Time off…….
Sherelene and I have been traveling this week on a little time off trip to Savannah and Amelia Island. Jim Haverstock and Sue had planned a trip to Savannah to stay at the fabulous President’s Quarters Bed and Breakfast, but had to postpone when Sue became ill. Recently when Jim learned I was going to drive down to see family and just get a way with Sherelene he graciously insisted we use his two night stay at the PQI. He insisted that he knew that was his and had been Sue’s desire, so we accepted and had a wonderful time. I had planned to shoot a lot of Christmas stuff in Savannah, but got caught up in the spirit of the city and we mostly napped and ate great southern food at the likes of The Olde Pink House and 19Hundred70 restaurants. What a great time, thank you again Jim!
I only made a few images in Savannah.
I’ve been in touch with Jim almost every single day throughout Sue’s illness and after she went to be with the Lord. I also walked along with Sherelene, Rhonda, Elijah and Abigail plus our entire family through a year of Wesely’s fight with T Cell Lymphoma. In all of this there has been victories! Wes is well and back to work and getting stronger everyday. Jim is working through the grief and getting stronger everyday, and both Jim and Sue and Wesley have taught me life’s second most valuable lesson, be thankful for all you have right now! Live life so you won’t have regrets, only the satisfaction of a great love shared.
What is the first most important life lesson? If you have given your life to God, He has it. He will watch over you and do what is the very best thing for you. You can safgel proclaim “God Has This”, no matter the trial! Some people may doubt that, but I can tell you, I’ve seen that play out in the lives of those people I love the most! Even Jim would tell you that God had it and has it. Out comes do not always look like what we think they should be. Further consideration always proves God right, and gracious.
Lastly, I do a family calendar for Sherelene’s (and mine), the Scott family. I needed to photograph my granddaughter Cassidy the other day before leaving home. She is in Medical Assistant School and I photographed her in her scrubs (which she loves)!
Photo note; Shot with the X PRO 2 and the Fujifilm 50mm f 2 (Fujicron) at f 2, loved the outcome! Cassidy as worked hard to get in shape and lost over 70 pounds in 2017!!!!
I think you can see I’m hurdling toward a great Christmas! Today Sherelene and I will get to spend time with Scott, Diane, Hannah, Tim, and Ben in St Augustine and Saturday with Ron and Diane, Terry and Brenda (Sherelene’s sisters and my brother-in-laws!) Lots of fun to be had and love shared
I pray you are being surrounded by those you love this Christmas season! Just so you know; Jim will be with Sherelene and I in Corbin the beginning of Christmas Weekend. We will celebrate Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward All Men!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
Top Image: Christmas tree, palms and beach at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island, my Christmas gift to my bride! 70 degrees here trumps 30 degrees at home!!!!
Photo Note 2: Top image 50mm f 2
Church spires 14mm f 2.8
Door with wreath 23mm f 2
Cassidy 50mm f 2
All images, Graphite X PRO 2
This entry was posted on Friday, December 15th, 2017 at 3:04 pm
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Well boss we crossed paths…I was on a business trip this week down in Savannah and of course would have loved a shot or two with you! Glad you are spending time where it counts the most. Your friend..E
Sorry I missed seeing you, got to get together soon! Have a wonderful Christmas!!!
Thanks for the information on the family and friends.
The last sentence sums up many thing. May the Peace of God comfort Jim and all those that knew Sue. May we be at peace with ourselves and our creator. May the good will of the season extend through the years.
Merry Christmas to the extended Fortney family and all those I’ve had the pleasure to meat through their replies to the blog posts through the years.
Thank yiou David, hope you have a great time with your family this Chrismtas Season!
Wonderful post Bill.
I have not wanted to intrude in Jim and Sue’s life but assume from this that she has passed. Two wonderful people and even though I only spent a few days with them I knew we would be great friends.
Jim is a extraordinary individual who truly has a servant’s heart. I am so sorry for his loss.
May God’s blessings and peace be with both of you during this time.
Thank oiu Dave, he truly is a great guy and his loss is real, but God is holding him up! Thanks for your expressed concern, Merry Chrismtas to you and your family!
The “Cassidy” image is a WOW!!! The beauty of her, combined with the color/bokeh, just jumps in your face! Love it!
Loved the post, my friend! Very encouraging throughout!
Cassidy is a wow!!! and that 50mm f 2 Fujicron is a spectacular little lens, hiope tyou and Monie are getting ready for a great Christmas and I geet to see you soon in the New Year!!!!
Hello Bill.
A very Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and all of your wonderful family. I haven’t talked to you for awhile, but you are constantly in my thoughts. I’m glad to hear that you’re concentrating on the most important matters-your family.
So sorry to hear of Sue’s passing. I met her on the 2013 Palouse trip with you all. Lovely lady and I feel so badly for Jim. Please assure him of my prayers and wishes for him and his family. It’s been 22 years since I lost my bride, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. The Lord blessed me with another wonderful woman, Toni, whom you know, and we both thank God for every day together.
God bless you Bill. We’ll try and talk sometime after the Holidays.
Brad
Yoiu are truly a blessed man, hope to see you soon, my best to you and your bride!!!!
Have a wonderful Christmas Bill and please give Jim a hug for me! Miss you both….
I will Mike, sure miss you, was so sorry the Faithful Friends event fell through, maybe we can meet up this winter, love to spend some time with you!!!! Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!!
It is so uplifting to see your love for family and friends Bill. Merry Christmas and I agree with Carl, awesome photograph of of Cassidy!
Thnak you Rodney still have great memories of our trip to the Tetons in the fall, we’ve got to get in the field again this coming year, Merry Chrismtas my brother!!!
Sure enjoyed the Tetons, let’s do it again!!! Merry Christmas my brother!
Thanks Bill for sharing, in more ways than one. Have a blessed Very Merry Christmas!
Same to you and your family Gale, hope to see you in 2018!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Bill. And please get your lovely granddaughter Cassidy to tell me her weight loss regimen – I desperately need to drop 50 pounds!!
I need her help too!!! Really looking forward to our fall trio to your neck of the woods, should be epic!! Please share my warm Christmas wishes with your bride and her sister and your entire family!!!!
Will do. And I’ll see you in March on Route 66 (maybe we’ll get some kicks)!
Rick, I am down 88 pounds, give or take, since New Year’s Day. It takes some dedication and work but not as much as it seems. What works is an individual thing but I will keep this as brief as I can.
First, I no longer skip breakfast and lunch. Instead I have four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and 9:30 to 10:30 at night — about 300 calories, give or take, each. As your intake is down it is important not to skip a meal. The late night meal is so you don’t pig out all night.
Second, no rabbit food and nothing with 19 ingredients that costs $30 and two hours in the grocery store. It should not be that hard work! Make it too hard and you won’t keep up with it.
Third, look for recipes that cut calories without cutting taste. French fries are out. So is eating a half gallon of ice cream. Need a treat? Get a cone at McD’s — 200 calories.
Fourth, sandwich thins (100 cal. each) are a Godsend. So is Special K with berries.
Fifth, get some good stainless steel measuring cups (at least two sets) and ditto for spoons. And a digital food scale for under $20 at Amazon. Also helpful: storage containers from Dollar Tree.
Here we go:
Breakfast: I make my own Egg McMuffins for under 300 calories. Or you can on the go buy one from McD’s (or a breakfast wrap). I use sandwich thins (100 cal.), one large egg with a dash of milk (70 cal.), thin sliced cheese (40 cal.) and Canadian bacon (20 cal. each) or turkey bacon. Make the egg in a microwave egg cooker. I make two or three at a time and keep in the fridge.
Lunch: Lots of options. Just stick to around 300 calories. Veggie or real steak burgers are one option. Soups. Chili. Home made sandwiches (use mustard or low cal mayo). Tuna salad. Pasta. Whatever works. On the go? Whopper jr. at Booger King, no mayo or cheese, or McD’s cheeseburger or Wendy’s jr, cheeseburger.
Dinner: You can make a steak for 270 calories. Also look at cod, ham, pasta, chicken, whatever works.
Late night: whatever works.
Snack or breakfast: 1 cup special K with Berries (110 cal) and 1/2 cup skim milk (40 cal)..
Mix it up, experiment, whatever. Just don’t be anal. Low fat? Low carb? Don’t worry much. Try to keep the fat down. Don’t be anal. Don’t eat rabbit food (not as healthy as people think and insulting). You CAN eat REAL food without 19 ingredients. Tuna salad. Egg salad (low cal. mayo and mustard). If it is boring or too much work it won’t work.
Good luck.
Merry Christmas, you old goat! 😀