Happy New Year! Would you believe I'm a couple days early for the IWSG post? Unbelievable! Today's question is: Is there a person you admired as a child and now do not admire as an adult. Hmmm. The person who comes to mind is J.D. Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye. I thought the book was well written and admired him as an author. Still do. But, I don't admire him as a person. He wasn't a great father and wasn't always nice to his fans. In his defense, I think he was affected by his time in World War 2. That's when he wrote Catcher in the Rye. I've heard that spending the amount of time in the conditions he experienced normally drives people insane. Maybe this happened to him. What about you? Anyone you used to admire and now don't?
Now for my Jimmy Carter Story.
As you may know, I live in Atlanta, Georgia. My husband is from Valdosta, Georgia. He's had several encounters with Jimmy and his family. Here's one of my favorite stories: The year was 1974. Jimmy was visiting one of his best friends from college who happened to live across the street from my husband, who was just a kid at the time. I don't know how it happened, but my husband ended up playing soccer with Jimmy. It was the neighborhood kids versus the adults. At one point, Jimmy kicked the ball right into my husband's behind. They both got a good laugh about it. My husband still finds it amusing. It isn't every day that you get kicked in the butt by a future president of the United States!
If you'd like to read about Jimmy, here are some books I'd recommend:
An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter
The Outlier by Kai Bird
In other news, I had a very restful New Years Day! 2024 was a crazy year, so I figured I needed some R & R! Here are some photos from Amelia Island and Savannah, Georgia.
That's such a funny story. Who won? The adults or the kids?
ReplyDeleteThe adults.
DeleteThat's quite a story and one worth the retelling!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was pretty funny, too.
DeleteThat is quite the story. I almost met Reagan but just missed the chance.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty cool when you get to meet a president!
DeleteHow cool that your husband played soccer with Jimmy Carter. I'm glad you started off the new year relaxing.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice start.
DeleteJimmy Carter lived a blessed life, hence his marriage and many years just shine with blessings. As to people I once admired but do not any more, I count most of the world's leaders...
ReplyDeleteHe did a lot of good things in his life.
DeleteFunny story. I love that you and your books have been traveling a lot lately.
ReplyDeleteYep!
DeleteGreat story and glad you got to enjoy some of my old haunts around Savannah. I posted my story of attending Carter's Sunday School last week.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to read it.
DeleteHa! Funny story! Jimmy was a lousy president, but he was a very good human being.
ReplyDeleteI share your sentiments.
DeleteThat's a great story about Jimmy Carter. A lot of people have had encounters with him because he was a regular guy and didn't set himself apart from people. One of my older sisters was once on a plane with him about 10 years after his presidence. He went around to shake everyone's hand, which I understand he always did on flights. You're right about J.D. Salinger. He was not a nice person. He also had his heart broken after WWII. He was besotted with Oona O'Neill and wanted to marry her. She, of course, married Charlie Chaplin in 1943.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yep. I learned that on a documentary.
DeleteYay for restful new years.
ReplyDeleteThat's so much fun having stories about Jimmy Carter. I haven't ever met anyone who turned out famous.
Maybe someday you will.
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question of the month, there's a growing list of actors that I once admired and regularly watched in films and TV series. I won't name names, but I have soured on them due to their political activism and/or outspoken culture war statements.
Thank you for sharing that funny Jimmy Carter story. That "brush with greatness" is a memory your husband will cherish always. I love the architecture on Amelia Island and in Savannah. Lucky you for getting to start 2025 in such a relaxing setting.
Thanks for the kind new year greeting here on your site and for visiting Shady's Place, dear friend Sherry. Let's keep our long friendship going strong through the coming year!
Thanks for visiting here for so many years. I appreciate your friendship.
DeleteThere are for example a lot of actors I loved as a kid and now cannot stand the look of them LOL because when suddenly everyone became political we realised a lot of them are terrible people. Just look at Blake Lively, used to like her, now find her despicable, toxic and manipulative.
ReplyDeleteYep. When people get political, it can tarnish their image.
DeleteWhat a fascinating story about Jimmy Carter! It’s always inspiring to hear such personal and meaningful anecdotes. Thanks for sharing this—really enjoyed reading it! 😊📖
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
DeleteFunny story about Jimmy Carter.
ReplyDeleteYep!
DeleteHi, Sherry! I'm thinking of you on IWSG Day and hoping all is well!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete