Holy Land Day 1

Holy Land Tour Day 1                   

Though we arrived late in Atlanta, we made our connections to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

There were many, many children on this flight, leaving at 10:30 PM for an 11 hour flight, which arrived in Tel Aviv at 5:30 PM. After a short ride we arrived at our hotel, The Blue Bay which sits directly above the Mediterranean in Netanya. The sunset was stunning as was the dinner buffet.

The hotel accommodates the orthodox Jews at the opening of their Shabbat. Religious ceremonies were held and they joined us in the buffet, for traditional prayers and celebration. On an interesting note, since this is their Sabbath, no work can be done, even the pushing of elevator buttons. Sooo there is an elevator designated as the Shabbat elevator..if it is on the ground floor you get on and it stops at every floor going up, then reversed going down.

We met our tour guide Sam, and our bus driver Bassam. They are delightful. Sam is a young Christian Israeli who lives in Jerusalem. He is knowledgeable, scriptural, and spiritually prepared for his job. We are so looking forward to tomorrow, as we track the Mediterranean Sea northward to Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Meggido, and ending up in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

Key Spots today:

1. Lod - the Airport

2. Tel Aviv- Israel's commerce center and largest city

3. Joppa (Jaffa)- Jonah's seaport to the whale, and

the harbor where Solomon received the Cedars

of Lebanon for the temple.

The Holy Land

Dean and I are joining 30 more pilgrims from Pasadena Community Church to tour the Holy Land.

We leave today from Tampa. We will land in Tel Aviv, journey north to Tiberias and then south to Jerusalem during our 10 day stay. I will edit this blog as we go, and try to include pictures.

We can hardly wait to walk in the steps of Jesus and His disciples... until tomorrow.

Red Man

Here is our Big  Red.

When we first came to Monticello and this beautiful property, we decided that like the Cartwright's, we NEEDED horses. Margaret already had her Sunny, so Dean and I went about looking for our horses. I got the cutest little Paint, and named him Jazzy. Dean decided on Big Red, a Tennesee Walker, who was around 14 years old.

It did not take long for Red to endear himself to his new owner. While Dean and I were riding the property one sunny fall day in 2001, I was thrown from that cute little paint and lay lifeless on the ground. Dean was panicked, when I was not breathing, but as soon as I began breathing, he knew that just yelling in the middle of the pasture was not going to get me any medical help. Red was standing calmy by. Dean only had to give him the simplest "nudge", and off he galloped, taking Dean to the cabin to get help from none other than the Orkin man!! After this mishap, we returned the cute little paint, and chose a more reliable horse.. Salty.

Needless to say, we developed a great confidence in our big red horse, after this experience.

Red became a favorite with the grandchildren, because he loved to be groomed by all the tiny hands. Each grandchild rode him, except for Ellie. She did sit on his back, but was a little nervous about striding out on this big boy!! One year, Ruthie and Rusty rode double on the big red horse.

He and Sunny and Salty became the closest of friends. They stood in the shade during the hot summers and frolicked during the cooler months.  Then, a new friend was added, when Woolly Bully, the donkey, joined the crew. Our "Men on Hooves" continued enjoying each other and their world.

Now, Red Man is short term, due to his liver problems. Big Red will remain long term in our hearts.

I Certainly Learned My Lesson

I have been hearing these words from the mouths of adults a lot lately. They are usually used in anger towards someone who has not done what one has expected. It has really made me start thinking about that concept... "I have learned my lesson"  Really?? Have I?? Or have I actually UNLEARNED a lesson or two.

You see, I believe the most important lessons in life are learned very early on when we are so close to our God...We love unconditionally as little people...we give without expecting something in return...we trust those around us. I believe we begin to unlearn these lessons as we "mature"and the world hurls pain at us from so many unexpected places.

My mother used to point out to me that I could never go anywhere without bringing something back to my family...it was something I always did as a little girl. I gave...with no expectations. It made me so happy, and still does.
When Adam was a youngster, he was like that...He took his hard earned money at Christmas time and bought "special" gifts for each of his cousins and grandparents. He was so proud, as he passed them around to each family member. Though I cannot remember what he gave to all...he picked out what he thought would make them happy. My mother's cat figurine was so very special to her, because Adam had picked it out for her.

Then, later, Dean and I got to spend some "bonding" time individually with the grandkids on their birthdays. We felt that maybe the kids would remember the experiences with their grandparents, more than they would remember the "presents". We had some great experiences at Chuck E. Cheese, Celebration Station, Putt Putt Golf, Mosi, and The Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

Each time, we successfully encouraged each grandchild to bring something home to their siblings. They got a kick out of that...Ruthie and Rusty, being older, quickly picked things out for the others, and then spent time choosing for themselves. BUT...when Flip turned 5, and we were allowed to take him to the Aquarium.....well...he taught us a lesson. It was so natural to him, and he thought very hard about each present..for Rusty, a "snow globe", which Rusty collects. For Ruthie he carefully chose a stuffed animal, which he knew she would love. Then, not even thinking about picking something out for himself, he proceeded to go straight to the toys, which he knew his Dad would enjoy and play with him. Then, it was over to the emery boards that he felt his Mom would love and use....He was so involved in picking things out for others, that he had to be encouraged to get something for himself. At that moment, he reminded me so of Adam, as a little guy....

No, I think we have already learned the lessons we need, as little people. It is so sad that we have to UNLEARN those lessons and not remember the joy in giving ourselves to others...loving others more than ourselves...and treating all people with the same love and grace that God has heaped on us..Oh, to be 5 again!!!

Springtime FSU

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April 10 brought some Springtime fun to Tallahassee. The main course was the annual spring football game. It began at 5PM. BUT the whole day was filled with sports, food and fun! Mike and Adie Price came to join in with the crowd!

The weather was beautiful...sunny but cool. We parked at the football stadium and walked to the track. There was an Invitational that began around noon. We watched the men's triple jump, and then headed back past the Tennis Complex. The ladies were hosting Boston College, and we watched some of the doubles. Then it was volleyball in Tully Gym. The ladies were hosting an Invitational. We watched a little Georgia vs Georgia Tech and some FSU vs the gators. Rivalries are such fun. There was also a water polo match and a ladies' softball game,and a men's Lacrosse which we did not have time to watch.

We got some lunch at the Seminole Village and went to the FSU Flying High Circus. Adie had never been...Dean, Mike and I had last attended while we were in college. FSU's circus is the only completely collegiate affair! Students perform, rig, make costumes...you name it the students do it. We talked with a young lady who is a Junior..she performs on the trapeze and also works with the riggings. This year, there were over 300 students who tried out for 100+ positions. What a unique group..they receive 1 college credit for hours upon hours of training. They do however get to have a summer job at Callaway Gardens, where they perform throughout the summer and hold summer camps for kids. Katie said that she had been in gymnastics, as a youngster, and those skills helped her tremendously.

After the circus, we headed for the Seminole Booster Box to watch the Seminoles' spring football game. I must admit, it was nice to know that we were going to "win" the game. Our new coach, Jimbo Fisher, asked for 50,000 fans to show up. After the final count we had over 51,000 fans and 1 horse!! I think that was the largest crowd in awhile. The most fun was watching the halftime garnet and gold scrimmage, with former FSU players. Brad Johson and Casey Weldon led their teams which included some names that FSU folks would recognize...Peter Warrick, Terrell Buckley, Darnell Dockett, Kirk Caruthers, Alfonso Carreker,and many others.

After a busy day, which seemed a lot longer than when we were in our twenties, we returned home. What a wonderful day with good friends, beautiful spring weather, great food, and a sports, sports, and and circus adventure!!

Hall Girls' Memories

OK....we Hall Girls have a new assignment....actually, Daddy is an "old" assignment...Mama left him with us 14 years ago. So, we have made him walk, we have taken away his car keys, we have taken him to Vegas, Biloxi, and Hard Rock to play some games, we have fed him, made him take showers, taken him to church, read the Bible with him, prayed with him, made him drink water, made him take his pills, nursed a broken rib and broken eye socket, loved him, loved him and loved him. Of course, Margaret, who lives with Daddy in the cabin has had the lion's share, but his entire family.. Dean and I, Mim and Ted, Karen and Greg, Adam and Lori and the "Greats", Bill and Johanna, David and Dianna, and Bill and Mary Lillian Baldy have all contributed to these tasks over the last few years. So, our new assignment??? Listen, Listen, and Listen. We want to get as many stories from Sweet Willie, as we can make him remember. Today, Mim drove up from Eustis, and we sat for hours, just talking and sharing stories, and laughing and laughing and laughing! For those of you who knew our Mama and know our Daddy....you KNOW that the Hall family has stories filled with laughter and love....just like yours. We actually heard a new story today....Mim remembered it and Daddy vouched for her....here goes.

When Mama and Daddy lived on the farm in Fitzgerald, Daddy and "others" tried there hand at "distilling" what we Southerners know as Moonshine!! They put their shine in Pepsi cola bottles, corked and stored in the barn. One cold morning, Mama was hanging clothes outside, when Daddy left for work. She got very cold....Mama weighed about 98 pounds, soaking wet, and was REALLY feeling the cold...so she thought she would take a little sip of moonshine to warm her up. Well, I guess one sip did not do it, and she drank the whole pepsi bottle of shine.

 Remember, Daddy left her hanging clothes on the line...when he returned for lunch..she was "Hung over" the line...feeling warm enough to enjoy her unexpected nap!!!

The moonshine experiment ended abruptly one morning, a little later, when they thought they were under attack.....shooting guns and such...No, it wasn't an attack, it was just the remaining bottles of moonshine popping their corks. Oh well, Mama would just have to figure out some other way to stay warm, while hanging out her clothes.

We had such a good time today...Mim is going to come back as much as possible to tell and retell the old stories. I will write and share as Daddy remembers. Thanks, Dr. Scoles, for reminding us that at 91 years of age, we do not have to make Daddy walk, take him out in the cold (which he hates so much), or take him away from home to have a good time. All we have to do is sit with him, talk, laugh, and listen....get him to eat and drink his water...take his pills...and then go right back to just loving on one of the sweetest human beings to ever walk this earth.

There is a country song that fits our Daddy to a T...He's an angel with no halo, and one wing in the fire..... Hopefully, I have figured out how to play this one, with this post!

The End of An Era....Thanks to Bobby B.

OK...this may be a tough one...you see? Bobby Bowden has been a part of our lives for a long time. He was an assistant coach, under Bill Peterson, Margaret's freshman year at FSU, when the Noles beat the gators for the first time, and Fred Biletnikoff caught pass after pass from Steve Tensi, and ended up winning the 1965 Gator Bowl, while Margaret marched her heart out at halftime with the Chiefs! As a junior in high school, I got to go to both of those "historic" wins!!

Yes, he left to go be the head coach of West Virginia...but returned to FSU as head coach in 1976. Dean and I were not in attendance for those games in '76, as Adam was born on September 1st. ( We were a little BUSY!!)

BUT..the very next year, we began many years of home game attendance, staying with Margaret and Karen and Bill, in Tallahassee during the Fall weekends! The kids grew up knowing how to spell Florida State, watching Renegade and Bobby Bowden on the sidelines. Their very first game...Charlotte Williams, Margaret and I held the three little ones on our laps in the end zone. Karen cried when the crowd yelled, but she and Adam fell fast asleep, by the second half....while Bill remained wide awake...big blue eyes on Bobby and the horse...never uttering a sound, except for two words.....Bobby Bowden.

Over the next 16 years or so, we repeated that trip for every home game. The kids got old enough to have their own seats, in the end zone. They made promises to stay put until halftime, when we came to "feed and water" them! They were so good....and became some of Bobby's biggest fans. David Miller became old enough to join the crowd..and the cousins started some lifetime memories that few cousins can share! Our best memory, was before a Wake Forest game, we went to visit the "new" rooms and offices built under the North End Zone...we quietly waited outside Bobby's office, just to get a glimpse of him as he left to go to the game...When he came out of his office, he stopped, knelt down to those three kids, shook their hands, wrote his autograph on a piece of scrap paper, smiled, made them feel important, as their awestruck parents just smiled and nodded, too impressed to speak!

As Adam and David Valenzano (Adie Price's oldest) became good friends, David joined the cousins at the games. Dean would lead the troup to the practice field, before the games for passing and receiving skills. I think the kids would have spent the whole time there, if we had let them. But, then to the game...and again, they no longer sat in the end zone...but had their own seats above ours. They waited patiently, whether the Seminoles won or lost to take part in another tradition...wait for the stands to clear...the field to empty...drop to the field and run their own touchdowns....a few times, Dean would even get to meet a couple of the players, (Leroy Butler...Eric Hayes...others), as they would wander back out of the dressing rooms for their own reasons...Sadly, that tradition ended too soon for us, as the practice field was locked up, and noone could get on the game field after the game...Our memories remain!

Even later, Adam and Lori would come up occasionally, for a  Miami or gator game. I gladly gave up my ticket, to watch the game at home, or spend a day with the grands, when they came up with their parents. After this year...I was glad NOT to be at the stadium..Do you know we had rain for almost every home game? I think God was even shedding a few tears for Bobby's last year at FSU!

So many memories, both for us as a family, and for all of FSU. Ann Bowden was the one who came up with the idea for a new vision of what people would think of, when they heard the name FSU. In 1978, Renegade and Chief Osceola became household words, and wonderful TV and photo opportunities. They even allowed the duo to stay on the field at this year's Gator Bowl! Grandson, Rusty likes the Appaloosa...he would call him Chalky!

Soooo, the Gator Bowl of 2010 was so much more than Bobby Bowden's last football game. This is truly the end of an era, for him and his folks, for FSU, and for our family and friends. We will all have our own personal memories of Bobby...mine will be that golf tournament in St. Pete, where I was the only "girl" playing. Someone came up behind me and slapped me on the back...I wheeled, ready to lay into whomever...it was Bobby Bowden. After just a few minutes, he made it seem like he had known me for years..learned I was from Eustis, FL and discussed WITH ME all the good players he had from our area like Howard Ehler, Billy Rhodes and Billy's sons. I told him of how my Mama was so proud of FSU when they hired him...how she wrote a letter to him...and how she still had his reply...he said, he remembered and appreciated the support. When we parted, and he went on to the next fan...I will always remember how kind, how personable, and how I felt like he really knew me and WANTED to get to know me better. I am sure that is how he treated everyone....like family!

So, like a member of my family, I will always be grateful to have had little snippets of time with the Legend. And like a member of my family, I will miss not seeing him at every home football game. I will miss how he seemed to irritate the fool out of Steve Spurrier and many of the gators. I will miss the class and caring that he brought to College football. As a teacher, I will miss the loss of another great teacher for young men, who need a good, loving male role model so badly.  But, like a member of my own family, I will always have the memories of the happy times, the times when he was there...the head coach of my university... the man who gave so many a reason to be proud. I thank you, Bobby Bowden, for being the man you are....for loving your extended family, even when they made mistakes, when they didn't seem  to like you much, when they wouldn't listen to your sage advice...when all you really wanted to do was help and love and teach and learn. You treated us all like you would your own family.

Bye, for now, Bobby Bowden. Thanks for sharing him, Ann. And thanks for all the memories...they can never    be taken away!              WE LOVE YOU, BOBBY