A road trip to the Sandhills of South Carolina is required. Unlike most requirements, this one is given freely because of the summer days I spent with Aunt Lynn and her husband Uncle Gene when I was a young boy.
The year 1928 was not the best of times to be born, but Aunt Lynn’s parents and nine children managed through the Great Depression, even using it like a fire to temper their strength and resolve. She grew and married a local boy, Eugene Burch. They, too, farmed– cotton, corn, soy beans, corn, timber, wheat, and what ever else would bring them a profit. They also had chicken houses and that is how I experienced some wonderful summer days as their egg gatherer, cleaner, grader, and packer. But most of all, I remember those summer days as ones where I was given the responsible for me: The accountability of how I performed my egg duties, how I chopped my two rows of cotton as Uncle Gene chopped his four, and how I managed the other given tasks that, when done correctly, contributed to the farm’s success.
Aunt Lynn allowed me to grow during those hot summer days by giving me freedom that her older sister, my mother, could not. She shepherded me so that any decision I made seemingly was mine, but they were mostly hers. Her stern hand guided me as she fed me great meals that never seemed to lack anything a young boy wanted.
But every great summer day ended, and a ride for me with some local farmers who worked the 2nd shift in Plant 1, Cannon Mills, was found, and I returned home: A boy rich with memories of many achievements and adventures on a small, Sandhill farm.
After this weekend, our Rowan County running events are on hiatus until August 29th, and that one is a different sort of event with the word racing not likely to be uttered once in association. The SRR Prediction 5K must be done without watches or any other time, pace or distance device. Most people run or walk it at a reduced pace, trying to calculate in their head how to be closest to their predicted goal.
As I have done in the past, summer remains a good time to travel. My long-distance cycling has always been done in the summer and so have many of my own personal travel adventures. Included in these travels have so far been all 100 NC county seats and all state parks in NC. Both were tremendous fun and I learned to love my state even more. Another NC adventure was the run/walk across the state from Murphy to Manteo.
The next challenge on the horizon is continuing my visits to all the currently open North Carolina Historic Sites. Some I have already visited were often due to their proximity to state parks. Here is the short list of those already checked off the list. There are 27 NC Historic Sites, but at present two are not open. Those visited and reported on previously in the Post include–
The CSS Neuse Memorial, a Civil War ironclad near Kinston
Fort Fisher, the coastal Civil War fort near Kure Beach
Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo
Somerset Place, an antebellum plantation near Creswell.
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial house in Asheville
The NC Transportation Museum in Spencer.
Historic Bath and Historic Edenton.
That leaves 19 to visit, minus the two currently not open including at the House in the Horseshoe, an American Revolution home near Sanford, and Shallow Ford, used to cross the Yadkin River near Lewisville. Shallow Ford is a new project and set to open later this year.
The first of the remaining 17 sites is Fort Dobbs, which my granddaughter and I visited on Wednesday, 7/15. In 2026, Fort Dobbs opened a new, purpose-built visitor center to serve the public. At nearly 3,700 square feet, the new facility is more than five times larger than the site’s previous visitor center, which was housed in a 1940s log cabin. The new center has a contemporary exhibit gallery, modern restrooms, and paved parking, and has an expanded gift shop, lobby area, and office spaces for staff.
Fort Dobbs was the only permanent frontier provincial fort in the colony of North Carolina. Construction began in late 1755 and was completed one year later. It served as the military headquarters for a frontier company (approximately fifty men) as well as a safe-haven for settlers during what was called the French and Indian War.
The fort was attacked on the night of February 27, 1760, when more than sixty Cherokees were repelled. The garrison suffered two men wounded, as well as having one colonial boy killed. One of the wounded soldiers died a month later. The Cherokee were reported to have lost 10-12 men killed and wounded. Local settlers who had camped near the fort were taken inside until the Cherokee left the area.
By the end of 1761, the British had essentially won the war and only thirty troops remained at the fort. Colonial leaders disbanded the troops and removed all the supplies of the garrison as settlement moved far west of the fort. The neglected fort was in ruins by 1766 and abandoned.
Rebuilding the fort lasted from 2016 to 2019. An interesting documentary of the construction plays continually in the visitor center and describes how the project was based on historical knowledge of the fort. It was built of huge white oak logs, at least 600 of them, and the sawing was done on site. The first floor has 18-inch thick walls while the second floor walls are twelve inches thick with the third floor dropping to 6 inches thick. Each floor has 100 firing ports.
Part of the original defensive ditch remains, a place where riflemen could lie behind a dirt mound and fire at attackers. Called the Bend at Fourth Creek, the fort’s location is on top of a hill and the ten square miles surrounding the fort were home to about 35 settler families which in 1754 was considered the edge of civilization.
Inside the rebuilt fort, soldier’s living and fighting quarters are tight with two to a bed for enlisted men and officers having their own bed. Sleeping soldiers used a bedpan for overnight bathroom needs, with the pans being emptied first thing by the lowest ranking enlisted men. Six men formed a mess and were responsible for making their own meals. The nearest food supply point was in Salisbury, about 50 miles away. Weapons were stacked and ready at all times. Two small cannons are mounted in windows. Soldiers’ jackets and beds were available to try on or lie upon.
The small cabin, built in the 1940’s by the Daughters of the American Revolution, was once the visitor center. The grounds are well-kept, and several major events happen each year. An America250 event is set for November 14th with re-enactors and living history demonstrations.
Fort Dobbs Historical Site was outstanding and has me excited for more visits ahead It is located close to NC 21 and I-40!
Look for news on local running and walking events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
My daddy is a great story teller. In honor of his eighty-fifth birthday, I’m retelling one of his. I naively asked one day if the ocean ever got rough enough to be scary when he was out to sea.
“Oh yes.” He replied with a laugh.
I figured that on a huge aircraft carrier he might not even notice a storm. The few times I’ve been out on the ocean I quickly realized that the sea is not for me. I recall praying something similar to “Lord, if You will just get me back to land, I will never gripe or complain again.” He answered my prayers even though He knows I’m a liar.
My question prompted daddy to tell us a story we’d never heard. His ship was near the Arctic Circle along with a fleet of US Navy vessels. Together with the British Navy they were doing maneuvers during the Korean conflict. All their planes were in the air when suddenly a thick fog rolled in. It settled in and stayed for a very serious amount of time.
“It was so thick you couldn’t see any of the other ships. We were in real danger because planes were running out of fuel and the pilots couldn’t see to land. The captain came over the ship’s loudspeaker and called ‘ALL HANDS ON DECK!’”
“Once we were assembled, the captain gave an order. It was really more of a request. He asked us to pray. Everybody bowed their heads. Within about ten minutes, the fog cleared and planes came dropping out of the sky. You’ve never seen such a swarm! It didn’t matter if they were Brits or American, they were scrambling just to land on any vessel before that fog rolled back in. There were over a hundred planes in the air above us that day. We didn’t lose a single one.”
It’s good for us to feel helpless at times. It’s important to recognize that we cannot control each situation to our liking. It’s wise to realize that in the grand scope of things, we are actually very small. Like tiny vessels tossed in an enormous angry sea we know in our soul that we need help. How amazing that the One Who created the vast ocean has invited us to call on His Name, and He hears us! With just a Word, the winds obey Him. The waves are still. The fog is lifted and suddenly, through no power of our own, we find ourselves safely home.
The age old request “LORD help!” is a very powerful prayer. Only when we come to the end of our own wisdom and resources, can we fully appreciate Who He is. And He doesn’t even wait for us sailors to clean up our lives before He answers.
How great is our God!
“’LORD help!’ they cried in their trouble and He saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He bought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.” -Psalm107:28-31
I guess I posted this series in reverse… Sorry about that!!! Enjoy the FIRST in the series of Taming Your Thoughts. Max Lucado will share some tools to help you tame those thoughts. Listen and learn!
Christmas in July is something I have shared previously. It served to boost my family’s morale in the midst of a very rough year. Turns out, it is not a newer tradition – a recent issue of the magazine Our State shared a piece of the possible origins at Keystone Camp in Brevard, NC, during the 1930s.
Yes, thoughts of cooler seasons in the midst of too many days in the 90-degree weather is a welcome embrace. Enjoying treats, Christmas movies (or even an entire channel dedicated to the genre), and summer-equivalent tradeoffs for Christmas bucket-list activities brings a smile to many faces. Pass the red and green watermelon, a snow cone, and maybe some lemon-iced sugar cookies.
But why stop there?
Each year, I am blessed to receive emails, books, pamphlets, and more with advent reading plans, devotions dedicated to the season, and suggestions for acts of kindness to perform with the family. Just last week, in a Little Free Library at the local park, I picked up a book titled “How Far to Bethlehem” by Norah Lofts, who wrote many historical fiction titles. Sadly, there is not enough time in December to relish these thoughtful liturgies.
Our church is in the midst of a daily Bible-reading plan this year. We transition this weekend from the Old Testament and its prophecies to the arrival of Christ in human flesh in the New Testament. What timing! It really can be a Christmas in July celebration in our spirit. How refreshing!
I plan to read through some of the gift books we have received over the years for Christmas while on the porch, perhaps sipping some ice-cold sweet tea. These longer nights with the twinkle of lightning bugs and the hanging strand of lights in the backyard are the perfect backdrop for a birth that was likely not in a bleak midwinter we like to imagine. Instead of carols, wind chimes, birds chirping, crickets, cicada, and toads are the soundtrack.
Yes, the lazy, dog-days of summer may be just what my mind and spirit need before life cranks back up with school, schedule changes, and too many plans stacking up at the end of the year like a multi-car pileup.
Reminders of the first advent resonate with our heart’s longing for a second advent of Christ – and the December calendar does not have to have the market on stirring our hearts towards that story.
Do you have a favorite Christmas book or devotional? I’d love for you to share it with me.
A friend asked me the other day, “How are the weeds growing in your garden this year?” I was a little surprised by the question but then I laughed and said, “The weed crop is doing wonderful. I have lots of varieties growing and they are producing copious amounts of seeds.” My garden is actually growing well this year and we are enjoying some tasty treats.
There are problems in the garden every year. This year it has been so hot that I don’t want to go out there and work on the weeds. The dry weather hasn’t helped either. I have watered my garden but that didn’t help the corn. I pulled some the other day and the ears were small but the corn looked pretty. When I tried to eat it off the cob it was dry and not very tasty. We creamed some of that corn and that was better.
Weeds can be a problem in both the vegetable and flower gardens. I have sprayed some of the weeds and others I have pulled, but when the weather gets so hot I want to stay inside. Weeds need constant attention and they seem to grow and flourish under all kinds of conditions. The vegetables and flowers that I want to grow are struggling with the hot and dry conditions. I wonder why the things I want take so much effort and the things I don’t want seem to do well even when neglected.
When you stop and think about it this applies to many areas of our lives. Staying physically fit takes time and effort. We have to be diligent to get out there and exercise because if we choose to stay in the nice cool air conditioning lots of lazy bad habits will develop. I haven’t been out walking as often with the high heat and humidity, and it’s easy to talk myself out of going out for walks, which I know are good for me.
It applies in similar ways to our food intake. Summertime is a great time for salads with all the fresh stuff around. With the news of a parasite on the loose I have been a little cautious of eating salads until they figure it out. Eating the things that are healthy becomes challenging. A cookie sounds better than an apple, right? Things out of our gardens should be safe, let’s eat those good things while we wait for the parasite problems to go away.
These same things apply to our spiritual lives. It is easy to skip reading the scripture or to decide to pray on the go. Our spirits need the intake of reading the Bible and the connection with God through prayer. When we choose to skip quiet time with God we will grow a little weaker and become more disconnected.
Time is a precious gift from God. We need to think about how we use this gift. We can fill our time with all kinds of unspiritual things quickly. There is nothing wrong with enjoying watching TV or scrolling social media, but if we do that instead of spending time with God then we are starving our spirits. Like the weeds, it is easier to spend time with the TV, social media, or texting with friends. Our spirits need connection with God, and that happens best in a quiet place where we can hear His still, quiet voice.
I want to choose to grow spiritually and pull the time-wasting weeds out of my life. I am not suggesting that I am going to stop being on social media or give up TV, but I want to make choices about how I use my time. Saying no to the easy things, the weeds, will help me make a better connection with my Father. I want to hear His voice and let His love and peace permeate my life. Then I want to listen to His voice and do the things He wants me to do.
I want to encourage you to look at your life as a garden. Now consider what you are growing. When God walks through the garden, what will He find? Will there be fruit and vegetables, or will He discover weeds? Don’t feel guilty; we all have weeds that need attention. We all can work on cultivating a closer walk with Him. He loves spending time with each one of us because He loves us and He likes us. Take small steps and find little ways to connect deeper with God then watch how it grows. Happy spiritual gardening! Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
No question, God has a very specific purpose for each of us.
So often we think we have followed after Him and chosen Him, when whilst He has chosen us before the foundation of the world.
God works out ‘everything’ align with that purpose. There is a bigger hand in everything we see around us. The almighty God!
Prayer: How magnificent You are Lord. I bless Your holy name today, because You are almighty and powerful and You have a destiny for me and have chosen me. I am so grateful that I am part of Your plan. Help me to yield to You in every way I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
I spent several days this past week discussing morning routine with others and what it means to have one. We all know people who sleep till the last minute, jump in the bathroom and clothes and then make the mad dash out the door with a honey bun and Sundrop. They haven’t made their own bed in years and there is no plan to make the best of the morning.
I’m proud of my morning routine, one that has developed over the years to bring me to what I hope is my best self in the morning, “before the world starts asking for pieces of you!” That is a famous celebrity quote about morning routines. I am a firm believer that mornings shape the day. But just as people are different, so are and should be morning routines.
A good morning routine is one that fits your schedule, energy and goals. It helps start the day with clarity and control. You don’t need a 10-step routine, nor do you need to be the earliest riser. What I have found is that many have no routine and don’t want one, but those who care about their body and mind functioning at their best have developed at least some form of routine. Part of the early discussions most fitness trainers will address with clients are about their morning practices.
Although many morning routines fail for various reasons, the first and possibly most important thing is to set the wake-up time correctly. This will probably adjust with success. Routines should start with positives that you are already doing. Coffee, water, bathroom, nourishment, exercise. Some morning rituals need momentum and energy, some need calm. Music might work here, and possibly news and weather. Most experts say that as the routine develops, the orderliness of the morning eases worries about the day and other anxieties. Estimate the time that each of your segments should last, add the total and see if it works for you. Know always that more segments likely will require an earlier wake time.
If you don’t have a routine yet, there are many things worth considering for a portion of the valuable morning time. Consider more options like making your bed, opening curtains, listing intentions and goals for the day, brushing your teeth, prayers, journaling, reading your Bible or devotions. Start small and then add as desired, with the goal of developing a sequence and priority.
I read that experts suggest a 15-25 minute minimum for beginners, 30-50 minutes as a moderate time, and an extended routine of 60 minutes or more for those with time available. Morning exercises would generally fall into the extended time routine. As you proceed, track what is working and what’s not. Adjust with deference to the wake-up time. Develop a consistent rhythm and make the morning routine a habit. Weekends might be different too, a time that is possibly longer and more relaxed, and therefore even more productive.
I am totally addicted to my morning routine, and on the rare day that I overslept, I am out of sorts at least in the beginning, as I have to delete or shorten segments. I want my list done by the time my feet first hit the pavement, usually between 5:20 and 5:30am. If so, I know that my morning is off to a successful start.
On tap for next week is the 29th Annual Run for the Greenway at Overton Elementary School. Race day is July 18th and start time is 8am. The race is sponsored by City of Salisbury Parks and Recreation and all proceeds with help with Greenway expenses. Look for great awards, commemorative shirts and Steve Clark’s collection of big-time refreshments.
We now know much more about the only other July/August event remaining locally. The SRR Prediction Run on August 29th will have a pair of new shoes for the winner and a pair of Topo’s, one of the hottest shoes on the current market, and six pair of Feetures socks as door prizes. SRR will also include a drawing for free races and the September beginning runners class.
Look for these events and others upcoming at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
