Temporary Things/Flowers

Every physical thing on this planet is temporary, although some things lasts longer than others. That shiny new car that you were thrilled to get becomes scrap iron in just a few years. In high school, I sometimes skipped lunch to save money to get white "Go-Go" boots. I got the boots (they were so cute) but they didn't last as long as it took to save for them.

Everything tangible is temporary. Even the lofty peaks of the Rocky Mountains will someday be a collection of grains of sand by the seashore if the Earth lasts that long. We just can't stop gravity and wind and rain and the turning of the Earth.

Reckon it would be a good thing if we didn't value things by how long they last, but for how much joy they bring us?

Flowers come and go so quickly. We plant and weed and mulch all year for two or three weeks of sheer beauty. Is it worth it? Without a doubt, it is.

This was our front yard on Sunday, May 4. The Knock-out roses were just beginning to bloom, and the peonies were covered with big buds. I made these pics as Hub and I were leaving for a few days out of town.

We returned home on Friday, May 9. Can you see the difference? The huge peony blossoms were already past their peak, but they were still so beautiful. Some of the rose petals were already falling off.

We were gone five days. What a difference!

The weather man said rain was coming, and I knew it would destroy the remaining peony blossoms. I cut huge vases of them, and it snowed white, delicious-smelling petals inside. We loved it.

Our too temporary spring is passing so quickly. Please take time to stop and see and smell and notice the beauty while it is here!

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
James 4:14 KJV

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Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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