Cruise n' on Route 66

Pops very noticeable signage. 500 kinds of soda pop available.

Spring blooms everywhere...forsythia, flowering trees, daffodils but no green grass yet in Oklahoma.

Arcadia's Round Barn. Sam enlightened us on the history of his community and his neighboring farm with great pride. One of the Americans we were in search of.

Spring!

Does not get any better than cruising on the Mother Road with someone special. Jon and I had one of those great days just meandering together...

Oklahoma City Memorial

These are the hopeful images for a sad event.

The top 2 are the children's part of the memorial with walls of colored tiles created by children from across our country. Below is the Survivor Tree. The one tree in the parking lot that survived but still carries the black scars on its trunk from the bombing. The scars still visible today as shown in the picture.

The images here are of a monument so that we never forget what happened. We visited the first weekend of spring break in Oklahoma City. Sunny springlike day with the typical wind of the state caressing those visiting. Actually a large group of visitors and many children who were not even born yet when the bombing occurred. Many visitors meandering respectfully amongst the large chairs for the adults and small chairs for children arranged by the floors they were on at the time of the bombing.

For my generation the event is one of those that you can remember where you were when it happened... Jon and I discussed where we were. Where were you?

Babies, families, grandkids...goodstuff

We reached our immediate destination of Oklahoma City and we made it in time for the birth of Ayla Jane Veronica Jackson on March 3 at 12:37 pm. Healthy beautiful bright alert eyes and strong lungs crying out. Statistics are 6 pounds, 14 oz. and 19 inches. Can't believe she has been here for over a week.

There is nothing like a new baby! They put smiles on every ones face...just see the sappy smiles on our faces as we gaze at them...probably is a good thing they can't see clearly or all of us hovering over them would be scary. We hold them close these little bundles of joy, carefully passing them amongst family and friends. A joy to watch as a family unit expands and welcomes its newest member. We instinctively know that this is the future.

For grandparents it is a totally new experience...no other like it! After we all get through the thoughts of I can't possibly be old enough to be a grand ma, or grand pa, and we finally get to hold THE grand child the world as we know it shifts. It is not an age thing at all! it is a new perspective...it's futuristic...just try to look at the world through this new little ones eyes. Instead of being confined to the responsibilities of parenthood, we can just imagine and visualize what fun this is going to be. We can ponder what role we will play in their lives, what we want them to know. Wisdom? Perhaps it is when it starts...I'll keep you posted!

I myself have three of the best grandkids in the world! And lucky me I am having fun and, feeling wiser. With every laugh and smile they casually bestow on the world and me I feel happy and hopeful...GOOD STUFF!!!!!!

pick n cotton

Needless to mention, Jon chuckled through taking the pictures that go with this. Purple Grannie picking cotton is noteworthy. Son Jamie said it was stealing cotton but I am sure the farmers involved would affirm that it was the slim pickings left behind by the machines. I was picking by hand mind you. Just a few stalks to mail to the grandkids who have not seen growing cotton. But by just picking a little, I now can imagine the pain endured by those in our past history who have tackled picking large rows of cotton. Sharp hurtful features from the branches to the hulls makes one realize that cotton soft is some kind of oxymoron!

The delta country with its fertile fields was not experiencing spring yet so shades of ochre and umber abounded. A few daffodils peeked out in front yards of Vicksburg but looked a little forlorn. Spring will come it is one of God's great promises.

We were glad we experienced the delta and River Road with the car, the motorhome would have been challenged!

...more Children's Art Park

It's Sunday, always a great day to enjoy art. Wish my grandkids were in the park with me! Maddie, Gavin and Boo remember art is not just for the refrigerator or in frames on walls but for in parks also!

I just didn't leave you with enough art. Enjoy, without wasting words...more from Vicksburg

Vicksburg and the Mississippi Delta

We picked up Interstate 20 cruised across Mississippi to the mighty river at Vicksburg. We arrived in the glitz and construction of the Casino district which perched between the river and old Vicksburg . We camped at the Ameristar Casino RV Camp and settled in for the weekend. Beautiful warm and sunny which was great weather for exploring!

The Casinos do not call out to Jon and I. We check out the glitz but do not gamble. I guess I have always worked hard for my money and been without some that I just can't bring myself to throw it away in such a manner. There were others having a great time doing so! We did partake of the breakfast buffet.

We found ourselves doing a drive by of the battlefield and spent some time in the cemetery. Different from Andersonville these were for Confederate Soldiers and built on hills. The impact of the rows of tombstones still evokes sadness.

I was ready to get on with some artsy something...I am a firm believer that you can find art everywhere! Vicksburg did not let me down! They have a Children's Art Park which features student art work mounted in concrete mural walls. The back of the Flood Wall between the riverfront and the park has painted historical times and places murals sponsored by city organizations. I loved both, so instead of rambling, I will leave you with art.....

...on the road in Georgia

We did go...and boy what a long strange trip it has been!

We eased into the great unknown via familiar Interstate 75 and jumped in somewhere off a beaten path around Americus, Georgia. First stop Andersonville POW Museum and National Cemetery.

I had playing in my mind a painting to paint on location. I found upon arrival that the hollowed ground effect enveloped me. I just stumbled around in wide eyed wonder and respect. I found it very overwhelming and disturbing. All the pain and suffering and all of my old dormant hidden hippie tendencies flared up. All the graves that go on in neat long rows trying to make a horrible war wrapped up neatly to haunt our country for generations. I could not attempt to paint even tho it was a beautiful sunny early spring day I could not create.

The museum is very well done covering not only the Civil War but all POW situations including Korea, Vietnam and all scenarios between and up to present time...and commands the sadness and the needed respect we owe these prisoners. Beautiful sculptures and state memorials throughout the museum and the cemetery create a strange place, not only filled with pain and sadness but with peace and beauty.

Time heals and hopefully we are the wiser with each reminder. And therefore lies the reason for visiting. Jon and I during our winter over in Florida got to catch up on some reading we have been attempting and it included a book, "Don't Know Much About the Civil War" by Kenneth C. Davis. Very interestingly written and therefore inspiring us to visit historical sites mentioned.

The reminder that I received, and making me feel wiser, is that if this wonderful country of ours, so deeply loved by many, can survive an event as horrible as the Civil War a recession is next to nothing. It also brings to mind that we should not let individual rights of states or political parties destroy us. Sometimes we need to be still and listen to the voices of those who try to lead and ignore those who try to divide us. Stop amongst the rows of markers in the hollowed grounds of our past and, out of respect for those that lie here, do better.

Our next stop was Plains, Georgia hometown of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. Small town USA for sure! The National Parks Service maintains the High School as a museum of the former Presidents beginnings to recent accomplishments.

I was fine driving by but Jon reminded me that I want to see it all so...

We found ourselves seated in the auditorium not only experiencing a documentary film on President Carter but also a flash into our pasts. The scene created by center front stage, wooden floors, and wood flip seats took me back to assemblies at Grace E. Hunt School in Mt. Healthy, Ohio and Jon to High School in Madison, Florida.

Now I know this was a major contrast from Andersonville but there are still lessons here. Perhaps it is that any small town can be the home of the next President? Or anyone can be President? I hope there are still teachers saying, "Study good one of you might be the next President!" Or is it that Presidents should do something after being President besides golf?

I must say I left both places feeling good about the United States! You gotta love this country!