Those Were the Days

My friend Preston was on the pastor search committee. We went to his their Super Bowl party last year and Christmas party this year. Last week they had new pastor Clay Smith over for dinner. Preston’s son Daniel invited over all his Johnson Ferry high school friends, and Clay spent time getting to know the young people. Preston said he’d arrange another dinner so Ceil and I and our small group friends could get to know Clay and his wife.

I might be on Clay’s bad list after this weekend. I may not be a long time JFBC member but have lived in Atlanta longer than many people there. This weekend Clay tweeted out “This is your friendly reminder that there is no “’s” in Johnson Ferry.” He did not say there is no s in Johnson Ferry Baptist Church or Johnson Ferry Road. That would be correct.

 

But for scores of native Atlantans and their descendants there is an "'s." To us Johnson's ferry brings back wonderful memories of grandparents and other well-respected older people who were in our lives. Just hearing that phrase, and others like it, bring to life a magical time long gone by. Atlanta has changed so much over the years, and changed and changed. Sometimes its okay to think back on some of those good memories. I may not say "Johnson's ferry" as much these days, but I'm glad when I do.  

 

Long time church members might (and did) agree with Clay, probably being peeved when someone mispronounces the church’s name (lots of folk over the years mispronounced SPdL for sure). What’s next? Make everyone pronounce the second T in in the word Atlanta? Make people pronounce the “ca” in Coca-Cola?

 

I’m sure I overreacted. Takes me several days and several rough drafts to figure things out. Why things can go so haywire on social media.

 

Friday: wedding reception dinner was delicious. I’ll relay the menu later. Thought there would be a choice between filet mignon, salmon, and chicken, but instead each plate had small portions of all three. I even ate to fish! Stayed until the end of the reception when the bride and groom departed.

Drove home and Anna and Christian arrived shortly thereafter. We chatted about they wedding. They had danced hard, and slept late Saturday morning. I went out for bacon and eggs. Didn’t eat breakfast until 11 am. I was tired from not sleeping well all week. Didn’t do much all weekend except dishes. A&C went to the bookstore before returning to watch a movie. Had a bacon cheeseburger for lunch.

Missed GT/UNC but watched some NFL. Like everyone else I’m sure you’re glad the Patriots lost. What a run they’ve had, winning the AFC Eastern Division eleven straight years and winning six Super Bowls. I think C had on the Hallmark Channel instead of the game. She and M cooked Mexican.

Sunday School and worship. After church C had lunch with friends in Roswell. I continued my binge-watching of Parenthood. Popped corn. Whenever I go into the hall pantry Barney perks up, hoping I’m pulling out the air popper. He loves popcorn. Later watched the end of MINN?NO and some PHIL/SEA. Then a few sitcoms. Packaged a couple of eBay shipments. 

Later I flipped over to the Golden Globes to hear Tom Hanks receive the lifetime achievement award. Lots of bickering between the actors. No political statements from Hanks. As usual he was all class, despite fighting a bad cold. Brad Pitt also gave a grateful speech, thanking his directors and produces and fellow actors by name. Before walking off he turned back and said “be kind.” 

 
From SABR: the Upside down Triple Crown. These are the qualified batters who had the fewest HRS, fewest RBI and lowest batting average in a league in a season. All except Berres are middle infielders. ME: no Braves on the list. Bob Uecker didn’t make it either.

Year Player      Team    Lge Pos.HR/RBI/BA Career WAR

1970 Belanger....BAL........AL SS  1\36\.218...40.9

1940 Berres........PIT\BSN AL C... 0\16\.192...-3.0

1981 de Jesus....CHC.......NL SS. 0\13\.194...11.0

1971 Hernandez SD..........NL SS. 0\12\.222...0.4

1930 Rhyne........BOS........AL INF 0\23\.203...3.4

2003 Santiago....DET.........AL SS..2\29\.225..7.6

1979 Smith.........SDP.........NL SS..0\27\.211..76.9

1945 Webb.........DET.........AL INF.0\21\.199.-4.5

1937 Young........PHI..........NL INF.0/24/.194 -3.8