Tuesday we received a call from Colter to announce the arrival of our new and first great grandson, Calvin. All are happy and doing well! Calvin is the first son of the first son, Colter, of the first son, Justin, of the first son, Rodney, of the first son, William O. Merrell.
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| Jaycee and Calvin |
This week we enjoyed a delicious dinner with Ana and George at Frank's. We learned a little more about their story. George left Romania and came to America alone at the age of 16. He learned English on his own and began working as a mechanic in a car shop. Later he saw a Delta Airline advertisement for classes and training to become a jet engine mechanic and signed up. He worked hard and finished the top of his class and was offered a job with Delta. He continues to work there and loves his job.
We asked all sorts of questions about jets. Things we've always wanted to know, but never had access to the inside scoop; like, how often are engines checked? How often are they replaced? Why do jets dump their fuel before making an emergency landing? (This question was inspired by the recent incident in Los Angeles where children on a playground were doused with jet fuel as the result of a jet releasing the fuel while making an emergency landing.) George told us a jet with a full load of fuel is too heavy for the tires and landing gear. The impacted of landing may burst the tires, so fuel needs to be released to lighten the load and reduce the pressure for a safe landing.
Ana came to America as a dancer in a Romanian folk dance tour group. After the tour was over, she didn't return to Romania as planned. It is a long story, but eventually she met George, fell in love, and they were married.
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New arrivals, Ellie, my granddaughter, Brooke, Carlee, Andrea, and Chelsie
(Erin arrived the next day.) |
Another highlight of our week was having Chelsie, Brooke, Andrea, Carlee, Erin, and Ellie come to Atlanta and stay with us. The idea that brought the girls here was the release of the movie, "Little Women." Of course, watching "Little Woman" was definitely an agenda item. We visited the Atlanta History Center, shopped in Senoia (where they film "The Walking Dead"), toured the Little White House (where Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt went often to soak his polio-diseased legs in the warm spring water there). We ate southern cookin' and best of all, we chatted and giggled and talked and laughed. In other words, our little apartment was filled with a "joyful noise." I miss them. I am grateful to my good son-in-laws and Justin and Trent for making it possible for my girls to come. It was a joy filled time for Elder Merrell and me!
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Erin, Carlee, Ellie, Elder & Sister Merrell, Chelsie, Andrea, and Brooke
at the Cyclorama depicting the civil war battle of Atlanta |
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Sister & Elder Merrell, Ellie, Chelsie, Erin, Andrea, Carlee, and Brooke
in the dining room at the Swan House |
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Ellie, Andrea, Carlee, Chelsie, Erin, Sister Merrell, and Brooke
at the Swan House, Atlanta History Center |
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Some down time, Erin, Ellie, and Carlee
at the Atlanta History Center |
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Warm Springs, Georgia
Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Warm Springs in 1924 in hopes of recovering from the effects of polio. His love for the area and hopes for the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation led him to build a small white clapboard cottage. It was completed in 1932. F.D.R. died of a massive stroke as he was sitting for a portrait in this cottage on April 12, 1945. |
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| Erin, Brooke, Andrea, Chelsie, Sister Merrell, Ellie, and Carlee at the Little White House |
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| Carlee and Erin bought matching coats. |
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The Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge
Built in 1840 by freed slaves, this structure is the oldest
and longest wooden covered bridge in Georgia. |
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Carlee, Ellie, Elder Merrell, Brooke, Andrea, Chelsie, and Erin
Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge |
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| Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge from the opposite direction |
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Southern Fixin's at the Bulloch House
Erin, Brooke, Chelsie, Elder Merrell, Ellie, Sister Merrell, Carlee, and Andrea |
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This week a semi truck tipped on its side spilling the garbage it was hauling. The driver did not negotiate the tight turn at the intersection where our apartment complex is located. It took hours to clean up and restore the street back to normal.
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| Garbage spill on Lanier and Grady Ave in Fayetteville, GA |
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| It's hard to believe that that much garbage can fit inside that semi truck! |
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