Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Hello porchers! Excuse me for dropping in unexpected like this. I
figured most of you wouldn't check your email Thursday, and I wanted
to be able to wish y'all a Happy Fourth of July from All Things
Southern! ~smile~
Like the rest of you, I was horrified by the ruling on the pledge since
we last spoke. And like you, I was thankful that the guys in Washington
managed to quit fighting among themselves long enough to denounce the
ruling in such strong words. At this writing, it looks
like the ruling will be reversed, thank goodness! My email box has
overflowed with your thoughts since the news broke. I thought about adding
mine, but instead of ranting I'm going to let this week's quote speak for
me. With tomorrow being our nation's birthday, I'd already planned to quote
one of our forefathers. It seems even more appropriate after the flag flap.
Please take note of just who our forefathers think we got our rights from
in the first place.
Changing the subject, I had the best time this past Saturday! My extended
family on my mother's side had a reunion at Lake D'Arbonne. Can you
believe that many of these happy campers at the May Family Reunion didn't
even know about the porch? Of course, I fixed that. ~smile~ Here's a picture
of the future Miss Louisiana, Sydney Grace
, taken during the festivities.
By the way, I injured myself trying to update the farm tour. I've ridden
four-wheelers for years and I know the motor gets hot, especially on
a hot summer day. Well, at least I'm supposed to know that. It didn't seem
to stop me from inadvertently resting my ankle against it today. I'd just
seen a skunk on the turn road up ahead and I was sitting there watching it,
pondering whether or not I should risk getting close enough to take a
picture when it happened. OW! No, I'm not going to whine about the things
I do for y'all--I'm just mentioning it in passing. ~smile~
Enough from me--let's get down to a southern celebrating good time!
It's time to fire up the grill, freeze the ice cream, and slather on the
sunblock! Happy Fourth of July to you and yours.
Hugs,
Shellie
P.S. A special note to all of our international porchers. I haven't
forgotten about you. If your country celebrates an Independence Day,
and you'd like to share it with the porch, just write in and I'll post
it in the Exchange.
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~~Chuckles~~
"Fessin' Up"
A lone cowpoke rode into town and stopped at the local waterin' hole
for a drink. Unfortunately, the locals had a habit of picking on strangers.
When the cowpoke finished his drink and headed out, he found his horse
was missing.
The visitor stormed back into the bar, flipped his gun into the air,
snatched it above his head without even looking and drilled three holes
in the ceiling.
"Fess up! Which one of you sidewinders stole ma hoss?" he demanded with
surprising forcefulness.
Silence...No one answered...No one moved.
"Alright," he said. "I'm gonna have another drink, and if Ole Blue ain't
back out front BY THE TIME I'M DONE, I'M GONNA DO WHAT I DUN IN TEXAS! AND
BELIEVE ME, I DON'T LIKE TO HAVE TO DO WHAT I DUN IN TEXAS!"
Some of the locals shifted restlessly.
A few minutes later the stranger finished his drink, walked outside, and
found Ole Blue hitched back up where he was supposed to be! He swung up
into the saddle and was about to ride out of town when the bartender
burst out of the bar and asked, "Say partner, I've got to know...What happened
in Texas?"
The cowboy reined in, turned back, grinned and said, "I had to walk home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~A Taste of the South~~
"Country Vanilla Ice Cream"
• 4 eggs
• 2 and 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups Half and Half
• 4 cups whipping cream
• 4 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
Beat eggs, gradually adding sugar. Continue beating until stiff.
Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into ice
cream freezer and follow freezer directions. Top with blueberries
and strawberries for a special Fourth of July treat.
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~~Spotlight on the South~~
SPOTLIGHT ON JOHNNY CASH
My earliest memory of Johnny Cash comes with the words, "I shot a
man in Reno, just to watch him die..." And of course, every self-
respecting Southerner I knew growing up could sing the words to "A Boy
Named Sue."
Johnny Cash, known as the Grand Old Man of Nashville, was born, Feb.26,
1932, the son of an Arkansas sharecropper. He grew up dirt poor. By 1955,
after a stint in the service and a job as an appliance salesman, he found his
calling in the music industry. Audiences loved his dark good looks; it
was the appeal of the outlaw.
Johnny Cash became one of the most popular artists in the country, only
to see his personal life crash and burn from a life-long battle with drugs
and liquor. Then, in 1968, Mr. Cash found the God of the Bible and
a faithful wife in June Carter. To the delight of his fans, Mr. Cash
was brought back from the edge.
Johnny Cash has been inducted to both the Country Music and the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the 1991 Grammy Legend Award, and has
more than a hundred charted hits. Cash continues to shine in the spotlight,
garnering a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1994. You can find
his CD, "The Essential Johnny Cash" at Amazon. (Don't forget to scroll
down for the audio samples.)
Tomorrow, families all across our land will host backyard birthday parties
for our great nation. We'll pull out the lawn chairs and fire up the grill.
We'll pop fireworks and stuff ourselves with home made ice cream. And
hopefully, we'll remember what the day is all about: our independence
as a nation. On July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress of these United
States of America adopted the Declaration of Independence.
I found a great web site that just might help us all remember. Along with
patriotic music, holiday recipes, free screen savers and more, it offers the
only poem Mr. Cash ever wrote that wasn't put to music. It's called "The
Ragged Old Flag" and it's perfect to print out and read at your Fourth of
July party.
Click here for "The Ragged Old Flag"
~Shellie
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~~It's Been Said...~~
"We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable
rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed... ."
----Thomas Jefferson/ Declaration of Independence [July 4, 1776]
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~~Southern Comfort~~
"He Remains Faithful"
I've been thinking about the fella who started the flag flap. I watched
Mr. Newdow give an interview where he made it clear that he didn't want
anything at all to do with "the Christian's God".
That is his choice, he is exercising his own free will. If Mr. Newdown
doesn't want to serve God, he doesn't have to. His unbelief will effectively
separate him from God's fellowship. Do you want to know what is harder for me
to comprehend? Nothing can separate him from God's love!
Consider this excerpt of David's beautiful words from Psalm 139:
"Where can I go from Your Spirit?
or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there.
If I make my bed in hell, behold You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there Your hand shall lead me...
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, 'surely the darkness shall fall on me',
even the night shall be light about me.
Indeed the darkness shall not hide from You,
but the night shines as the day.
For you formed my inward parts...you covered
me in my mother's womb...
My days were all written when as yet there were none of them."
Our unbelief doesn't alter God's sovereignty any more than a child's
refusal to obey severs their biological bond to their parents. II Timothy
2:13 says, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny
Himself."
God doesn't just love--God IS love. While we're ranting at the litigant,
God is loving Him. Amazing, isn't it? I John 4:19 says that we love
Him because He first loved us. That means everyone, he loves us all! Mr.
Newdow can do all the interviews he wants, but when he lays his head down at
night, God's spirit will still woo him. If he pursued his atheist agenda
his whole life--and made an honest plea for forgiveness on his deathbed,
we would probably make him recite the pledge a thousand times and require
him to write the words, "One nation under God" on the chalkboard until his
hand cramped. God, on the other hand, would pardon his sin of unbelief.
Now that, my friends is LOVE.
~Shellie
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~~Southern Exchange~~
Your letters:
Dear Shellie,
Thanks Shellie! What a surprise to find out I won the gator! You made
my day! I love your newsletter. I was born and spent my first thirty years
up the road from you in El Dorado, Arkansas. I taught school in El Dorado,
Smackover and Crossett. So much of your letter brings back such sweet
memories. I've been In the Southwest for 41 years, married to a musician,
and retired after 31 years of teaching. I currently teach creative
writing at El Paso Community College. I retain my southern accent and
southern view of life. Thanks so much for my 'gator and for the
wonderful newsletter.
Patsy King
Anthony, Texas
(Dear Patsy, You're very welcome. Would you believe some folks have won
the gator and never even wrote in to say thanks? Why, I thought about
kicking 'em off the porch, but I thought that might be extreme. Could
be they're just busy. Right? :-) Thanks for writing in. Hugs~Shellie)
_________
Dear Shellie and fellow porchers,
I just want you to know that I really enjoy ATS and all the hard work
you put into keeping this site going. I look forward to every newsletter
& often check the site between mailings.
Just so you know, I'm Southern by birth...alive by the grace of God.
I've lived in & around Atlanta for all of my 45 years...never anywhere
else. There is so much wonderful history in this area & so much beautiful
scenery. In just a 45 minute ride I can be in the center of a thriving
metropolis (big city..yucchh) or in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains
(aahhhh). There are hundreds of lakes for fishing and woods for hunting.
NASCAR rules & there's BBQ on almost every corner. Oh what a wonderful
life it is! I live in a small town about halfway between Atlanta &
Athens (Go Dawgs!) Close enough for good jobs but still far enough
out that all my neighbors have horses, cows, or goats. I pray that God
will continue to guide you as ATS continues to grow & thrive. Keep up the
great work!
See Y'all,
David Binder,
Loganville, GA
(Dear David, It was fun to read about Georgia. I haven't been there in
years--your letter made me want to pack up and take a trip. I appreciate
the letter AND the prayers. :-) Hugs, Shellie)
_____________
Dear Shellie,
I just received my first copy of "All Things Southern", I just love it!
I'm from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and have always thought of myself
as Southerner. When we vacation, it's always somewhere in the South. People
in the South always make you feel welcome. I printed out your e-book on the
7 steps on raising a Southern lady and a man of honor. Your first step--
faith as a foundation--I wanted to tell you AMEN! My girlfriend at work and
I teach Sunday School and attend our churches regularly. We have both had a
problem with parents dropping their children off and then coming back to pick
them up, only attending church when the kids are taking part in the service.
I remember sitting with my mother and grandparents in church each Sunday. In
fact we still sit in the same pew to this day. I was hoping you'd let us
use that part of your e-book in our hope of getting more parents involved in
Sunday School. It's such an eye-opener.
Thanks for such a great site. I can't wait for my next e-mail. Oh, by the
way, when I was small, our front porch was such a wonderful place to play.
We made forts, did balancing acts from the railings, played dolls, cowboys
and Indians, sat and watched the lightning, and watched people ride by. The
home I live in now lacks one and I really miss it. What a way to spend a
Saturday afternoon, a cold glass of tea, a good book, and a lounge chair on
the front porch.
Have a great day,
Lisa,
Eastern Shore of Maryland
(Dear Lisa, I'm so glad you feel at home on my porch. It was sweet of you to
ask permission to use my ebook. Please, feel free--I'd consider it an honor!
Thanks for writing in. I enjoyed your memories. Hugs~Shellie)
___________
Hi Shellie,
I really enjoy your emag. My wife, (Pam Munn), graduated from Lake Providence
in 1970 and I graduated from Monticello the same year. East Carroll will always
be home for us no matter where we are. We still have a home in the Monticello
Community but we don't get to spend much time there since my work takes me all
over the country.That's why I like getting your emag every week. It's like a
note from home. We're coming home for the Fourth and spending a week and I
can't wait!
My Mom will be 88 years old on Jan 14. She still lives alone out in Monticello.
If you ever get out that way she could tell you some things about East Carroll
and some things to go in your book about mothers and daughters. She had no
daughters but was one of four whose father was a Baptist preacher. You probably
know my brother Ralph Coleman or my niece Penny Oswalt. I know you're busy so I
will jabbering on. Thanks again for the emag.
Carl Coleman
Alabama
(Dear Carl, You bet I know the Oswalts! Penny is a dear friend and I coached
her daughter, Mindy, in basketball. Thanks for the sweet words about the site.
I'm glad I can bring you a little piece of home from time to time. Hugs~Shellie)
________
Dear Shellie,
I honestly cannot believe that I'm responding with a snake story as much as I
hate snakes. But, Kathy from Nederland reminded me of a similar incident...
In the early 60's I was a "stay at home" mom and looked out and saw a brightly
colored snake near the front door of our home. I immediately called my husband
at work to come home and get this snake. He did come home, got the hoe to kill
the intruder and found a SNAKE SKIN only. My face wasn't red, but I was greatly
relieved and STILL leery........where was the REAL snake?
Keep up the good work!
Love you,
Aunt Peg
P.S. It was so much fun to see you today at our family reunion.
(Dear Aunt Peg, Hmmm...I guess you're saying the only thing worse than a live
snake is a missing snake! I see you point. :-) I had fun at the reunion, too.
Take care. Hugs~Shellie)
__________
Dear Shellie,
Ugh! I'd have to disagree with the rule about "y'all standing for either 1
person or 101." To me the mark of a Yankee trying to talk like a southerner
is saying "y'all" for just one person!
Karen
Birmingham, Alabama
(Dear Karen, You are so right! I appreciate the sharp eye. I can't believe I
let this one slip by. Oh, and you're not the only one that caught it. Read on.
Hugs~Shellie)
____________
Hi Shelly,
I love your website! The southern sayings that Kathy from Columbus, Ga.
sent are right on target except for one...where she says Y'all can mean 1
or 101...any true southerner knows it's always plural. We never say Y'all when
speaking to only one person. Hollywood and Yankees think we do but not us
old southern gals..Think about it. Frances
Frances Davis
Newellton, LA
(Dear Frances, I did think about it--and I stand corrected. Thanks for the
kind words about ATS. Hugs~Shellie)
____________
Dear Shellie,
I can't believe a true Southern girl would tell someone from California to
cook "Pulled Pork" in the oven. If it isn't done on a Justin Wilson "Cajun
Microwave" with green hickory wood then it ain't fit to eat. I'm going to cook
a butt tomorrow on a Masonry pit with hickory that was cut today (a pickup
truck load):0) And this is just a warm up for the fourth,
Actually, I really enjoy ATS and read every issue! BTW, I took the week off
for the fourth to do some serious cooking!. My pit is next to my Beagles
and they love it when I am out there with them.
Chris,
Alabama..........ROLL TIDE!
PS: I have a creek that is about 50 yards from my home and as kids we were in it
all day every day (as soon as we convinced Momma it was warm enough) so I know
all about your rattlemouth cockamoccasins and copper heads and have shot many of
both, I would love to see your farm.
(Dear Chris, I swear, I'm in trouble every time I turn around today. Yes, you're
right. I should have told her that it wouldn't be quite right if she didn't slow
cook it on the grill, but not everyone has a setup like yours. :-) A week's
worth of serious cooking? My mouth is watering in Louisiana. Oh--if you're ever
in these parts, we'll give you a real farm tour. Scouts honor. Hugs~Shellie)
____________
Dear Shellie,
Found your web site and got lost for hours! Thank you for the article on the
horses of Shackleford in your March 7th, 2001 issue. You have our gratitude for
sharing them with your readers.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Mason, President
Foundation for Shackleford Horses, Inc.
(Dear Carolyn, Lost at ATS? Now, that doesn't sound so bad. :-) Seriously,
you're very welcome; it was my pleasure. Hugs~Shellie)
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~~A Southern Definition~~
"If you preferred playing hopscotch on the sidewalk at recess, rather than football
with the boys...you could have been a girly girl."
--Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
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ATS NEWS:
There's two new cookbooks chock full of good southern cooking in
the online store. Click here to check 'em out and meet the
authors, Jen Bays Avis and Kathy F.WardJen Bays.
http://www.allthingssouthern.com/books.html
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Mommies, have you taken a stroll down http://MainStreetMom.com
lately? We have discussion boards, FREE e-greeting cards, a chat
room, and so much more. Be sure to subscribe to our free newsletters
while you're there! http://mainstreetmom.com/MyMail/manage.htm
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