Deep in the Greek

This year's annual Augusta Greek Festival has already been nothing short of fabulous!  Saturday stands to be an all time record breaker for attendance as well as the atmosphere, food and festivity.

Festival goers are transformed upon arrival at this year's Festival with the music setting the tone and the aroma of the cuisine cooking under the big tent - you find you have arrived in a Greek village in the heart of Augusta!  There is much to see and experience and most attending will need all four days this year to see and enjoy it all!

As evening approaches, the music and dancing performances heighten and the ambiance is electric - you will find that you are deep in the Greek!

Beginning today, the semi-professional dance group from Florida, The Hellas Dancers, will be performing.  If you have never seen or experienced traditional Greek folk dance - this is a group you will not want to miss.

Admission to the festival is free and includes tours of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, music and Greek dance entertainment.  There is much to experience and enjoy at this long standing Augusta tradition.  For more information you can call 706-724-1087 or visit www.HolyTrinityAugusta.org.

How Do You Like Your Cookies?

How about with a nice tall glass of charcoal gray milk?

hkj

Looking for Sacredness

Has anyone seen "sacred" anywhere?  It's been missing for sometime and I was wondering if anyone had seen or experienced true sacredness lately.

Does sacredness really exist in today's society?

hkj

It's Time to Get Your Greek On!

The 18^th annual Augusta Greek Festival will be held October 11^th through the 14^th in downtown Augusta at the corner of 10^th and Greene Streets.  This year’s festival celebration, in addition to growing to a four day event, will be nothing short of all that is Greek.  This is the Greek community's gift to Augusta - sharing its Hellenic culture and love of family and friendships.

With four days of live entertainment and dancing, tantalizing Greek foods and pastries, Greek market, children’s activities, church tours and more – there will be something for everyone!

  “Greek Cuisine, whether frugal or bountiful has molded and developed along with the customs and traditions of the Greek Orthodox people.  It is characteristic of the Greeks to celebrate their joys, to sweeten their sorrows and to assuage their struggles by feasting in the company of family and friends.  Come and enjoy our 18^th annual Greek Festival and have an opportunity to touch, see and taste Greek culture.” 

Dine in or take out, including Drive Thru!  Admission is free!

October 11^th through 14^th, 2007

Thursday:  11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Fri. & Sat.: 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Sunday:  Noon until 6 p.m.

 For more information visit: www.HolyTrinityAugusta.org or you can call 706-724-1087.  

Let's Keep the Rain Dance

China is playing weather maker.

Am I surprised?

No.

Truth be told, they've been playing rainmaker, officially, since 2004.

Gasp!

All our precious cats and dogs have suffered from bad pet food, the tootpaste was tainted, fish is being banned from China and now they want to manipulate the weather.

My best advice to Zhang Qiang, the top weather-modification bureaucrat in Beijing, just don't forget what happened to the former director of China's State Food and Drug Administration.

In the meantime, China, the geographic origin of bird flu, is rejecting our poultry citing contamination.

Non-tainted food for thought: it's not necessarily what they are telling us as much as what they are not telling us; so just how far can their storm making missiles reach?

Some things are better left to the Maker.

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

"Oooooh.......Ahhhhhhh!"

Hats off to the greatest fireworks show ever - earlier tonight at Fort Gordon! What a celebration!

:)

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

Rest in Huh?!

The Sopranos have finally ended.  Apparently for good reason given the final episode.

Boo, hiss.  Repeat.

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

Just Down the Road

With the price of gas, you'll want to stay and see Georgia this summer - and in not too many days away, there'll be something new to see: The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

It's definately on our stay and see Georgia list for this summer.

:)

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

Hogzilla Still Holds the Record

....in wild hog kills that is.

It seems that Bubba's Alabama kill was too good to be true.  When will the three hour chase show up on YouTube?

Shame on all of them.

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

One Question

It's bad enough that he ignored suggestions to postpone his trip abroad and now there are potential victims of serious TB exposure, but where was TB Andy from January to May?

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

Family Dynamics

What is it about weddings, the birth of babies with their baptisms & christenings - but most all - funerals for our loved ones........ that bring out the genetic charms of family?

As life has its way, those we love pass on before us.  But in all honesty, all I wanted to do was pay my respects for someone I loved - but ended up with our own version of "Being Dead is no Excuse - How to Survive a Family Funeral"...... 

There is no soap opera that I know of, that has anything over on our dynamic familial tree. I believe I came home with more gray hairs than what I left home with...........know what I mean?

Any "funeral farewell" doozies for y'all?

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

Happy Birthday, Bob Dylan

Today, according to the world's numerical standards of aging, Bob Dylan is 66.  I wonder if he considers himself middle-age yet.

It's also Thelma & Louise Day.

And.......it's "Hey Y'all!" day.

Where's my tiara?  Today's a day to celebrate!

Y'all behave!

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

"It's all about the change of seasons"

Shopping with Sons

As a standard rule of thumb, our sons do not go shopping, do not want to go shopping and the mere mention of the ever dreaded "S-word" results in eyes rolling, immediate loss of speech and finally, the cosmic "deer in the headlights" stares.  Unless, of course, we're going to Academy Sports......when suddenly, we're all shoppers.

Such was the case yesterday.

Son #1 (our 14 yr old), is an avid fisherman and believes that the entire world of invented and created tackle, especially all those advertised and touted as the latest and greatest on every fishing show on the Outdoor Channel, should be in his possession and readily available at his swivel fingertips in his one and only little tackle box.

Have you priced fishing tackle lately?  What happened to live bait?  Is there something wrong with worm guts anymore?

I believe I'll be compelled to jump in after the fish that took my son's $6.00 rattle trap, broken bodied, Booyah bait of the week.

Conversation just before checking out:

Son #1:  “.....Well, there are some more lures I want, but I don’t know if you’ll let me get that many more.”

Mom – upon looking in Son #1’s shopping basket:  “I’m not so sure you’ll be buying all those that are already in your basket.  How many fishing lures does a 14 yr old really need?”

Son #2:  “You mean, fishing lures to lose to the fish (wicked snickering)….”

Son #1 (voicing rising and becoming somewhat hysterical):  “Mommmmm, I neeeeeed these lures especially if we’re going to the lake for my birthday.  I can’t be casting pond size lures in a 200 acre lake.  Come oooooon……”

Mom:  It was finally my turn to give the deer in headlights stare.

In the blink of an eye, he had $60.00 worth of tackle and not even a third of his little basket was full...........Needless to say, the new check out gal had a first hand lesson about voiding items not being purchased...........

While the fisherman son was sulking over lure withdrawals, I had Son #2 (our 13 yr old) with me and we headed for the shoe department.  Naturally as fate would have it, we hit the $150.00 and up isle and immediately, our youngest son began to drool and foam at the mouth.  I managed to navigate him a-w-a-y  from this isle and around to an isle where we could at least still afford groceries having bought a new pair of Nike's.  We easily agreed on a pair he liked on the eat for a week shoe isle as Son #1 walked up.

Son #1:  “I didn’t know we were actually buying shoes today.”

Son #2:  “Why did you think we went to the shoe department?”

Mom:  “Are you ready to look at shoes now or are you still shopping tackle?”

Son #1:  No response.

Mom:  "I saw a pair of New Balance in the style and color you like.  Come on, you need to try them own."

Mom and Son #2 both look down at Son #1's shoes/feet.

Mom:  “Oh, honey, you didn’t wear any socks.  You can’t try on shoes today.”

Son #1 (looking over at his brother’s feet):  “Let me borrow your socks….”

Son #2:  “Are you crazy?  I’m not letting you put on my socks, they’ll burst into flames!”

Fishing tackle after selection reduction:  $37.00.

One pair of Nike sneakers:  $49.95.

Dinner this week:  Grilled Cheese s/w's and leftovers.

Honest, brotherly love:  Priceless.

hkj

SouthoftheGnatLine.com

Put Some Greek in Your Week!

Get your taste buds ready for some excellent Greek cuisine – it’s time for the 2007 Spring Greek Cuisine better known as “A Taste of Greece” hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

Head down to Telfair at 10^th and Greene on Friday and Saturday for an assortment of Greek eats including lamb, chicken, gyros, tyropita, Greek pastries and more!  Open House Tours, too!  Dine in or take out available.

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., May 18^th – 19^th  this week!

For more information call 706-724-1087

Hope to see you there!

hkj

South of the Gnat Line.com

It's Turn-Off-the-T.V.-Week

Better yet, let's turn off the T.V., the computer, the I-Pod's, the everything and anything electronic all week long and reconnect with our minds, our family, our neighbors.....the list goes on and on......

 CLICK HERE to read the offical site of "T.V."Turnoff Week".

Along these lines, take the time to read this Washington Post article about folks being a bit to busy to stop and smell or rather "listen to the roses."  Be sure and read the entire artcle; you'll be amazed at what you learn.  Are you too busy to appreciate things worth stopping to enjoy?

So "See Ya" for  the week!

:)
hkj

South of the Gnat Line.com

Praying for Virginia Tech

The governor of Virginia has called for a day of mourning:

"Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine declared the statewide day of mourning, and the university's alumni have also organized a "Hokie Hope" day. Kaine has invited
communities across the nation to organize their own ceremonies Friday to remember those killed in the nation's worst shooting spree."

In addition, bells will ring and a moment of silence will take place at noon.

Here at the farm we will ring our farm bell 32 times and pray for the victims, their family and friends as well as the students and faculty of Virginia Tech.

This week also represents the tragedies at Waco, Texas, the Oklahoma City bombing and today is also the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy. Many prayers need to be lifted up at noon.

hkj

Don't Miss "A Taste of Greece!"

2007 Grecian Cuisine

"A Taste of Greece!"

May 18-19, 2007

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

hosted by

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

953 Telfair Street

at 10th and Greene

Don't miss out on this excellent Spring feasting opportunity for great Greek foods.  Chicken or lamb dinners, gyros, tiropita, spanakopita, Greek pastries........

"Oopa!"

There will be open house tours as well.  Call 706-724-1087 for more information and ticket prices.

Hope to see you there!

hkj

South of the Gnat Line.com

Turn Off Your Cell Phone

You may be killing the bees.

And not just any bee - the honey bee (apis mellifera).

"So what?" you may ask, but without this amazing and productive little insect, our nation's food crop is at great risk.

Nationwide, thousands of honey bees are disappearing from managed apiaries and small scale hobbyists - a phenomenon identified as Colony Collapse Disorder ("CCD").  It continues to spread at an alarming rate and now scientists believe that cell phones may be a component in the CCD epidemic.

If cell phones are found to be the key culprit in destroying our major pollinators, would you be willing to limit your use of your cell phone?

Albert Einstein is quoted in one article as having said, "...if the bees disappeared, man would have only four years of life left."

Einstein also once said, "The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."  So are we only willing to do nothing?

More articles on the current widespread outbreak of Colony Collapse Disorder can be found here.

So while the government is trying to scare us to death over a potential bird flu pandemic, we may be talking our food supply into non-existence.

Harriette Jacobs

South of the Gnat Line.com

It Was a Long and Stormy Night in the CSRA's Greater Rural Outback

As I type I can hear the continued sounds of helicopters and small aircraft continuing to survey the path of last night's tornado and storms that ripped through Warren County passing on to neighboring McDuffie and on from there.

I followed the weather reports all day yesterday and knew it would be a long, long night. I simply can not grasp what the families in southern Alabama are going through as they continue to search for the missing. Storms moved on into Georgia and made their way east. I knew we would be moving to the basement for the night after seeing the reports of weather moving up Highway 16 from Milledgeville.

At 8:30 p.m. last night, the first day of March escorted it's first tornado of the season right through the western boundary of our farm.

Our family is eternally grateful and blessed that we were protected and spared from these horrific storms last night. We remained in lockdown in our basement while the torrential rains and unbelieveable winds spun around us here in Warren County.

This morning has revealed that many of our neighbors were not as fortunate as we are. Though we lost power around 8 last night, it was restored around 1 a.m. just after a second storm moved through. The creek that borders the western boundary of our property looked much like the Ogeechee River and was rising quickly. While our bridge is in tact, the road is pretty much a wash out and will remain so for weeks and weeks; truthfully, this is very minor in the grand scheme of things.

Never underestimate the power of weather: we have at least one hundred trees down at the back of our property that include Oak and Hickory trees that two no people could possibly reach around. As we walked the back line this morning, I stood in shock. I don't have words to describe the visual impact of what this tornado destroyed along its path and I could feel emotion swelling knowing that we were spared. I hope to have photos of the high water and downed trees posted with links later this afternoon.

Trees can be cut up and fences rebuilt. But when lives are impacted as those in southern Alabama and southwest Georgia, we must recognize our blessings and ensure that we give testimony to miracles when miracles are obviously evident.

Please pray for the families who have been so tragically impacted by these storms both in Alabama and Georgia.

Harriette Jacobs
South of the Gnat Line

Bless His Heart

My husband, (who I lovingly refer to as "the Gladiator") once all dark-headed and now mostly gray, has his blonde moments - including this morning's.

Bless his heart.

You see, his job requires that he travel a great deal in order to cover his sales territory.

Sound familiar?

Well, one would think that after the habit and consistency of traveling nearly every week, one would, you know, remember what one is supposed to pack when traveling.

Right?

One would only hope so.

Here lately, though, I've been worrying about the Glad-man. Could it be the gray or the blonde that is, um....... taking root?

I'm not sure.

But suffice to say, that, er...... something's going on.

I was enjoying my morning coffee earlier and padding around the house glancing outside to watch the soft rain sprinkle over the back of the farm - and just taking my time weaning into the day, when the phone rang.......

Doesn't it always?

It was my beloved.

Me: "Hello"

Gladiator: "Hey. Where are you?"

(Didn't he call me at home?)

Me: "I'm in the kitchen. Where are you?"

Gladiator: "I'm in my hotel room."

Me: "Oh, okay. How are you?"

Gladiator: "I don't have any underwear."

Me: "What?"

Gladiator: (louder) "I-Don't-Have-Any-Underwear!"

Me: ROARING WITH LAUGHTER

Gladiator: "Why is that funny?"

Me: "How can you not have any underwear?" (now no longer able breathe because I am laughing so hard)

Gladiator: "Because I opened my suitcase and there wasn't any underwear in there - that's how. I can't keep wearing the same underwear I came down here in....."

Me (in my sweetest Scarlett voice): "Honey, does the town you're in have a Wal-Mart?"

Gladiator: "Yeah, they do. I saw it when I drove in yesterday."

Give that man a prize.........

And now you know the rest of the conversation.

Y'all, just bless his heart already.

;-)
South of the Gnat Line