Photo
Vacation to Charleston, South Carolina
Emily, Julie and I went on vacation to Charleston, South Carolina from 5/4/2024 through 5/8/2024. We had a wonderful time together. Julie finished radiation therapy the last week of April. Her prognosis is very good with a less than 8% lifetime chance that cancer could recur.
We rented a house in a quiet neighborhood about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. We planned our visit through a program called "tourpass". You can choose a number of days and then see activities that can be visited multiple times and others that can be visited once per day. We enjoyed all of attractions and would like to return for another visit.
We saw the H.L. Hunley, a Civil War submarine, that sank in Charleston Harbor. It was the first known combat sub to have successfully attacked a ship during war.
We took 2 historical tours of Charleston and both were interesting. The carriage tour was my favorite. The guide shared some of the notable personalities and events of Charleston. During the Antebellum period, Charleston was the wealthiest city in the U.S., due to high profits from farming rice.
Magnolia Gardens used to be a rice plantation. It is the oldest public garden in the U.S.. We saw the flowers, buildings, and wildlife. We went to a presentation called "From Slavery to Freedom" that discussed the history of enslaved people working in rice fields. The plantation was ruined during the Civil War and couldn't be used for rice farming anymore because the rice fields were damaged. Rice farming never returned to South Carolina. The beautiful gardens were planted in the 1840s and have been visited by the public since 1870.
It was a memorable and fulfilling vacation. I'm glad Julie, Emily and I were able to enjoy the time together.
Happy Birthday Mom
Today is my mom’s 80th birthday. Julie and I enjoyed having dinner with her and my dad to celebrate. Emily and her friend Haley were able to join us.
My mom has had health challenges in recent years, but continues to be very loving and kind. She has impacted many friends and family members through her caring.
I am so grateful for her.
Dinner at Olive Garden
Our first date was at the Olive Garen in late Spring of 2015. We enjoyed an early Valentine's Day dinner tonight. Julie will be having surgery on Tuesday of next week and will need a few weeks to recover.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Today, I had a great time watching "Killers of the Flower Moon." Click the link below to read my review on letterboxed.
A ★★★★ review of Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Our Goats
Our goats Bailey (black and white, female) and Buddy (male) enjoying the sunshine this fine Sunday.
Our goats Bailey (black and white, female) and Buddy (male) enjoying the sunshine this fine Sunday.
New Year’s Eve 2023
2023 was a good year. I was much healthier this year than in 2021 and 2022. My oldest daughter graduated from Law School. My youngest daughter has adjusted to her move to New York. I made happy memories with my family.
I had a good year at work. I am blessed to have a job that meets our financial needs and is also very fulfilling. I am looking forward to 2024 and the challenges and joys that are to come.
Happy New Year.
New Year’s Eve 2023
2023 was a good year. I was much healthier this year than in 2021 and 2022. My oldest daughter graduated from Law School. My youngest daughter has adjusted to her move to New York. I made happy memories with my family.
I had a good year at work. I am blessed to have a job that meets our financial needs and is also very fulfilling. I am looking forward to 2024 and the challenges and joys that are to come.
Happy New Year.
My favorite holiday photo this year.
A Wonderful Christmas with Family
Here are some photos of our family’s time together during Christmas 2023.
A Wonderful Christmas with Family
Christmas 2023
Christmas 2023
The Spriggs family enjoying Julie’s birthday dinner
Dave and Julie are grateful for the blessings of 2023. We are grateful for fulfilling work. Julie works as a mail carrier for the post office and Dave is a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are grateful that we have both had good health in 2023. We are grateful for our family.
Amanda’s Graduation Picture
Amanda graduated from Wake Forest Law School and passed the bar exam. She has been living in Winston-Salem, NC and working for a law firm in New York. It may turn into a permanent position, but she may also need to find another job and may need to relocate. Her husband, Will, sold his business in 2023, which is a great achievement.
Emily was recently hired as part of the grounds crew at a nuclear power plant. She is looking forward to starting her new job. She lives in New York. She is engaged to Marshall who works at the power plant. We plan to visit Emily this coming Spring.
Julie brought home two additional rescue dogs this year. She found Duke by the Duke Power Plant. She found Deacon (we call him”Deacon”) on her way home from work. We now have 3 rescue dogs, including our beagle-dachshund mix that we have had for about 11 years. She doesn’t plan to bring any more dogs home.
Lux
Deac
Duke
We are reminded of God’s goodness and mercy each day, and especially at Christmas. We look forward to what 2024 has in store.
– Dave and Julie Spriggs
Christmas 2023
Christmas 2023
The Spriggs family enjoying Julie’s birthday dinner
Dave and Julie are grateful for the blessings of 2023. We are grateful for fulfilling work. Julie works as a mail carrier for the post office and Dave is a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are grateful that we have both had good health in 2023. We are grateful for our family.
Amanda’s Graduation Picture
Amanda graduated from Wake Forest Law School and passed the bar exam. She has been living in Winston-Salem, NC and working for a law firm in New York. It may turn into a permanent position, but she may also need to find another job and may need to relocate. Her husband, Will, sold his business in 2023, which is a great achievement.
Emily was recently hired as part of the grounds crew at a nuclear power plant. She is looking forward to starting her new job. She lives in New York. She is engaged to Marshall who works at the power plant. We plan to visit Emily this coming Spring.
Julie brought home two additional rescue dogs this year. She found Duke by the Duke Power Plant. She found Deacon (we call him”Deacon”) on her way home from work. We now have 3 rescue dogs, including our beagle-dachshund mix that we have had for about 11 years. She doesn’t plan to bring any more dogs home.
Lux
Deac
Duke
We are reminded of God’s goodness and mercy each day, and especially at Christmas. We look forward to what 2024 has in store.
– Dave and Julie Spriggs
Merry Christmas.
It is time to decorate the tree. I hope the dogs don’t knock it over.
Celebrating Julie's Birthday
It was a wonderful meal to celebrate Julie’s birthday, and we also had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m especially thankful for my family.