Preacher's Mom

In Memoriam

2008-12-23T18:10:00.005-06:00

Frances Loftiss Carroll, the writer of this blog, died unexpectedly the morning of December 23, 2008, in a single-vehicle car accident. I could tell you that she was 67 years old, but that wouldn't really tell you anything about her.

She was a the much-beloved mother to the two of us. She set the example for us in love, in giving without expecting return, and in enjoying the simple pleasures of God's creation.

She was "Nana" to three little girls who loved her so very much. They loved playing with her, laughing with her, and just spending time with her.

Mainly, she just hoped that she could show others the love of God. I hope she did that for you in the words of this blog.

Let me share one childhood memory. But it's not my memory. It's the memory of a classmate of mine, a little girl named Debbie. Debbie was in my Brownie troop. Mom was our leader. Debbie had a really hard life, and Mom always felt for her.

I recently became reacquainted with the adult Debbie. She's doing great now -- a mom who's seeking her college degree. She wrote this to me:

"I also remember your mother and how wonderful she was with all the troop activities. I so admired you for having such a wonderful and involved mother. Don't ever take her abilities for granted or let a day pass that you don't tell her how much you love her and how thankful that she was so dedicated to you."

Thankfully, I made sure to pass Debbie's kind words along to Mom. Mom really appreciated those words and made a comment along the lines that memories like that were what really mattered.

So, please take some time tonight, to remember Mom, and remember all of us, too. I don't know what we're going to do without her love.

May the peace of Christ be yours,
Mary Ann

PS If you need to contact us, you should be able to through this blog. All comments must be moderated (that is, read by someone before they're posted to the web). If you need to pass along your contact information, you will safely be able to do so here.

Church Socials - Let's Fellowship

2008-12-22T07:46:00.002-06:00

One of the wonderful things about Southern Baptist is that we like to get together and talk and eat. Last night was a prime example of that as we had our Sunday evening gathering and our Christmas meal after a time of singing, worshiping and hearing a message from the pastor.

We then gathered in what we call the fellowship hall and ate our potluck Christmas meal together. It was wonderful, the food was great and a lot of variety and great dishes to chow down on. Best yet is never knowing who you will be sitting near or what kind of conversations you will have.

I thank those ladies from my Sunday school class who gave me gifts. This was very kind and thoughtful of you and I treasure your presence on Sundays as we study the Word of God together. God blesses me in countless ways and this class has been a significant blessing to me.

CHILDREN'S LAUGHTER ON TOUGH DAYS

2008-12-21T07:03:00.002-06:00

Saturday was one of those really tough days we have to endure as adults. Despite my personal heartache it was a time to have some laughter and to enjoy seeing my 3 granddaughters playing together. We went to visit Dave, MAC and Maggie for a few hours, to have some celebration of Christmas together and to enjoy fellowship; and although it was a day of deep personal hurt, the passing of my mother some years ago, I got through it pretty well.

Remembering those we love is expected, keeping on living in the moment is a necessity; blending the two is sometimes difficult. However, the sound of happiness and laughter is always welcome; even when the soul is weighed heavy with sorrow.

Thanks for the sweet day my family.

A Small Wonder

2008-12-19T18:45:00.000-06:00

A small and wonderful thing happened this afternoon when I returned home after leaving the house at 11 a.m. this morning. My wildblue was working again. I was dreading coming home and trying to figure out why it wasn't working...again..and it was! Hurrah!

DUGGAR'S HAVE 18th Child

2008-12-19T11:43:00.003-06:00

The story on Yahoo says it all.

"ROGERS, Ark. – An Arkansas woman has given birth to her 18th child. Michelle Duggar delivered the baby girl by Caesarean section Thursday at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. The baby, named Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar, weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long."

Michelle....get a life woman.....18 children are far and away too many children. Joe Bob or whatever your name is....you need to STOP having children.....this is far from having children to have a big family...this is abuse! SHAME ON YOU! This is nothing more than animals reproducing...just to be reproducing.

Man, I don't know what kind of job this guy has but I hope it is good. I guess the upside is...when you get old Michelle, should you live that long, at least one of your children should be able to take care of you. As for you Joe Bob my hope for you is to be man enough to get snipped in the right places and stop "being fruitful" and "multiplying." Man do you know what you are doing to your wife's body...this can't be healthy.

WILDBLUE STINKS!

2008-12-19T11:25:00.002-06:00

Here's the deal. The wind is blowing and wildblue is not working. I am on my son't computer...hoping that whatever causes wildblue to be so contrary will start working and I can get my e-mail again.

I was 2 days without it the first part of the week because of a little ice....finally reloaded the whole thing yesterday and it was working until this morning and quit again.

Guess I will unload and reload the program again and if that doesn't work spend another 2 hours on the phone with wildblue trying to figure out why it doesn't work...so should you need me, and wonder why I don't answer your e-mails...call me instead....it's much surer that way.

Old School Chums and Friends

2008-12-15T08:00:00.004-06:00

I received an e-mail this morning, Monday morning, that another of my old school chums is in critical condition at the hospital. Elmer Jones, an old Levi school buddy, is in the ICU in Memphis with heart problems, kidney failure, etc.

I am reminded, once again, of the class of "59" Whitehaven High School, Memphis, Tennessee and how we were going to go forth into the world and change the world. I guess each graduating class thinks they are going to change the world and make a mark on the history books and the book of life. But I find, more often than not, that the marks made by our graduating class and our classmates, old friends, and the one's we love dearly is the imprint they make on our hearts.

While I have very little contact with any of my old classmates there are a lot of memories of the "good old days." You know what, when we were all little kids at Levi elementary school and then big kids at Whitehaven High School I doubt that even one of us gave any thought to the impressions we made on others. We were simply kids being kids, learning how to get along and treat one another.

So many of them are fading away and many have already left us, but one thing is for certain, whether we ever meant to or not we leave impressions behind us, and even after we are gone there is a hint of sweetness that remains having known and cared about those who we have known in our past.

Back on the Corner of Believe and Change

2008-12-14T07:56:00.000-06:00

Here we are standing on the corner of believe and change again. What is our challenge this time? We must believe that God is in charge, in control of what is going on around and about us --- have faith and then change our lives from living in fear and doubt and trust the Lord.

May I invite you to visit a website that gives feeds me God's word? http://www.fruithillbc.org/ This is the site of my church's sermons, my son, the pastor's sermons and the Word of God spoken in truth. God has much for us to learn and it is by men who boldly stand forth in the battle of life, willing to share the Word of God, that we are guided into a deeper understanding of God in our lives.

The pastor is starting a series of sermons - ALL need to hear - talking about what is going on TODAY in our WORLD and our LIVES.... Please download sermons, past and present, and be encouraged and taught that God is with us....

Being a Grandma is Fun

2008-12-14T07:39:00.000-06:00

God has placed me in a position that most grandmothers would love and adore - being close to her grandchildren. Although Maggie is a little over 3 hours away, I can still go and visit her and her parents from time to time. Abigail and Katie live about 3 miles away and I am blessed by being constantly fed by their loving hugs and the wealth of information they have to share with me.

Wednesday night when I got to church, I was greeted by something that an even that always draws comments from people who have gathered for prayer time --- two adorable little girls who always make sure they look for their Nana and come up and give her hugs and kisses. Last Wednesday night as I was bending over to hug Katie, "Those girls sure do love you." They never fail to greet me and to say something to me. Encouraging, even when they don't know they are.

My mother-in-law, Mary Carroll, has often said, "Grandchildren are the most fun." And they are. Whether it is playing pretend with Maggie (who has an imagination that is in a world unexplored by Nana) or playing Polly Pockets or Barbies with Abigail and Katie, I'm having more fun than you know.

All 3 of the girls are aware of Nana's bad back and often times help their Nana get up off the floor after playing. It warms my heart when little hands reach out to help Nana get on her feet, just like those little dolls could pull me up on their own. Still they reach out and in reaching out they tell their Nana how much they love her...and I love them too. Being a grandma is fun.

The Wind is A Blowin

2008-12-09T06:14:00.000-06:00

There is just something about the wind blowing out here in the country that is creepy. Although it is somewhat mild this morning, the house is popping and creaking as strong winds come through.

The winds are hurting anything and the weatherman says a cold front is behind these winds but, still, it's somewhat creepy listening to an older house "pop". I don't know what that is, that sound, but that is a sound I remember from my childhood, so it must be somewhat natural.

I look out my window here in the living area and, in the pre-dawn skies, I see tree limbs shaking and bobbing in the air. All a part of mother nature doing her thing, I am sure. And, one thing is for certain, I am glad to be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of God's world adjusting to a new season of life.

Grand Daughters Are so much fun

2008-12-07T19:14:00.000-06:00

I know now why old folks us to be so happy when they were around children. Children make you smile even when you don't think you are going to do so.

Katie, who is always filled with something creative and different, is so much fun. This morning there was a music special where a nice young man and his wife played a duet. At the end of the music, everyone applauded, and they sat down.

Katie leaned over to me and whispered something. Since I had my hearing aid in the left ear and she was on my right side, I leaned over and asked, "What did you say, sweetie?"

Katie looked at me and you could see excitement in her eyes..."Nana," she whispered again, "I liked that music so much I clapped until my hands were red," and with that she showed me her little hands.

Something about a child in your presence makes even a cold winter day a little warmer. You'll never know it Katie but you made my heart smile this morning...and your little red hands (or so you thought) left an impression on my heart.

FROZEN WATER

2008-12-06T07:24:00.000-06:00

Burr! Again, I say, "BURR!" Yesterday it was after 3:30 p.m. before my water thawed out. I tried every little song and dance routine I knew and the pipes just didn't seem to want to thaw. This picture is not from my house but from www.flickr.com .

I identify with the frozen water pipes though. It was nice to be able to flush the toilet and wash my face. Not necessarily in that order.

Last night I left the water drizzling and thus, I had water for coffee, washing and flushing this morning. I suppose what I need to do is find something to wrap my pipes, that's what daddy use to do. Long before we had insulated pipes he was wrapping pipes with old rags. Watch out old bath towels here I come.

JUST WONDERING

2008-12-04T22:00:00.001-06:00

I was just wondering if anyone knows the answer to this question or not - Are there any handsome nutcrackers? It seems to me they are all a bit on the homely side.

How My Neighbors Lived

2008-12-04T09:18:00.001-06:00

Time for another memory from the "stone age" of my youth as I grew up outside of Memphis, Tennessee, in the Levi community. I don't know why I thought of it this morning but "Uncle Murray" Leech came to mind a few minutes ago. I thought I might either bore you or share some interesting occupations some of our neighbors had.

Uncle Murray Leech was not my real uncle, neither was his brother Uncle Dud Leech who lived across the road from up. But we always called them "uncle" and their wives were "aunt" to us likewise.

We lived on a dead end road, Leech road, and now that I think about it there were a lot of Leech's up and down our road and on Levi road, lived "Uncle Bob Leech" who had a peach orchard which has a lot of fond memories for us to talk about later. He was seriously hurt in an automobile accident and walked with a cane. I can still smell the springtime spraying of the peach trees. I wonder if that is why I have so much trouble with smelling things now. The scent lingered in the air a long time, I do remember that. And, we kids walked down that dead end road day after day when they were spraying. Year in, year out...Leech's peaches 3/4 mile, I still see that sign posted on the edge of Levi schools yard pointing peach seekers to the orchard. (Nice memory)

Uncle Murray had a barn type building in his backyard which, as I grew up and learned, was a foundry. From time to time the Leech girls across the road and myself would drop in on Uncle Murray and watch him at his craft. I don't remember what it was he was making there but I do remember he always had time to chat a minute and remind us, "You girls stay back from the heat and the flames as you can get badly hurt." And we did stay back and never got hurt. From time to time, we stopped by the little house to visit the two, almost grown, (just older than us by a few years), Leech sisters. They were Martha who we called "Mop Mop" and Sarah. Their mother, Aunt Vannie, was always out somewhere doing something else. She played the piano like nothing you ever heard, and was lots of fun.

This may not be an interesting story to you all but to me it brings memories of hard working neighbors who were working to the best of their abilities to make a living for their little country families. Thanks for the memories.

Home For Christmas

2008-12-04T09:01:00.001-06:00

Okay, so it's not home, but it's sweet and a reminder of the importance of home now and at all times.

Christmas traditions vary from family to family. For years and years the Carroll family would have a Christmas birthday cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus.

One year for Christmas my silly, brainless brother, put a lump of coal in my stocking and that made me very upset. You must be nice to emotional, tender hearted little girls, Charlie.

Many families find Santa have wrapped all their Christmas presents. Guess my parents never heard of that or got passed that word from Santa. Everything was always unwrapped except for a gift from my folks.

I remember looking out a window one Christmas eve and seeing a red light blinking high in the sky. I was really excited as I ran to the kitchen where my folks were sitting and told them I saw Rudolph's nose blinking. (Sadly, we must have been on the approach path for plans landing at the Memphis airport that night.) Oh well. And, yes, Rudolph was a very new song way back then.

And, then there is the memory everyone is tired of hearing about, I feel sure, but must be repeated --- once again about Santa at Stephenson's Chapel Methodist church . We were really young, and Santa made a visit to the church to give out presents. Remember this is still when the world was recovering from World War II (and dinosaurs still roamed the earth) and our gift from Santa was an orange, an apple and a few nuts wrapped in colored tissue paper.

We children, of that era, know how hard times were and we also were given a pair of white anklet socks. We were glad to get that and know that's the best Santa could do that year.

So with Christmas coming remember to pause and think about the traditions you hold precious. What events have happened to you that make you remember Christmas through the eyes of a child?

And, Mary Ann, should you read this, unwrapping the gifts under the tree and re-wrapping them is a memory I still laugh at. Although Ray has never admitted it, I feel sure he did the same thing too....Merry Christmas family!

SPREADING LOVE

2008-12-03T17:04:00.000-06:00

It only takes a spark to get a fire going, so the song says. Well, it only takes a little love from 2 of my 3 beautiful grand-daughters to get a person in the spirit of a loving Christmas.

When I wasn't watching, some Christmas elves must have come into the house, found all my Christmas stuff and then e-mailed the girls mom who brought them over to do the deed.

As you can see, almost every branch is filled with colorful ornaments.

You know, it's a little difficult when you live alone to want to do some of the things you use to do as a family. But one thing I always have time for, and hope the girls feel the same way, is to share a little love. The girls started decorating my tree, I guess, 3 yrs. ago or maybe 4 years now. That makes them getting into the tradition of decorating for Nana an old habit now.

We listened to Christmas music, until the smallest one heard a Karen Carpenter song and said sorta indignantly, "NANA, I just can't listen to that song, it's not a nice song." We turned the radio back on...and I figured the only thing that could top the Carpenter song might be "Grandma got run over by a reindeer but they didn't play it. Guess it's too early in the season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS early...to all....even though to some of us it is far and away too early to start thinking about the big day.

DECEMBER CELEBRATIONS

2008-12-01T10:23:00.000-06:00

As if you don't have enough to worry about this December there are specific days you must not forget:

December 5 - coming up soon - If you've invited a few friends to celebrate Bathtub Party Day, be sure to plan ahead so you don't have to hop out of the bubbly warmth to pour a glass of wine or serve a platter of snacks. Assign each guest a task: keeper of the towels; cleaner of the ring around the tub; trimmer of the candle wick; guardian of toiletries. Enjoy! That idea comes from : http://www.wellcat.com/december/bathtub_party_day.htm

Other important days this month:

December 7th - Letter Writing Day and Pearl Harbor Day (my mother would remind me of this every year --- "you were just one week old, I was laying up there in the hospital and somebody came in and said they bombed Pearl Harbor...I said where the **** is Pearl Harbor") Maw always did have a way with words.

Teacher Appreciation Day is December the 8th. even for homeschooling moms

December 9th is very important as we pause and take our hats off to remember Weary Willy Day ( I don't know either)

December 15th is UNDER DOG DAY.....Under dog....the kids loved in when it was on tv (what do you mean it's not that underdog?)

December 17th is Bake Cookies Day (the Cookie monster has been waiting all year for that day)

December 21st - my mother's favorite day - HUMBUG DAY! Bah! Humbug! (Poor dear loved her kids and grand kids but hated shopping for Christmas gifts. She was so generous in giving, always helping other people but she hated gift buying.)

December 26th of course kicks off Kwanzaa with December 27th being Louis Pasteur's birthday (happy birthday Louie)

December 31st is pretty important too.....It's Make Up Your Mind Day (are you going out and party or are you going to stay home and watch tv?)

A few other things happen this month too --- Celebration of Christmas -- an event Christians should take time and give thanks for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for coming to this world and telling us about Father God and for the gift of salvation you give to all who will believe.

December 16th. is Mary Carroll's birthday and Neil Loftiss' birthday too.

December 17th is Margaret Leech's birthday, wherever she is, old friend.

December 20th is the day my mother passed away, on her 50th anniversary and my brother and sister-in-law's anniversary too....Nancy and Charlie.

December 24th is my brother, Charlie's birthday, and he will be 75!

With all the things going on this month I ask you to take time to give thanks to God for all He has done in your life. Give thanks that He is concerned about us, has given us His Word, the Scriptures, and has sent our Lord and Savior, His ONLY Son into the world so that the world might know of God and His grace.

The Beginnings of Faith

2008-11-28T12:42:00.000-06:00

"So faith comes from hearing, and hering by the word of Christ." Romans 10:7

To have faith one must discover the Word of God, the Bible, is true and see how God has shown Himself to us throughout the centuries.

To have faith is to trust God as right. Realizing that it is He who made us and not we ourselves.

To have faith is to know that God has a meaning and purpose for each of our lives. And, as we will have faith, and accept the fact that Jesus Christ alone, is God's perfect sacrifice chosen to atone for our sinful attitudes and ways, and that has given His life as a sacrificial offering to meet the requirements God has for forgiveness we will will have faith and believe that the Words of God, unfolding in the Scriptures are real and personal. They are spoken and written so that we might believe and accept the gift of salvation that comes through Christ alone. Walk by faith, knowing that God has given us Jesus to show us mercy and grace are eternal gifts given us by our loving God.

With a little Coaching Wii Can

2008-11-27T18:56:00.000-06:00

An update on my adventures with the Wii. I got another crack at learning how to throw the bean bag in the Wii game. Saving my back, my knees and my sanity, Ray, my son, showed me how to toss the bag gently. Although Katie, and I still lost the game, at least I hit the board several times.

I must not be in the Allstar category as we didn't pay a second game. We did get 15 points to the opponents 35 points though. Ray threw 7 straight bags into the bonus target and I am sure that must be what beat the 6 yr old and her almost 67 yr old Nana.

Wii is not for the faint of heart

2008-11-26T16:48:00.000-06:00

I was staying with one of my granddaughters for a while this afternoon, watching her play Wii, wondering about the various games she was playing and how she got so good at them. Finally she turned to me and sweetly asked, "Nana do you want to play?" That was my first mistake.

My second mistake came when she strapped me into my Wii controller and we were ready to play toss the bean bag. Simple enough. Nope! I tried and tried to throw the bag up on the board for a score. Time and time again it either didn't go far enough or it flopped off to the left and I didn't score.

Finally my precious granddaughter turned around and said, "Let me show you how to do it" and with that she put the wand between her legs, swung wildly in the direction of the dining room and I watched the bag fly into the hole to score her points. Time and time again this happened. I finally succeeded in getting on the board and got a round of "You're doing great Nana's" from my sweet girl. "You've gotta put it between your legs and do like this," she said, reminding me that it's hard enough to bend over let alone swing wildly with my arms. Then she gave me one more instruction, "You can do it like you are doing it or you will hurt yourself." Geeee, I didn't realize I was so completely out of shape. Still I endured and the game was over, just as I scored one more point.

The final score to that game was 24 to 3. For some strange reason Abigail wasn't quite ready to take on another game, guess she thought her poor ole Nana was pretty pitiful. She kept asking, "When is Mommy coming home?" I said, "You know what Abigail, I think Nana needs to get one of these and practice." She looked at me and grinning ear to ear she replied, "What you can do Nana is come over and practice when we are out of town in Illinois. Maybe that will help." I didn't have the heart to tell the little thing that her poor ole granny didn't know how to turn it on, let alone load up a game. I'd get one of these Wii things but I'd never figure out how to hook it up or load it.

What a great time my grandchildren live in. All this modern stuff. Now I know why mother wouldn't touch the tv when Daddy brought our first one home in 1952.

Good Words For All

2008-11-23T06:46:00.000-06:00

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, " I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say,

The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?

Hebrews 13:5,6 ESV

Those seeking money and power are often discontent because they never have enough money or things. I would challenge you with this thought, happiness is not found in security in financial resources but in the promises Christ has made us.

The Lord Jesus Christ, says --- I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you! NEVER! Take hold of that claim and know that He is the One who has set us free from the yoke of slavery...we do not have to be enslaved by money, things, needs, desires, or anything that divides our attention - we are to set our minds of Christ...the author and finisher of our salvation and everything else will fall into place. Take comfort in reading Colossians chapters 2 and 3 and put on the new self each and every morning when you rise from a good nights rest.

I'M TOO BUSY COLLECTING MY FORTUNES

2008-11-22T20:37:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry but I've been really tied up today to think of much in the real world. You see, our friends the scamers, have been busy e-mailing the last couple of days and I am deeply burdened for them. It could be that I am the wealthiest woman in southwest Kentucky and just haven't got the money yet...or it could be the people sending me the e-mails with the numbers in them - 2, 8, 6, etc. have got my attention, after all I'm always in the market for male enhancement products. Next thing I need is for a dating service to contact me with someone looking for a date. I find the numbers e-mail totally disgusting folks....really!

I received 14 e-mails in 2 days with people holding money for me...some say it's a lottery I've won (which is interesting because I don't do lottery things), some have an inheritance for me while some are just needing helping getting fortunes out of their country into mine, if only I can help them. Decisions, decisions. Which scam is the most appealing?

Could it be none of them are of interest to my feeble ole mind? Might it be the scamers have fallen on hard times and have been sending out more e-mails to trap unwilling victims? Oh my, this world is going to **** in a hand basket, whatever that means (thanks mom for saying that over and over when I was a kid) and with the holiday season upon us scamers need to do their Christmas shopping too?

Alas and alike, yet another term I never understood, there are so many starving scamers waiting to get their hand in some poor, witless person's pocket and rob them blind. Maybe what we need to do is form a government based committee and have them investigate these scams. After all the democrats haven't done anything productive in years, so maybe they can tackle this before Christmas break and then go home and tell all the voters "we're working for you." (Sure you are...) next thing we know we'll be getting an e-mail from congress telling us they are raising our taxes and to go down to Western Union and send them $1,000.

My favorite scamer of the week is the "ninny" who sent out the e-mail saying they represented the FBI and that they were holding money for me. Like the FBI is going to e-mail you about something like that.....pitiful guys! Just pitiful.

Country living

2008-11-19T07:12:00.000-06:00

A rash of break-ins is happening out here in the country. Sadly the people being robbed are losing things they count of value and are losing treasured memories. It is a mystery to me how, as the paper reports, people have several thousands of dollars of cash, a stash of jewelry, and a several cell phones just laying around their house. The cell phones would be easily traced, it seems to me. ( They wouldn't want my old Nokia, I'm sure, it's a stripped down model and I love it. No fancy stuff on it and when I lost it a couple of months ago and then found it, it had a chip broken in the casing where it had dropped out of my pocket and hit something in the car before landing under the seat.)

As for the jewelry, it appears a lot of folks have jewelry in their house, likely from years gone by, maybe given them by loved ones. And, some of us, aren't doing what our folks did, burying money in the yard. OR - there are perhaps some other thoughts about people who are robbing country folk - (1) It's some of your family members stealing what what you got, (2) it's people on drugs needing money, (3) it's someone who is watching your house, (4) it's the newly elected "regime" coming to spread your wealth to the less fortunate, (5) it's somebody who knows you have money and jewelry in your house that's been there, (6) it's the cable guy who's come to install your new dish network. (Note: NEVER allow anyone to roam around in your house when they come into it for any reason. Always be with them...even if they want to go to the bathroom. Stand outside the door and wait for them.)

I think it is so sad, a horrible comment on the day we live in, that one lady in our church was gone from her house less than one hour and someone stole stuff from her house. I am told that it appears someone had been watching her house which sits off the road, out of view, and knew when she was coming and going. Stealing from anyone's home is a personal violation of a person's privacy. I expect a person feels extremely violated. So....if you're thinking about a life of crime, and coming out here in the country you need to know something about "country folk" - they take this kinda stuff seriously. And, there are folk among us who will stop you "dead in your tracks."

Friends

2008-11-15T09:45:00.000-06:00

I saw this poem online this morning and got to thinking of where I grew up. Daddy built the house at 3774 Leech Road way back in the 30's before I was born. We lived out in the middle of nowhere but we didn't live without neighbors. The Leech family was across the street, the Maddens next door, my brother's house was to the left of this picture and we all lived in a place called the Levi community.

Friends

Friends smile at you.

They like your face.

They want to be with you

Any old place.

Friends have fun with you.

Friends share

They’re glad when you’re happy---

When you’re sad, they care.

If you’re a friend

Then you care, too.

That’s why your friends

Are glad you’re you!!!

Leaning Barns

2008-11-10T08:46:00.000-06:00

I'm not quite sure why, but leaning barns absolutely fascinate me. I was driving along the other day and saw this beauty and noticed it was still in use.

I keep wondering, but never get the answer, why don't people do something about those leaning barns when they notice the problem?

My favorite leaning barn is found as you enter the big city (not) of Hopkinsville, KY from the northern end. It's a common site to see an old white horse leaning up against, or close to that leaning barn. I sometimes wonder which one is holding up the other, the barn, the horse, or gravity is holding both of them up.

It amazes me that farmers spend a small fortune to build barns but over the years don't maintain them.

Then again, you are likely bored that anyone would even care about leaning barns. But somebody has to do it and I willingly take on the job. You see, I see things like this as part of our culture and our history. Visualize farmer making his way into the barn, ready to load it down with that great tobacco crop he just paid all the illegal immigrants to cut. All the tobacco that I have seen cut and in barns is hanging UP in the barn, which means, some guy has to be chosen to do the hanging. And since there are racks after racks of tobacco that means, "Okay Jose, you get to climb up and hang the tobacco. It's a wonder that tobacco hangers aren't considered a hazardous profession and paid extra pay. No wonder all the Mexicans seem to be so happy to be at Wal-mart and K-mart on Saturday. Not only have they had a tough week in the fields, they have escaped death by collapse in the tobacco farms of Kentucky.

You go guys!