Sandy Cornish and The Eye of God

Sandy Cornish was born a slave in Maryland. His master hired him out around 1839 to work building a railroad in Florida's Panhandle. After a while, with his wife's help, he was able to buy his freedom. His 'free-papers" were lost in a fire, and he was seized by slave-catchers who planned to sell him in New Orleans. Before they could transport him there, he broke free and plunged a knife in his hip, cut his ankle, and cut off the fingers of his left hand. He threatened to do greater harm to himself if he was carried to New Orleans.

He was useless to the slave traders at that point, and they left him alone. Some friends carried him home in a wheelbarrow, and he recovered after six months. He and his wife then moved to Key West, Florida.

They bought a farm and supplied fruit and vegetables to Key West residents, becoming highly successful and very wealthy. He was a community leader, and was one of the founders of the Cornish Chapel of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church is still very active in Key West.

The front of the church building has some beautiful stained glass called the Eye of God. You can see why.

Our tour guide told us that if you walked down the street at night, the eye would follow you as long as it could see you. I don't know if that's true, because we were long gone before dark, but I don't suppose the tour guide would tell us anything that wasn't true. You will have to go see for yourself.

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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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