Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 316

~ Everyday Living, Faith, Family, Simple + Southern Sunday

 

We take pause today from our typical Sunday post as we desire to celebrate the life of Bill Cheatwood. Bill is the sweet Dad of our daughter-in love Allison, and precious granddad to Princess Emma Kennedy and Queen Ella Mae. Our hearts are broken because Bill had an accident last week, and God chose to call Bill to a new home Friday night. Even in the midst of an unbelievable time of sadness, shock, and grief, there is great comfort in knowing Bill had a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Bill, Linda, and all the family gathered at our house this past summer for family photos taken by a professional photographer. It was a Mother’s day gift to Pam and Linda from Seth and Allison. We recall it was a very hot day and all the guys were a little fussy about getting their picture made 100 times! But how thankful we are that we took time to capture and preserve precious moments and make memories!READ MORE

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 311

~ Everyday Living, Faith, Family, Simple + Southern Sunday

Good morning…or good whatever time of day it is for you!

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭128:1‬ ‭


The waning of the moon after October’s first full moon was spectacular in the early hours last week as it was joined by Venus. They appear close together but…they are millions of miles apart! It’s not often we have to distinguish between moons in the same month. It only happens “once in a blue moon”! Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter are also showing off in the clear night sky right now. Hope you’ve had a chance to view the heavens!

Strolling around in the garden and enjoying the final days before cold weather changes everything. No frost yet for us and the next few days look mild.READ MORE

Celebrating 90 Years…A Simple Life

~ Everyday Living, Faith, Family

How do you celebrate ninety years of living? My precious Daddy turned ninety last Tuesday, October 6. We celebrated him as he has lived…simply!

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:6‬ ‭

I planned a small birthday celebration to be held outdoors at our home this past Saturday, but remember it is 2020! Plans had to be changed because the remnants of Hurricane Delta brought rain beginning on Friday and finally ending around noon on Sunday. We were able to celebrate on Sunday afternoon, outdoors as planned. Unfortunately because of rescheduling, my nephew (Daddy’s grandson) and family were not able to attend. My niece (Daddy’s granddaughter) and family live out West and could not be with us. All of them, including five great-grandsons, were certainly missed!

Rather than share the  pretty table decorations and delicious food, I want to share the story of this simple man who has impacted hundreds of lives!

Without a doubt, EK got her Pawpaw’s red hair!

During the depths of the Great Depression, in the Foothills of the Appalachians in NE AL, my Daddy was born to your typical Southern, rural, working-class family. His early childhood was similar to all children growing up during this impoverished era. He simply attended school and played with his older brother and younger sister. That was usually followed by an afternoon of fishing at the nearest creek bank. At an early age, he discovered baseball which he loved to play with his friends.

Minor league baseball (pictured left)

When Daddy entered high school, he began playing and lettering in all sports. He was a halfback on the football team, forward in basketball, and a first baseman on the baseball team. Upon graduation in 1948, he was given an opportunity to try out for the Auburn basketball team for a scholarship, but since baseball was his passion and dream, he declined.

During the spring of his senior year, he was scouted by the Cleveland Indians and was offered a contract to play professional baseball. He signed later that year and was sent to spring training in Marietta, Florida. After two successful years in Class A, he was transferred to Class AA. The major league was now in sight!

But that was when the draft board notified him.READ MORE