INTO THE SEASON

Yes, the annual journey to Ponce De Leon is now two weeks complete. It was nice to get away for a while into a different environment. This year, it was what I call a "vanilla" trip in that we did not do a lot of stop offs or miscellaneous driving around this time. My father travelled with me for much of the trip, and he is not interested in doing a lot but getting from point A to point B. We left on a Thursday and first drove up to Thomasville, GA to my sister's place where my dad stayed for a couple of nights. On Friday, I went and spent a day with my mother and her husband in Monticello, FL. On Saturday, my dad and I were back on the road for the 4 hour trip on to Ponce De Leon, FL - which is in the panhandle of Florida. Once we were there and settled into the hotel, we did do a little driving on what we call "the back roads" - to my father's old home place where he was raised (the house isn't there anymore, but it's not changed much other than that). We also visited some of our favorite restaurants while there. The big event is the annual family reunion at the Town Hall in Ponce De Leon. A couple hundred or so of us gather each year to reunite with one another, of course, but also to partake of an awesome potluck - everything from home cooked to Winn Dixie deli. Other than the heat, it is a great time! Following that we all trek over to Ponce De Leon Springs to swim in the COLD springs. It's been a state recreation area for a long many years now, but it's very refreshing. Our time was cut short there this year because it was thundering and lightening by the time we got there. Then, Monday morning, it's time to head back home - that's at least an 8 hour drive - so it's an all day deal. As I said, though, we had fun and it was a great getaway.

Once we get back from Ponce De Leon, that signals the "official" start of Fall for me. From that first week of September we begin the journey through Fall and what it has to offer. Even though Fall is my very most favorite time of the year - there still is a little empty space - missing summer.

FUMC - Things at Faith United Methodist continue busy. I don't know that it ever really got too un-busy over the summer anyway - and that's the way it should be. I have always believed that ministry shouldn't stop or slow down too much just because it's summer. The Worship Arts Celebration was a great success - even though it went an unexpected 2 hours! We had our annual Fall Kick-Off night on September 5th and it was great, as well. We had a few "new" (although not new to the church) come out. That is fantastic! We're looking forward to a full season as we begin working on our project for Christmas entitled: "One Small Child."

IT'S BUCS TIME AGAIN - Well, the NFL season has begun anew! Unfortunately, except for one quarter, the Bucs didn't look much different from last year. If the players wouldn't keep getting hurt, we might have something but it seems that this is always the case. It was only game one and not a division game that they lost last week, so maybe things will get better as we go along. If they don't, I have a feeling we'll be welcoming a new head coach (and probably a whole new coaching staff) next year.

HOUSE UPDATE - another unfortunate to report - not too much progress. We seem to be mired in the thick of county inspectors wanting to see "this" and wanting to see "that." On one visit everything is fine, then on another visit from a different inspector, everything is not fine and because a screw is not in the right place or something minor - our contractor has to wait longer. We're so close to getting the remainder of the drywall up and air conditioning going - lacking only one more approval. I'm not holding my breath, though. I have a feeling something else will come up and we'll have to wait a few more weeks for the NEXT inspection! It takes all the fun out of renovating - that's for sure!