Today we will be at place called Anchor Bar & Grill. It is a wonderful place that is shaped like part of a boat that is partially over sand and partially over water. The most beautiful views surround this place in every direction as customers enjoy a meal on the huge covered deck.
We headed down the Baldwin Express Way to Orange Beach, Alabama, where this fundraiser was scheduled at Anchor Bar & Grill, from 2-6 pm. My son, Eric Erdman, was playing music for this event and the proceeds were earmarked to help the people in Arcadia, Louisiana.
Louisiana has been ravished by flood waters. Many parishes in Louisiana have suffered tremendously due to the flooding. The waters have invaded their homes and destroyed everything. They are faced with starting over with nothing. Sleeping on cots in shelters, with no certainty of what to expect next is not the way these hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people expected to spend their days. They need a helping hand and that is not easy for them to say.
People from our area and the beach area arrived by cars, trucks, boats, floats, motorcycles, bicycles, walking and any other way they could find to get there. All of them wanted to lend a hand in any way they could.
We arrived an hour early and Eric set up his PA system, sound checked and visited with those who had volunteered and some guests who had arrived early. There was a silent auction inside and a couple of live auction items out on the deck. One of the live auction items was a large painting, created and donated by a wonderful local artist named Nick Cantrell. It was very large, very beautiful and colorful. This piece of art brought $800 in the auctioning process. But the most fascinating auction was a nice cooler (Yeungling). It brought $280 at auction. However, the person who was highest bidder, immediately offered it to be auctioned again (yet he would still pay the $280). Then it happened again and again. The cooler was bought 4 times before a person actually kept it. It was a NICE cooler, everyone wanted it but they wanted to give the money more than to purchase the cooler. When all was said and done the cooler brought about $1,000!
People were there to give not to receive. They wanted to make a difference and help someone else who was hurting…they did it with pride. It was the wonderful side of humanity that makes me proud to witness and makes me happy.
I sat in one of the chairs lined up next to the outer railing for half of the show. To me it would keep me out of the way and allow me to people-watch. There was quite a crowd and all were pleasant, excited and smiling. A long line formed for beer and other drinks and it took place right in front of where I was sitting. I did not want to stare at each person as they waited in line, so I kept my eyes downward. Oddly enough I had a great time as I checked out everyone’s feet. Almost everyone wore sandals (we were at the beach). I noticed some who had perfectly groomed feet and most ladies had polished toenails. One set of feet caught my attention at first. She had aqua green polish on 9 of her toes but the one next to her big toe on the right had no polish at all! I thought of a dozen scenarios that may have caused this. I thought of some reasonable explanations then I had some off the wall thoughts. Also, I saw several french pedicures with the white tips, they looked very nice. Then I saw some nappy looking, all jacked up feet and was surprised to see they were attached to a female. She was pretty; dressed in a beautiful shrimp colored top and white shorts but her feet were gnarly. It was a surprise, however, I was not judging at all. She might have the weight of the world on her shoulders and feet were the least of her concern. Yet she took time to come and help a worthy cause. One of my favorite displays of toes and toenails was one with every toenail a different color. I thought it was cool! I loved the shape of her feet and her toes too! Also she wore a toe ring on the left foot; toe next to the big toe. She had the feet I would love to have been born with; but SHE gets to walk around on them. I did observe that overall, men really don't care how pretty their feet look. I must have viewed 100 pair of feet in a matter of an hour or less and I found it fascinating! Feet can tell a story if you let them.
The five hours we spent there went by pretty fast and we were packing things up to go before I knew it. I was so proud of the hearts of people who wanted to help others. I was so proud to see their excitement in having this opportunity to help their fellow man. And I was so proud to have my, sometimes weary view of the world, elevated to a point where I could witness the desire of people to stand together and to cheerfully lift others in need.
It was great to see!
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