We had our annual gathering at our Flat Creek gathering place.  A swimming hole which has been the family swimming hole for many years.  Rope swings are no long available for swinging and diving into the water, but there is a tree which leans over the water and some of the boys were jumping from, which was about 10 feet above the water.

We arrived at the creek around noon or so, but didn’t start eating until around two waiting on others to arrive. There were three tables with table cloths  spread out with sandwich meats, potato salads, chips, vegy trays, cheese,  and several desserts.  It was sure good stuff.

We [Madge and I] only had one of our kids there with his wife and kids.  Our others were away to Florida, or couldn’t come because of gas prices, and theft of their checking account by way of debit card number theft.  Others just couldn’t get there.  There were about forty people present though, and we all had a great time of talking and sharing stories.  My brother was shooting his guns along with a cousin who came down with his wife and daughter. 

There was a whole lot of BOOMING AND BANGING going on with fireworks and guns.  The tree jumpers got wet as did some of the others who just went swimming in the icey water.  Flat Creek is much higher than it is normally, thus being a bit more dangerous to swim in, and somewhat more swift as well.  There is no place there right now for small children to swim, and there usually is.  Some left early to go to my sisters house, so the little ones could swim in the branch called Trinity which flows behind her house.  I imagine they had a great time too.

I hope all had a great time of celebrating the freedom which we have in this great nation called the United States of America.  We do have our problems, but we are truly blessed and free for now.

-Tim A. Blankenship