~~~The Last Rose of Summer~~~

Summer in east Tennessee is winding down to a slow crawl.  Not only has the heat been unbearable this summer but the air we are breathing is stagnant and unhealthy for the most part.  We have had a few showers that have helped somewhat, but the humidity driven by the heat index has just been so obtrusive both man and beast haven't wanted to venture outside for very long.  I know that this could linger on for awhile longer but 'changes are a comin.', as my Grandma Johnson use to say.

Early Morning Lavender Rose in the Mist

I went outside this morning early to look at my rose bush planted in the front next to the garage and sureanough the bud had bloomed over night.  This small bush has become the beginning and the end for tale tale signs of the seasons changing.  A couple of years ago on Mother's Day Chris gave me this rose bush and it was suppose to bloom with multi colored roses throughout the season.  It had several lavender blooms on it and they somewhat bloomed out after being planted but nothing else.  Come late spring the next year it got one bud bloomed with a lovely rose and that was it.  Again this year the same in the spring, but now I have one bud, one rose at the end of summer. I believe it is one of those signs that old time hill people use to look at to predict the seasons and the weather for the coming year.

Lavender Rose

Peace and Quite,last rose, waving petunia's saying their last hahrah

There have been other signs as well.  I went out in the back yard a couple of evening's ago and it was full of Robin's. Curt always was looking for the Robin's and when they would come back to Tennessee then he knew the seasons were changing once again.  It is interesting how birds and other creatures migrate and follow the seasons.  Last night I was sitting on the front porch and there was an array of yellow finches feasting at the thistle bag.  I haven't see them for a very long time.  This morning a very large red-headed Wood Pecker arrived to peck at our infamous 'old man in the tree'.  He had been here earlier in the season and now he is back as well as a few small 'pecker woods' as Curt would call them.
I can say that I am truly blessed to be able to observe these signs from nature.  There are many things that are meant to be done in a group, or a duo but feasting on the beauty that is there for the taking can be done by a party of one.

Another sign that the seasons are changing is two fold not only in the Lane households but for others as well. Here in east Tennessee we use to have a wonderful announcer for many years that was known as the voice of the Vols, his name was John Ward.  When he would say it is 'Football Time in Tennessee' it would stir up the masses and everyone knew life was back up and running in Knoxville, the home of the Tennessee Volunteers!

Well I am proud to say that Curt and I have, as well as their parents and other family members, two up and coming Gibbs football players.  They have been practicing nightly in this heat, and their Dad has been right there with them, and now they are ready to strut their stuff tomorrow morning at Gibbs Ruritan Park for their first big scrimmage of the season.  Hoorah as Big Daddy would say!  I know he will be watching and encouraging as he looks on from the best seat in the house.  Knowing him he might even give them a little gust of energy when they are lagging just a tad, saying come on Hunter-Bunter come on now, or Ollie-boy give them full steam now show em what you got... that a boy....way to go Ol'

Curtis Andrew Lane # 74, Montclair High School Letterman Sweater, yearbook

I must say Curt loved football and he was more then happy that his grand-boys were playing the game he loved so dearly!  His high school and college memories were full of what he and his best buddies did for the love of the game of football.  Barbara had posted a link by Kenny Chesney on facebook and I will put it on my blog too, not only because the boys play for the Gibbs community, so did Kenny, but because it refreshes those memories that Curt shared with me about when he and his best friend Leonard Brown, shared supper together at Curt's folk's home in Montclair, California, every Friday afternoon before they would go and play their hearts out for their high school team 'The Montclair Cavaliers'. The fellowship. friendship, and team work that was established during those years helped them both as they ventured  forward on the road of life.  I know that Curt cherished those memories and his life long friendship with Leonard.

1965 Montclair High School ' The Clave' Year book football recognition

As Sonny and Cher use to sing and "the Beat Goes On' as the next generations pick up that football and charge down the field, the ones that have gone before will be right there with them saying "Give it all you got, give it your best and at the end take a knee and say thank you Jesus for giving us this opportunity to be with others of like mind who play for the love of the game.

Lord Jesus I ask that you watch over these young folks as they strive to do their best as they play and learn valuable lessons not only in the games they play but in the relationships that they make both on and off the field.  Teach them to follow through, lead with their hearts, be courageous and forthright in their convictions,  to not be afraid to say no when they encounter things of the world, that are not what you would have them do.  It is not an easy world, nor  the times that  they are living in, but if you help them keep their eyes on you and the purpose's that you have set out for them, then they will have an easier time making the right decisions.
Thank you Jesus for listening and answering our prayers even before we ask.  Amen

LSL