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Prelude: I am a Southerner and proud of it. I love my heritage and I love everything about the South. I do, however, know the War Between The States is at half-time and the North won the first half. That's OK. I even have some friends that are Yankees and I love them. I live smack dab in the middle of the Chickamauga/Chattanooga battlefield area. I am in the shadow of Lookout Mountain. I know where Snodgrass Hill is and that it is truly haunted by a ghost with green eyes. (Well, maybe after a few shots of Jack Daniel a ghost was observed by some local folks and the story gained strength like Ike over the Gulf.)
This weekend there will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Chickamauga. This happened 145 years ago. Grumpy was just a boy and not old enough to join. Besides, he's a Yankee. Yep, we are expecting between 3 -5 thousand folks to desend on our area. Some to watch, some to participate.
If you've never experienced it, it is quite something to see. It is accurate, well planned and like standing in the middle of history. I enjoy seeing the realistic campfires, the women cooking over a fire with meger provisions. They even have a first aid tent with only the medical help available all those years ago. I'm glad my hospital is only a couple of miles away! I'm also glad I'm not working this weekend!
People come from all over the country and a few from other countries. Hell's Bells! I didn't know it was that big of a deal.
Back to the invasion. All those people are not what worries me. One person does. He has been invited to fire the cannon that announces the battle has begun. His great-grandfather was a soldier with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry and fought and died at McLemore Cove during this battle. This man is no stranger to shooting. He is our Vice-President: Dick Cheney.
Mr. Cheney has been here before and toured the area. Security was tighter than Scarlett O'Hara's corset when Mammy was lacing her up.
Oh yes, I'm really looking forward to this weekend when the invasion takes place. I have enough cross-stitching to keep me in the house for three days. I have enough food in the freezer to provide for Hubby and me for the weekend. I will be able to stand on my deck and hear the cannon and possibly smell the gun powder. I will not, however, be anywhere in the vicinity of Dick Cheney when he is in charge of firing the cannon.
I'll wait till this is over and once again I can drop the top on the Beetle, grab the spoiled chihuahua and Hubby and drive through the peaceful battlefield and watch for deer, coyote, wild turkies and other four-legged creatures. I will watch as families have picnics on the grassy fields. I will walk the trails so familiar to me and enjoy the wonder of the beauty of my environment.
But...not this weekend! Them Yankees is a'commin' and bringing Dangerous Dick with 'em'.
Mz Scarlett...hoping to survive this invasion to blog again another day.
Enjoy your weekend. I think you're smart to stay home.