On the other side of town
Where the privileged reside
The homes are large and stately
And quite elegant inside
No matter what the season
The grass is never brown
For the world is so much greener
On the other side of town
On the other side of town
Across the railroad tracks
The only disadvantage
Is the higher rate of tax
Where the sun casts golden shadows
Before it eases down
And the stars resemble diamonds
On the other side of town
I visited the east side of Paragould today and met a young lady staying at the mission outreach who's story makes me stop and thank God for the privilege of having a home. A place that I can lay my head, take a shower, lay on the couch, be myself, invite my friends and go when I have no place else.
Everyone has a story to tell of how life has treated them good and not so good. Most everyone has had bad things happen to them, but most have never been homeless. The lady I met today has written this poem I would like to share with those of you reading. She says it is only an expression of how she feels right now. She has been homeless for 2 years.
Homeless
No place to call my own, no where to have a home
I live in the streets, dirt and filth beneath my feet
Occasionally into the shelters I can stay
Where if I kiss their Asses they let me stay
I AM HOMELESS
There is no trust in the dark and dreary streets
For over my shoulder I am always looking
Ever afraid of what danger might be lurking
Just living is not an option for me, only survival is the key
I AM HOMELESS
Into the streets come the fakes and the phonies
Social, religious and do goodiers too, all shower me with false love
Forcing me to give in to all their causes
Never hearing or understanding my anguished pleas
I AM HOMELESS
Those who are in the know, say I don’t want to have a home
They say I like to roam and be free
That is not true, I do want a home and to be clean
To make a difference in a world so mean
I DO NOT WANT TO BE HOMELESS
But society is cruel, non-caring and elite
The world they have created, just can not be
Unless they make sure, they have people like me
In order to keep the world the way that it is, I cannot be freed
I MUST BE HOMELESS
Just food for thought. We have so much to be thankful for, and yet we are so stengy with our resources. Help those in need, lend a hand to the needy.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Home Sweet Home
I have been on vacation for the past 6 days. We left on Saturday morning, after only 2 hours of sleep at o dark hundred, 3am, . I told Cheryl we have only had a nap. We drove straight into Ashville, NC where we spent a few hours at the gift shoppe of the Biltmore Castle, then went straight into Charleston, SC. We arrived at 11 pm and stayed in a hotel for the night....
Sunday morning we drove out to Wadmalaw Island, about 25 miles outside of Charleston, for the Rockville Regatta, a 40 year tradition in sail boat racing... It was just a perfect day, perfect weather, we watched the races, walked the island, talked to the locals, and enjoyed a beautiful day. After the races, we drove over to the Charleston Tea Plantation. This is the only Tea grown in America. The first tea plant was brought over to America in the early 1800's and a plantation was started from just a couple of plants. We toured the Plantation. If you ever come to my house you will be drinking Charleston Tea, I buy a case each time I go to Charleston.
We drove back to Charleston and checked into our room. We stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel in Historical downtown. Here's a brief history...it opened in 1924 at a cost of 1.5 million. It is the oldest and grandest hotel in the Carolina's. It got it's name from General Francis Marion "Swamp Fox" of the American Revolution. The FMH has a long tradition of gracious service, and elegant accommodations. We had bellhops, concierge, business and fitness centers, jazz piano music in the lounge as well as a complete day spa at Spa Adagio, maid service, room service, valet parking and we were allowed a special key and tour of the 12Th floor which is a private floor in the hotel,where the most expensive suits are. How special are we!!
Are view was spectacular of the Charleston church steeples, over 200 churches on the peninsula, antebellum mansions, and famous harbor. We were in the heart of the city, surrounded by magnificent gardens, museums, art galleries, antique shops, local boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife that make Charleston unique. Ate Supper at Hyman's Seafood, I had Oyster's!!!
Monday morning we rose early and drove to Kiawah Island, where we spent the day at The Sanctuary Hotel and golf resort. It's located along the pristine shores of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, this exquisitely designed luxurious oceanfront hotel captures the spirit, history and charm of the beautiful south. You walk through the front doors and experienced a seaside mansion, where you will be surrounded by the grandeur of the architecture and hospitality at its finest.
The Sanctuary offers 255 spacious rooms and suites, including the 3000 square foot Presidential Suite. The king rooms are among the largest on the East Coast with the smallest measuring 520 square feet. All rooms are uniquely designed to include such exquisite amenities as a handcrafted desk and armoire, an elegantly appointed sofa and chair, and custom made beds.
We ate lunch at the "Ocean Room" Restaurant and laid on the beach for a few hours, we were treated like royalty. We were given long white, soft beach towels, chairs and umbrella's, ice water every 15 minutes was offered. The Sanctuary is known for it's guest list Oprah, Bill Clinton, J Lo, the Mealers, the Davis, etc...lol
Tuesday we went to the Isle of Palms and laid on the beach all day long. Relaxing, warm sea breezes, and sun. We went back to the Hotel and took a shower, ate at Gilligan's Raw Bar, I ate oyster's!!!! and went to bed.
Wednesday we had spa day. We had a pedicure, manicure, and massage. We were wet noodles when it was all over. Went to the hotel order Pizza and went to bed.
Thursday we rose early, and headed home. On our way out of town we stopped in Monks Corner South Carolina and went to the Mepkin Abby, a monastery near Monks Corner, SC that had previously served as a plantation. The monks have taken a vow of silence. They sell eggs and homemade preserves to the locals. The entrance into the Abby is dressed with an avenue of Angel oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The lawns are manicured, and decorated with beautiful
gardens. It is a quiet, surreal, tranquil place where you can enjoy a small corner in God's country.
We arrived in Asheville and toured the Biltmore estate. A grand, over the top mansion with 250 rooms.... Grand but all I could think about was..."I would hate to keep this house clean."
Cheryl and I drove all night long and arrived home at 5 am. I was greeted with a warm welcome from my husband and my baby dogs, Abby and Buddy. I didn't go to sleep until
6: 30pm Friday night. Gary took the day off and we spent a quiet day alone.
I enjoyed the time Cheryl and I had together talking, walking, laying around on the beach. It was a time to reflect on family, friendship, and memories of long ago. I can't wait to go back, but it is nice to be home.
I went to my first service in our new church last night and it made me feel special to hear everyone say they really missed me, and glad I was back... yea, me too.
Sunday morning we drove out to Wadmalaw Island, about 25 miles outside of Charleston, for the Rockville Regatta, a 40 year tradition in sail boat racing... It was just a perfect day, perfect weather, we watched the races, walked the island, talked to the locals, and enjoyed a beautiful day. After the races, we drove over to the Charleston Tea Plantation. This is the only Tea grown in America. The first tea plant was brought over to America in the early 1800's and a plantation was started from just a couple of plants. We toured the Plantation. If you ever come to my house you will be drinking Charleston Tea, I buy a case each time I go to Charleston.
We drove back to Charleston and checked into our room. We stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel in Historical downtown. Here's a brief history...it opened in 1924 at a cost of 1.5 million. It is the oldest and grandest hotel in the Carolina's. It got it's name from General Francis Marion "Swamp Fox" of the American Revolution. The FMH has a long tradition of gracious service, and elegant accommodations. We had bellhops, concierge, business and fitness centers, jazz piano music in the lounge as well as a complete day spa at Spa Adagio, maid service, room service, valet parking and we were allowed a special key and tour of the 12Th floor which is a private floor in the hotel,where the most expensive suits are. How special are we!!
Are view was spectacular of the Charleston church steeples, over 200 churches on the peninsula, antebellum mansions, and famous harbor. We were in the heart of the city, surrounded by magnificent gardens, museums, art galleries, antique shops, local boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife that make Charleston unique. Ate Supper at Hyman's Seafood, I had Oyster's!!!
Monday morning we rose early and drove to Kiawah Island, where we spent the day at The Sanctuary Hotel and golf resort. It's located along the pristine shores of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, this exquisitely designed luxurious oceanfront hotel captures the spirit, history and charm of the beautiful south. You walk through the front doors and experienced a seaside mansion, where you will be surrounded by the grandeur of the architecture and hospitality at its finest.
The Sanctuary offers 255 spacious rooms and suites, including the 3000 square foot Presidential Suite. The king rooms are among the largest on the East Coast with the smallest measuring 520 square feet. All rooms are uniquely designed to include such exquisite amenities as a handcrafted desk and armoire, an elegantly appointed sofa and chair, and custom made beds.
We ate lunch at the "Ocean Room" Restaurant and laid on the beach for a few hours, we were treated like royalty. We were given long white, soft beach towels, chairs and umbrella's, ice water every 15 minutes was offered. The Sanctuary is known for it's guest list Oprah, Bill Clinton, J Lo, the Mealers, the Davis, etc...lol
Tuesday we went to the Isle of Palms and laid on the beach all day long. Relaxing, warm sea breezes, and sun. We went back to the Hotel and took a shower, ate at Gilligan's Raw Bar, I ate oyster's!!!! and went to bed.
Wednesday we had spa day. We had a pedicure, manicure, and massage. We were wet noodles when it was all over. Went to the hotel order Pizza and went to bed.
Thursday we rose early, and headed home. On our way out of town we stopped in Monks Corner South Carolina and went to the Mepkin Abby, a monastery near Monks Corner, SC that had previously served as a plantation. The monks have taken a vow of silence. They sell eggs and homemade preserves to the locals. The entrance into the Abby is dressed with an avenue of Angel oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The lawns are manicured, and decorated with beautiful
gardens. It is a quiet, surreal, tranquil place where you can enjoy a small corner in God's country.
We arrived in Asheville and toured the Biltmore estate. A grand, over the top mansion with 250 rooms.... Grand but all I could think about was..."I would hate to keep this house clean."
Cheryl and I drove all night long and arrived home at 5 am. I was greeted with a warm welcome from my husband and my baby dogs, Abby and Buddy. I didn't go to sleep until
6: 30pm Friday night. Gary took the day off and we spent a quiet day alone.
I enjoyed the time Cheryl and I had together talking, walking, laying around on the beach. It was a time to reflect on family, friendship, and memories of long ago. I can't wait to go back, but it is nice to be home.
I went to my first service in our new church last night and it made me feel special to hear everyone say they really missed me, and glad I was back... yea, me too.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sensational Charleston
Strong-willed and seeking solitude,
I’m standing like a stone on the old plantation,
Down in Charleston, South Carolina,
This is where I regain some relaxation.
There are exquisite vistas all around,
With that old maritime feel;
Nothing can beat the traditional cooking,
Or a tasty, southern style meal;
The terrain for the most part is flat,
And the enticing atmosphere’s kind of dark.
Curly Spanish moss carpets scores of trees,
And drips off their limbs and bark.
There are cypress swamps and tidal marshes,
With an abundance of greenery and growth;
Parts of them still look uncharted
And tons of wildlife occupies them both.
With a faded rebel flag popping in the wind,
And a slew of seagrass marsh fields,
They capture the very essence of the “old South”,
And the indelible history that it yields.
I can still recall September of 89’,
When hurricane Hugo slashed and swept through.
Many traces of it can still be seen
In some of those tokens it slammed into.
This whole area is just one of a kind,
And a person can really get lost in it all;
Its heritage and treasures shall be everlasting,
And are without a doubt in for the long haul.
Our time in Chrleston this week was by far one of the best trips I have taken. I lived in Charleston for 9 years and for the first time I went on vacation there. The weather was nice, the seafood was wonderful, the ocean was relaxing and the the company was great.
But there is no place like home
I’m standing like a stone on the old plantation,
Down in Charleston, South Carolina,
This is where I regain some relaxation.
There are exquisite vistas all around,
With that old maritime feel;
Nothing can beat the traditional cooking,
Or a tasty, southern style meal;
The terrain for the most part is flat,
And the enticing atmosphere’s kind of dark.
Curly Spanish moss carpets scores of trees,
And drips off their limbs and bark.
There are cypress swamps and tidal marshes,
With an abundance of greenery and growth;
Parts of them still look uncharted
And tons of wildlife occupies them both.
With a faded rebel flag popping in the wind,
And a slew of seagrass marsh fields,
They capture the very essence of the “old South”,
And the indelible history that it yields.
I can still recall September of 89’,
When hurricane Hugo slashed and swept through.
Many traces of it can still be seen
In some of those tokens it slammed into.
This whole area is just one of a kind,
And a person can really get lost in it all;
Its heritage and treasures shall be everlasting,
And are without a doubt in for the long haul.
Our time in Chrleston this week was by far one of the best trips I have taken. I lived in Charleston for 9 years and for the first time I went on vacation there. The weather was nice, the seafood was wonderful, the ocean was relaxing and the the company was great.
But there is no place like home
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