Faith, Folklore, and Friends

 In Loving Memory  Norman Wilson July 2, 1944-October 15, 2014 Yesterday, my beloved brother and friend, Norman Wilson, took his final flight, the one without an airplane.  For 41 years, he traveled and sang the gospel with the Primitive Quartet.  We met him when the group was just getting started, when my sons were little "burr-headed" boys, and have followed them all these years. I have never had a better or dearer friend. Here we are, laughing at a festival in September last year.  It was hard not to be happy around Norman.  He encouraged everyone he met, and had a constant, contagious smile.  These photos are from the National Quartet Convention on September 24, just twenty two days ago.  When the show was over, there were many people in line waiting to see Norman.  The NQC people were telling us to clear the building because they had to do sound checks for the next show.  Finally, I saw Norman in ...

When we stay in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, we always eat at the Apple Barn. Everyone is served these apple fritters with apple butter.  They are wonderful.  Their other food is good, but nothing extraordinary. We love it because it is such a beautiful and unique place. They were decorated for fall when we were there a couple of weeks ago. They have a general store where everything is apple based, a winery, a Christmas store, a candy store, and a place where you can watch them make fantastic fried apple pies.  And they have apples.  Lots and lots of apples. The best thing about our last visit is that we got to share the time with good friends. Are you hungry yet?

Last week, a friend asked if I had some scraps of Christmas fabric she could use.  I found a few for her.  I was happy to give them to someone who would use them because I wasn't going to. Saturday, when I returned home from some errands, this was on my porch waiting for me. It amazes me that such a beautiful thing can be made by sewing some scraps together.  It also amazes me that I have such talented friends. This is a treasure that I will keep and use every Christmas!

In this season of waiting, anticipation, I am reminded of the gifts I have already received..... 176. Family games around the dining table 177. Grown men yelling at a pigskin 178. Christmas dinner parties 179. Praise songs 180. Thanks from a student 181. Satellite radio 182. Christmas bears 183. Completed repairs 184. Frost sparkling like diamonds 185. Cards in the mail 186. Homemade gifts 187. Truth 188. Blackberry jelly 189. Charles Dickens 190. Quiet mornings 191. UPS truck in my driveway 192. Mistletoe 193. Flowers in winter 194. Tender hearts 195. Directions 196. Those who never give up 197. A wonderful semester finished 198. Courtesy 199. Old music that is forever new 200. Smells of Christmas You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid you hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:5-6