A Wedding at Old First Church

Recently I saw a post over at The Frog and Penquinn, featuring Old First Church in Bennington, Vermont. Since that place held memories for me, I commented to Beatrice that I'd share something about the church on my next Memory Monday posts. So, here it is.....

It was July, 1989. Elbert and I had driven up from Alabama, stopping long enough in New York to pick up our daughter and her dress to head to her fiance's ski house on Stratton Mt. north of Bennington. There was going to be a wedding.

The big day arrived, hotter than usual for July. We noticed as guests arrived at the church that there was no air-conditioning. The church was built in 1805 and I guess they wanted to retain the old-fashioned charm.

 Limousines had been arranged for the wedding party... out of Albany, NY, some distance away. And, the driver of the one picking up the bride got lost! There we all are inside a rather warm church wondering where the bride is! 

Finally she arrived, absolutely beautiful, radiant. Of course, I'd say that! She's my daughter...but she was. Don't you agree?

The pastor was pretty impressed having a model from New York hold her wedding in his church. All her New York friends were there as well as from Africa, Australia and Sweden. The groom's Wall Street buddies were there as well. The Rev. was really enjoying all this. The ceremony began and he started to embellish on their chosen rites. After all, he had an audience... perhaps not so willing at this point. He droned on and on. Sweat began to trickle down our back and make our faces shiny.

Finally he pronounced them husband and wife and they headed down the aisle toward the entrance. We all were happy to get some fresh, cooler air.

The reception was held under a huge tent in the back yard at Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln's home.

                  I am sure the staff there remembered that one for years to come.                                    
                                     New Yorkers do know how to party! 

The food was amazing and plentiful, the flowers so artfully arranged, the band played current music and the sunset over the mountains unbelievable. It was a day none of us will ever forget. 

Old Brick Church

Back around 1960, when my husband was stationed at Bainbridge, Maryland, my Mom and step-dad came up from Alabama to visit us. Most of my family are of Primitive Baptist faith and so one day we drove up to an old historic church in Jarretsville. It wasn't open but we could peek inside through the windows. It was most impressive.

(my family standing in front of Old Brick Church)

Just lately I researched this church online. It is even more impressive now than it was to me back then. 

Old Brick Baptist Church was constituted on the first day of November 1754. The church was built in that year. In 1787 it was repaired, adding wood floors and other improvements. The church itself was constructed of Flemish bond brick. Some say the brick was brought over from England, other say not. The original yellow poplar seats that were put together with wooden pegs were still intact (at the writing of the article online). 

However, in recent years, someone painted the exterior brick with a brick red paint, a true travesty to the integrity of it's historic nature. 

I hope that the proper people take charge of the care of this fabulous old church. It deserves to be preserved. 

My Church

Some people attend church,
                                                   some do not.
                                                                             Each person must chose for themselves.

I have been a church-goer most of my life and still attend church regularly. I thought I'd share my church with the folks over at My Town Shootout and Inspired Sunday

Suffolk Christian Church

One set of the organ pipes

We have great fellowship... and some good cooks. 

The children are a big part of our church

Each day on the hour the bells in the tower play hymns. 

I love to come out of the service to hear those beautiful notes wafting across our town. 

Majestic Things

           

              Sometimes something appears out of nowhere that amazes you, takes your breath away. 

                                                           Ever have that happen to you?

1. I was on my way to the dr. for a checkup yesterday morning when I saw, off to my right, a flock of geese. There must have been 50 or more, all in a huge V, flying south toward their winter home. Oh how I wish I had my camera, that I could just pull over and watch them! But, I kept one eye on the road and one eye on the birds as they flew over my car and went on their way. The only word I could think of was MAJESTIC. 

(not my picture but borrowed instead from Pinterest so you could just see something like I saw)

2. MAJESTIC: The description in my Thornkike Barnhart Dictionary lists Grand, Noble as the meaning. Maybe some people would say my birds did not fit into that category but I say they do. And, since they are MY birds, I can say what I want to about them, right? 

3. Other MAJESTIC things include a church steeple. I took this picture while I was in Boston with Susan and Owen.

4. I think my Blue Heron is MAJESTIC. He has such an air of nobility about him as he wades in the water searching for food. 

5. And, to me the mountains are MAJESTIC.

 God's work is MAJESTIC. It's here for us to enjoy. And, I really did enjoy seeing that enormous flock of geese yesterday. It was on my mind all day. I will keep that sight in my memory forever. 

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday and Reflections

Hudson River Valley excursion

After wishing for quite awhile, I got to take a drive twice this week up the Hudson River Valley. I posted about the first leg a couple posts ago.

Today my daughter, Susan, drove up hwy 9N, me in the passenger seat, camera in hand. We had a great time. The road was two-laned, not much traffic and there was lots to see. More hills,

mountains, valleys, the river,

 The Palisades rock formations, some cute little towns, fancy houses than I had figured on.

In Rockland County, there were a lot of rock quarries (do they mine rock?) Whatever!! This one is located in Haverstraw, New York. 

Nearing West Point, we came to Bear Mountain State Park. Lots to do there but we'll have to come back some time to take all that in.

 and Bear Mountain Bridge. This bridge was finished in 1924 and at that time was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Nineteen months later it lost it's title to a bridge in Pennsylvania.

Then there is the Army's military academy. We drove around, did no tours (I am lucky these days to drive around, not so great at walking). 

This statue is of Thaddeus Kiseluszko. He designed the West Point garrison defenses during the height of the Revolutionary War. He also wrote the manuel about horse artillary which became an academy textbook.

Of course, I had to have my picture taken. 

This is one of the many military statues found on West Point grounds.

The cadet cathedral is of Gothic Revival architecture. It has the largest chapel pipe organ in the world.

Doing what I love to do.... take pictures.

Some cadets doing military exercises. 

Susan said this building reminded her of 'Hogwarts' in Harry Potter.

There is an Amtrak service that runs along the Hudson River. What a view you would have on that train. This is the same train line as featured in the movie "A Girl On The Train".

And, Michie Stadium.  All I can say is Go Navy, Beat Army. (sorry all you army folks) 

I am linking with Thankful Thursday today for I am always so thankful for our military!!

Yellow Window and Blue flowers

                            Today is Monday and it's time for Blue Monday and Mellow Yellow.

Friday Five

Oh what a sunshiney day....
                  Joining with Willy Nilly Friday and Five on Friday.

1.Speaking of sunshine.... there's nothing like sitting outside with the sunshine beaming down on you, after a long winter. I'm loving it.

2. Yesterday the staff at The Commons, where I live, treated us to a baked potato social. My, my, what good potatoes and there were tons of great toppings. We all ate until we popped. 

3. With my hairdresser moved away, I have been trying to find someone I like. First this one will do one thing that I like but something I don't. Then the second will do the same thing. Went to a new one yesterday... same old, same old. I like the top but I don't like the neckline. I'll keep trying to find someone who listens to me. 

4. I've been so busy I haven't had time to work with my pastels. However, I don't think I have posted the last one I did... so here it is.

5. This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. No matter how you worship, or where... it's an important day in the religious world. Hope to see you in church. 

(this picture was taken in the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Edenton, N. C.)

I am sending well wishes to all my blogging friends.

Love you

                      

Count Your Blessings

This past week I seemed to have developed a case of the "winter blues" and had a difficult time. But, the sun is shining this morning and life is good. 

Perhaps it was yesterday that was the turning point for me. Church is always a soul searching event for me and I always come away filled with God's love. The congregation sang "The Lord's Prayer" which I don't think I have ever sung like that before. Such comforting words, such an uplifting experience. So thank you, Pastor Michael, for that.

After church, with the sun beaming down on us, we drove to The Virginia Diner for lunch. That's sort of like going home for me... roots for about 13 years. 

Then on to see the devastation the tornado did to Waverly, Virginia. Of course, after 4 days of clean up a lot of the debris was gone but still it was shocking to see what that horrible wind can do to homes, people, things. I was so thankful that more were not killed or hurt. 

         Blue tarp was on many of the house's roofs. 

One basketball goal left standing, the other one ripped from the ground.

One of the homes destroyed.

Just rubble now.

The National Guard was busy at work still clearing away lumber torn from houses walls and roofs. They carried limbs, and personal items away as trash. 

So humbling, so sad. Just makes what mood your little winter blues have put you in, in it's place. Things take perspective! 

You count your blessings!

                              

Friday Thoughts

Friday is always the time for Tanya's Willy Nilly Friday Five. So, come along with me and I will tell you about five things that happened recently.

1. First of all I have to mention San Bernardino and the terrorist attack there and other terrible things that are going on in this world.  It all concerns me greatly, that we as a great nation have come to this, people attacking us, killing us, changing who we are and what we stand for. I just pray alot these days.

2. I have my apartment decorated. The space is small so my decorating is limited but I like what I have, it's easy to store and easy for me to get out, put in place and then put it back in storage again. I do like life more simple these days.

3. Yesterday would have been my and Elbert's 65th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, he left this world for a better place shortly after our 60th. This picture was taken right after we got married.

and at our 50th wedding anniversary party.

4. I love the way I feel coming out of the church doors after service and I hear the hymns being played from the bell tower. The sound just rings out over the town and in my heart.

5. Yesterday was filled with activity. At 10 I went to my quilt bee Christmas party. Here the gals are beginning to find their places.We had lots of fun.

and at 3 I went to a Christmas open house. (no pictures taken there). So, I was ready for bed very early last night. 
                                                       Hope all of you are filled with Christmas cheer.