Sesquicentennial Badges and Zombies?

Thanks to Mr. Lincoln, the kids got their badges.

What do sesquicentennial badges and zombies have in common?  I should think that is obvious, but I'll try to explain.  The sesquicentennial badges commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, and unknown to most historians until now, the Civil War was crawling with zombies.

Zombies in Georgia?  How'd they ever get in?

How do I know this, you ask?  While working on their sesquicentennial ranger badges at Fort Pulaski National Park, our kids had to dodge zombies until Abe Lincoln, Zombie Killer, came to their rescue.  Anabel, Wyatt and Emma were just about to rewrite history (in their notes, at least) until they noticed the green screen.  Wait a minute... there may have been zombies during the civil war, but they didn't have green screens, right?  

Does any of this make sense? No.  Let me back up...

Kids at Sally Port Drawbridge over Moat

While I stayed home to write, Greg took the kids to Fort Pulaski to finish their National Ranger Sesquicentennial Civil War Badge work. They had two out of three assignments complete with the Fort Sumter field trip and an online civil war scavenger hunt.  At Fort Pulaski, they toured with park rangers and viewed a weapons demonstration.

Fort Pulaski has daily reenactments.

History Break:

Located near Savannah on Cockspur Island, Fort Pulaski is a 19th century pentagonal fortress built from 1827 to 1842 of brick and mortar and surrounded by a moat.  Created to protect the port of Savannah from foreign attacks, it is ironic that it did not see battle until America was at war with itself.  The fort gained its place in military history during its 1862 battle which proved the new weapon technology could easily take out old building materials.  Brick and mortar was no match for the rifled cannon.  

Occupied by Union soldiers for the remainder of the war, Fort Pulaski saw some of the first baseball games ever played.  It holds a place in Baseball history as the location of one of the oldest photographs of baseball.  

The kids discovered all this history while completing their final assignment for their badge.

So where do zombies come in?  

Never fear, Lincoln is here!

Cut to 21st century filmmaking and you will find a new movie being shot on location in Savannah and at Fort Pulaski.  The name of the movie?  Abraham Lincoln vs. the Zombies.  Sounds like an instant classic, doesn't it?  Who knows.  The kids had a ball learning about the Civil War and about filmmaking.  They came home thrilled about their new badge and about how they had to be quiet on the set.  They learned about fortress warfare and how many takes are needed to get a good shot of Lincoln killing a Confederate zombie. 

Did they get bit?  Looking a little zombie-like to me...

Good thing Greg got them out of there quickly; with all their new found knowledge, the kids would have made a great snack between takes... Brains!  Brains!

A New Definition for Company

Who wouldn't enjoy a trip to the beach?

Company: (noun)
1.  a business or business entity.
2.  association with another; companions;          
   visitors, guests. 


Though the official definitions do not include slave labor, being thoughtful hosts, we include it in ours because we want our company to feel at home.


At the Fripp House, we welcome visitors of all sizes and shapes to partake in a variety of activities created just for them.




Here are some of our most recent offerings:

Yes, he IS having fun.

Do you smell what we smell?  No, we do not violate the terms of the Geneva Convention.  We do not "torture" our visitors; However, guests must be ready to participate in "simple" home school science experiments.  Here you see the fun in learning that all matter has identifying qualities such as smell. To prove the experiment, a simple blindfold test must be performed...







Speaking of smells...

Watch the claws...

Crab anyone?

Nothing like fresh clams!

Like working for your supper?  Then, come see us!  Guests may fish, shrimp, clam, or crab to help us maintain the high quality standards of fresh meals served in our home.  Yes, clamming is dirty business, but someone's got to do it and I'd prefer it not be me.  After your day of non-stop casting, throwing, digging or hoeing, you're ready to relax by the glow of the gas burner as the Frogmore Stew simmers. We welcome you to do this as soon as you have cleaned the shrimp, fish, crabs, or clams, shucked the corn, and prepared all the vegetables, potatoes and sausage.

Your reward for hard work:
cold beverage and warm glow.

Work like dogs, but eat like kings!

Are you listening closely?

Are you ready to test your knowledge?  If you plan to visit us, you'd better be.  Along with a series of "games" designed to entertain us, I mean... you, guests will be taken on historic tours of nearby Beaufort, Savannah or Charleston.  After each tour, we will subject, I mean... engage you with various questions about your newly gained knowledge.  We have to make sure you're listening.  Why else take the tour? Right?

Quick!  What famous historic Beaufort home is this?
Too Late.  Points will be deducted.

Know what church this is?
What anniversary is it celebrating this year?

Feeling out of shape?  We happily force our guests to participate in many island sports or activities such as:

Golf (you must walk 18 holes; none of this mamby-pamby golf carting around for us!)
Biking (we'll guide you on a gentle tour of the 8 miles of bike paths.)
Tennis (our guests enjoy four man bracket of 5 set matches; winner gets to cart home, losers walk.)
Beach Combing (Our kids enjoy crafting so visitors are encouraged to gather as many shells and flotsam as each can carry.  Bags are provided.)













If this itinerary doesn't fit your idea of a weekend getaway, alternate activities can easily be arranged.  For the gracious guests who arrive with a host or hostess gift (a little wine, a little bubble bath...) or offer to buy a meal during their three night stay (adhering to Ben Franklin's old adage), we offer strolls by the river, swings with a water view, sunset cocktails, and as much music, laughter and general frivolity as you can stand.

Needless to say, we are looking forward to many more visitors to our Fripp home this spring.  (Reservations recommended.)

I hope everyone knows that my tongue was firmly in cheek for this post!
Hope to see you soon!

"I get by with a little help from my friends..."

Greg with Bela Fleck

Anne and me with Bela Fleck

What can I say?  After 36 hours of non-stop packing (literally), I needed another break.  And who should be there when I needed them?  My friends!  Friday, I was treated to lunch with the church ladies and dinner and a concert with the Harrises.  What great friends!  I have always been easily distracted which is bad when you are working on a deadline, but sometimes a distraction is down right vital to survive.

I had finished packing all three kids' rooms and the playroom so didn't feel too bad about leaving to meet the ladies for lunch.  We had a lovely 2 hour luncheon and discussion at the local Mexican restaurant.  I will miss being able to drop everything and go to lunch with friends this year, but such is the price of a traveling sabbatical.  It is the best soul food to just sit, talk and laugh with your friends.  I felt recharged enough to go to Harry's to buy something special for dinner at Chastain Park. (Note: I did not feel recharged enough to cook and mess up the kitchen.)

Best seats in the house!

That night, we met the Harrises for an incredibly perfect Atlanta evening at the quintessential Chastain Park.  A little gourmet food, a little jazz, a little banjo... Who could ask for more?   Thanks to a generous gift of a front row center table, Greg and I had a fabulous last weekend in Atlanta treat.  For you food lovers, Anne brought red pepper dip, brie, grapes and fresh bread for starters, Greg grilled a marinated London broil for the entree and I added Harry's divine potato salad and mixed greens with olives and artichokes and we finished with mini-cheesecakes Anne picked up at the bakery.  The only thing that could have made the evening better was some great music... wait we had that thanks to Bruce Hornsby and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.  I'll admit I wasn't that "jazzed" about the acts when I first heard the names.  I didn't care though because it was CHASTAIN PARK!  I love anyone there!  I knew Bruce Hornsby from the 80s, but had honestly never heard of Bela Fleck (Sorry, Spencer!)  I am now a fan!  Amazing soulful music played on a banjo?  Doesn't sound right even as I type it, but it is true.  Just listen to this song:

Greg with Bruce Hornsby's grapes.

Thank you, Friends, for your wonderful distractions!  I honestly don't know how I am going to get by without you all for the next 11 months!  I need a medical alert bracelet as I travel that says: "In case of mental breakdown, please send friends."

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones with Bruce Hornsby

Greg also ran into Fluff (Tiger's former caddie)

Now back to work...