LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND JOHNNY CASH....

NOTE: Jimmy Rodgers was from Meridian, Mississippi.
ANOTHER NOTE: Cindy Cash (Johnny's daughter) was my roomate in re-hab.
GOD, I love 'em both!

LOYALTY IN MARRIAGE....

A woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day.

One day he motioned for her to come nearer.

As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, "You know what?

You have been with me all through the bad times.

When I got fired, you were there to support me.

When my business failed, you were there.

When I got shot, you were by my side.

When we lost the house, you stayed right here.

When my health started failing, you were still by my side.

You know what?"

"What dear?" she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.

"I think you're bad luck.

Get the hell away from me."

Thank you KATHY for this one!

MISSISSIPPI REVIVAL....

Thank you Cliff for this song of revival!

TOUGH LOVE vs. SPANKING....

It seems that these days most Americans think it is improper to spank children, so over the years I tried other methods to control my children when they had one of "those moments."

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

They usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with one of my boys, just in case you would like to use the technique.

See photo below

AROUND THE CORNER....

I have obviously been distracted from blogging for the past week and this is due to opening a "Gift Shop" in downtown Meridian, Mississippi. It is something that I am having a "blast" putting together and we hope to open in mid October with our Grand Opening on November 3, 2007. So, Quasar, thank you for prompting me to post SOMETHING explaining the last photo. {{{laughing}}}

"Across the street....from Around The Corner."

I miss you each and will be back to the norm, whatever that is, soon!

Much love to you all!

ACROSS THE STREET....

THE STAR I FOUND.....

CRACKED....

WONDER WHAT IT HELD?

OH, THE WALLS....

LANDSCAPING THE ALLEY...

NICKNAMES....

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but nicknames shall never hurt me!"

Well, unless there is photo graphical evidence that I have become such!

Hillbilly

vs.

Hill-Billary

Gotta love Photoshop 7.0

13 THINGS.....

As I was cleaning the kitchen last night, I shuddered at the thought of cleaning the doors and handles of my refrigerator. It is COVERD with children's crafts, artwork, photos and fun stuff that people in my life have gifted or sent in the mail.

But then I got to thinking......

What would I like to see on my refrigerator that is not already there?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

So, this is my list of 13.

1. The smiles on the faces of my children.

2. The feeling of cool air on my skin.

3. My love of God.

4. The smell of a fire burning.

5. The sound of Leigh M. McCluskey's laughter.

6. The memory of a loved one.

7. Mr. Liquid's shadow with laundry detergent in his hands.

8. An everlasting rainbow.

9. A hand written note to me from Angelina Jole'.

9. A reminder card for an appointment with Dr. Gordon.

10. My car keys.

11. A chunk of the Berlin Wall.

12. A piece of fried chicken from Rittman, Ohio.

and

13. A utility bill that I need to walk over and deliver to Amias.

If you'd like to share your 13....

post a comment, rather spill a drink, leaving a link to your blog

so we can all take a look at

what's on your 'fridge!

A SONG FOR MOMS.....

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT....

AN ELEPHANT STORY....

I know that I'm a softy but even if you are NOT........this story will touch you!

Thank you, Courtney, for this heart warming moment!

In 1986, Dan Harrison (see picture above) was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University . On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Dan approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Dan worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Dan stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned , and walked away. Dan never forgot that elephant or the events of that day. Twenty years later, Dan was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Dan and his son Dan Jr. were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Dan, lifted its front foot off the ground, and then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man. Remembering the encounter in 1986, Dan couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Dan summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Dan's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn't the same elephant.

A SHOUT OUT~

I wanted to ask each of you

....and you KNOW who you are....

to say a special prayer for a dear friend of mine.

AMIAS, and her husband Robert are moving today.

They are down-sizing to help prepare them for retirement and well, I wouldn't know for sure but I would imagine that might be a little emotional for several reasons, and it is most certainly a physical challenge no matter how little you lift.

So, if you would, please ask for them, peace of heart and physical protection.

I also asked God this morning to bless the new home that they are moving into.

Hey, who couldn't use that!

AMIAS and her husband plan to move once more, in less than 2 years, to Mississippi.

For AMIAS, it will be returning home and I just cannot WAIT for her to get here!

{{{Smiles}}}

Anyway....

McShane....

A dear old friend of mine that I happened upon for the first time in over 5 years.

His name is McShane.

Every one in this area knows Mac!

He will always be remembered for his kind and most helpful manner in any given situation. He has been riding only his bike for over 15 years and is the picture of health. He is precious to me and my family for many years. As a matter of fact, when I went into labor with Isabella, he was the FIRST one to the hospital and stayed until he was able to hold her. Precious Mac....I was given MUCH enlightenment after spending an hour with him just "catchin' up". He revealed to me that he is approaching his 79th birthday this week. Saturday to be exact. And you know what? He is still riding that bike all over town!

Whew!

What a good fella!

I sure have missed him.

A CHRISTMAS CARD....

Yup, I think this will be my Christmas Card for this year.

One of them, anyway!

PICNIC WOOD....

THE OLD IRON CAULDRON....

WATER....

Guess which pair I was interested in?

Um, size 8.

I could wear them to blog in.

There is no water left around these parts.

It rained last night almost 1.5 inches.

I heard it thunder then went outside to check it out.

I opened the door and all I heard was, "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhuuuuuuuuullllllkkkkkkkk".

The ground sucked all the water up immediately.

This morning it is completly dry out there.

QUOTE....

Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of GOLD but so does a hard boiled egg.

~Anonymous