Upon reflection

Our Confederate Soldier monument has survived ... so far

The days since Labor Day this year have been a blur for the pirate.

I will endeavor to tell you all about it but let's work backwards.

Time, after all, is not really linear. That's all in your mind. Trust me on this!

Bronze statue of General Wade Hampton also survives ... so far

Last Thursday, our home was honored by a visit from TG's sister, Ruth.

Ruth lives in Ohio, in the house where TG and she and their brother, Ron, grew up.

Encouraged by her five children to branch out following the August wedding of her youngest daughter, Ruth decided to take a few days off from her job, and go on a trip.

TG, Ruthie, and Dagny checking it out

She had never been to our house where we have lived for the past sixteen years.

Ruth -- TG calls her Ruth Anne and I call her Ruthie -- is a treasure by any name, and a precious friend to me.

So you can perhaps imagine how excited I was to prepare the guest room for her, even making a little welcome sign to put beside her bed.

A splendid sight to see

Her plane arrived in Columbia on last Thursday afternoon at five thirty.

Since Cherica live a scant mile from the Columbia airport, we had planned a cookout at their house so that everyone could visit with Aunt Ruth.

The weather was rainy so we had to scuttle our idea of s'mores by the firepit after supper, but that was okay.

Impressive from every angle

I had brought marinated chicken breasts together with smoked sausage, for Chad to cook on the grill.

There were baked beans and carrot-apple slaw and cornbread muffin tops, and an assortment of chips.

For dessert, we had pumpkin pie with ice cream.

Truly a magnificent building

After taking Ruth back to our house, getting her settled in, and having a good night's sleep, we woke up on Friday to more rain.

TG went to work. Ruthie and I had breakfast and two pots of coffee, then talked all day. In our pajamas.

At five o'clock we got ready and at six thirty we met the family at Papa Gio's, a local Italian restaurant.

Ruthie loved the palmetto trees of the Palmetto State

But, all of the restaurants are experiencing shortages in staff. After managing to be seated at a table, our party of eight waited patiently for thirty minutes to be acknowledged.

It didn't happen -- not a fork or spoon or napkin or drop of water was brought to us, much less a menu -- so we decamped for Luce, another Italian restaurant that has even better food than Papa Gio's.

Let's pull over and park here for a mo. I understand that, thanks to creeping socialism in our country due to Democrat policies, people are finding it more lucrative to stay home than to work.

Dagny beside another statue that endures despite all odds

Naturally, restaurants like Papa Gio's are hard pressed to provide the kind of service that they were able to make happen, oh, roughly eighteen months ago.

But people are more understanding and forgiving than they may think, and it would take so little to not lose them as customers.

Acknowledge that they are there. Greet them as though you're glad to see them. Bring glasses of water and perhaps some bread. Invite them to study the menu and promise that their server will get to them as soon as possible.

Monument to Confederate Women

But ignore them completely for thirty minutes? No. That won't wash and I'm sorry but we will not be back.

At Luce, our server was behind the eight ball as much as any other server in town, but she was courteous and competent (for the most part). She took our drink orders, at least.

Once the Cokes and sweet tea had been distributed, and we'd had our salads, however, it was a long wait before our entrees were brought.

Take the long view

But our orders did eventually come, and every bite was hot and delicious, and that went a long way towards upping our gratitude level, despite the feeling of frustration that threatened to dominate the whole dining-out experience.

Back home for the night, again we all slept well.

The next day, after breakfast, I made my big Crock Pot full of chili. For later.

TG and Ruthie beside our replica of the Liberty Bell

At around one o'clock, we set out to take Ruthie on a tour of downtown Columbia.

We started at our State House, one of the most impressive in America.

The weather was ideal -- seventy-five degrees and sunny, with an abundance of fluffy clouds that floated on the delightful breeze.

Dagny had to get in on that too

We walked all the way around the State House, studying the statues and gorgeous trees and flowers, enjoying the splendor of the architecture and of the day.

Dagny was overjoyed to be outside, in the sunshine, with all of us.

She was posing up a storm, and taking pictures of her own, using her mother's phone.

The dome means home

Ruthie is the sort of person who appreciates a simple family outing with lots of beauty -- both natural and manmade -- to contemplate in peace.

After the state house, we went across the street to the breathtaking Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, to walk its jewel-like graveyard.

Ruthie said she'd never seen anything like it.

The sky was dramatic

We did a few other things and then had to face the fact that we were all worn out.

It had grown warmer than expected and the sun was hot. 

Back at home, we tucked into bowls of chili embellished with Frito Scoops, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and banana pepper rings.

The Gervais Street side

I need to interject here that my chili recipe is extremely simple -- three pounds of extra-lean ground round, three cans each of chili hot beans and chili ready tomatoes, and one packet of chili seasoning.

Normally I use store-brand chili beans and tomatoes.

But this time the store did not have what I needed in its own brand, so I bought Hunt's chili tomatoes and Bush's chili beans. They cost more and I was sort of complaining about that.

Autumn comes slowly in the South

But wow. Never again will I use generic tomatoes and beans in my chili. The flavors in those two brands were so rich and good. Especially together. It really made a difference.

You live and learn.

After our chili feed, we sat in the TV room, ostensibly to talk, but we all had to concentrate on staying awake.

We were plum tuckered out.

I couldn't stop taking this picture

Ruthie's flight left Columbia at seven o'clock Sunday morning. TG and she pulled out of the garage at five thirty.

I was not able to go back to sleep, so I made coffee and stayed up until time to get ready for church.

Not gonna lie ... Sunday was a long day what with being more tired to begin with after a three-day visit which involved lots of talking.

It's all good

I mean, Ruthie and I probably exchanged one million words or so.

I'm currently still in recovery but I think I'll make it.

Because upon reflection, the memories we made were worth the effort.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Tuesday

Comments

[Mari-Nanci]

What a lovely visit... And what a fun idea, for Ruthie to do, to take a trip!

Your weather certainly cleared up, for gorgeous picture taking!

Yes, you packed in a whole lot of sight seeing and talking and visiting and eating. Bet she needed some time, to rest up, after getting home again!

But what a nice kind of being tired!!!!!!!!!! -smile-

And wow, did you ever get your computer keys *hot,* replying to all those posts, on my blog!!!!! It must have been *smokin'* when you got finished. -grinnnn-

Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci

[Mari]

I'm happy to see a post from you! And it's a lovely post too. The photos are gorgeous. I'm thankful your statues still stand. Our Confederate statue in our town still stands, but we have really had to fight for it - and it has been vandalized.
It's so nice you were able to spend time with Ruthie and I'm sure she greatly enjoyed it too.
It's so sad that no one can find workers. It's a real problem here too.

[Jennifer]

@Mari-Nanci ... haaahaha I type fast anyway ... and I didn't want you to think that I did not care enough to read them all! xoxo

@Mari ... I'm just shocked that there is a Confederate monument in Michigan! I'd like to know the story behind that! I hope it can endure. Our history is important. Yes it was delightful to spend quality time with our Ruthie. These shortages are tragic. Chickens coming home to roost. BTW I will catch up with all of your posts too! xoxo ... PS I saw it! I looked it up and I saw the Civil War monument in Allendale! It's beautiful! Bless those folks' hearts, guarding it at night. I pray that sanity prevails. xoxo

[Jeanette]

Sounds like a very nice visit with your sister in law! Bummer about the restaurant but I agree, they should have at least acknowledged your existence there! I feel sorry for any waiters, retail clerks and hiring managers right now. How crazy is all this people not wanting to work these days! My hope is a big change next November but we'll have to hang on until then!

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... I feel sorry for them too, a little, but it's not a bad thing to have to hustle. It can even be good for you. Yes we are looking forward to the midterms! xoxo

[Debbi]

Hi there Jenny! Enjoyed this post! Looks like a great visit with Ruthie! Loved seeing all the scenery and the statues at the State House and Dagny looks adorable in her little bluejean skirt, very cute! I love seeing the big "reflection" building, sorry, forgot the name---but I photographed it when we were there for a hurricane evacuation. It was pretty with sunset colors.....but I do like yours better with the blue sky and clouds reflecting better! Not sure how it is there yet....but it sure was HOT HERE today. We got our and walked anyway, admiring "punkins" and Fall decor but it was just plum hot and nasty, I couldn't wait to get into some air conditioning! LOL Have y'all closed down your pool yet?----because it's sure still hot enough to swim here! LOL Hope y 'all are having a real nice weekend. Hows that new baby boy Rhett doing?--hoping for some recent pictures soon! Hugs!

[Carla TePaske]

Hi Jenny,
I enjoyed your post, as always. :-)
I am the same way when I visit my family, we stay up talking and talking. Then I get so tired.. I have to rest after the visit. Hee Hee.
I continue to pray for our nation, we are in a HUGE mess.
Love, Carla

[Gayla]

What a great visit! Your photos are amazing. I have seen that mirrored building in movies.... or one similar. Fascinating! I will love to try your chili! I'm a chili fanatic! In fact my son just finished a pit I made over the weekend. I can't recall when I last ate out in a restaurant.... probably five years ago 😳 or more. Before 2016 for sure... sounds sad... yep... very sad for our state of affairs.

[Jennifer]

@Debbi ... Oh girl yes it has been hot here! The sun is just so BRIGHT, haaahaha and that makes me want to run inside. NO, we cannot swim! The grandkids swam on Labor Day but even then it was almost too cold for them. It's just too cool at night for the water to maintain real warmth. Seriously that mirrored building is stunning just about any time of day but definitely at sunset! Rhett is doing splendidly, three months old and just as cute as he can be. I will share some pictures as soon as I get some good ones! I honestly don't see him all that much ... I guess I just need to go over there and grab him and squeeze him and make him pose for me, haaahahaha! xoxo

@Carla ... Thanks friend, and ain't it the TRUTH all the yakking we do with family? Haahaha I was HOARSE the day after Ruthie and I talked all day. And yet still I talked! Yes we are in trouble and we need for God to perform a miracle on our behalf. Praise His name, He is able. xoxo

@Gayla ... Thank you and don't you LOVE mirrored buildings? I think they are just dynamite, especially in pictures. You just can't go wrong. Please do make some chili my way ... I think both you and your son will love it! WHY don't you go out to eat any more? We love to go out to eat and I'd probably go every day if TG would let me, haaahahaha! xoxo

[Barb]

Jenny, I see you were getting a little bit of fall there and maybe more colors now. Ours is over and we have snow - but fall was gorgeous so I won't complain. Of course, we also like the snow. I love your photos of the historic buildings, the statues, and also the sleek modern structures. It's a nice mix of architecture. Has Dagny had a growth spurt? Ger hair looks so pretty long. It sounds like you had a 3 day marathon talking spree and a fine reunion with Ruthie. Now I hope it isn't as many years until you see each other again!

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... we are BARELY getting any color, as it has been so warm and dry! It really must rain more and get cooler (especially at night) before we get any real color to speak of. I saw your beautiful SNOW! Just breathtaking! Dagny has indeed had a growth spurt; to me she looks nine feet tall and all legs! And yes her hair has grown. Such a big girl. I told Ruthie that she must come back every year in early October! xoxo