Shattuck’s first Christmas Eve was in Rosedale, MS.  He attended his old family Church… Grace Episcopal Church.







This is a video taken outside Grace Episcopal Church in the late 1940s during the baptism of Johnston Cooper Adams from Memphis, son of Cooper and Sue Adams.

(Click to Watch)










Grace Church has one of the most beautiful stain glass windows.  The history of where the window came from is unknown to me.  I spent many Sunday’s listening to my Grandfather read from the lectern.



The stain glass window behind Shattuck is in memory of Bessie Shattuck Kirk died 1896 and Albert (Allee) Leonidas Kirk died 1894.  Bessie Shattuck Kirk is William Shattuck’s great great great Grandmother.  She was married to John Melchoir Kirk and lived on Waxhaw plantation.





Bessie Shattuck Kirk born in Woodville, MS April 16th, 1867 and died July 26, 1896.



Shattuck went to see his Great Grandmother Nancy Gray Adams (Nan) after Church Christmas Eve.

Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity states that space and time are relative — an object in motion actually experiences time at a slower rate than one at rest.

I can’t believe Shattuck is almost 1 year old.  I’m going to have to say that I think Einstein was a smelly old fool… the Adams Family is in a constant state of motion… and time seems to fly by.

I think of ‘time’ from a different perspective these days. Sometimes I feel disconnected to historical events I read about or watch on the History channel.  Major historical events that took place before my memory seem so distant.  However, when I think about it… I was born 33 years ago in 1976… if I go back in time 33 years before I was born… the United States was still engaged in WWII… and 33 years before that… Thomas Edison introduced his kinetophone in 1910, which gave way to talkies (movies with sound).  I’ve digressed.

I’ll go back to playing with Shattuck…

After a morning of duck hunting… Shattuck and enjoyed a nap on the couch next to the fire.



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Shattuck, Lale and I went out for dinner tonight.  Unusual for us to go out… but necessary.  Why?  Because neither of us wanted to cook.

We decided to go to ‘The Kitchen’ on Brookhaven circle. I have searched far and wide for a real German Schnitzel,  but… as we learned in the Wizard of Oz… one only needs to look in their own backyard to find what they are looking for… unless you are West Lewis, Sr… then you have to go to Oz to find your pair of ruby slippers.

On previous travels to Europe, I sought out only one entrée… German Pork Schnitzel… I love a slightly breaded Schnitzel with a lemon, mash potatoes, and… of course… a German Bier (no I didn’t misspell it this time).

Lale and Shattuck both loved ‘The Kitchen’.

www.thekitchenonbrookhaven.com

 
(the below pics were taken in lower Germany 2004 AD)

 



When we arrived home, Shattuck sat in bed and read his books.





I picked Shattuck up… and he butted my head… thanks little Bruiser.

Last night Lale and I went to the home of the Pace Family to enjoy some Christmas cheer.  Shattuck stayed with Mari at the Lewis home… he played with Anne Hartmann and West.

The food was great!





All West Lewis wants for Christmas is a red camel hair jacket.




Shattuck and I woke up the next morning to go to the annual St. John’s meeting.  Lale stayed behind to tide the house and put up the Christmas tree.

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.

Below is an image of the St.Nicholas Church in Myra.



He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.



Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas’ life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

READ STORIES OF ST NICHOLAS:  http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38

St. John’s Episcopal Church Reading of the Story of St. Nicholas