Things have been kind of ... well, discouraging around here for some time, so when Jan got an opportunity to design a photo canvas for our wall, she decided to uplift us (translate that as uplift herself) with a special design, one to remind her we are blessed despite the trials.
She chose some light, cheery colors. We helped her pick out some photos with a positive theme, so of course we Funny Farmers got a place of honor. We insisted our Georgia "angel" furries - Jenny, Grayce, Crystal and Cotton - be included since we loved having each as part of our family and each is greatly missed. Jan tried to take a photo of the finished product but none did it justice, so we're just going to post a copy of the original graphic. (The canvas is 16 x 20".)
All we have to do now is decide where to hang it. It will probably end up on the wall facing us as we take turns working at the computer. It isn't a Rembrandt, but hopefully it will be a positive reminder to Miss I-Can't-Remember-Anything of some positives in her life.
We hope all of you have many positives in your life too. (There is a second part to this post but it won't arrive until next week.)
As long as this is publishing on Thankful Thursday, we'd like to express our gratitude to a couple of very dedicated and generous neighbors who traveled to Atlanta every week for the past nine years to pick up a truckload of bread and rolls and, occasionally, sweets to distribute to local residents.
"The bread truck" was an old panel truck purchased specifically for the purpose. One had to step waaaay high to get into it, so they built a ramp with a rail so even the old and disabled could climb inside to "shop" for bread.
One morning a week, folks would gather in a local church parking lot. Some drove a nice vehicle but were perhaps out of work or with a large family, some from a nearby assisted living home, folks from any walk of life. Sometimes Jan would see a trash truck stop and the driver get in line. It didn't matter who you were, if you needed bread, you could help yourself to whatever the limit was that day. One day all you needed, some days only two loaves of bread and some bagels or English muffins.
When they first started, the bread truck would be crammed chock full of break and goodies, but over time, more groups vied for the same amount of bread and then sometimes the pickings would be mighty, mighty slim.She always came home upbeat when she'd found some rye bread among the loaves and even happier when she could get an extra rye for her brother, Mr. Doug. They both love it. Rye is too expensive for our budget, so she's going to miss it.
There was no charge, but Jan always tried to remember to drop a dollar or two into the jar to help with the price of gas. It's sad to think of those who depended on the bread truck to help stretch their budget, but we were so fortunate to have had the help for all these years.
Lamar and Charles, you provided a needed service, and we know if it were possible, you'd continue to make the long drive each week, then stand in the rain, or the cold, or the heat and humidity for hours to distribute it. We don't eat bread, except when Jan tosses us an occasional crust, but we'd like to thank these men for helping Jan and so many others. We hope God has a special blessing for them.
