Sunday, November 20, 2016

Making a Memory in Memphis

I enjoy spending a day in Memphis and acting like tourist. We went with another couple downtown to take pictures and walk around. Beautiful day with temps in the seventies. 
Started off walking across the Mississippi River and back on the new walking bridge. I think a mile and half each way.

Then lunch at Flying Fish and walk about the Peabody. We saw a camera crew filming a reality show for Bravo. 

Next to a castle I have read about named Ashler Hall.



Update on Asher Hall--History: Robert Brinkley Snowden, a prominent Memphis real estate developer, designed this midtown mansion in 1896. Snowden lived in the home until his death in 1942; the property was sold after the death of his wife in 1957. The mansion’s name derives from the term ashlar used to describe a squared, hewn stone. The house passed through the hands of a series of owners including perennial Memphis mayoral candidate Prince Mongo of Zambodia (Robert Hodges), accumulating blight along the way.  
In November 2018 the press reported the new owner, Juan Montoya, had made progress in repairing the building. He believed the entire renovation might require as much as $400,000. It was once owned by a man Memphis knew well. Prince Mongo. He claims to be the ambassador of the planet of Zambodia and claims to be 333 years old.  He fits in fine in Memphis. Even ran for mayor and received votes. The castle is now empty and run down. The owner's brother was there and saw me taking pictures outside of the iron fence. He said you can come in for five minutes and opened the iron gates. I guess he was afraid I would get in those gates and take forever. I hurried and got some shots then he said, come in for 1 minute. Got a few shots inside. Very kind man.  

Next, we rode through Rhodes College Campus. Beautiful buildings for the very liberal elite. I dared my friend to jump out and say, "How about that Trump winning the election?" And then give a thumbs up. She wisely didn't take the bet.



This reminded me of myself.

Next we rode through National Cemetery. Realizing the next day was Veteran's Day, it was a sobering sight to see the lines of graves of those who bravely fought.
We ended the day at the famous Jerry's for a sno-cone that has ice cream mixed up. It was wonderful.
It was the end of a memory making day!

Friday, November 11, 2016

Today is Veteran's Day


National Cemetery in Memphis TN

Today is Veteran's Day
Yesterday we went to this cemetery looking for a friend's parents' graves. As we walked around, we remembered today is Veteran's Day. What a sobering moment it was to stand in this place and think of the sacrifices that were made for me and my family to be free today. 

This week we had the right to vote for leadership and today we have the right to voice our opinion. These graves mark the men and women who fought for that right and I am thankful. 

We are free today because of my Lord and veterans who fought for me. 
I love my country. 
God Bless America.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13
Song wrote by Keith Urban called "For You"
All I saw was smoke and fire I didn’t feel a thing
But suddenly I was rising higher
And I felt like I just made The biggest mistake
When I thought about my unborn child
When I thought about my wife
And the answer rang out clear
From somewhere up above
No greater gift has man Than to lay down his life for love
Maybe you don’t understand I don’t understand it all myself
But there’s a brother on my left and another on my right
And in his pocket just like mine
He’s got a photograph And they’re waiting for him back home
It’s weighing on my mind I’m not trying to be a hero
I don’t wanna die But right now in this moment, you don’t think twice
I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice?
THANK YOU!