GA Agrirama

Mom and Dad came down to visit us this weekend, and I took a venture out of my comfort zone. Ever since my seizure last year I have not driven any farther then the local Target. I have gone as far as 30 minutes away, but that is only because from my mom's house to her Target is 30 minutes! Seriously though, because I still have little petite mal seizures all the time, I take driving very seriously. I am able to function while having one, can still continue to do what I need to do. But if I have several in a row and am driving (which means I can't close my eyes and just relax through them) it gives me a booger of a headache. So as often as possible, I just don't drive.
 But, Mom and Dad were driving down and were interested in stopping at the Agrirama in Tifton. It is only about 40 miles north on the interstate - but I am not ready for the interstate. 70 miles an hour is terrifying - sorry.  But, the old standby, the road that my Grandma took from Kentucky to Florida back in the day; well, it is still very much alive and in use. Hwy 41. The speed limit drops to 35 in every little burg, and there are stoplights all along the way, so 40 miles seems a lot longer that way. But it also winds through some beautiful farm country with tobacco, cotton, corn and pine trees swaying in the breeze.
 I have passed through all these counties before, multiple times between home and "home". But I have never noticed the county line signs before. I have never heard the names of most of the tiny little towns, and never would have known they existed. But on Saturday I drove through them, slightly stressed, but mostly proud. I appreciated their existence, their quaint beauty, and the history that they hold onto with tenacity.
 Most of all, I ventured out.
 My seizures behaved themselves, and the speed limit was never higher then 55.
 Life is good.
 God is good.

 Want to see the Agrirama?

My Boys will tell you the most important thing is the train. 

Who can resist 

an old man in 

overalls? 

Especially one who 

lets my boys ring the

train bell! 

I'm not sure Zion looks happy about it, but Canaan was thrilled! 

What shall he see next?

A friendly wave hello.

Spinning alpaca into thread. Right in front of our eyes.

Almost makes me want a pet....

I don't think the landlord would approve! 

Papaw the preacher

Helping the blacksmith get the fire started - pump the bellows. 

Now THAT is a fire! 

Even Zion gave it a try. 

Examining coal up close

 and admiring a dragon door handle the blacksmith had created. 

What an artist! 

When I was a little girl I thought I wanted to live in "olden times". 

I read Little House on the Prairie and Little Women one too many times. 

But then I see this, and remember who I am and am reminded to be grateful for where I am, when I am, every day. I wouldn't have lived very long back then! 

Pocket calculator anyone?

In a drainage ditch off to the side, all by itself was one little flower. South Ga is brutally hot, and the soil is full of clay and sand. A drainage ditch is not a comforting place- and yet, this little piece of beauty still grew, and bloomed, and gave a little color to this reminder of history's harsh trials. 

How can you not appreciate God's handiwork in a moment like that? 

Until next time...