Roots and threads

Roots and threads was Originally Posted on September 1, 2004 by

I’ve been out clearing brush from the property recently in preparation of taking over the previous owner. It appears the transfer may occur soon. I can only hope, as it has been a long wait.

The property still has a lot of macadamia nut trees and my original idea was to cut down most to make room for about 5 acres of coffee. However, I may leave most trees to shelter the yound coffee plants until they get established. I’ll defer to the experts on coffee farm preparation to guide me.

People think that because I moved so far away from the East Coast, I would not keep up with what happens back there. I listen to my favorite talk show in Atlanta (WSB’s Clark Howard Show) via internet radio. I talk constantly with friends back there (using my internet phone and free calls) and even read the online papers to see what is happening.

In fact, just today, I spoke with relatives and friends in Florida and they are yet again looking at the weather to see if they will get another hurricane. I think they are tider of these!

In researching that, I also noticed there was a heavy storm in Richmond Virginia with bad flooding. This reminded me of another storm that hit the area quite a while back. Hurricane Camille that did the damage. I still have a book about the storm and the destruction.

While browsing the current Richmond flooding, I also browsed over to my old High School which was nearby to see if there was anything about damage. There was not.

The school where I spent most of my High School years was Fork Union (http://forkunion.com), one of the few military academies left in the country. Located in the middle of nowhere (between Charlottesville and Richmond Virginia) the school was the perfect place for kids to grow up. I could write books about life there, but my story would be just one of many.

Speaking of stories, one involves students there and sports. I was never coordinated enough to participate and I regret not bing more involved in sports (I stuck with the Radio Club and some back stage theater work). However, many people excelled insports and have very heartwarming stories. If you are into sports, I might pass along a couple of articles you may enjoy. Read this one at http://www.forkunion.com/NewsAndNotes/archives/2004/08/the_cowboy_conn_1.html and then read the Eddie George story. Unruly kids should understand that [b]sometimes[/b] when parents threaten to send their kids to military school, they follow through! :D

Eddie’s story mentions numerous buildings on camput and except for many of the very new ones, I have been in every one and know many of them better than houses I have lived in.

Over the years, the school has molded youth and pointed them in the right direction. I hope it will continue to do that for quite some time.

I first attended the school at age 12. Although I have to admit I was a bit homesick at first; except for a few summers, I had never really been away from home much. This would all change for the next 6 years.

Over the next few years I would learn to travel on my own, I met and lived with people from other cultures and countries. I learned to take orders and direction from others, and some of those people were younger than I. I also learned to give orders and direction to others. When I was there we gave orders with a bit more hollering (authority) than they do today, but I really feel the discipline of a school such as this helps both socially and in academics.

For those who have not seem cadets in action, you should visit a military school if you get the chance. It is amazing to see hundreds of students who politely welcome visitors and are happy to tell you about what they do and how they are doing. The discipline shows and it can feel odd for a visitor to realize he is being addressed as Sir or Ma’am.

It is also interesting to see them drill. At a military school EVERY student has a rifle! Granted, they don’t fire, but cadets are usually given lessons.

I always loved the location of the school, deep in the middle of Virgina’s country near the Blue Ridge mountains. There were pastures all around and it was quite relaxing.

So, here I sit in my new “home”, near the mountains, with farmland and pastures around and the kids are well behaved.

Not quite so far away as people think!