And the winner is ........................

 

Lessons from Del

One of the most fascinating people I knew in Dothan, AL when I lived there from 1995-2000 was Del Dace (center).  A self-made man and nationally-recognized muralist, Dace overcame some pretty big odds in his early life to get on the path to success.  And he loved to tell his story!

 

I will never forget that Del told me how a banker up north (Missouri maybe) loaned him some money for traveling simply because he believed in him.  That travel experience impacted him, and that was one loan he gladly paid back.  But it was the chance that banker took that stayed with him.  Later Del told me that to encourage his daughters to postpone marriage until a certain age and invest in their careers and simply just mature as adults before taking such a big step, he'd pay for them to travel around the world.  He said they took him up on his offer.  Another time, when I was in his art gallery getting some items framed, he shared a story about a lady living in a huge house that most would envy, crying her eyes out because she was unhappy.  He was there to do some paintings in the home, and ended up consoling her.  The lesson from that story:  You can have material goods and yet be a miserable wreck inside.  Once at Del's studio a young kid from a local school came in selling candy for a school fundraiser.  Rather than just fork over money, Del got on the phone with a school administrator and asked what percentage of the sales would ever make it to school.  Probably the first time they had been questioned that hard.  After he gave the student a bit of money and they had left, he turned to me and shared how the schools in the area didn't have arts programs nor funding for them, but would keep the lights on for Friday night football.  He had mentioned to some school districts that that they could play games on Friday, not long after school let out, and utilize the natural sunlight rather than pay a light bill they could barely afford.  And yet Friday night games stayed on the agenda - not surprising.  Lastly, Del was a very popular arts and humanities professor at Troy University.  He may still be there.  One time he told me how shocked he was when he realized that almost all the students - graduate students even - had not been out of the tri-state area, and how limiting that was to them, in the classroom and out.  And yet, he found ways to connect with them and stimulate their minds.  They loved him.  Del was always an optimist, had a charismatic presence, and a can-do personality.

 

I just discovered these videos of Del Dace speaking at a church, where he gives a very remarkable testimony. 

 

 



Eleven Years.......

Why am I holding the flowers?  I did what they told me!

For more of our wedding pictures, click here.

During Dad's last few weeks and months, my favorite times were when he was getting ready to fall asleep or take his afternoon naps, and I would just go back to his bedroom and lie down next to him.  It was something he wanted.  By this point he was on plenty of morphine, of course.  But still you could have good talks with him.  Once, Dad started talking about Granddad Major, and what he'd be thinking about us all.  I asked him, "Dad, don't you think Granddad Major was a pretty good businessman and took some risks to get what he had?  He said, "Oh, yes."  And I said, "Well, I think he'd kind of admire the fact I've traveled the way I have, and he'd be even more impressed that I ended up marrying a woman like Kade, finding her in some faraway land - a pretty high ROI (return on investment) that required some big risks."  Dad smiled, agreed with me and then we talked some more.  I also shared how Kade has some of Deedee's best qualities, and how that would make Granddad Major very proud. Dad knew exactly what I was talking about, and certainly understood what an asset Edith was to Major. 

If at first sight a girl does not make such a deep impression on a person that she awakens the ideal, then ordinarily the actuality is not especially desirable.  But, if she does, then no matter how experienced a person is he usually is rather overwhelmed.  - Søren Kierkegaard

This is where we're having our anniversary dinner this evening.  Check out their fabulous menu.  We enjoyed it so much on Kade's birthday, it's now time to go back.

Kade's favorite song.



Below are some images of a second anniversary surprise I did for Kade.  I was in the USA, and she was in Bangkok.  We were apart for a few months. I had to come up with something memorable.  Since then, I have never been able to top it.  Not even Madonna came close!  On down the road I will explain just what plan I concocted.

Henry County Extension Services

(L-R)  Walter Stone, county agent; Lillian Cox, Home Demonstration Agent who served for 30 years; unknown; Eleanor Trawick, President of the county home demonstration clubs; a young Ralph, Hartzog, assistant farm agent who became the longest serving Henry County Farm Agent after 25 years; and Major Espy.  - names provided by Larry Smith 

All except Major Espy were Henry County, Alabama Extension Agents.  The women were called Home Demonstration Agents.  They ran the county 4-H Clubs.  The county extension service helped farmers "farm" better, housewives learn cooking, sewing skills, etc.  And they did many other things.  They were probably established after the depression to help rural folks have a better quality of life and be more successful.  Major was likely a supporter or sponsor.  - information provided by Brenda Skinner Stroup

For pictures of Dad and me showing steers through 4-H, click and here.  And for the rest of his life Dad supported 4-H in various capacities, including serving on the state board.  You can read about his involvement here.

And here's a certificate showing Watty Espy's participation in 4-H.

Headland Football Team Photos

Henry County High School & Headland High School

Headland, Alabama

Top photo:  Carey Solomon, third from left; Gib Solomon, far right

(6) Major Espy (7) Carey Solomon (12) Gilbert "Gib" Solomon

Major Espy - back row, third from right, wearing helmet

Gib Solomon - front row, second from left

This is a Henry County High School team in Headland.  The rear of the school is on the right. The man (far left) is Lionel Brackin, the coach, from Newville. The young boy in front with the ball is Felix Vann.  I may know other members and details. I will check and see. - Larry Smith

#8 is James Earl Woods. - Sam Brannon

Sam Brannon, Rimson Solomon, Wayne Brannon and more!

 # 55, Mark Espy (second row)

 # 55 Mark Espy, # 10 Don McClendon

# 12 Willie Tullis

 # 12 Willie Tullis

These photo scans came from HEADLAND FRIENDS AND MEMORIES.

I will add more scans as I get them.

Birthday Dinner

Kade with some of her friends and colleagues at a birthday dinner for Mary (center) at HOMEGROWN. 

 

We eat at Homegrown 2-3x a month.  Although a lot of their food is delish, we typically get this:

 

Buttermilk Chicken (fried) with Mushroom Gravy

Mashed Taters w/ Gravy

Spaghetti Squash, Collard Greens or Sautéed Kale

Chocolate Walnut Brownie with Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Visiting Grandmother Vann

Jack Vann, Sr. (Uncle Jack) holding either my brother Mark or Miles.  I do see Leslie in the photo, and, of course, Mother's profile.  It looks to me that this photo was taken during a visit to Grandmother Vann's on West Church Street.

I will add pictures of Grandmother Vann with her grandchildren here.  Would appreciate more.  Any four-generation photos would be nice too.