Monday, February 14, 2011

Shining through, the long way and before the party

- The sun shining across this Celtic cross, hand carved by a church member. It held a place of honor at my church's annual service known as the Kirking of the Tartans, where we celebrate our Scottish heritage.

- A Saturday trip down to my home town of Milledgeville, Georgia, to check on the family home. The best part turns out to be taking the long way back to Atlanta, through the lovely little towns of Social Circle, Mansfield and Monroe. Monroe, Georgia was named after James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States.

- A little girl inside the bakery twirls around to show off her sparkly party dress. It is her birthday and she and her mom are there to pick up the cake for her party - a large heart-shaped cake with pink frosting.

16 comments:

Granny Annie said...

Mary, Queen of Scots ordered my Irish Ancestors the McGregors, killed if they were ever found gathered in a group of four or more.

Well, so it wasn't named for Marilyn?

I can remember being a twirling little girl getting ready for a fancy party:)

Holland said...

Little impressions that can have a lasting effect... Beautiful post.

Louvregirl said...

Lynn~ I do like the last comment. Life doesn't get much better than that!
P.S.
Happy Valentines Day!!!
:):):):):):):):):):)
lg!

Fireblossom said...

How cute is that, about the girl and the cake?

Happy Valenrtine's Day, Lynn! Will you be my Valentine? :-)

TALON said...

I love drives like that - no rush, no hurry and time to soak in the scenery...

Lovely photo, Lynn - beautiful carving on that cross.

Sounds like the little girl was having a fabulous birthday!

desk49 said...

A hand carved cross
On it a man they hung
A God was pulled off
for every single one

A round trip she made
To her old home town
Seeing many of places
On her trip around

The birthday girl
In her party dress
Had a pink heart cake
She thought was the best

Lynn said...

Granny Annie -

That's why my ancestor came over to America from Scotland - for religious freedom. My job during the service yesterday was to carry in the huge church Bible - I was the Beadle. They used to have to hide their Bibles during the Middle Ages and the Beadle would keep in safe and carry it into the place of worship.

I sort of like that Monroe could have been named for Marilyn. :)

Holland -

Thank you - it's good to see you!

lg -

Happy Valentines Day, lg!!!!

FB -

Happy Valentines Day back atcha! :)

Talon -

The man who carved the cross is very ill and his wife told him they were bringing the cross from his home church in South Carolina especially for the service. That motivated him to get better - he was just out of the hospital on Wednesday and present yesterday.

The birthday girl and her little sister sparkled like diamonds. So cute.

Ellis -

Thank you for my poem - another great one!

Meredith said...

My paternal grandmother moved from Buckhead to Monroe when she was in her late-70s, to enjoy the lake and be closer to nature. I never knew that it was named that to honor the president! But I know that drive well, and it is lovely. I'm glad you had the time and presence of mind/spirit to enjoy it thoroughly, Lynn. :)

I always loved the name "Social Circle." It conjures such homey images for me, of Sunday suppers at the church, folks sitting on their front porches rocking at dusk to pass the time of day with tall tales and reminiscences, and ladies chattering away at a quilting bee. :)

sage said...

Beautiful cross! Is the kirking scheduled to coincide with Robert Burns birthday?

LL Cool Joe said...

I love the way kids turn around to show a stranger their new toy, or clothes, as if you know them so well.

Jannie Funster said...

Yay, Blogger let me in from my iPhone!

Any special hand shakes or dress code required for that Social Circle?

Super lighting on that hand carved cross. Glad it motivated it's maker to feel better.

I'm so sleeeeeeepy.

:)

xxooxxo

Lynn said...

Meredith -

I think Monroe would be a wonderful place to live - it is exquisite. And yes, Social Circle - appropriately home to the Blue Willow Inn. A truly Southern experience - fried chicken, biscuits, yummy other stuff. :)

Sage -

I don't know, I'll have to ask the organizer - we always have it the 2nd Sunday of February.

Joe -

She and her little sister were gazing raptly into the party favor display case, when one of her teachers came in and exclaimed over the dress. I loved how pleased she looked. :)

Jannie -

Yes - you may not enter Social Circle without changing into a wide brimmed hat and hoop skirt. I had to change in the restroom of the Citgo station down the street. I crack myself up. Snicker.

Happy Valentines Day, Jannie Muffin. xoxoxo

Riot Kitty said...

I'm part Scots, among many other things. That cross is a nice piece of art. I didn't know that about Monroe, GA.

Lynn said...

Riot Kitty -

Isn't the carving on that cross beautiful? I love celebrating my Scottish heritage.

Snaggle Tooth said...

The Sunshine sure has that cross glowing like magic! Is everyone in the church Scottish? Strange service theme... Strange Grannie Annie fact!
Glad you got back to Midgeville again.
Sounds like an inspring birthday girl gave you a lucky twirl- I hope she gets alot more birthdays n bumps into you there again!

Lynn said...

Snaggle -

The Presbyterian Church has its origins in Scotland and so we pay tribute in this way once a year. Most of us are of Scottish heritage.

I used an effect from Picassa called "glow" to give the cross a glowier effect. I thought it was kind of cool.

And I hope I run into her again, too.