Tag: family

Christmas in Florida

Posted on By Tom 2 Comments on Christmas in Florida
Family

IMAG0324

There were rumors and reports of snow back in Greenville. It wasn’t exactly my definition of a “white Christmas.” To me, a white Christmas is when you wake up and everything is covered in snow. However, I wasn’t going to be picky – snow is snow, and I would have enjoyed it all the same. The simple fact was that I was going to miss it all together. It was a warm 70 degrees down here.

The day began with the Wright family tradition of wrapping everything under the sun and putting it under the tree. They love to wrap/unwrap packages. It’s fun. This year Santa brought me life vests so I could take friends kayaking and a cool remote helicopter with built in camera.

Read More “Christmas in Florida” »

Christmas Paddling

Posted on By Tom 1 Comment on Christmas Paddling
Paddling, Travel

Indian River Sunset

It’s Christmas. That means a trip to Florida to visit Laura’s sister, Amy. Using the new kayak racks Laura gave me for my birthday, I brought down the tandem that we got last summer so that we could paddle it out on the Indian River. After an 11 hour drive, I had to hit the water as soon as I got there.

Amy's Canal

The water was quite calm, and sun was just setting as I paddled out into the channel. Since it was dusk I decided I didn’t want to get out into the main channel, but paddled out far enough so that I could watch the sun set. It was a short paddle, but enough to improve my mood immeasurably.

Indian River Sunset

Read More “Christmas Paddling” »

Reflections on a Half Century

Posted on By Tom 2 Comments on Reflections on a Half Century
Miscellaneous

Surprise Party

I did it. Somehow I’ve managed to survive for half a century. I’ve only gotten this far with lots and lots of help, and for that I am truly thankful.

Laura managed to pull off a surprise party for me this past Saturday after my concert in Hendersonville. I arrived at home (still in my concert tuxedo) to find lots of friends and family at the house. We had a great time.

Read More “Reflections on a Half Century” »

Taylor Family Thanksgiving 2009

Posted on By Tom 1 Comment on Taylor Family Thanksgiving 2009
Miscellaneous

Taylor Family 2009

Normally our clan gathers at Christmas, but this year many were going to be gone. So, we decided to get the gang together for Thanksgiving. And what a crowd it was – 2 parents, 7 children, 9 in-laws, 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 1 aunt, 1 uncle, and 1 boyfriend, plus several dogs. 38 in the family, and 41 present for the day.

Beth’s husband, Eddie, has been battling cancer this year, so we all wore Team Eddie T-shirts to show that we are behind him and support him. It was quite a surprise for them. Even the dogs had on Team Eddie bandannas.

Eddie with Katie's Dog

Of course, there were cameras everywhere, and we had to pose for the obligatory group shots. This was the first for little Olivia, and was actually the first time Chip and Anna have ventured out with her. We’ll hope she wasn’t unduly traumatized.

Read More “Taylor Family Thanksgiving 2009” »

Bearing the Pall

Posted on By Tom No Comments on Bearing the Pall
Miscellaneous, Uncategorized

“What do you think they’ll have?”

“I think you could guess just as easily as I could”

  • fried chicken
  • sliced ham
  • green beans
  • macaroni & cheese
  • corn
  • biscuits
  • potato salad
  • deviled eggs
  • congealed salad – multiple varieties, but at least one green and one pink
  • banana pudding

And, yes, my sister and I nailed it. The menu was exactly as predicted. And it was comforting and tasty – just as funeral food is meant to be.

funeral food

But, backing up a bit…

Thursday evening I got a call from my father that my Uncle Raymond Johnson passed away after a prolonged illness. Uncle Raymond was 93, and was a quiet, peaceful man who lived his entire life in the town of Calhoun Falls. Uncle Raymond had married my father’s oldest sister, Mary, who had passed away several years ago. They had one son, Sherwin, who still lives in the area. The funeral was Saturday, so I picked up my sister, Glynda. then my parents for the drive down to Calhoun Falls.

Read More “Bearing the Pall” »