According to “Foster Fuels . Com” propane can heat up in as little as 20 minutes and the gas in it never expires. So, why in the world did the propane tank that when shaken leveraged itself as if it had a great amount of liquid but did not go capooey when it was in the blazing fire of July 2022 pool burn? Grace of God? We honestly think so.I’ve always told my children they are worth a million to me and I certainly stand by that.
First of all, we did not realize the tank was in the deep part of the 20 x 40 swimming pool that we were about the use for an incinerator. We had been clearing the family property and had used the 3 foot area to burn limbs, brush and small items. At some point, the tree limbs became bigger and more so we extended the burn toward the 6 foot end of the brick pool.
It would seem that with the amount of heat surrounding the old 1960’s gas propane tank that it would have gone “Capooey” and more than likely no one would be able to really tell this story because it could not have been explained.
Who even knew the tank was at the bottom of the pool? How did it get there? Who put it there and how long ago had it found it’s home at the bottom? We do not know the answers to those questions. What we do know is that after that July day’s burn, we looked the next day to see what had been accomplished and to our surprise, our lives had all been spared from an explosion. The tank was half buried in the wall of a sand pile near the bottom of the old brick swimming pool and still in tact. While it looked burned and charred, it was whole and leaning.
Propane was basically founded around the 1850’s by chemist Dr. Edmond Ronalds. By 1920, the old Ford Model T began leaking and the vapours brought about the possible uses of this volatile gas called propane, thus becoming a mainstay in the home and by 1927 came the first gas-powered cooking appliances.
The industry today is valued in worth at $34.2 billion. To us, this failure of this tank not to blow up is certainly a miracle in our mind and worth a million, per person in lives. We’re thankful today for God’s grace. We can’t answer why that either, except for by His goodness.
If you’ve been following along, you know that our family has spent from January of 2022 until the November wedding preparing the property for over 100 guests. Twenty benches were built by Buddy, our family friend to accommodate as many as 120 people. We expected about 100.
Scrapper hauling away scrap metal
From start to finish and yes, even until the last day and since, we have found scrap metal pieces on the property. It began with the demolition of the barn which had been built in the 1960’s and filled often with “stuff”. From there to the pole barn, the camper, the burn piles to the general junk areas, scrap was removed and either hauled to the road ( 23 loads at the most recent count) or given to scrappers literally coming and hauling away pounds and pounds of scrap.
One scrapper hauled away at least 15 heavy galvanized car jacks along with tubs, basins, an auto transmission and more.
In the night of the wedding, we were folding the white curtains we had placed as a back drop on the barn and attached to the fold was a piece of scrap metal hanging by a thread. We all had to laugh.
When we were young, our parents took us to the jetties where we walked on the big rocks out to the Atlantic Ocean and would fish from seemingly the top of the world. The jetties were located Northeast of town about 30-40 minutes away. It was always fun but walking on those huge rocks could be worrisome. We would each have a handful of something to carry and then we’d bend, weave, crawl and scrap our way to a comfortable rock area, all while the water might be splashing and getting us wet. It was some event for a youngster and we loved it.
Mama would pack us a lunch and Daddy would pack the fishing gear and off we would drive , “a day and another” until we’d come to huge rocks by the ocean. We’d park the car, unload the stuff and head to the rocks. There we would be until the sun would set, fishing until our hearts content. Daddy seemed to spend most of his time getting Mama’s hook replenished or unhooked from the snags. The huge waves would take the fishing line into the cracks and crevices and he’d hold, pull, jerk and navigate until the line was free. Mama was happy. She would be fishing with his pole until he got her’s untangled. She’d fish non-stop and he seemed to be getting the lines untangled non-stop. That’s sort of how it went every fishing event. Both seemed to enjoy themselves.
Those were always long, fun days. We left early and came home late. There was the usual stop by the bait shop out Heckscher Drive and then the long drive to the beaches. Living on the Westside, it took a good 45 minutes or so just to get there.
So many times we came home with a “mess of fish” and had a fish fry. There were even times that Daddy skinned the fish, froze them and we’d have a Sunday school fish fry. There was then a lot of bragging going on about how big that fish really was.
My Father was a Sargent in the 7th Armoured Division of the United States Army. His position during WWII was in simple terms, a secretary or typist. It was his job to keep the records of the missions, troops, and yes, even the fallen. It was his letter that sometimes reached the family of a loved one missing in action or having given the ultimate sacrifice.
He and his United States Army troops spent time on the Western front from August of 1944 until May of 1945. After the war ended, he returned to America on the Queen Mary ship and made his way by train to Florida to be close to his love, Geneva Long who was awaiting him in Florida. In October a Florida Times Union article had her engagement photograph of her wearing a necklace he had given her. It was found among her belongings in a trunk we went through as a family. It has special meaning to those left behind.
While my Father was scheduled to return to South Carolina after the war, he was able to write his own dismissal papers and landed himself at Camp Blanding, an hour from my Mother. He and my mother would marry on December 16, 1945 after his discharge ceremony at Camp Blanding.
My Mother got a ride to Camp Blanding the night before the honourable discharge event. She stayed in a dorm prepared for visitors. The following day after the discharge papers were signed, he and my mother hitched a ride on a cattle car to Jacksonville. My Dad said he’ll never forget that long ride to Jacksonville, riding in a cattle car.
Two types of cattle cars. We’re not sure which….
My parents married that year at the Riverside Baptist Church and settled in Jacksonville where they had three children, Kathryn, Patrick and Nan.
It is unclear if I was searching for God or if I had a new-found determination to know Him. Somewhere about 1960-something, I walked the aisle at the Woodstock Park Baptist Church, which at that time was located on St. Clair Street in Jacksonville, Fl. Interesting to note that the church moved in 1997 from St. Clair to Crystal Springs road on a 10 acre plot exactly next to our home. We had moved from the Woodstock Park area about 1960.
The church pastor who welcomed me into the fellowship was Harold Cushing and it was then that I had an experience of new life in Christ. The expression of the Christian faith is often said in this way; “I accepted Jesus in my heart” and I did.
From that time, I had convictions that I had never known and the realisation that there was indeed an eternity and that I would one day see Jesus face to face. Yes, I believe that even today. No, I have not lived the perfect life but yes, I live forgiven daily as I depend on His Holy Spirit for strength, power and understanding.
Geneva Vaughan, missions
For many years, we remained at Woodstock Park Baptist Church and both of my parents served faithfully. My Father was a deacon and my Mother worked in various positions at the church and as listed in the 1964 Church Directory, she was on the missions committee.
Woodstock on St. Clair
When my parents bought the 10 acre plot on the Westside of Jacksonville about 8 miles from Woodstock Park Baptist we continued to attend the church until we joined Macedonia Baptist on Fouraker Road to get involved in the neighborhood church. It seems I was about 10 years old.
It was so interesting in 1997 when Woodstock Park Baptist Church moved right next to our home on Crystal Springs Road. They purchased the land and built a big, beautiful, white church with office buildings and all. Our family never returned to join the church, although my niece was pianist there for a bit. In my Father’s older age, he visited a few times by simply walking across his property line to the churches transom. Full circle.
In 2019, Woodstock Park Baptist ended up in the hands of Hillcrest Baptist Church and there was a name change. It will alway be Woodstock Park Baptist to me though.
In my adult life, I attended Westside Baptist Church and then joined the First Baptist Church, the fellowship of my grandparents, Clifford and Lula Long. Again, full circle.
My life would have been very different without Christ. I’m thankful for the change. I’ll never be the same.
In 2022, our family was deep, (no pun indended) into having my Father and Mother’s property cleared and prepared to host a wedding for Kristie, our youngest daughter. To do this, huge trees were removed and pushed to the back of the property where the massive roots were put on a fire in hopes to clear the land without the expense of removal. The weight and massive size of the trees would have cost a great deal to haul away so we tried burning to save. The biggest problem was the huge tree logs and roots were fresh wood and not easily burned. In addition, we went through a rainy season which kept the wood damp. When push finally came to shove, and our time was getting short before the wedding, we hired a young guy who had a new Kubota tractor. Boom! Done in a matter of minutes.
Ronnie, Kristie’s Dad videod the whole event and in the video showed this young forester, literally disappearing into the ground digging out a hole big enough to put 3 gigantic roots weighing thousands of pounds. The roots were almost as big as the equipment he was driving but he had no trouble digging out that dungeon and pulling in those massive pieces of wood, then covering them with a smooth surface.
He was on the property about 2 hours for which his payment would be $500. In that time, he spread a full truck load of number 57 rock, disappeared into the hole numerous times, leaving us with a walkway between the chapel and barn and a parking lot with a smooth surface of dirt for which to plant grass.
His disappearing act was exactly what was needed to prepare our grounds to host a perfect wedding and yes, we had that wedding.
Derrick and Kristie
See you tomorrow,
Category: Family, Transportation | Comments Off on The Day the Tractor Disappeared Under Ground
Every year, our family enters something into the Jacksonville Fair arts contest. It’s fun and free and you might even win a dollar or so. This year, I entered a cabinet door painted with chickens and won the $10 prize for “Best in Class”. How fun! Also entered was a drawing of the Jacksonville clock which received a blue ribbon. Yay.
As a “wanna-be” artist and being named “Nan”, I paint by the name of “Nan Gogh”. My cousin, Phyllis once teased me in that way and from then, Nan Gogh has been my assigned painting name.
Kathy, my sister has won multiple first place ribbons at the fair over the years and this year was no different, she received a first place for her drawing of Mollie, the family dog.
Ramey, my 9 year old grandson is now in his 2nd year of winnings with a first place this year for his photo of our family old Dr. wagon which was recently restored on our parent’s Homestead property.
The address- 510 Fairground Pl. Jacksonville, Fl 32203
Since 1955, Jacksonville has had an annual fair brining thousands of people to one location to ride rides, exhibit art, show off animals and win prizes of various kinds. It deems itself as a private 501(c)3 non profit corporation and highlights itself as being a “quality family fair”.
For years and years, the Jacksonville Fair was held on the grounds of the Gator Bowl, a well-known sports venue with one of the biggest rivalry games, the Florida-Georgia game. Sometimes, that game would fall about the same time as the fair and the two would collaborate the fun. Today, that field is called EverBank Field. According to the Greater Jacksonville Fair history story, in 1989 the Fair Association “broke ground” on its own property nearby the football stadium and a new fairground facility was born entertaining some 700,000 people.
The Jacksonville Fair is a huge event for the Jacksonville area bringing in millions of dollars to the area in the way of businesses, food vendors, game attendants, parking revenue and more. In 2002, the fair celebrated 65 years of fun and frolic. Yesterday was its last day for this year.
Our Sunday school lesson this week is on being “generous”. In looking up the definition, it said: “(of a person) showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.”
The scripture is that of the Rich Fool which is written in the book of Luke. It talks of the rich man giving heed to building more but not seeking the wisdom or time spent with God, the Creator.
He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly. He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
In studying the scripture, it made me want to think more of God and who He is in relation to all I own. I know that knowing and seeking Him rather than things will bring an eternal reward.
What about you? Let’s seek Him today while He can be found. I am seeking too….
See you tomorrow,
Source: Google Dictionary, The King James Bible, Art- Heinrich Hofmann-20th Century German painter
To honor members of the military, these restaurants are offering veterans free meals on or around Veterans Day, November 11.
7-Eleven — Veterans get a free Quarter-Pound Big Bite 100% all-beef hot dog on November 11. Available in-store and via delivery through the 7NOW app.
Another Broken Egg Cafe — Veterans and active-duty military get a free Patriot French Toast Combo & Coffee November 11. Available for dine-in only at participating cafes.
Applebee’s — Active-duty military, veterans, Reserves, and National Guard receive a free meal when dining in from a special menu on November 11. And when dining in on November 11, military guests will receive a $5 Bounce Back Card to redeem for dine-in, To Go, or delivery within a three-week redemption window.
Aroma Joe’s — All veterans get a free 24oz. drink on November 11.
Au Bon Pain — Active-duty military and veterans get a free breakfast sandwich and small drip coffee on November 11. Must present military ID and mention offer at time of purchase. Valid in café at participating locations.
Bagger Dave’s — Active, non-active, reservists and retired personnel get a free Great American Cheeseburger and fries on November 11. Dine-in only.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s — Veterans eat free on November 11 at participating locations with the purchase of equal or greater value up to $12.
Biggby Coffee — Veterans and active-duty service members receive a free 16 oz beverage of choice on November 11.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse — On November 11, current and former military members receive a free meal from a select menu. Dine-in only.
Black Angus Steakhouse — Current and past members of the military get a free meal on November 11 at all locations from 12pm to 3pm. This deal is not available to-go.
Bob Evans — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a select menu on November 11. Dine-in only.
Bombshells Restaurant and Bar — All 12 locations in Texas will provide free entrees for veterans on November 11. Other items will be discounted 20%. In addition, families accompanying veterans as well as active service members and accompanying families will receive a 20% discount on entrees and other items on Veterans Day.
Calhoun’s — Veterans and active-duty military get a free lunch from 10:45am to 4pm on November 11. Military ID required.
Caribou Coffee — Veterans, active military members and their spouses receive a free hot brewed coffee on November 11.
Carolina Ale House — Veterans and military members get a free rib platter with the purchase of a drink on November 11.
Casey’s General Stores — Service members past and present receive a free cup of coffee on November 11.
Cattlemens — Active, non-active, and retired military personal get a complimentary sirloin steak dinner in honor of Veterans Day. Sign up on their website on or before November 11 to receive your steak certificate. The offer will be emailed on November 12 and is valid November 12 through 22 during regular business hours for outdoor dining or dine-in. The offer is not valid on takeout orders and is valid at California locations only.
Charleys Philly Steaks — Veterans and active-duty military get free Gourmet Fries in-store with no purchase necessary on November 11. In addition, Charleys’ locations on military bases are offering free gourmet fries with the purchase of a cheesesteak and drink for all customers.
Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille — Veterans with a valid military ID get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.
Chicken Salad Chick — On November 11, veterans and active-duty military will receive a free meal at all locations.
Chili’s —Veterans and active-duty service members get a free meal from a select menu on November 11. Available for in-restaurant only.
Chuck E. Cheese — On November 11, active-duty military, National Guard and veterans get a free personal 1-topping pizza with valid military ID or proof of military service. Not available for delivery.
Cicis Pizza — Active and retired military personnel get a free adult buffet on November 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only and it does not include a drink.
Circle K — Veterans and active-duty service members get a free medium coffee all day November 11 at every location that serves coffee.
City Barbecue — Veterans and active-duty military get a free sandwich (excluding brisket), one side, and a drink on November 11.
Claim Jumper — Veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a special menu at participating locations on November 11. Dine-in only.
Colton’s Steak House & Grill — Veterans and active-duty service members get a free entrée on November 11 until 4 pm from a select menu. Available for dine-in only. Offer not available in Kentucky locations.
Cotton Patch Cafe — Veterans and active-duty military get a free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken Entrée with a valid military ID on November 11.
Country Kitchen — Active and retired military get a free Country Scramble on November 11 at participating locations. Dine-in only.
Cracker Barrel —Veterans get a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake in-store or online on November 11.
Crooked Pint Ale House — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal on November 11 at participating locations.
Davanni’s Pizza and Hot Hoagies — On November 11, active-duty military and veterans get a Free Solo 1-item Pizza and Regular Pop. Show proof of service and mention when you order for dine-in, takeout, or curbside.
Denny’s — On November 11, Denny’s offers a complimentary Grand Slam to all active, non-active and retired military personnel. The offer is valid for dine-in only at participating locations from 5am to noon with a valid military ID or DD 214.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit — Veterans and active-duty military get a Free Pulled Pork Sandwich on November 11. Valid in-store, and online/app for carryout.
Duffy’s Sports Grill — Veterans get a free meal on November 11 from 11am to 4pm. Dine-in only.
Dunkin’ Donuts — Veterans and active-duty military get a free donut of their choice on November 11 at participating locations. Offer available in-store only. Not available for orders placed using On-the-Go Mobile Ordering through the Dunkin’ Mobile App.
Einstein Bros. Bagels — Veterans and active-duty military get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) with a purchase in-store on November 11.
El Chico — Veterans and active-duty military get a free entrée on November 11 at participating locations. Limit $20. Proof of service required.
Emmet’s Social Table — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal up to $15 on November 11. Dine-in only.
Famous Dave’s — Veterans and active-duty military get a free Lunch Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and choice of side on November 11. When ordering online, use code ‘VETERAN’ to receive the discount. Must present valid proof of service at pickup. Not valid for Call-In Orders or Delivery.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill — Dine with a veteran or active-duty service member on November 11 at participating locations and their meal is free. Dine-in only.
Food City — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from the Deli Hot Bar on November 11.
Fox & Hound — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal on November 11.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers — Veterans and active military personnel who visit on November 11 will receive a free Freddy’s Original Double with Cheese combo meal card that can be redeemed through November 30.
Gold Star Chili — Veterans and active-duty military receive a free regular 3-Way and regular drink on November 11. This offer is valid for dine-in, carry out or drive-thru.
Golden Corral — Golden Corral is hosting their Military Appreciation Night on November 14 from 5pm to close. This includes a free “thank you” meal when dining in.
Grady’s BBQ — Veterans and active-duty military get a free one meat sandwich on November 11.
Green Mill Restaurant and Bar — Veterans and active-duty military get a free menu item at participating locations on November 11. Dine-in only.
Greene Turtle — Veterans get a free meal up to $13 value on November 11 with valid ID. Dine-in only.
GuacAmigos — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a special menu on November 11.
Hamburger Stand — Veterans and active-duty military get a free hamburger, regular fries and a small Pepsi on November 11 at participating locations.
Hard Rock Cafe — Veterans receive a free Legendary Burger all day long on November 11. Dine-in only.
Hawaiian Bros — Veterans and active-duty military, plus their friends and family, get a free plate lunch from 11am to 11pm on November 11.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar — Veterans and active-duty military get a free classic burger on November 11. Available for dine-in only.
Huddle House — Active-duty military members and veterans get a free MVP Breakfast Platter on November 11.
Hy-Vee — Veterans, military members and their families get a free fresh breakfast on November 11 between 6 and 10am. Plus, veterans and military members receive 15% off grocery purchases on November 11. Shop in-store or Hy-Vee Aisles Online and use promo code HOMEFRONT15 at checkout.
IHOP — Veterans and active-duty military get free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes at participating locations on November 11. Dine-in only.
Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant — Veterans and active-duty service members receive a complimentary burger or sandwich along with a non-alcoholic beverage on November 11.
J. Christopher’s — On November 11, veterans get a free meal at participating locations with valid proof of service. Dine-in only.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice — All former and active military personnel receive a free small treat on November 11.
Kings Family Restaurant — Veterans and active-duty military members get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.
Kolache Factory — Veterans and active-duty military get a free kolache and a cup of coffee on November 11 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Krispy Kreme — Veterans get a free coffee and doughnut on November 11 at participating locations.
Kwik Fill — Veterans receive a free coffee on November 11.
Lab Bakery & Coffee Bar — Active-duty service members and veterans get a free cup of coffee and a slice of vanilla pound cake on November 11 with a valid ID.
LaMar’s Donuts — Veterans and active-duty military get a free donut and 12 oz. coffee at participating locations on November 11.
Lion’s Choice — Active-duty and retired military members get a free original roast beef sandwich on November 11. While there, veterans can also take advantage of the standing 20% discount offered daily for veterans and active-duty military.
Little Caesars — Veterans and active-duty military get a free Lunch Combo at participating stores on November 11, from 11am to 2pm. In-store only.
Logan’s Roadhouse — Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a free meal between 3 and 6 p.m. from a special menu at participating locations on November 11.
There are more… Check out the Military . com site for the list.
