Well, I’m back. Many thanks to wonderful guest bloggers, Julie Garmon, Colleen Jackson, and Beth Andrews for their contributions this month. Their
posts allowed me a bit of a reprieve after four years of blogging.
But now, we have new things stirring here at One Ringing
Bell. For many years, I’ve listened to the stories my husband, Jerry Varnado, tells of his days as a University of Georgia
Football player on the first three teams of legendary coach, Vince Dooley—the
coach who took a mediocre program to an SEC championship and a nationally
ranked team within three years. I’ve often thought somebody should get these
stories down before they’re lost. 2014 is the fiftieth anniversary of that
first team Vince Dooley coached, and well, it looks like I’m going to be the
one to pen these tales.
On August 13, we debut a new blog, One Old Dawg, mostly true Bulldog lore.
One Old Dawg will run on
Wednesday’s through football season. The site is already up with
preliminary information just waiting for that first post on August 13. I’ve
even obtained permission to use some vintage photos on the site. This is not a
sports documentary, but rather a personal memoir.
If you’re a UGA football fan, or even if you’re not, I think
you’ll find encouragement in these tales of an Old Dawg.
As I’ve interviewed my husband and read about a hundred
newspaper accounts, I’ve marveled at what God did to get Jerry to that 1964
year. At many points in his life, beginning with his first year in high school,
his football career could have ended. However, God wanted him to have that
platform, so he gave Jerry the ability to persevere past what others would have
considered insurmountable odds. That platform of being an ex-college football
player has opened doors for Jerry to give his testimony and preach all across
this country.
I’ve been reminded through writing these posts that God’s
plan is always bigger than anything we can imagine. We only see the present
moment, but God sees the whole picture. We should never underestimate what God
might do. A wise tentmaker said it best, “God can do anything, you know—far
more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He
does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply
and gently within us” (Ephesians 3:20 The Message).
So, I’ll still be here at One Ringing Bell a couple of times
a week with peals of words on faith, living and writing, but I’ll also be
writing One Old Dawg, mostly true Bulldog lore. It looks like it’s going to be
an extra busy fall.
Julie, Colleen, and Beth, I’m keeping you on speed dial.
Check out One Old Dawg here and please sign up to follow by email.
If you're looking for summer reading, my most recent book, Home to Currahee is available at:
If you're looking for summer reading, my most recent book, Home to Currahee is available at: