The Tillerman Cycle books

I have just completed reading the three books shown here: Homecoming, A Solitary Blue, and Dicey's Song, all written by Cynthia Voigt. You will find them in the young adult section of the library.

The first in the series is Homecoming, which I read last, just because that's how I roll. The second book in the Tillerman series is Dicey's Song. It won the John Newberry Medal. The third is A Solitary Blue, a Newberry Honor book, and it was the first one I read. All of them were wonderful, and they might have been even better if I had read them in order.

A few years ago, a reading friend highly recommended Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. I couldn't find it, so I asked someone at the library to help me. They went to the young adult section and found it. That opened up some new stacks for me! I have found some absolute treasures in that section, and yes, Hattie Big Sky was one of them.

I recommend these books, especially Homecoming if you can just read one. There are some more in the Tillerman series that is on my list to find and read. We are never too old to learn the lessons of these books--family, struggle, basic human goodness and evil. I love the characters and feel like they are a part of my family.

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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 (o...

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 wil...

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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