David's Graduation - Wofford Class of 2011

Last weekend David IV graduated from Wofford College. It was an amazing weekend full of festivities and memories and tears and laughter. It was a weekend of looking back and looking forward.

The campus was beautiful with the magnolias blooming and the sun shining and the bells tolling. The baccalaureate and the commencement services were held outside on the lawn in front of Old Main - the icon of Wofford College.

A Wofford tradition is for members of the graduating class 50 years prior to serve as escorts for the current class. So, members of the Wofford Class of 1961 were in attendance to support and encourage the Class of 2011. This is a neat tradition because while graduation is the ending of one phase of life it is the beginning of another and the presence of those who have gone before is like an anchor in a sea of change.

At the baccalaureate, Chaplain Ron Robinson spoke to the Classes of 1961 and 2011. He mentioned many of the trials and tribulations and events that the Class of 1961 experienced. The Civil Rights Act had not yet been passed but the Freedom Riders were riding, there were no women at Wofford, John Kennedy was dealing with Cuba, the Berlin Wall was just being built, the Soviets were already in space and Elvis and Chubby Checker were rock stars.

The chaplain went on to mention the Class of 2011 experience. Like Space Shuttles and social networking and 9/11 and the Blackeyed Peas.

He told the Class of 2011 that the future is in their hands, but that we were not just going to dump all the world's problems on them. The presence of the Class of 61 was to reinforce the message of continuity - of classes and generations working together and supporting each other. He told the Class of 2011 that while this is a major milestone in their lives, they will not be alone.

And then to reinforce that message, the Wofford Goldtones sang a beautiful and harmonius rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu. It was sung in Latin but the feeling of that song is so moving and restful. "O Sweet Jesus, O Sweet Jesus grant them peace".

After baccaluareate Susan and George had organized a dinner for the four roommates and families and then everyone headed off to the Senior Class Party. The band was versatile and high energy and so was the big crowd. One minute David and I were dancing to Carolina Beach music and the next minute I was surrounded by both of my sons and several of their friends doing the cupid shuffle. No doubt a good time was had by all.

Sunday Morning Commencement began at 9:30 am. I had been anticipating who the commencement speaker might be and hoping it wouldn't be someone with a long boring speech. I was not disappointed. Wofford President Benjamin B. Dunlap eloquently welcomed the graduates and their families and then introduced Henry St. Clair Fredericks. Otherwise known as Taj Mahal - world renown roots and blues musician and someone I had listened to since my own college days. Needless to say I was blown away.

Taj began his commencement address by speaking directly to the graduates. He said that they all will have many kinds of opportunities in life and will have to make many decisions on paths to choose. Taj said, "before you act the main thing is to hold each opportunity up to the yardstick of humanity and see if they measure up". If a particular opportunity doesn't measure up to the yardstick of humanity then you might want to pass but if it does measure up then give it all you've got.

And then he walked off stage. It was a very short speech. But he came back on stage with his guitar and sang the rest of his message. He sang about Sweet Jesus and about Fishin'. Mama going fishin', daddy going fishin', baby going fishin' too. What he was really singing about was relationships. And how building relationships - with family, with faith, with all of humanity - is the most important opportunity of all.

And seeing the relationships that have been built are what I loved most about experiencing the Wofford graduation weekend. David has developed so many close, close friends during his four years at Wofford. This was evident all along, but even more so in the exchange of handshakes, smiles, hugs, tears and love that we witnessed between David and his classmates. And Wofford faculty and staff. Even with a security guard who remembered David giving her some cream cheese and olives during freshman year. He called it "networking Grandpa style".

And David IV hasn't been selfish with these relationships. He has given David III, Jay, and me the opportunity to make good friends too.

After commencement, Susan arranged for the tailgate crowd to have lunch together and then Bob poetically summed up the tailgate crowd's time together. Then Susan and Bob presented each family with a cd of tailgate music reminding us that maybe we hadn't heard ALL of the songs yet. They had a picture of the senior football players on the CD. David was unfortunately in the hospital on the day the senior picture had been taken and I loved that Susan and Bob had thoughtfully photoshopped him into the pic.

We are so proud of David and of the Class of 2011. And we are very thankful that he shared so much of his experience with us. We can each look forward with the peace and confidence that whatever the future holds we are not alone.

"We have shared four years together, years we will never forget, and we hope this short journey has made us all a little better. We wish you Godspeed and we wish you good luck. But most of all we wish you peace." Joe Paterno, 1973 Commencement Speech

Mid May - Raspberry Black Bean Dip

It's mid May and the last two weeks have been a fast paced blend of spring projects, spring cleaning, tennis, many gatherings of all kinds and an eye toward the coming weekend Wofford College graduation.

Spring cleaning included working in the yard and in the house and all kinds of places. As Cindy pointed out, we can play tennis all day long, but housework can really wear a body out! Spring cleaning is a ritual that I don't really look forward to, but I do enjoy trying to bring order out of chaos. As long as it lasts.

My friend Jody who is talented with fabric, needle and thread helped with a small project that became a really big project. Since I didn't get Mama's sewing gene it was wonderful to have Jody to help and I am grateful for her talent and her friendship.

Many others have been involved with all kinds of projects and events over the last several weeks. Our heads have kind of been spinning keeping it all on track. But no matter which direction we are going, it is always inspiring to find those people with special talents who can help move a project along. And who are truly using their God given gifts each and every day.

And speaking of God given gifts. Mother's Day was a special time for us. Both boys got up early to get home for Sunday brunch. The fact that they made the effort to drive home early on a Sunday morning warmed my heart because college boys love their sleeping time on a weekend! We were also glad that Lynn was in town. We fixed Sally Teddy's breakfast casserole and homemade biscuits. Of course Daddy brought some country ham. We felt more than blessed to have both our boys and both our mothers around the dining room table on Mother's Day.

I had another opportunity to honor Mama by attending a prayer breakfast at the Ruby Hunt YMCA. It was a good event and I enjoyed the fellowship. Hearing Renata Wingo's beautiful voice singing praise for both blessings and comfort during tough times was a sermon in itself.

We have had several opportunities to host or attend events involving young people in the last few weeks.

If anyone has any doubt about the calibre of young people, please don't worry. We had a wood fired pizza party for some high school seniors the other day. They jumped into the fun of creating their own pizzas and then chilled for a breather from their crazy busy schedules. We don't have our own high schoolers this year, but it was fun for us to see their positive energy and enthusiasm as they reach a huge milestone in their lives.

Then we attended Wofford College's Bosscars. Bosscars sounds like Oscars and it is Wofford's way of honoring athletes from all sports. It began with an upscale reception with all senior athletes who were presented with their letter and framed jersey. Then the Bosscars began with a Wofford Alumni as emcee and athletes from all sports presenting awards for Play of the Year, Comeback team of the year, etc. In between the awards each team had produced a video for entertainment. These videos were funny sketches about coaches and players and several about the new trainer who apparently pushes all the athletes pretty hard in the weight room. There were a lot of inside jokes and, after watching energy bars flying through the air, we picked up on the fact that the trainer also pushes energy bars.

We cracked up when one of the videos was a jeopardy parody which included a reference to David and his enthusiasm for home cooking. All in all the Bosscars event was yet another example of how creative and thoughtful and fun these bright college kids are.

Later on some of these same Wofford folk spent some down time at the Lake before their final exams. They had a little plumbing lesson along the way and, I have to say, it is a stroke of luck to have strong college boys with shovels when plumbing issues come up.

We took a quick picture on the dock of the group and realized just how much we have grown to love these kids. And how promising the future can be with young people like this on the horizon.

Raspberry Black Bean Dip

My friend Gretchen gave me this recipe a few years ago and it is a surprising blend of sweet, hot and salty. I have made it several times recently. It is quick, easy and somewhat healthy.

In a pie pan or 8 and 8 pyrex dish layer the following:

chopped red onion
1 can of black beans, drained well
1 8 ounce block of cream cheese (I just pull it off in little chunks and drop around)
I jar of raspberry salsa**
**Recently I couldn't find raspberry salsa but it works great to mix raspberry preserves and any kind of salsa together. Black bean and corn is especially good.
Mix about half preserves and half salsa then spread over the cream cheese layer.
Grated cheese on top - I use monterey jack with jalapeno and sharp cheddar

Bake at 350 degrees until everything is hot and bubbly and cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips.

In the Garden of Good and Evil

Having visited Savannah last weekend, I was fascinated by the history, the garden squares and by the story of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". Reading the book has been on my list but is one of the things I have put off for too long.

In literature and religion and music and movies and, for sure in real life, the struggle between good and evil is always the major theme. The struggle can be each person's individual struggle or the human struggle as a whole. Sometimes the individual and the human dilemnas collide to make an even bigger struggle.

As I have watched news of Osama bin Laden's demise the truth of the struggle between good and evil couldn't have been more apparent. Or the truth of how difficult the choices can be. I am proud of the leaders that we know, and the individuals that we will probably never know, who did struggle with good and evil and then made a difficult choice.

I cannot imagine the turmoil that must have existed in the minds of our leaders and, in the minds of the brave souls who carried out the dangerous mission. I am grateful and proud of the way it appears they carefully strategized and executed the plan in order to achieve their goal but avoid the deaths of civilians in Pakistan.

No doubt the struggle in everyday people's lives and in the human condition will continue all over the world.

There have been many times throughout history when people like bin Laden have risen to lead and there is no reason to believe there won't be more.

But there are many other leaders who I hope will get more attention than bin Laden. We don't need to give the bin Ladens in our garden more attention than the leaders who lead, not with fear and hate and blame, but with love and understanding. And who lead with a willingness to work together for a better world.

Bin Laden blamed Americans, Hitler blamed Jews, and, like Sly and the Family Stone sang "and so on and so on and scooby dooby dooby."

We are everyday people. All over the world. Like the young folk's movement that's being called Arab Spring who are working for a peaceful transition to a modern Middle East.

As Dad always says "the world would be a better place if more people focused on the power of Love than on the love of power."

In Savannah, we noticed a large sign with a quote from John F. Kennedy. The sign was asking for people to get involved in Savannah's future using Kennedy's words, "Our task is not to fix the blame, but to fix the course of the future."

We do what we have to do with the weeds in our garden but our main task is to cultivate all that is good.

Like Sly sings, "We've got to live together."

King Party of Four - Green Jacket House Salad

My Dad says that all friends are wonderful but old friends are really special. Maybe it's because old friends have been through a lot of times together - happy, sad, tough, easy, births, deaths, fearful, courageous, solemn, funny. Old friends survive and thrive through all kinds of times.

We had a chance to spend a fun weekend with old friends and we couldn't have had a better time. The stated purpose was to gather for a golf event - something we had not done for many years. The outcome was a weekend of long talks, shared stories, new friends, old friends, and of course some amazing meals.

While some played golf others donned a Burger King Crown to watch the Royal Wedding. I loved the Royal Wedding. Through all of the British tradition and ceremony and history, the wedding was so sweet, loving and real that I was honestly inspired with hope for the future.

Watching the wedding, I was flooded with a million different images. Some images were hilarious. At one point I couldn't help but laugh out loud remembering the funny scene in "The Princess Bride" when the Bishop says, "MAWWWRIDGE. Mawwridge is what bwings us Togevver Today".

Years ago in Lattimore, we had a 78 rpm with someone reciting the Cinderella Story backwards. It is hilarious and gave us all kinds of phrases that our family still uses today. Always with huge laughs. Nine times out of ten if I call Penny and ask what's she's been up to, she responds with "Flopping the moors." In backward Rendercilla story, this means mopping the floors. Mama often mentions "the pransome hince". As a warning someone might be reminded not to "slop your dripper". You get the idea. While watching the Royal Wedding I think I saw the "mean old mepstother" AND the "Two Sisty Uglers".

The Archibishop of Canterbury, whose position goes back so many centuries reminded me of hearing Mrs. Hamrick at Shelby High school reciting the Canterbury Tales in Old English. Chaucer is actually buried at the church. The same church where we watched the two young princes at the funeral of their mother.

That may be one reason the wedding was so sweet. The two little boys who broke our hearts walking in the funeral procession for Diana were now two mature young men who have survived without bitterness and are carrying the torch.

I loved that the wedding in all the regalia somehow focused on the couple and on 'generous love'. In all of the wedding hoopla Will and Kate, and the new creation of their own lives together, was not lost.

Friday night after the wedding, we had our own King's Celebration. That is a dinner party at the King's great house in the low country. Lynn and Kevin served a Low Country Boil of shrimp, red potatoes, corn, and sausage. David cooked ribs and I brought pound cake with fresh strawberries and made a cake of cornbread. The cornbread was a funny story in itself because I panicked when I realized I had not brought the cornbread pan. Lynn assured me that she had one, but I wasn't sure since it wasn't my old seasoned cornbread pan nor was it the same size. Much to my surprise the cornbread worked anyway, but it was touch and go there for a minute.

In honor of golf, Lynn made Green Jacket House Salad and shared the recipe with me. The salad is from the Green Jacket restaurant that used to be in Augusta, Georgia. The restaurant no longer exists but the recipe lives on.

Saturday Lynn and I toured Savannah, Georgia while David and Kevin played golf. Savannah is a really interesting town that I had always wanted to see. It's full of history that I hope to blog later on. One thing I couldn't resist was a store where they sold Gold Mine candy, Chiclets and Teaberry Chewing Gum. Lynn and I were probably in Junior High school when these things were popular and giggled because I actually remembered the steps to the Teaberry Shuffle.

Then we all got together again to hear the golfers tell their own versions of the day. And stories of previous days. We laughed a lot but especially when JP recited with great drama how golf reveals the truth of being an extension of one's mentor.

Sunday morning we got up for an early boat trip to breakfast and sightseeing of the area. Along the way, we spotted the unusual black squirrels, saw a few dolphins, a jellyfish, a lot of pelicans and a blue heron that seemed particularly friendly.

We laughed about more old stories like when David nearly broke his leg skiing off the dock at Lake Lure and when Kevin tipped his hat while playing in the Heritage. And memories from a friendship that started in 5th grade when two little girls surfaced at the same time in a swimming pool, face to face, inches apart, giggled and said, "Hi!"

With old friends sometimes it just takes a word or phrase to conjour up a memory. And a laugh. And a plan for the next King Party of Four.

Green Jacket House Salad

Salad:
Romaine Lettuce (1 bag per 3-4 salads)
2 diced tomatoes (med size ripe)
1 bunch green onions diced
1 bag regular sized pita bread
*place all slices (6) pita in oven diretly on oven racks and heat at 350 for 10 minutes on each side. Turn oven off and allow to cook with pita remaining in oven til cooled. Place in zip lock bag and break into pieces.

Mix salad right before serving to keep crisp. Add however much pita you want. You can store any remainder for another time.

Dressing:
**can make day before or even store for 2 weeks
1 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar (Lynn prefers garlic flavored)
1 tbsp Lawry's seasoning
1 tbsp Accent
1 tbsp oregano flakes
1 tbls parsley flakes
1 tbls garlic powder
1 tbls pepper

*Mix in a container with a lid so you can shake ingredients up or mix in blender. Lynn usually doubles or triples the recipe for a large group or to just have ready in case a party breaks out. (which is often at her house)

Right before serving (it get's soggy as it sets) lightly coat salad with dressing and mix well throughout. Use sparingly as it can be strong and get soggy quicker. You can always add more if needed. Like Mama taught us you can't add less.