Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Hello to some of my favorite people, the All Things Southern
Porchers! (Oh, and a big welcome to any guests that happen to drift in--we'd
love for you to join us. We call our little cyber community
Coon Creek.) ~smile~
First the bad news: there's trouble on the porch this week. You're
not going to believe this, but I've managed to rile up a bona-fide
girly-girl. Yep. You can see for yourself if this week's "Southern
Exchange". Would you believe, she even went so far as to question
the feminine appeal of us bullrunners (a.k.a tomboys)? It's okay
though, time heals all wounds. :-) In spite of such a low blow,
I've emailed her a couple of times out of my fervent desire for
peace here on the porch and I'm pleased to report that she seems
to be settling down. Whew!
The weather is still gorgeous here, but I'm a little wiser. No more
10 mile bike rides in the wind. Thanks to everyone who wrote in
with advice for my aching muscles. As for those of you with the
funny, sarcastic emails, making fun of my pain...well, you should
be ashamed.
Now, on to our southern celebration. I hope you enjoy this week's
issue. It was a pleasure putting it together for you.
Hugs,
Shellie
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~~Chuckles~~
"Trouble at the Track"
One day Billy Bob was reading the paper when his wife walked
up behind him and smacked him on the back of the head with a
frying pan.
"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing his head and moaning.
"For the piece of paper I found in your pocket with 'Betty Sue'
written on it."
"Jeez, honey," Billy Bob said, "Remember last week when I went
to the track? 'Betty Sue' was the name of the horse I bet on."
His wife just shrugged and walked away.
Yesterday, Billy Bob was reading the paper when his wife walked
up and smacked him on the back of the head with the frying pan,
again.
"Good Lord, woman, what was that for?" he yelled.
He got a stony glare. "Your horse called."
~Thanks to Dude Halley for this week's chuckle.
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~~A Taste of the South~~
His name is Randy Prewitt and you can find him five days a week
hosting "Good Morning ARK-LA-MISS" on KNOE, our local CBS affiliate.
He's also a darn good southern cook, and lucky for us, he's
back in our kitchen with another great recipe. Remember, you
can find Randy's cookbook, "Flavors of the ARK-LA-MISS" at
the All Things Southern Bookstore.
"Fantastic Taco Salad"
• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1/2 head lettuce
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 small onion
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning
• 1 can red beans
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 bag Doritos
• 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped black olives
• 1/2 cup chopped green olives
Brown meat. Chop tomatoes, onions and olives and combine in large
mixing bowl with the drained meat, red beans and cheese. Add one
package of dry taco seasoning. Add lettuce and Doritos last so they
don't become soggy, then add can of tomato sauce. If mixture is a
little thick, you can add another can of tomato sauce. Mix well and
serve.
(Thanks Randy! Hugs, Shellie)
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Please forward ALL THINGS SOUTHERN to your friends and family!
(You can also email them the parent site by going to
http://www.allthingssouthern.com and clicking on the link that
says "email this site to a friend.")
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~~Spotlight on the South~~
SPOTLIGHT ON THE MARTINS
I first heard Jonathan, Joyce and Judy Martin sing years ago
at my home church, here in Lake Providence, La. Back then they
were talented young teenagers from Arkansas traveling with
their parents, committed to following God's plan for their lives
and sharing their music wherever the opportunity arose. The Martins
endeared themselves to us as people that evening as much as they
charmed us as entertainers with the blend of their pure and
beautiful voices. We felt we were watching the discovery of a
special treasure.
In the past decade the world has gone on to make the same discovery.
Among other honors, "The Martins" have amassed #1 and top ten singles,
tons of Dove Awards and Gospel Music Awards and a grammy nomination.
They've made appearances not only at Carnegie Hall in New York City,
and The Grand Ole Opry, but were recent guests of President Bush
and First Lady Laura Bush at The Gospel Music Association event
held at the White House.
In the past few years I've had the pleasure of running into each
of the Martins at different places in Northeast Louisiana--regular
folk places like Wal-Mart, the Mall, etc. I was touched that
they remembered me, even asking about my sisters and parents. I'm
happy to be able to say that although the Martins are big time
entertainers now, they're still the same sweet people with the same
small town values I met years ago. How often does a person get to say
that, and know it's true?
For more information on the Martin's, surf to their official site
www.the-martins.com. In typical Martin style, they've posted
pictures of their growing families for us "their larger family" to
enjoy. Thanks Jonathan, Joyce and Judy. You continue to be an
inspiration.
~Shellie
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~~It's Been Said...~~
"If you are going to be underestimated by people who speak more
rapidly, the temptation is to speak slowly and strategically
and outwit them."
----Doris Betts, on the Southern drawl
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~~Southern Comfort~~
"Don't Even Think About It!"
Wait right there! Don't do it. Don't even think about it!
Have you ever had an absolutely crazy idea pop in your head?
Maybe you were just sitting there working when you thought
about that cute guy in the next cubicle and how he looks at
you...it's obvious he finds you attractive. You're flattered.
Before you know it you're imagining another conversation with
him, your little mental video camera supplying an accidental
touch full of Hollywood tension, and then--whoa! In Scene Three
you're kissing the dude in the break room! CUT! Now, where did
that idea come from, you ask yourself. You'd never do such a
thing; you're happily married and you want to stay that way.
Be careful.
How many times have you heard someone being interviewed say
something like, "I never thought he'd do such a thing? He's not
the type of person you'd think would hurt anyone." I'd be willing
to bet the accused thought the same thing, once. But then he
had a crazy idea, and he thought about it, and he considered it,
and he dreamed about it--until one day it wasn't quite as
abhorrent anymore.
Sadly, many people ruin their lives because they don't realize
how our enemy works. The Devil's got his own twisted version of
Johnny Appleseed going on, running around dropping bad thoughts
into folks' heads.
It's harmless enough when the person receiving the thought
realizes he wants no part of such a thing and immediately
discards the notion. The problem comes if we dwell on it.
For, the longer we consider it, the more possible it becomes.
That's why the Bible says, "As you think in your heart, so are
you." (Shellie's loose translation.) I don't believe this
verse is talking about the occasional thought--but rather the
pattern you allow to be established, the ideas you nurture.
The solution? Don't feed unwholesome thoughts, cut off their
daydream supply and watch 'em die--before they grow up and choke you.
~Shellie
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~~Southern Exchange~~
Your letters:
Dear Shellie,
I love All Things Southern but I feel I must protest on behalf
of all the Girly-Girls out here. You obviously don't understand
the many benefits of being a "girly girl". As the granddaughter
of one of South Carolina's original girly-girls, I can state whole
heartedly, "I enjoy being a girl".
While you were out competing against the boys and getting dirty to
boot, (oh my), I had boys rushing to carry my books. While you were
out getting scraped knees and briars in your hair, I had boys
picking flowers from YOUR yard and presenting them to ME!
Growing up in the age of ERA and Women's Liberation, I was appalled
as women pushed away the delightful gift that God gave women, the
gift of femininity. Give me high heels, perfume and lipstick any
day. You can keep your toads (and warts!).
Now don't get the wrong message. I didn't avoid competition so the
boys could "win". I just never was attracted to competing in a man's
world. I like it here in my kitchen and on the screened porch. So
y'all go ahead and be "one of the boys". I think I'll keep my girly-
girl self cool with a glass of ice tea!
I know you ole "tom boys" were just jealous of us girly-girls 'cause
we ALWAYS got the boys!
Mrs. Jo Rae Cash
Simpsonville, South Carolina
(My Dear Jo Rae, please accept my apologies and my great grand-mother's
parasol. I never intended to offend. Our girly-girl jokes are all in
jest. Why, the majority of us bullrunners have matured into real
women, lipstick and all! We were just a little rough start early on,
that's all. Hugs, Shellie)
_________
Hello little sister and fellow porchers,
When I saw the name of your new e-book, I had to tell the porch
about my southern gentleman. I had the great joy of going to Fort
Benning, Georgia this week to see my wonderful son, Pvt. James R.
Guenard's graduation from army boot-camp.
After the ceremony we all ran onto the field to hug and kiss him.
As Rusty looked up and saw his Uncle John, a Captain in the National
Guard dressed in full uniform, Rusty stopped and saluted him with the
most respect I think I've ever seen in a young man's eyes. His daddy
and I were completely overwhelmed with pride and joy. God Bless The
USA and the youth of today!
Love 'ya,
Cyndie Guenard
the oldest member of the Bull Run Road Gang--"Lessons Learned on Bull Run Road"
Greenbriar, Arkansas
(Hi Sis, I'm still sorry I missed the moment, but I appreciate your
sharing it with the porch. Hugs, Shellie)
_________
Dear Shellie,
I loooooove your newsletter and I can't wait to read your ebook...
you're such a hoot. I must say I'm soooo excited to see it! (jumping
up and down giggling)
I read the quote last week about "splitting worm bait" and I
thought, "OH YEAH, what's so weird about that? I'm a born and raised
Texas girl -- fishing in those lil' ponds up in East Texas. That quote
made me flashback to taking my fiance fishing, (military kid, he's
sooo lost) and baitin' his hook for him while he fished in a school
of lil' perch.
I even bent his hook just right, so he could actually catch something.
And here I thought that was totally normal.... LOL! Thanks Grandma
and Aunt Stelle for teaching me how to fish with a cane pole, spittin'
on the bait for luck! Ya' know, I always caught more than my mean
ol' boy cousins! (wink,wink)
Love your newsletter... love your humor.
Love ya' heaps, gal!
Rhonda Flowers
Houston, Texas
(Well, hello Rhonda! And congratulations--I think you just made my
Christmas list. ;-) Thanks for writing in. It's a pleasure to
have you on my porch. Hugs, Shellie)
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ATS NEWS:
Just a reminder. If you're already a member of ATS and you're
interested in my ebook, "Raising Southern Ladies and Men of Honor
in Today's Culture", drop me an email. I'm offering the ebook to
new subscribers when they sign up, but I'd hate for you to feel
left out. (You can read more about the ebook at
www.http://www.allthingssouthern.com/ebook.html).
Have you seen the ATS Porch Album-- http://www.allthingssouthern.com.
You have? Well, where are your pictures? You've got the t-shirt,
jump in front of a camera and smile. Remember, the first pic in from
each state will "host" that state's mini-page. You can compose a
little "hello" and a link to your site or product if you have one.
I'm looking forward to "seeing" you. If you don't have your shirt,
you can get it at the online store.
www.http://www.allthingssouthern.tshirts.html
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~~A Southern Definition~~
"If you've never tied a thread around the belly of a bumble bee
and flown him like a kite...you could have been a girly girl."
--Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
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WHAT SOUTHERN MOMS TELL THEIR DAUGHTERS...
About love and marriage: "It's just as easy to fall in love
with a rich man as it is a poor one!" Do you remember your
southern mom's advice about love,marriage, relationships and
life in general? Then join the fun; this project is exploding!
Write me at tomtom@allthingssouthern.com to have your mom's
advice memorialized in my new book: WHAT SOUTHERN MOMS TELL
THEIR DAUGHTERS...
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