Nothing can take you down memory lane like old pictures. Our family had a reunion beginning with the birth of my daughter in 1974 every year until 2000. I have pictures from everyone, but for the life of me do not remember the year of each picture. The sadness here is that I can tell about when it was by those attending and have since passed on.
Family from Arizona, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and more gathered on the last weekend in September for the big get together. Oh how I miss those days!
I know I have written about the Barbecue before, but it was always so much more. There is always disagreements and strife in families, but on this weekend for 26 years, it was always put behind us and everyone remembered the good times, forged new friendships and created new memories. Most of the older group are gone and truly missed. Some of the younger group are gone and sorely missed. There are those here now that don't remember the big get together and some who would love to do it again.
Family is stretched even further out now and a few of us keep in touch, but contact information has been lost on so many. I was blessed to find a cousin this year who is dear to me even though the only part of his life I have shared is a long weekend in September. It doesn't matter, there is a molecule in the offspring of Jim Sims and Suzy Brown that draw like a magnet to each other.
It matters not the ups and downs and ends and outs of daily living that we each experience; it is not money, possessions, education, talents, or the lack of any of these things. There is something there that cannot be denied.
I love you guys! Keep reading! Until the next big get together!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Happy and Funny Memories with Cousins
Patching up Mikey after a bike accident
Plowing the garden with a Ford pickup truck pulling the plow because the tractor was down
Helping CW when she picked the beautiful fall leaves that turned out to be poison oak
Sliding on the rocks at the creek
Camping and canoeing at Lake Kerr
Checking the lines for catfish at Lake Kerr
Listening to the tall tales as told by Auntie Sue while sitting around the fire
Always watchful of T-Bow and his sneaky tricks
Deep frying chitlins in the black pot with children riding by grabbing some on the run while Moms are vowing their kids won't eat them
Watching the Superbowl with the guys against the gals
Sitting around a fire on the cool nights of fall - not talking, just sitting
CW and I curled up with a good book while the guys are hunting
Mikey's breakfast - delicious
Listening to Dad's story of Auntie singing opera - "Have a raspberry"
All the skits at the Lodge and the many hikes through the mountains
Good fun, good food, lots of laughs! Always an adventure!
Plowing the garden with a Ford pickup truck pulling the plow because the tractor was down
Helping CW when she picked the beautiful fall leaves that turned out to be poison oak
Sliding on the rocks at the creek
Camping and canoeing at Lake Kerr
Checking the lines for catfish at Lake Kerr
Listening to the tall tales as told by Auntie Sue while sitting around the fire
Always watchful of T-Bow and his sneaky tricks
Deep frying chitlins in the black pot with children riding by grabbing some on the run while Moms are vowing their kids won't eat them
Watching the Superbowl with the guys against the gals
Sitting around a fire on the cool nights of fall - not talking, just sitting
CW and I curled up with a good book while the guys are hunting
Mikey's breakfast - delicious
Listening to Dad's story of Auntie singing opera - "Have a raspberry"
All the skits at the Lodge and the many hikes through the mountains
Good fun, good food, lots of laughs! Always an adventure!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Memories of Barbeques
Family reunions and Barbeque - can't beat it!
Hogs cooking over a pit of coals exuding delicious smells and brings on the anticipation!
Basting the meat to enhance the juices flowing from these delicious beasts. Sauce is home made and a little on the warm side, but oh so good.
Hog head stew is the best around, but for those with softer constitutions we use pork roast, beef roast and chickens. The combination makes the delicious base for the brunswick stew made the old fashion way; cooked over an open fire in old black iron kettles.
Good food, good friends and loving family - oh what wonderful memories!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friends
My friends are all different personalities and display various characteristics that have drawn me to them again and again.
Some are fun loving and always happy, some are solemn and serious, some are busy and stressed, and some are laid back and easy going. I have some friends who are out to change the world. I have some friends who are thoroughly enjoying the world as it is. I have peace making friends who don't like the pot stirred, but aren't happy with the way things are but they just want to let the pot simmer. I have friends who love to keep stirring the pot and adding ingredients just to see what will happen - I call these stink stirrers because their are just some ingredients that don't mix and a stink usually follows these friends. Then there are friends who are too busy to even know what is going on unless it involves their current tasks or disaster. All of these friends make up my life! I love them all! They provide me with a variety of views that keep my mind in the right place and encourage me to view the world through other's eyes.
I was reviewing my email list this morning to determine who would enjoy an email I had received. As I came to a name I would review their personality in my mind to determine whether to forward on go on to the next name. Some were judged as suitable or not based on the content of the emails I received from them. As I sat contemplating the list, I realized that maybe I should do it different. Maybe they would enjoy something out of their ordinary. Don't we all like a change of pace as long as it doesn't offend? Who was I to judge what my friends would enjoy? There are so many facets to each and every one of us! Then I started thinking about how my friends view me. Some have told me their thoughts; others are just there, I really don't know how they "see me."
There have been many adjectives attached to me in my 58 years. What others see in me is not what I see in myself! Here are some of the words friends have used to describe me and my connotations of those words. Remember I am referring to friends, not enemies - they have other words to describe me.
Wise - I have lived a long time and learned to live by my rules and values not someone else's (I can spout off advice all day, but you have to learn your way, not mine). Tight Wad - again, what I value is not what someone else values for me. Prude - I am open minded, but refuse to give up my morals and integrity. Compassionate - I care about people, but don't like to be taken advantage of under any circumstances. Plain spoken - if I don't tell you what I think and how I feel, who will (nobody knows me better than I do)? Mean - I am very straightforward in relating what is acceptable and what is not, but if you want to push my buttons, go ahead - but remember I will fight back. Family oriented - my family is very important to me - God gave me children to instruct in his way and to become responsible adults. Don't judge, you haven't reached your end and neither have they - we are all still on the journey of life. Christian - the most important part of my being. I am far from a perfect human being, but God isn't through with me yet. I have been on some hard roads and haven't finished travelling yet, but I find if I follow rather than lead, the trip is much easier.
Now, now friends, how would you describe me? Would you be surprised if I wrote about you? What would I say? Is your life presented in a way that displays your real feelings and your true being? I love you all and you give me so much! If you get an email that doesn't sound like me, remember I am constantly expanding, learning and finding my way.
Keep reading!
Belle
Some are fun loving and always happy, some are solemn and serious, some are busy and stressed, and some are laid back and easy going. I have some friends who are out to change the world. I have some friends who are thoroughly enjoying the world as it is. I have peace making friends who don't like the pot stirred, but aren't happy with the way things are but they just want to let the pot simmer. I have friends who love to keep stirring the pot and adding ingredients just to see what will happen - I call these stink stirrers because their are just some ingredients that don't mix and a stink usually follows these friends. Then there are friends who are too busy to even know what is going on unless it involves their current tasks or disaster. All of these friends make up my life! I love them all! They provide me with a variety of views that keep my mind in the right place and encourage me to view the world through other's eyes.
I was reviewing my email list this morning to determine who would enjoy an email I had received. As I came to a name I would review their personality in my mind to determine whether to forward on go on to the next name. Some were judged as suitable or not based on the content of the emails I received from them. As I sat contemplating the list, I realized that maybe I should do it different. Maybe they would enjoy something out of their ordinary. Don't we all like a change of pace as long as it doesn't offend? Who was I to judge what my friends would enjoy? There are so many facets to each and every one of us! Then I started thinking about how my friends view me. Some have told me their thoughts; others are just there, I really don't know how they "see me."
There have been many adjectives attached to me in my 58 years. What others see in me is not what I see in myself! Here are some of the words friends have used to describe me and my connotations of those words. Remember I am referring to friends, not enemies - they have other words to describe me.
Wise - I have lived a long time and learned to live by my rules and values not someone else's (I can spout off advice all day, but you have to learn your way, not mine). Tight Wad - again, what I value is not what someone else values for me. Prude - I am open minded, but refuse to give up my morals and integrity. Compassionate - I care about people, but don't like to be taken advantage of under any circumstances. Plain spoken - if I don't tell you what I think and how I feel, who will (nobody knows me better than I do)? Mean - I am very straightforward in relating what is acceptable and what is not, but if you want to push my buttons, go ahead - but remember I will fight back. Family oriented - my family is very important to me - God gave me children to instruct in his way and to become responsible adults. Don't judge, you haven't reached your end and neither have they - we are all still on the journey of life. Christian - the most important part of my being. I am far from a perfect human being, but God isn't through with me yet. I have been on some hard roads and haven't finished travelling yet, but I find if I follow rather than lead, the trip is much easier.
Now, now friends, how would you describe me? Would you be surprised if I wrote about you? What would I say? Is your life presented in a way that displays your real feelings and your true being? I love you all and you give me so much! If you get an email that doesn't sound like me, remember I am constantly expanding, learning and finding my way.
Keep reading!
Belle
Saturday, October 17, 2009
My Favorite Change of Weather Dish
This week ushered in cooler temperatures and no sunshine. The leaves began to turn and the smell of fall was in the air. I hunger for something warm and comforting.
Hubby and I enjoy chicken and white beans (navy beans) over corn bread. It brings a smile to my face and a tightening my tummy just thinking about it. After cleaning the chicken and placing whole into the crock pot with enough water to come to about two inches of the top I let it cook for about 2 hours with 3 cloves of fresh crushed garlic, a teaspoon of salt, 3 stalks of celery and a large onions. This really gets the juices going. Then I add a bag of navy beans. Let it slow cook for another 2 hours and lift out the chicken and de-bone replacing the juicy meat back into the beans and broth. Add 1 cup of rice and let simmer until the rice is done. Bake a large pan of cornbread and enjoy.
For those on a salt free or low salt diet, use a tablespoon of Mrs. Dash's original blend in place of salt. The garlic melds the flavors without the use of salt, but being from the old south it is hard for me to cook with no salt at all.
This sure makes the transition into cooler weather easier to bear.
Hubby and I enjoy chicken and white beans (navy beans) over corn bread. It brings a smile to my face and a tightening my tummy just thinking about it. After cleaning the chicken and placing whole into the crock pot with enough water to come to about two inches of the top I let it cook for about 2 hours with 3 cloves of fresh crushed garlic, a teaspoon of salt, 3 stalks of celery and a large onions. This really gets the juices going. Then I add a bag of navy beans. Let it slow cook for another 2 hours and lift out the chicken and de-bone replacing the juicy meat back into the beans and broth. Add 1 cup of rice and let simmer until the rice is done. Bake a large pan of cornbread and enjoy.
For those on a salt free or low salt diet, use a tablespoon of Mrs. Dash's original blend in place of salt. The garlic melds the flavors without the use of salt, but being from the old south it is hard for me to cook with no salt at all.
This sure makes the transition into cooler weather easier to bear.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Season
The season has started. The air must have a slight chill to it and the leaves need to be turning. A slight breeze with occasional gusting is a must. A little dampness adds just the right touch.
He has gotten out his rifle or bow and checked all the sights, gone over the barrel to make sure there is no pitting, adjusted the string. Then he sat and watched his weapon as if it were going to talk to him. He sighs or smiles and I know he is thinking of the big one - the one worthy of going on the wall, the trophy. Finally, the weapon is put away and he sleeps, dreaming of the next day's hunt. He is ready. It is the season.
He has gotten out his rifle or bow and checked all the sights, gone over the barrel to make sure there is no pitting, adjusted the string. Then he sat and watched his weapon as if it were going to talk to him. He sighs or smiles and I know he is thinking of the big one - the one worthy of going on the wall, the trophy. Finally, the weapon is put away and he sleeps, dreaming of the next day's hunt. He is ready. It is the season.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Daily Devotional
I subscribe to Crosswalk .com Girlfriends in God for my daily devotional. This devotional is sent to me daily and is always inspirational. Today Sharon Jaynes wrote "We leave a fragrance, so to speak, by the words we speak." I believe this phrase will be my motto. It says so much in so few words. Thank you so much Ms. Jaynes for your thoughts and guidance.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
WD-40
WD-40 - water displacement the 40th formula
Main ingredient - fish oil
What does it do? WD-40 is a miracle! It will do everything, but dance on the table and will make that easier if the table is sprayed with it before the dance.
I recently received an email extolling the virtues of this fantastic product. I decided to check out their website and found even more uses and stories. WD-40 and Avon's Skin So Soft run neck in neck for the many uses of their product.
WD-40 can be used to
Keep flies off cows (?)
Restores and cleans chalkboards
Removes lipstick stains
Untangles jewelry
Removes stains from stainless steel sinks
Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill
Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing
Removes tomato stains from clothing
Lubricates tracks in windows making them easy to open and close
Spraying on an umbrella stem makes it easier to open
Removes splattered grease on stove
Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging
Keeps pigeons off balcony
Removes duct tape sticky
Attracts fish when sprayed on bait or lures (check rules and regs for chemical use in your state)
Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots
Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors
Stops sting of fire ant bites and stops the itch
Removes crayon marks from walls
Protects silver from tarnishing
Removes road tar, grime and bugs from cars
Restores the dashboard and rubber bumpers of vehicles
And - lubricates almost any moving part - metal or plastic
For more uses and additional information visit the WD-40 website at www.wd40.com and happy spraying!
Main ingredient - fish oil
What does it do? WD-40 is a miracle! It will do everything, but dance on the table and will make that easier if the table is sprayed with it before the dance.
I recently received an email extolling the virtues of this fantastic product. I decided to check out their website and found even more uses and stories. WD-40 and Avon's Skin So Soft run neck in neck for the many uses of their product.
WD-40 can be used to
Keep flies off cows (?)
Restores and cleans chalkboards
Removes lipstick stains
Untangles jewelry
Removes stains from stainless steel sinks
Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill
Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing
Removes tomato stains from clothing
Lubricates tracks in windows making them easy to open and close
Spraying on an umbrella stem makes it easier to open
Removes splattered grease on stove
Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging
Keeps pigeons off balcony
Removes duct tape sticky
Attracts fish when sprayed on bait or lures (check rules and regs for chemical use in your state)
Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots
Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors
Stops sting of fire ant bites and stops the itch
Removes crayon marks from walls
Protects silver from tarnishing
Removes road tar, grime and bugs from cars
Restores the dashboard and rubber bumpers of vehicles
And - lubricates almost any moving part - metal or plastic
For more uses and additional information visit the WD-40 website at www.wd40.com and happy spraying!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Good Luck, Take Care
Good luck, take care
don't come close to what I want to say.
Stay safe, write home
are not the words to show the way.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
A job, a dream
the one you've always had
A soldier with pride
the need to be just like your Dad.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
Heavy heart, misty eyes
sleepless nights for the next year,
Sights unseen, horror galore
keep your Bible close to you my dear.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
Come back, come back
that is what I want to yell,
Stay safe, take care
are the only words I tell.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
Belle
don't come close to what I want to say.
Stay safe, write home
are not the words to show the way.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
A job, a dream
the one you've always had
A soldier with pride
the need to be just like your Dad.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
Heavy heart, misty eyes
sleepless nights for the next year,
Sights unseen, horror galore
keep your Bible close to you my dear.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
Come back, come back
that is what I want to yell,
Stay safe, take care
are the only words I tell.
Kevlar helmet in your hand,
Camos blend with the sand
Small in stature, but still a man
Going off to a foreign land.
Belle
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Stupidity - Update
Well, I am sitting here contemplating what I would write about today, when low and behold the Redneck dogs start barking to beat the band. Well, I look out the window and see nothing that shouldn't be there, so I grab the handy dandy pistola and go out the back door holding the pistola at my side. Well, lookee here! Two young men are standing in my back yard just calm as you please. I walk over to the railing and still neither one turns to look so I kindly ask "What the hell are you doing in my backyard?" They look at each other and then at me and start walking toward the deck. I lay my pistola on the railing still in my hand, and repeat the question.
Well, it appears these lofty members of the Forestry Commission are doing research and the woods are part of their research. I admonish these gentlemen for not knocking on my door and letting me know they were there and then advise them of the recent burglaries in our fair county and how their actions were a prime example of ways to get shot by acting stupid.
After wishing them a good day and requesting they let me know if they came back, they returned to their research and I returned to my computer.
I guess the feds don't train their personnel to have the good sense and proper courtesy of advising property owners of their presence. And they wonder why people don't have respect for Federal Agencies!
Update! Not federal, some of my good old state employees. Hubby got into the mix and now they are in trouble with their supervisors. They were suppose to let us know they were on the property and failed to follow proper procedure. Sorry guys. Better in trouble than shot by us nervous landowners. Hope your research is important!
Well, it appears these lofty members of the Forestry Commission are doing research and the woods are part of their research. I admonish these gentlemen for not knocking on my door and letting me know they were there and then advise them of the recent burglaries in our fair county and how their actions were a prime example of ways to get shot by acting stupid.
After wishing them a good day and requesting they let me know if they came back, they returned to their research and I returned to my computer.
I guess the feds don't train their personnel to have the good sense and proper courtesy of advising property owners of their presence. And they wonder why people don't have respect for Federal Agencies!
Update! Not federal, some of my good old state employees. Hubby got into the mix and now they are in trouble with their supervisors. They were suppose to let us know they were on the property and failed to follow proper procedure. Sorry guys. Better in trouble than shot by us nervous landowners. Hope your research is important!
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Fun of Yard Sales
It has been over twenty years since I had a yard sale. I had a flea market booth at High Falls. That was my cancer recovery emotional self-treatment that lasted for about 2 years, then I decided to heck with this I will live and proceeded to get on with my life. It is really easy to languish in self pity and the compassion of others, but that in itself is debilitating.
On to the topic, I had a yard sale this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed myself! Yes, I was very tired at the end of the day, but it was well worth it! I believe I was made for retail sales. And my hubby - a born car salesman - no offense to you car salesman - but he has a knack for relating to any and everyone. A born conversationalist, he can talk the horns off a brass billy goat.
We met neighbors we had not met, saw neighbors that we are all too busy to stop and visit with, and then people from north and south just passing by on their way to somewhere else. Did we make any money? Yes, but not a fortune and what else would we be doing on a beautiful early fall afternoon other than sitting in front of the television letting some football team that doesn't really affect us at all get us in a dander?
People stopping at yard sales have changed though. They came later, lingered longer, and were happy to chat. But, they didn't want to haggle! That is the fun part of a yard sale and we were ready, able, and loaded for bear, but didn't have any takers. They chose what they wanted, tried to pay the price and get on their way. Didn't stop hubby - he lowered the price on loads of stuff without being asked and gave away a truck load of stuff. He really was a hoot and I probably could have sold tickets to watch him work and made more money than I did selling books, baby stuff and clothes. Maybe I will try that on the next one!
I must add here - have a yard sale with a friend. It makes the time go faster and is much more enjoyable. My friend was a fantastic partner and we had a fun day!
I felt so much livelier today - maybe there is something to this self-treatment of mine! Or maybe I just needed to interact with someone other than the world's greatest salesman! Happy reading!
Belle
On to the topic, I had a yard sale this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed myself! Yes, I was very tired at the end of the day, but it was well worth it! I believe I was made for retail sales. And my hubby - a born car salesman - no offense to you car salesman - but he has a knack for relating to any and everyone. A born conversationalist, he can talk the horns off a brass billy goat.
We met neighbors we had not met, saw neighbors that we are all too busy to stop and visit with, and then people from north and south just passing by on their way to somewhere else. Did we make any money? Yes, but not a fortune and what else would we be doing on a beautiful early fall afternoon other than sitting in front of the television letting some football team that doesn't really affect us at all get us in a dander?
People stopping at yard sales have changed though. They came later, lingered longer, and were happy to chat. But, they didn't want to haggle! That is the fun part of a yard sale and we were ready, able, and loaded for bear, but didn't have any takers. They chose what they wanted, tried to pay the price and get on their way. Didn't stop hubby - he lowered the price on loads of stuff without being asked and gave away a truck load of stuff. He really was a hoot and I probably could have sold tickets to watch him work and made more money than I did selling books, baby stuff and clothes. Maybe I will try that on the next one!
I must add here - have a yard sale with a friend. It makes the time go faster and is much more enjoyable. My friend was a fantastic partner and we had a fun day!
I felt so much livelier today - maybe there is something to this self-treatment of mine! Or maybe I just needed to interact with someone other than the world's greatest salesman! Happy reading!
Belle
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