I AM SO BLESSED

Years ago, I was watching season 1, episode 6 of the TV series "ROOTS", where the character Toby, played by John Amos, went outside with his newly born child. He lifted the child to the starry sky and proclaimed, "Behold, the only thing greater than yourself!" (Or something very similar)

I was thoroughly moved by that scene, and even though my son was almost 3 at the time, I re-enacted the scene, and asked God to use him in his earthly ministry, and to make him capable of the things I was not.

It's not the first time Corey has brought that scene back to mind, but watching him sing last Sunday, before his new church, again brought that moment back again.

I was blessed to see my son (Corey) singing at church, and it was evident he was feeling blessed and enjoying himself too.

Go to this link and choose the 01-25-09 sermon from the pull down. He is the good looking dude (takes after me) between the two ladies in the backup section. (If you don't want to watch the entire service, you can skip to the singing parts!)

I'm so blessed!

WHAT'S MUSHY UP TO?

Oh, 'bout 250! No, seriously, here's a little preview of what I've been doing over at the PRINCESS THEATER blog:

Bill Landry, of the "Heartland Series", began the first class in Media Production Monday evening at Roane State Community College. Mr. Landry is a regional celebrity here in Tennessee. His productions are documenting how life was "back in the old days" and make for a very entertaining 3 minutes between the end of the news and the start of Jay Leno!The Princess Theater Foundation and Roane State Community College are working together to help revitalize Downtown Harriman, Tennessee, and restore the old Princess Theater. I was there last evening to snap this shot of (left to right): Bill Landry (Creator & Producer of the Heartland Series), Michael Golebiewski (Humanities Department at RSCC), Gary Baker (Local businessman), Chris Mason (Mayor of Harriman), and Bill Farnham (local Princess Foundation supporter). [Photo by J. Paul Mashburn (Foundation Supporter & Photographer)]

This first ever Media Production class, with 17 enrolled, met with Mr. Landry, who wanted to know about their backgrounds, interests, and hopes for the class. Their first assignment was a little "acting" for the camera!Anyway, I'm doing well and having fun working with the foundation on this project. Soon, I'll get to photograph some behind the scenes shots of the class filming their various projects. It's kind of my little Hollywood in the Smokies!

AN INVITATION TO SEE CADES COVE

I just posted some photos of Cades Cove in the Smoky's on my Flickr page. Also, there are a few shots of the Atomic Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I think you'll enjoy them. CLICK HERE!

BREAKING BLOG SILENCE

Thought I would briefly break my silence and give you an update on what I’ve been doing.

First of all, it snowed…kind’a snowed…here today. However, it is no more than our usual dusting. The snow stuck briefly to surfaces that retain the required temperature. It is now about 2 hours later and a cold mist of rain, and higher temps, have wiped away all memory, except for a photo I took; of the temporary beauty snow brings to the brown of winter.

I have also been busy working on developing a blog for a “non-profit” cause to which I recently started devoting some time. I’ve joined a local partnership and committee group determined to restore and bring back the entertainment value of the old Princess Theater here in Harriman. CLICK HERE TO SEETHE PRINCESS!

Several years ago, Gary Baker, an old friend of mine, and Muse Watson, a 30year veteran movie and television actor, joined together to buy the Princess Theater after the theater company decided to close it. They then leased the facility back to Cecil Johnson, an uncle and friend of mine through my first marriage, who ran the theater until 2001.

About that time Muse got busy in Hollywood and decided he needed to live in LA full-time. So, Muse sold his interest to Gary, and Gary gave the building to the City of Harriman, who turned around and leased it back to the “Princess Theater Partnership”. The Partnership, in conjunction with “The Princess Theater Restoration Committee Board of Directors” (a group of business and political folks, and educators), is now working to restore the Princess to her former beauty and value to the community.

Long story short, I am supporting the effort with my meager knowledge of blogging, web hosting and design, and photography. It is very enjoyable and gets me out of the house more often. The pay is a good feeling down deep in my soul!

You can keep up with our progress on The Princess Theater blog, which may one day become a true web page.