Labor Day Weekend

Friday night Randy and I left for Bay Creek to camp for only one night. It was a lot of work for one night, but it was the first time we had camped since Missouri in June. Vana called right before we left and told us they might be later getting there because Danny had a fire call. Luckily, the fire was small and contained to a corn field that had already be combined. They got there about 9:00 and camped right beside us. I had the potatoes baked and put the chicken on the grill as they were unloading. We had a nice campfire and even though the campground was almost full it was a very quiet night. Saturday morning we got up and after breakfast decided we would ride to soldier's grave. I started out on Fancy but she was excited and I lost my nerve and Randy and I swapped horses after only a short distance. I didn't want to be a baby but I wanted to enjoy the ride and talk to Vana and not deal with a cranky horse. Of course, after Randy got on her she was perfect! I have included a picture of soldier's grave. The name and information on the stone is John C.B. Ramsey, Co. A, 17th Ky Inf. I do wish I knew the history behind the grave. Someone occasionally decorates the grave site. There is evidence around the site that it was once enclosed with an American wire fence.

Today was our annual family reunion. There were approximately 54 people at the civic center to eat and visit together. That number is not as many as we usually have. It is harder for us to get together like we once did. Someone had on a t-shirt that we had printed several years ago and it said "Benifield Family Reunion 1975-1999." I am pretty sure we had our reunions on 4th of July before 1975 and of course we've had one every year since 1999 except the year Grandmother died. She died September 2, 2003, the day after Labor Day. No one felt like celebrating anything that year.
As usual, there was lots of good food. I took roast beef and pepper gravy, corn, iced tea, and homemade strawberry ice cream. We also had pineapple ice cream (Vana) and butterpecan ice cream (Reva). We laughed, talked and gossiped for a few hours after dinner. Not like in the olden days when we played volleyball all afternoon.