mechanical and technical work, he also loves working at Ashley's Place (one of the food booths) after the rides he is responsible for are assembled. He called Ashley his cousin, though they are not related. This wonderful group of people working so hard to bring pleasure to the rural South have become a family to each other.

School's Out!

This family of 7 Letohatchee children (6 in the photo) made my day this summer as they took time out from play for a photograph on their front porch. They were precious. School is back in now and winter is on the way, but hopefully I can find them playing outside again next spring!

Willie

He is the son of a Georgia Black Belt region sharecropper. His prized possession is his pickup truck painted like an American flag. If the truck isn't parked right in front, Willie is out for the day. This was my second visit to see him. He had bad news.....cancer and 21 days of chemotherapy.  There is no family nearby to help and he needs a new radiator for the truck. The plastic gloves he wore on my first visit still covered his hands. He has arthritis and needs these gloves for a better grip on anything he picks up. Someone had given him some scrap metal and he was able to make a little money, but it was barely enough. The needs of people in our community are overwhelming! I gave him my phone number if he needed me, but hopefully someone closer by will have a heart to help him. I promised to come back and take him to lunch. I'd love to hear more about his life.

Tent Revival Alabama

I have always wanted to go to a Southern Evangelical Tent Revival! I finally got my wish. I rounded the corner from our farm house and there sat the big yellow and white tent on what used to be family property. The sign read Gospel Tent Meeting and I would be in town! However, I wanted to slip into the tent right that moment to do a little photography. After an hour with 2 cameras plus a fish eye lens, I was content. I was back that evening to hear Evangelist Bruce Chriestenson proclaim the Word using I Peter 4. Several soloists sang old gospel hymns including Amazing Grace. (the tambourine added the perfect background as we all eventually sang along). The Reverend anointed one man with oil when the preaching was finished and after praying over this jobless man, sang a solo himself. This truly was a special time for me as I experienced the area where I live. Bruce and I spoke the next day about how we could help the homeless, battered women,  the hungry, and those who needed warm blankets as winter approaches.

Emma

Across the yard she came. In her hands she carried a pitch fork taller than she was. I don't know who was more frightened, the lady or me. "I just wanted to get to know you", I said, as I shook from head to toe and stared at the hatchet sticking up out of the ground just three feet away. I was also trying to disregard the yapping dogs who were tied with rope to the front porch. They were ready to have me served up for their dinner.

Needless to say, traveling the backroads can be risky business, but I have been amazed at the warmth of the rural folks I meet. Emma and I became friends that day. She told me a little about herself and I left, promising to come back soon. I have a great book I want to take to her.

same kind of different As me
authors Ron Hall and Denver Moore