Faith, Folklore, and Friends

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto  all  them that call upon thee. ~Psalm 86:5

During my winter hibernation time, I try to get caught up on quilting projects that I have started.  Yesterday, I finished this lap quilt made from Relay For Life T-shirts. I had the idea to make this more than two years ago.  These quilts are not hard to make; what took so long was finding the right T-shirts.  They were all Survivor shirts in purple and white.  It took a while at the thrift store to find enough, but I found the last purple one I needed just a few weeks ago. I had just enough for the lap quilt size.  I was afraid if I waited until I found enough T-shirts for a full size quilt, I might be too old to remember how to make them. I used the back of the T-shirts for the back of the quilt, so you will be able to see some of the sponsors for years to come. This quilt will be donated to the Woodmont Warriors relay group.  It will be auctioned off at their fundraiser sometime in the early spring. I hope it finds a good home. I am going to miss th

Thirty years after they broke up, the Russellville High School band, Mountain Breeze, reunited recently for a concert to benefit Kerry Gilbert.  It was amazing. Special guests included The Secret Sisters.   I can't think of a better way to spend a cold Saturday night than in a packed auditorium with people we love, listening to our favorite music. It was a night we will long remember.  I am so thankful we were able to attend. 

Live as people who are  free,  not using  your  freedom  as  a cover-up for evil, but  living as servants of God. ~1 Peter 2:16

Yesterday (01/19/16), Jerry Sharp, Pam Sharp, Hub and I had dinner at Miss Mary Bobo's in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Lynchburg, with one traffic light and approximately 600 residents, is known worldwide as being the home of Jack Daniel's Distillery. Miss Mary and her husband had boarders in their house in downtown Lynchburg, and became known for the meals she prepared for them every day.  Soon, it was turned into a restaurant where guests sat at one table and passed the yummy bowls of food around just like they would do at home.  As they grew older, Miss Mary and her husband ceased having boarders, but the restaurant remained open.  The restaurant today, now owned by the Jack Daniels Corporation, is in the original house, although it has been renovated several times since it was built in the early 1800s. You must make reservations to dine there.  We got there about 12:45 for our 1:00 reservation.  After we checked in, we waited in the gift shop until 1:00.  At one,

Every good gift and every perfect gift  is  from above, coming down from  the  Father of lights  with whom there is no  variation or shadow due to change. ~James 1:17

In Loving Memory Mary Lynn Stricklin Horton January 12, 1937-December 2, 1990 Let's just pretend, because it is your birthday, that the lump in your breast was a mosquito bite that disappeared in a few days and your life stayed normal, if normal can describe life. I will call you up and tell you to come by, the coffee is on and there is coconut cake. We'll talk about hair color and plants. You will be amazed at how the grandchildren have grown.   We will speculate about Rosie's new man and how high the price of groceries will rise because of the early freeze.   I will make you a copy of that quilt pattern you've been wanting. We will giggle at old stories: the time you broke your foot riding a bicycle, the leaves in the chicken stew. We will groan about our weight gain and I will say your boobs are as big as the moon.  We will refuse to talk about cancer. We won't think about chemicals and radiation a

  And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:   And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.   Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.   Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.   Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.   Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets

Once again, we have been given another chance, another attempt to get it right, another calendar with blank pages that will be filled, one way or another. How can we fill them? With a lot of laughter and crying, some compassion, and more than a little kindness. We can stand boldly for what is right. We can buy some seed, Plant something, anything, and watch it grow.    We can share what we know and what we grow, green happiness.   We can do something we have never done before; something so far outside of our comfort zone that no one believes you can make it.    But you will.   We can go somewhere we have never been before, in a car or a train or a ship or a book.    We can use our minds to soar through the stars and come home again.   We can pray for wisdom and apply the gifts we are given. We can listen, we can linger, we can love, and we can hug. It can be the best that's ever been. ~Wanda Stricklin Rober