Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, Georgia (With Appreciation To England )

Georgia Girl With An English Heart!  Read the following and you can see that the Currahee Military Museum is right up my alley! (You will also understand about the nod to England in my title.)

Look on the side of my blog.  Do you see that  Toccoa, Georgia is my place of birth?  My father was also born there AND his father before him! Since my Dad is now 91 years old, we have a long history of living in that area.  Growing up, my mother's father had land on that same road as Camp Toccoa. In the early 1960's, all that was left of the camp were the abandoned white buildings that I would ask about when we would go past them in the car.  In hushed tones I was told about the paratroopers who trained there in World War II.  The stories about them were always conveyed with the deepest respect.  There were a few books written about them but it was not until Stephen Ambrose wrote his best selling book "Band of Brothers" that most people first heard of the camp.  This put Toccoa "on the map" so to speak.  (And really, it was the mini-series film adaption produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg that did so.  I will ask folks if they have read the book and hardly anyone has but "they have seen the movie".  The mini-series is excellent, I agree but if you get the chance...please read the book, it is very good.)  


Currahee Mountain is about five miles from the train depot in Toccoa, Georgia.  When the soldiers arrived there, they walked to the camp which at the beginning was called "Camp Toombs".  This was named after a Confederate general but when the commanding officer, Col. Sink, heard the name and also noticed that the men were walking past a casket company that was in Toccoa, he petitioned to change the name and therefore the Army agreed to the change and it became Camp Toccoa.


Currahee Military Museum and Stephens County History Museum are in the same place- the old train depot in Toccoa, Georgia.  Now, both of these are fascinating to me and I hope that if you visit you will spend time in both.  

  CURRAHEE.  The paratroopers used this as their motto since "Currahee" is a Native American word that means "we stand alone".    The paratroopers were the first to be dropped into Europe just before D-Day.  If you have read "Band of Brothers" you will know this already!  But you WILL read it, won't you?  Please do!

Time it just right and you will hear/see a train going past!

What about the English part? Okay, here it is...

After training, the men from Camp Toccoa were sent to Aldbourne, England.  They were housed in stables from mid 1943 until 1944 in preparation for D-Day. (I hope you all know the date of June 6, 1944 for the beach landings in Normandy, France.  Remembering, of course, that the paratroopers were flown in just before the landings.)

If you can read the sign above, one of the stables is now proudly inside the museum and it is one of the original stables from England! What a wonderful story, I think.  If you notice, the four Englishmen even came to Georgia and re-assembled the building! I love that they did that.    

I have mentioned Camp Toccoa before in my posts, you may read one of them just here.    

There are nice benches in the museum and not only that but they also have very nice wheelchairs for those who might need them.  My Dad used one of them and at the end of the tour, we asked if we should take it back to the front of the museum but were kindly told that they would take care of it.  It was most pleasant to speak with them, makes me proud to be from Toccoa, Georgia!

 I am thankful that the Currahee Military Museum exists to celebrate the "Toccoa men" and to honor all veterans and active duty military.  There are plans to even further honor them with a museum at Currahee Mountain itself.. You may see that website just here.   (Camp Toccoa at Currahee Project.)

My heart is full after writing this post. So difficult to explain my own admiration for these men who trained at Camp Toccoa! I have read every book about them that I could find, including the memoirs that many of them wrote.  Most of them have passed away now, so it is more important than ever, I believe, that we remember them and honor them.  (I worked as a travel agent for almost 20 years during the 1980's and 1990's and talked with many vets going to their World War II reunions.  I see now how lucky I was to personally speak with them.  What a great bunch of guys! I salute them all.)

Koko and Willie B.

It saddened me last week to hear of the passing of the gorilla named Koko, who was well known for learning sign language.  This reminded me of another gorilla.  You may click on the following and read this:

2011 post about Willie B




Yes, I wrote that during my first year of blogging.  I wanted very much for you to know of my experience of observing the gorilla, Willie B. at the zoo in Atlanta.  I have not been to Africa or worked in a zoo or am any kind of animal expert, just someone who notices things and tries to write about them.

Have you ever had a similar encounter with an animal that was so moving that you felt that you had to write about it?

My friends, I hope you are all keeping well.  I have lots of posts in mind, so hang in there with me!  In the meantime, here is a magnolia from the Monastery.  Wishing you peace.  

Welcome To Our Garden-We're Gonna Need A Bigger Porch!

My sister gave us this rose in memory of Richard's Mom, who died in April.  It is a "Queen Elizabeth" rose.  Thank you, Pam.  It is the most beautiful color of pink and even when the rose is "going over" as my father-in-law calls it, it is still beautiful. 

See the giant cactus at the end of the porch?  That is our Cereus Peruvianus.  It has off-shoots that Richard has also potted. You can see those leaning against the railing (along with my broom, I am noticing!) My Aunt Leona gave us the giant cactus in 1994 and it is over 6 feet tall now.  It is a night blooming cactus and you must really watch out for it or you will miss the bloom.  Aunt Leona died in 1996 but this gift from her always makes me think of her and when it blooms, I feel as if she is smiling at me. (Leona was such a great, funny lady. She always spelled my name "Kaye" since she liked it that way! She really made me laugh.)

Could anyone identify this for me?  We know it is a begonia, of course! We have had it for years but we are not sure.  We think it is either an Angelwing Begonia or Dragonleaf Begonia...or could it be something else?  Whatever the name, we love it!  (It can be a bit messy when the flowers fall, so now you know the reason for that broom!)

Hope you enjoyed this little walk around our little garden.  Next time, I will take you into the back garden!  I know you can't wait!  I found the most wonderful video for you with one of my favorite hymns, "In The Garden" and it features some beautiful native wildflowers. (You might recognize some of them from my blog! Anybody remember my joy at finding the Fire Pink?)

So, my friends you can see that I have not been anywhere! Just in my own garden but after all, that is not such a bad place to be, is it? After all, we were created for the Garden.

American Animals (Movie)- Love For Birds

A new film that is showing in limited release just now  is "American Animals".  It is based on a true story of four college students who attempted to steal valuable books from the library of Transylvania University in Kentucky in 2004.  What books could be so valuable?  It might give you a hint if I tell you that I discovered this movie info from visiting the Audubon Society website.

(Note- just looked it up and the film is being shown at one theatre in Metro Atlanta, the Regal Tara on Cheshire Bridge Road.)

"Birds of America" by John James Audubon... while on their freshman tour orientation at Transylvania University, they were informed by the librarian that this book in the rare books room at the library was worth millions. (A book so large that we are actually speaking of several folios of the book.)  When they learned that this one sole librarian was the only security for these books, they decided to try to steal them. 

This film is an attempt to get at the truth of this crime and the reasons behind it.  Should I tell you what happens?  Did they get away with it?  No, I will let you either look it up yourself or wait for the film.  I will tell you this- at the time of the crime, the men had no feeling whatsoever for birds, the books themselves were valuable and that was all that they knew.  Since that time (and having served seven years in prison) one of them fell in love with birds and after his release from prison is now an artist specializing in paintings of birds.  (Anybody remember the film "The Birdman of Alcatraz"?  That one is also based on a true story of the inmate  Robert Stroud who became an expert on birds.)

The director of "American Animals" is British,  his name is Bart Layton.  It looks as if he has made quite a few documentaries.  So, I am thinking that his style of film making is one that likes to stick closer to the truth.  (One of my very favorite directors is also British, Michael Apted.  He is the one who did "Coal Miner's Daughter"!   This is one of my Dad's favorite movies! Mine too.)

Having looked a bit further, I found an interview with the librarian from the university library who was a victim in this crime and she has very positive things to say about this film. It is my hope that no one will see this film and think that crime would in any way make someone "special"!  Perhaps as an American living through very troubling times, I am just a bit sensitive on violent criminal activities. 

But hey, what do I know? I have not seen it yet! If I do, I will come back and edit this post! Besides, it is rated "R" and I must admit to you that I rarely like "R" rated movies.  Sometimes I have watched them when they have been edited for TV and I find that what has been cut out was simply not needed and did not add or enhance the story in any way.  
(In my humble but correct opinion, as a writer in our local newspaper likes to say!)

Richard and I sat outside this morning and had our coffee listening to the birds.  We heard one behind our house on a very high tree and in the early morning light, the bird looked to be bright yellow.
Richard ran inside and grabbed the camera and with his ever so steady hand took a picture of it.  To our surprise, it was a Brown Thrasher!  The yellow light upon it really tricked us.  (The front of the Brown Thrasher is white with brown streaks.)
If you observe birds and enjoy them, you will understand the pleasure of this.  If you have yet to discover the thrill of the outside world, then get out there and explore this miracle of our planet!

               Brown Thrasher (Photo by Richard- at 64x zoom and from about 150 feet away!) 
                        This bird is the state bird of Georgia. Singing a song from atop a tree, like the mockingbird, the Brown Thrasher mimics the songs of other birds but typically, each phrase will be sung TWICE.  (If you hear the same song THREE times, then you are hearing the mockingbird!) 

By the way, the students dressed themselves as old men and if you look at the video above, don't you think that one of them looks as if he is Brad Pitt trying to disguise himself?  Is that funny to you or is it just me?  

Do You Re-use Your Wrapping Paper? Drive Yourself Crazy Finding Bows? Anyone?

My friends, I think that if we truly enjoy something then we want to share that joy with others, don't you think?  Am I the only one that notices beautifully wrapped presents?  I think that a lot of people simply toss the paper away in the bin or if they are good stewards of the planet, they will at least recycle the paper!

Me?  Why, I am like some MAD woman and store away some of the prettiest paper and re- use it again to wrap presents for friends and family! Just look at this...it was a present from Germany, can you see the German words on the paper? (Thanks, Meike!) And since my Dad was in Germany just after World War II, you know I had to wrap his birthday present in this paper!  I happened to have this green ribbon... so even with the pink hearts, I still thought it was just right for my Dad! (After all, it is mostly the green ones that you notice!)

The TIME I have spent looking for just the right color ribbon or bow to go on a present...honestly, you have no idea, I think I must be quite mad...  

And if I can't find one...I will crochet one!  Of course, all of this takes ages...AGES, I tell you!

Since there have been so many weddings and anniversaries lately... I think I will have a nice song for you here.  It is "Romance" and Richard can play this really beautifully but he says he has not been playing enough lately...maybe one day he will allow me to have him playing the guitar for you here! In the meantime, listen to this lovely song.  Interestingly, no one knows who wrote the song but we can still enjoy it!

Bryan Adams At The O2- London 2018

This past Thursday, Bryan Adams was in concert in London at the O2 Arena. Wish I could have been there!  Don't you just love a concert where the audience knows all the words and sings along with great joy and enthusiasm? 

We were saddened to learn of a death in our family.  The husband of Richard's cousin died today.  Just one week ago today, he had attended this concert at the O2 Arena.  I am certain that one of the voices that you hear singing would have been his.   Yes, I am positive of this.

May that great rock and roll band in heaven welcome you with open arms, Graham!  I know I should say rest in peace but if you would have known him, you would know that the rock and roll band would be more like him.


How I wish I could discuss with Graham everything I just learned about Bryan Adams!  Born in Canada to English parents, he is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, photographer, philanthropist and activist.  In other words, an all around good guy! 
Did you know that one of the postage stamps in Canada in 2012 had a fantastic photo of Queen Elizabeth with a wonderful, natural smile? That photo was taken by Bryan Adams!  Isn't that something?
(I can't show you the stamp here but if you just type in "Canadian postage stamp from Bryan Adams" into a search engine you will see it!)

Sorry if  my thoughts are more scattered than usual...this has been really sad news from England today.

                 The Anchor Pub in London -Graham would have loved this, I am sure. (Can you see me in the window?)   Cheers!

When Someone Says It Wrong...

I hope you will think this is as funny as I do!  My son and I saw this on TV and thought it was hilarious.

By the way, it seems that they have the Snickers bars with words on them in this country now but I showed them to you on my blog first! Richard brought the chocolate bars back from England. See the important things I let you all know about?

Stay tuned! (Just make sure you pronounce your words correctly.)