Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Welcome back! It's so good to see you. Can I be honest? Everyone
and their mamas have warned me not to talk politics on my porch.
"It's risky," they said. "Fastest way to failure," they claimed.
Well, I can honestly say, "I tried." I mean, I really tried. But
some things are just too tempting. ~smile~
I heard a tv journalist say something the other day that was so
unbelievable, I'd swear it was a joke if it hadn't been on
prime time news. The subject was the imminent release of all those
Al Quada terrorists from an Afghan jail. The men were to be returned
to their native Pakistan. Now, here comes a real Yogi Berra explanation.
Ready for the official statement? Ready for the official statement?
Afghan authorities said they were releasing the Pakistanis suspected
to be Al Quaeda in order to promote better relations with Pakistan
so that Pakistan would help in the efforts to round up the Al Quaeda.
I swanee, I heard it with my own ears. Sounds like somebody's butter
has slipped off their biscuit, now doesn't it?
Changing the subject, I've got a few things to tend to before I let
this week's party begin. First, Ann Kendrick from Lumberton, Texas
recently sent me a hilarious story her daughter, Kathy Sandoz, wrote
about her miserable Monday. Since they're both porchers--and the story
was so entertaining, I decided to team up with Ann and surprise Kathy
by putting it on the web. Click here to read Kathy's tale:
http://www.allthingssouthern.com/kathy.html
Also, I'm pleased to post another birth announcement on the porch today!
This one come's from the proud aunt and fellow porcher, Melanie Howle.
These two little princesses were born premature and for a while there
things were rocky. Now, they're a month old and getting stronger every
day. Melanie says, "God has richly blessed us."
And finally, if you're reading All Things Southern in your email box--
instead of at the website, you won't see the pictures I often refer to.
I realized I was confusing y'all when several people wrote in asking me
why they couldn't see the photos. The emag is strictly text folks.
The visuals are at http://www.allthingssouthern.com.
Whew...that's about it. Let the southern celebration begin!
Hugs,
Shellie
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~~Chuckles~~
"Dear Jim Bob"
I have a special place in my heart for the men and women serving
in our armed forces. That's partly why I enjoyed this little chuckle.
Past that, though, I just like the guy's attitude.
Have you heard about poor Jim Bob? He's overseas serving this great
nation, far from home. He was already quite homesick, frustrated and
tired last week--and that was before he got the proverbial "dear John"
letter from his sweetie here in the states. In it she broke off their
engagement and asked for her photograph back.
Well, being a creative fellow, our Jim Bob went out and collected all
the unwanted photographs of women he could find from his buddies, bundled
them together and mailed them to her along with this note:
"Dear Mary Ellen,
I regret I can't remember which one is you. Please keep your photo
and return the others."
Sincerely,
Jim Bob
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~~A Taste of the South~~
Hello porchers! I like to offer y'all good hearty meals that don't
take all day to prepare. I mean, who has the time, right? Today's
recipe is called "Four Bean Soup". It's delicious and nutritious
and I'm a poet and don't know it. (Sorry, that's my papa's line.)
It's also simple to throw together and leave simmering on the stove
while you round up the troops. Let's get cooking!
"Four Bean Soup"
• 2 lb. hamburger meat
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 whole bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can navy beans
• 1 can Kidney beans
• 1 can Great Northern beans
• 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes
• 1 can whole tomatoes
• salt and pepper to taste
Take a couple pounds of browned and drained hamburger meat and
combine it with your sautéed onions and peppers. Add your kidney,
pinto, navy and Great Northern beans along with the canned tomatoes.
Oh---and don't even think about draining the juice off those beans.
For goodness sakes, that's the good stuff! Mix all this well and
cook on over a medium high flame for at least 30 minutes, although
it won't hurt to turn the heat down afterwards and let it simmer a
good while longer. Remember to salt and pepper to taste.
Happy eating!
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It's Porch Day! Are you wearing your ALL THINGS SOUTHERN T-SHIRT? I am!
http://www.allthingssouthern.com
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~~Spotlight on the South~~
SPOTLIGHT ON RANDY TRAVIS
It was the 80's. Randy Traywick was flipping burgers in Tennessee
while his friend and business manager, Lib Hatcher, hounded producers
and talent agents into hearing him sing. Whenever she successfully
cajoled her prey into the Nashville Palace, Randy would exchange his
apron for his stage jacket and pour his deep voice into a heartfelt
delivery of country classics. Nashville said, "Too country!" Undaunted,
Randy continued to sing for the blue-collar fans that were part of his
dream.
Warner Brothers finally took the plunge and signed Randy in 1985. Good
move! By the early 90's, Randy Traywick, now Randy Travis, was country
music's top-grossing concert star.
Long known for songs celebrating the better part of human nature, it
was the 1994 Release of "Inspirational Journey" that took Randy's
personal commitment to his fans. This October, Mr. Travis will release
his first album for Word Records. With a title like "Rise and Shine",
and the promise of 13 songs of faith, all offered in Randy's familiar
and sincere style, this is one album poised to deliver the goods.
~Shellie
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~~It's Been Said...~~
Okay, the chances are, if you've been sitting on my porch for any
length of time, you've heard me talk about my sisters, Cyndie and
Rhonda. I've often said that since our mama didn't like to see her
little girls fight, we obliged by making sure she wasn't looking.
Today's southern quote brought back many memories, not only of
sibling battles but of childhood adventures once the skirmish was
settled. I'd like to dedicate today's southern quote to the two of
them, Cynthia Darlene and Rhonda Arlene. It comes from Tennessee
born actress Dixie Carter. In it she is speaking about her sister,
Midge. It reads...
"I can't remember when we didn't get along. Mother had a rule that
if we fought, no matter who started it, she'd spank us both. We'd
go to laborious pains to sneak off for a fight somewhere she
wouldn't catch us, and by the time we got to the barn or wherever,
we'd lose our steam and forget about it."
--Dixie Carter
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~~Southern Comfort~~
"Recess--God's Way"
Ding! Ding! Recess! Remember how good that bell sounded in grade
school? Just for a second, try to recapture the anticipation you
felt when you heard it. Got it? Good! That's the feeling God wants
to give you right smack in the middle of whatever circumstance you
find yourself in. God knows you need a break and he is inviting you
to enter into His rest.
As wonderful as recess was, it didn't call off the spelling test or
magically complete your math problems. What it did was refresh you
and reenergize you for those tasks. God's rest works the same way.
It won't blow the reality of your situation away like the seeds of
a dandelion, but it will equip you to face them.
The writer of Hebrews says, "He who has entered into God's rest has
ceased from the weariness and pain of their human labors." That's
taken from my amplified Bible. I'm pretty familiar with that weariness
thing, aren't you?
Entering into God's rest is available to us all through faith, the
leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust
and confidence in his power, wisdom, and goodness. Unfortunately,
sometimes we get too busy to hear the bell! Just think of it as
recess--God's way.
~Shellie
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~~Southern Exchange~~
Your letters:
Hey Shellie,
What a treat to see yet another Marylander on the porch today. Hey to
Lisa from Federalsburg. And I'd like to tell Lisa thanks for feeling
sorry for me now that I'm on the "other" side of the Chesapeake Bay.
See Shellie, I'm originally from the eastern side and Eastern Shore folk
weren't too happy when so many folks from the "other" side of the bay
started coming in droves to our peninsula. Especially in the summertime
as they came down our way for our beautiful beaches (traffic was a
headache in the summertime).
But, now that I'm on the "other side" , I can truly say there are many
fine people up here, too. Well, didn't mean to be so long winded, but I
was so tickled to see yet another MD porcher, I just couldn't help but
write. And yep, I did the lightning bug thing when I was a kid too (still
get thrilled to see them and catch them; I just don't put them in the jars
now ).
Terri in Maryland
(Dear Terri, Your experience proves the old adage about two sides to
every story, doesn't it? Thanks for writing! ~Hugs, Shellie)
___________
Dear Shellie,
Hi, my name is Erica, and I'm 16 years old. I happened across your
website while looking for some cookies my grammy taught me to make. We
always called them Haystacks, but y'all call them southern crunchies.
I'm originally from West Virginia, and didn't know I was considered a
Southerner 'til I moved out here to Arizona with my mom. So I didn't
know they were southern cookies. I made 'em up for a bake sale at school,
and low and behold every one out here loves 'em. They're awesome cookies.
Anyway, I looked on the site and found what I was reading here and there
to be interesting, so I subscribed to the newsletter. I didn't think I'd
like it, just thought I would check it out for awhile, then unsubscribe,
But after the first issue, I had to write and tell you that you rock girl!
Keep up the good work, and thank you ever so much for making such an
awesome newsletter!
Erica in Arizona
(Dear Erica, I'm glad your cookies were a hit and I'm happy you decided
to stick around the porch. I can't wait to tell my teenagers that I rock.
I'll let you know what they say. ~Hugs, Shellie)
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Dear Shellie,
Now if you want something really southern--I just made a batch of muscadine
jelly. And I just might be talked out of a jar if the right person came
along and said the right thing.
John Herrington
Lake Providence, Louisiana
(Dear John, I'm so glad I said the right thing. Phil, Phillip and I are
enjoying our morning toast with your muscadine jelly! I thought I'd post
your letter to let the porch know how sweet you are. Thanks, again!
~Hugs, Shellie)
____________
Dear Shellie,
My husband is 69, and was actually born in Florida, and I've lived here
29 years, more than I've lived any place else, so I "almost" qualify as
a Southerner. ;-)
Now, I love your porch, but there's one thing wrong. Y'all know that
there MUST be a doggie somewhere on that porch. So, I'm sending you a
picture of Bill Bailey, (notice the two names). He's definitely Southern,
born and bred. He doesn't like iced tea, but loves a big cold "glass"
of ice water, while he's sitting on the porch, watching the squirrels.
Which reminds me, I did try to feed the birds, but the squirrels ate
all the feed, plus part of the feeder, before I took it down. I wish
you'd ask the porch how to deal with this problem.
Oh, Bailey also asked me to send you a link to his web page, in case
any of the people on the porch decide to travel to Orlando, and have
transportation needs. He won't be there to meet you because Papa won't
let him ride in his Lincoln, but y'all are most welcome, if you promise
not to scratch the windows. Talk to ya later.
Ronnie and Bill Bailey
Orlando, Florida
www.Billbaileysdisney.com
(Dear Ronnie, This Bill Bailey is one sharp puppy! I loved his web page.
See the next letter. It just so happens that Peggy from Louisiana
answered your question before I could even ask it. Way to go, porch!
~Hugs, Shellie)
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Hey Shellie,
Reading the story the other week about the squirrels reminded me of
something we do at our house to keep the squirrels out of our bird
feeders. Buy a large jar of cayenne or any other red pepper, mix it
in with your bird seed and let it sit for a few days. The birds love
the flavor, but the squirrels don't! God Bless!
Peggy
Destrehan, Louisiana
(Dear Peggy, Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, I have a different
sort of problem. I have a fat, hoggish sparrow pecking and squawking
and running all my nuthatches and chickadees away from my feeder.
What 'cha got for that? ~Hugs, Shellie)
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Dear Shellie,
Thanks so much for the screensaver. It gave a lift to my otherwise
sad southern day. I think I was dreaming of lemonade on the front
porch, however, in south Georgia it is so hot it is best to sit
inside and sip your lemonade. I enjoy your newsletter, keep up the
good work!
Marcia King
Georgia
(Dear Marcia, I'm so glad you're enjoying the screensaver. It gives
me a kick to know it brightened your day. Thanks for writing!
~Hugs, Shellie)
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Dear Shellie,
I hope the radio show is going well. I wish I could hear it here
in NC.
Anyway, we are going camping this weekend so we pitched our tent in
the back yard last weekend and "practiced". Lilly woke up the next
mornnig felt of herself all over and exclaimed "I'm still alive!"
Please recommend "Bear Den" Family Campground in Spruce Pine, North
Carolina to your interested readers...awesome! http://www.bear-den.com
(Dear Jeff, You just did! ~smile~ Lill's backyard survival story was
very inspiring. I hope the real one is as successful! ~Hugs, Shellie)
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~~A Southern Definition~~
The Internet is truly an amazing place. With very little effort,
I found there are all kinds of spitting contests in the south.
My only personal experience, mind you, has been with the watermelon
seed, but folks spit pumpkin seeds and tobacco juice, as well as
several other things I wish I were still ignorant of. Although I
never had enough velocity to make a name for myself, there are some
pretty big spitters out there. Just so you'll know, a Mr. Jack Dietz
holds the record for spitting a watermelon seed 66 feet and 11 inches
in March of 1989. Yep, you guessed it, all this, just to lead into
Today's southern definition, which reads...
"If you were never involved in a spitting contest, either as a
participant, or a judge...you could have been a girly-girl."
--Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
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ATS NEWS and NOTES:
Get those typing fingers ready. I'm looking for some feedback. Folks
have been asking if I have my book, "Lessons Learned on Bull Run Road",
available in audio. Presently, the answer is no. I'm thinking about
fixing that if there are enough of you folks interested. It'd take a
few studio hours but I could get Jonathan to tape me telling the stories.
Now, maybe you've read my book, and would like to get it in audio, or
you'd like to give it to a friend that doesn't read a lot, but spends a
lot of time in their cars. Or maybe you don't like to read--but you like
to listen. Regardless, let me know if you'd like a CD of this country
voice reading my stories aloud. Important Note To All: Your emails
would not be a contract. ~grin~ No one is going to expect you to
order one if you say you're interested and I decide to do it--scout's
honor. Oh, and the CD's...they'd be $10 including shipping and handling.
Drop me a line if you're interested. Ready, set, go...tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
***************
If you'd like a copy of the All Things Southern Radio Show, I'll
"burn" you a CD for $7.00, that includes shipping and handling although
Louisiana residents will have to include tax. Just send your check
or money order to ATS at 2007 Island Point Drive, Lake Providence, La.
71254 and let me know which one you want. There are all of FOUR
radio shows in the archive. *giggle* Until next week...
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All Things Southern Sponsors:
If you enjoy All Things Southern on the radio--or by internet, please let
my sponsors know. ~Thanks,Shellie
My friends at Panola Pepper Corporation make the best dadgum hot sauces
on the market.If you're not cooking with Panola, you might as well call
the dogs and put out the fire--this hunt's over. You can find Panola on
the web at www.panolapepper.com or give them a call at 318-559-1774.
Their plant is also available for tours at 1414 Holland Delta Road in Lake
Providence, Louisiana.
**************
Work, church, ballgames...no time for yourself, right? I've got good news!
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do. Phone 318-878-3397 or drop by 710 Florida Street in Delhi, Louisiana.
Tell 'em Shellie sent you.
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To SUBSCRIBE :-) send any email with SUBSCRIBE in the
subject box to: tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
To UNSUBSCRIBE (Please don't go, we'll miss you!) send any
email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject box
to: tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
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