Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Hello, hello! Welcome back to my porch. I knew you were on
the way; my nose has been itching all morning. If you're not
from the South, you might not know that an itching nose is a
sure sign that company is coming. I'm not joking! Why, I've
heard it from the time I was a little girl living on Bull
Run Road. Back then there was only our house and our cousins'
house for miles. If you heard a car, you had company. That's
all there was to it. ~smile~
Okay, I've had another brainstorm, (or brain cramp, it depends
on who you're listening to.) I'd like some feedback from my
porchers outside the region for this one. I'm thinking about
taking my digital camera to the farm and snapping pictures of
the young crops and then letting y'all watch 'em grow towards
harvest. I'd create a regular web page with periodic updates.
I think it'll work as long as I stay out of the way of my busy
husband, son and all the other workers. :-) If we're lucky I
might even get some good shots of all the snakes before Phillip
takes 'em out with his 22. Let me know what you think.
Okay, I better go, this week's issue awaits. We're going to
celebrate Memorial Day in today's spotlight and do a little
cooking and a bit of laughing before we're through. But before
I go, please check out the porch album today. Two of my crazier friends
noticed that you porchers have been shy about sending in your
pictures...so...they decided to try and kick things off. I
rewarded their efforts by giving them the job of hosting the
state of Louisiana. I couldn't help it. Check 'em out. You
would've done the same thing. ~smile~ Just click to the Porch
Album and follow the link to Louisiana.
All Things Southern
Porch Album
Hugs,
Shellie
P.S. I just scanned over the emag and realized that there are
no true southerners in this week's "Southern Exchange", and
neither are there any men. I do wish some of the men on the
porch were represented, but I think I'm going to leave it the
way it is, without a southerner in the bunch. Now, tell me
this porch isn't all-inclusive. :-)
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~~Chuckles~~
"Just Like Riding a Bike"
A preacher was making his rounds on a bicycle when he came upon
a little boy trying to sell a lawn mower.
"How much do you want for the mower?" asked the preacher.
"Oh, I'm just trying to make enough money to buy a bicycle,"
said the little boy.
After a moment of consideration, the Preacher asked, "I'll
trade you my bike for it."
"You've got a deal," said the little boy.
The preacher took the mower home and tried to crank it, pulling
on the string a few times with no response. Frustrated, he
called the little boy over. "I can't get this mower to start,"
he complained.
The little boy grinned. "That's 'cause you have to cuss at it
to get it started."
"Hmmm..." said the preacher said. "It's been so long since I've
cussed, I don't know if I even remember how."
"Just keep pulling on that string, " the little boy said, happily.
It'll come back to ya!"
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~~A Taste of the South~~
I won't even pretend to tell you how to grill your burgers
Monday. Instead, I offer you my family's new favorite pie
for dessert, compliments of Wanda Oliver's recipe collection.
"Chocolate Chip Pie"
Blend:
•1 cup sugar
•1/2 cup flour
•2 eggs well beaten
•1 stick margarine melted
Stir in:
•1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
•3/4 cup pecans (I substituted chopped Macadamia Nuts--Yum!)
•1/2 cup coconut (optional)
•1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake in pie shell at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes
(Thanks, Mrs. Wanda)
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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 MEMORIAL DAY
Although many cities and towns lay claim to being the birthplace
of Memorial Day, the South holds one of our nation's earliest
written accounts of honoring fallen soldiers. Historical documents
speak of organized women's groups in the South decorating graves
before the end of the Civil War.
Memorial Day, originally known as "Decoration Day", was
officially proclaimed on the 5th of May, 1868, by General John
Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was
consequently observed on May 30th, 1868, when flowers were placed
on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington
National Cemetery. At that time, the wounds of the Civil War were
too fresh in the collective mind of the South. They refused to
acknowledge the occasion, honoring their dead on separate days.
It wasn't until after World War I, when the holiday changed from
honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War, to honoring
Americans who died fighting in any war, that Southerners began to
participate. Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost every State
on the last Monday in May, although several southern states still
hold an additional, specific and separate day for honoring the
Confederate War dead.
Memorial Day is more than an opportunity to take a day off from
work. It is a day that calls to Americans every where to pause
and remember the ultimate sacrifice of our fallen warriors. We,
the recipients of a legacy of freedom known the world over as
"America, the Land of Opportunity", would do well to consider
it an honor as well.
This Memorial Day, as you gather with family and friends for a
day of relaxing and barbecuing, I urge you to also bow and
remember the many sacrifices that made the day possible. Here
are several ways you and your gathering can participate in the
true meaning of "Memorial Day."
1. By visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the
graves of our fallen heroes.
2. By visiting memorials.
3 By flying the US Flag at half-staff until noon.
4. By flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998
Defense Authorization Act).
5. By participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3
p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and
for Taps to be played.
6. By renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans
of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
Since the Civil War more than 1.1 million veterans, both women
and men, have lost their lives in service to America. May they
rest in peace.
Memorial Day Links:
Essay by a high school student, Kathlena Peebles:
Memorial Day Essay
Memorial Day Images:
Memorial Day Images
To hear "Taps" and read the poignant lyrics click here:
Taps
~Shellie
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~~It's Been Said...~~
"One for the cutworm, one for the crow, one to rot, and one
to grow."
----Old rule for planting corn
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~~Southern Comfort~~
"Wisdom Anyone?"
I don't know about you, so I'll just be speaking for myself
here as a wife, mother, and business owner. I need wisdom.
Every day of my life, situations arise and choices present
themselves to me that require wise decisions. Thank goodness,
I know where the well is.
James 1:5 says,"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him."
Can you believe there's been times when I've warned my kids
about something--and they did it anyway? It's true. And then
they come to me, finally, truly repentant and asking for help.
I'll give them advice all right, and it's always tempting to
dish it out with a healthy dose of "I told you so." Of course,
they don't need to hear that dreaded line. They remember my
warnings. They come to me hoping for a little direction without
pouring salt in the wounds of their dilemma.
Instead of saying "I told you so", I try to remember how my
Father treats me when I'm dealing with my kids. Let's read the
verse from James again. But this time, let's read it concentrating
on the word "upbraid". Webster says the word means, "to criticize
severely, to scold vehemently." Did you reread it? Wow! It gets
sweeter and sweeter, doesn't it? Help without condemnation;
what a concept!
I think the wisdom the Lord gives is not always how to avoid
the tests and trials of this life. Sometimes it's how to learn
from the experience and directions on extricating yourself.
Yes, I know what you're thinking. If I followed His instructions,
(from the Bible), I might not find myself in as many pickles.
You're right. You sound a lot like me.
He upbraids not...
I ask. I ask all the time. ~smile~
~Shellie
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~~Southern Exchange~~
Your letters:
Dear Shellie,
Morning, Shellie!
I'm from mid-Michigan, but I still enjoy your newsletter
tremendously. One of our daughters lives with her husband in
Clarksville, Tennessee, at Fort Campbell Army Base. I just
returned from a trip down there for our little grandson's first
birthday party.
On the way back, (I was alone, as my husband couldn't get away
from work), I had a lot of time to think. As I passed through
Russellville, TN, I noticed several campaign signs for local
sheriff, mayor, etc., and was delighted to find that both
"Rooster" and "Bubba" were running for office. I decided right
then and there that when my husband and I retire, we're going
to live in the south. Any place that makes folks feel comfortable
enough to run for public office under their colorful nicknames
is hunky-dory with me.
Aside from that, there's just something about the way of life
in the south that makes me want to slow down, sit on the porch,
(you seem to have more porches than we Yankees), and drink a
glass of something cool and refreshing. So within the next five
or six years, your population will swell by two!
By the way, we live in Ionia, Michigan (prison capital of the
world--no lie! Isn't that a wonderful moniker to have attached
to the town you live in? The city limits signs should read:
"Welcome to Ionia...Population 10,569--Incarcerated Individuals
Included." Kinda makes your heart swell with pride, doesn't it?
Thanks for everything, Shellie. Looking forward to our next
visit on the porch!
Deb Simmons
Ionia, Michigan
(Dear Deb, There's a house right down the street with a big
"for sale" sign on it, but you might better hurry. I don't know
how long I can hold it for you. ~Hugs, Shellie)
________
Dear Shellie,
I'm a Midwesterner, but I really enjoy All Things Southern Weekly.
I haven't written before, but as a farm raised tomboy I'm sure
curious about those girls who tied a thread around the belly of
a Bumble-Bee, and flew it like a kite.
I've flown June Bugs and Carpenter Bees, which we called Wood Bees.
They looked like a Bumble Bee, except for a white spot in their
head. I thought Bumble Bee's had stingers. Can someone clear this up
for me?
Marie Lowry
From Missouri , the "Show-Me State"
(Dear Marie, around here, we call those Wood Bees, "bumble bees".
My sisters and I learned through experience that the ones with the
black noses will sting but the ones with the white noses won't!
~Hugs, Shellie)
_______
Dear Shellie,
Hi! I love all things Southern. But I have to admit. I'm a girly-girl
also, although I don't get up in knots about all you "tomboys". I
tried to climb a tree once, but got my knee scraped, and mom said
girls with dresses shouldn't climb trees. So, no more trees for me.
I didn't like to get dirty, and I still can't even touch a worm or
even a fish for that matter. At least my Southern gentleman that I
married does it all for me, and that makes it perfect. Just thought
you would like the laugh and to let you know that even girly girls
like your emag. God Bless....
Karen Brooks
Park City, UT (But, I still consider myself a Texan.)
(Dear Karen, thanks for writing in. I'm happy to hear from another
girly-girl. And to prove it, I just wiped the dust off the swing over
there for you. I didn't want you getting your pretty dress dirty.
*smile* Shellie)
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ATS NEWS:
Email me for your FREE ebook, "Raising Southern Ladies
and Men of Honor in Today's Culture". (It's my free gift
to new subscribers but I'd hate for you loyal old porchers
to feel left out.) You can read more about the ebook at
http://www.allthingssouthern.com/ebook.html.
What's the deal? Are y'all camera shy or just too busy to send me
a pic of yourselves in your ATS t-shirts? There's only a few new
pics in the album -- and heck, it's two crazy friends of mine
acting up. http://www.allthingssouthern.com/atsalbum.html. It's
kind of hard to do a Porchers Album without pictures of porchers.:-)
Remember, the first pic in from each state can "host" that state's
mini-page. You can compose a little "hello" and a link to your
site or product if you have one. For those that haven't gotten
your shirt, you can find it at the online store.
(http://www.allthingssouthern.com/tshirts.html)
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~~A Southern Definition~~
"If you've never worn abandoned locust skins as jewelry...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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