You know the familiar saying “It only takes a spark to get a fire burning” ?    Well, I love getting a good fire going….lighting the match, watching the kindling begin to burn and spread, and then the larger pieces catching fire and the flames begin to rise!  And, then watching that fire burn and bring warmth and good smells and a sense of wonderment when the ashes begin to glow.  Little did I know my love of getting a spark to start a fire would come to life when I called a couple of friends to talk about a couple of projects..

PJ and I had talked about having a “Meet and Greet” to introduce our HomeGrownetx website to the community, bringing in local suppliers and buyers together in some type of gathering.  We had talked about doing this in November, calling it “We are Thankful for our LOCAL suppliers” .  Then, as time grew nearer, we thought, “Well, maybe December would be a better time and we could possibly have the vendors set up around the square to sell their products.”  Hmmm, possibly coordinate with the downtown stores and have a special Quitman market.   So, I called Kelly and Carley to find out who to talk to and how to do this!

We began talking and the sparks began to fly!  Kelly talked of her wish for a really beautiful Christmas tree for the Courthouse lawn. Carley talked of her wish for a fun, festive gathering for all to enjoy.  And I expressed my wish for a Hallmarkish type Christmas right here on our town square–the parade ending on the square, the band playing, the mayor welcoming everyone, switching on the lights on the Christmas tree, and then everyone singing Christmas carols together, standing and setting on the square with hot chocolate.  (Yes, I have watched enough Hallmark Christmas movies to know the story by heart–ha!)

The first spark we ignited was how could we go about getting a really pretty tree for everyone to enjoy?   A real tree would be nice, but complicated to obtain, and would only be for one year.  Why not look online to see what was available in a tree we could use for several years that was pre-lit?  (no one likes to deal with putting lights on a tree–much less one over 20′ tall!)

Well, we found one, but it was going to cost a lot .    What to do to keep that spark going?  Well, the kindling we used was to put the idea out there in the form of  social media with a go-fund me page to see if everyone else had the passion we did for a beautiful tree.    We waited, and we began to see that spark beginning to glow as we talked with friends and they readily agreed it was a good idea, and the contributions began to come in.  Groups and business came together in a common cause to raise the funds!   A spark from the wish for a Christmas tree had turned into a blazing fire as the goal was met and a tree could be ordered!

As we talked about how to organize a tree-lighting, I expressed my wish for the Hallmarkish Christmas and could all of that work together?  Could we incorporate the community as Carley wished?  A match had been lit to create another spark.  Fun ideas were thrown around about what to do to make a community event that everyone could enjoy–the traditional parade, activities for the kids, all types of decorations to create photo opportunities, music, food, Santa pictures, and the downtown shops being open later.  And, HomeGrownetx could have their Meet and Greet as they offer  spaces so people could shop local vendors.

The kindling for this fire grew as we talked with others who wanted to help.  Bella Flora offered to do the Pictures with Santa and the use of their patio area for some of the vendors, and Kiwanis members stepped up to help with decorations and setting up.  Many others are in the background helping too, as bows are being made and wooden soldiers are being brought back into service.

A snowball area is planned and a snow machine is being built to add to the fun.  Boxes will be delivered to schools to be decorated and then judged  at the  event. 

Organizations from school will have booths to help raise money.  Civic organizations will be collecting food and items to distribute for Christmas.  These sparks, the wish for involving the community and a Hallmarkish Christmas, has become a Hometown Christmas blazing fire now, and is burning brightly as so many look forward to a special Christmas gathering.  It has been a blessing watching this fire as it burns—the enthusiasm and encouragement of so many people are definitely fanning the flames!  

But there are other sparks that can help light a fire, too, especially in this pandemic time:

• When you call someone just to check on them.  That is a small spark that warms the heart.
• When you compliment someone you pass in the store, it is a spark that makes them feel better.
• When you just say “Hey friend” on Facebook when you can tell that they are having a bad day by their post.
• When you offer to pick something at the store for someone, it is a spark that lets them know someone cares
• When you ring the bells for the Salvation Army or help with food or clothing donations, you light a spark within yourself as you are giving to others

Thank you for letting me share

Ilavu

HERE WE GO….

In the beginning stages of this Website, I was asked to do a Blog.  I said WHY?,  then I thought…WHY NOT?  What better way to share stories and history and friendships of East Texas?

I have to admit, I am not a HomeGrown East Texan, but I got here as quickly as I could! However, there are several signs I have had in my life that show I was meant to be here…..

First, my love of lakes and fishing first brought me to East Texas in the 80’s.  When driving into town and I saw the QUITMAN sign, I joked, “Well what a great place to retire–look it even says QUIT-MAN! Little did I realize that less than 20 years later I would be buying a home on Lake Quitman.

Next, when I did move to Quitman and was enjoying my home on the lake, I was still doing part-time teaching in the DFW area.  I felt like I was torn between two worlds, not belonging in either one.  I was on my dock praying one evening for the Lord to give me WISDOM to know where I should be and what I should do.  Two weeks later I was introduced to Hank WISDOM!  And, the rest is history.  (Yes, be careful what you pray for!!)  

    Two years later, I found myself being part of Hank’s Smokehouse and Wife’s Marina on Lake Quitman.  Oh, there are some stories to share from there, but it will have to wait for another time.  Anyway, I was serving taco soup to four young professional ladies when one of them asked, “Weren’t you my typing teacher?”  I looked up and smiled as I recognized her sweet face.  And then she said, “You always said when you retired you wanted to just relax on the lake and sell minnows, and here you are…doing just that!”  Everyone having lunch that day in the restaurant got a big laugh out of that one.  Again, another prophecy had come true.

East Texas is home now, and I truly know I am meant to be here.        It is so exciting to be a part of this project to pull our varied resources together into one place to shop for everything local.  Please Help Us Help You.!!!  And, please share your local stories and history with me so that we can know our neighbors better!  Hopefully I have brought you a smile or two…

See y’all later, Ilavu