Community

 It's All About Community

Community is the word that came to mind for my blog post this week.  Let me explain. 

Mike and I enjoy going to car shows. Through the activity, we’ve met a lot of people and made many new friends. 

A local restaurant in our community, The Diner, hosts a pretty nice car show. They have five to six shows a year during the winter months.

Welcome to the Diner

Mike and I have been to that particular show several times. The food at the restaurant is excellent. The conversation is great. And the cars? There is a bit of everything present. Every car, old and new. Every color of car, from bright white to pitch black with everything in between. 

But what I appreciate most about the car shows at The Diner are the people.

I’ll start with the people who work at the restaurant itself. Service is great, yes. The food is excellent. But, moreover, this is a community minded group. If someone in the area has a need, they all pitch in to help. When local students need school supplies, the folks at The Diner make sure that happens. 

You see, the owner, Kim Speckner, cares about people. 

This past week they collected toys so children in Floral City can have a nice Christmas.

There is an old yellow pick-up truck parked in front of the restaurant. The goal was to fill the back of that truck with toys for children in need. The “car community” responded. 

I asked Kim about the old, bright yellow truck. It doesn’t run. Never has since the day she purchased it. She bought it and set it up as and eye catcher. It works. 

Yes, I know there are other organizations who work to collect toys all over the nation. But for the folks at The Diner, this is personal. It is a “We take care of our own” kind of place. 

Of course, The Diner has a secret weapon. Don Garlits.

Don Garlits with Kim at The Diner

Yep, Big Daddy Don Garlits, NHRA champion and owner of the Don Garlits Museum of Racing in Ocala, Florida is a frequent customer and supporter of our little local restaurant, The Diner.

 

He came to the show. People bought his book or took a picture with him. He gave his autograph to anyone asking. But Don Garlits didn’t do that because he’s famous and wanted the flock of fans around him. 

 

He did it to help the cause. You see, Don Garlits cares about people, too.

A “good” car show at the venue may have thirty cars or so. This one? Ninety cars. 

Yes…nine-zero…90. 

There were cars of every make and model…Old cars still carrying their scars of long-time duty and others that had been restored. There were new cars of interest and every sort of car in between. 

And that old yellow pick-up truck? Let’s just say, there are some local children who will have a good Christmas morning this year. Thanks to The Diner and all of us who appreciate good food, new friends, old cars, and people who care.

Community: A group of people who CARE.

 

 

 

Cowboy Country Festival

 Cowboy Country Festival

Howdy, Y’all!

This past week, we attended the Cowboy Country Festival in Brooksville, Florida. The event was sponsored by our church, Stable Faith Cowboy Church. Now isn’t that a great name for a cowboy church? Stable Faith. Mike and I have been attending this church since moving to our home in Inverness.

We like it there. Not simply because it is a Cowboy Church, complete with all the western flair…including a lot of cowboy boot clad members, wagon wheels, saddles and such. No, we like the church because it is a place where the Gospel…Good News…of Jesus Christ is taught. Shared. Breathed.

So, when our church sponsored a Cowboy Festival for the community, we donned our cowpoke clothes and attended. There were vendors, events, and activities for everyone. 

Of course Santa wears
Cowboy Boots and a Cowboy hat!

Children could get their faces painted, learn to rope a steer, participate in a Stick Pony barrel race, and sit on Santa’s lap. 

Okay, adults could visit Santa as well. 

I wonder what
Mike asked Santa.

There were hayrides, a cornhole tournament, a tractor expo…well, you get the idea.

Why would a church do this? Because the church isn’t a building. A church isn’t built of brick and mortar or planks of wood. The church is made of people. Believers. We are not simply a “come to us” church. We are part of a community. And Stable Faith Cowboy Church looks for ways to invite the community to be a part of our church family.

You can read about our first visit to Stable Faith HERE.

    A few more pics to enjoy from the weekend.

Jellies and Preserves

Cowboy Stuff

 

Hand Stitched Cowboy Hat

Cakes, desserts, Yum!

Y

Everyone had a great time!

 Judy Blume. 

You may have heard of her. 

She is the author of more than twenty-six novels including Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, and Superfudge, …to name a few of her children’s and young adult titles. 

She has also written some adult fiction. But now? Now in her eighties, Judy Blume is living her dream.

I know. She told me. 

Yep, that's me with Judy Blume.

A couple of weeks ago, Mike and I headed to Key West to catch a ferry to the Dry Tortugas. If you missed that post, CLICK HERE.

The day before our venture, we took in some of the sites and enjoyed some great food on Mallory Square, but the biggie for me that day was visiting Books and Books at the Studios of Key West, a local bookstore. 

I had done my research. Books and Books is owned by Judy Blume and her husband. I also learned she spends much of her time in the store. 

We parked the car and headed down Eaton Street. And there, right on the corner was Books and Books. It was lunchtime. Mike and I poked around the store a few minutes. They had a bit of everything.

I have to admit I haven’t liked all of Blume’s books, but I admire her tenacity, her willingness to tackle tough subjects, and her ability to ask questions others ignore.

A few minutes later, as I was speaking with one of the clerks, Judy Blume walked in and headed to the back room to hang up her windbreaker. The clerk went over to her and motioned for me to come to them. 

We talked about writing for differing audiences. She asked about my books. Her only words of wisdom were to “keep writing.”

And then she surprised me.

“I love books,” she said. She went on to say she was now living her dream.  It wasn’t writing. It wasn’t being an award-winning author. 

She drew in a deep breath, looked around and simply said with a chuckle, “I’ve always wanted to own a bookstore.”