Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Hello porchers! That Shirley Abbott quote brought in a ton of
email! I've had curious porchers from outside the region wanting
to know more about the southern goodbye ritual. I hope you don't
mind if I elaborate. If you're from these parts, they're probably
your memories as well.
At the end of a long day of visiting and eating, company usually
started leaving a long time before they actually left. The first
obstacle--rounding up the kids. If the head count came close,
everyone started for the car. Of course, if the trip home meant
you had to leave the county, much less the state, it was customary
for everyone to hold hands and ask the Lord for traveling grace.
Something about the amen always reminded the hostess that she wanted
to send some leftover pound cake or banana pudding with her guests
and she'd scurry to the kitchen. During her absence, the children
would be instructed to go tend to their private business--whether
they had any or not. This was usually an empty gesture as that sort
of business always resurfaced a mile or two down the road. By the
time the hostess returned and the kids were corralled again, the
driver would have the motor idling, ready to make a run for it.
Let me think...yeah, except for the waving, huggin', cryin' and
promises to come back soon, that's the goodbye ritual in a nutshell.
Changing the subject a minute, let's look at the Fuzzy Wuzzy thing.
My apologies to the porch for overlooking Fuzzy Wuzzy the Bear last
week. I have nothing against bears. I was just thinking about Fuzzy
Wuzzy the Worm. How about a truce? I think the porch is big enough
for both of 'em. ~smile~ I was also reminded of woodchucks chucking
wood and Peter picking peppers. Sometimes, I wish all of you could
be on the receiving end of my email. It's tons of fun.
Before I go, I'd like to ask the porch to keep my father-in-law in
your prayers this week. He had a heart attack at the ballgame Friday
night and he'll be having open heart surgery either Wednesday or
Thursday. (If you'd like, you can see GrandBuzzy on the farm tour.)
Thanks! Have a wonderful week now and don't forget--if you want to
chat, or just need a friend, I'm right here on the porch.
Hugs,
Shellie
*****************************************************************
~~Chuckles~~
"What's that you say?"
Some one told me that shortly after President Bush took office, an
old man approached a U.S. Marine standing guard at the White House
gate and asked if he could go in and meet President Clinton.
The marine looked at the man kindly before answering, "Sir, Mr.
Clinton's no longer President and so he no longer lives here."
"Okay," the old man said and walked away.
The following day, the same man approached the White House and said
to the same Marine, "I'd like to go in and meet with President Clinton."
Once again, the Marine answered patiently, "Mr. Clinton's no longer
President, sir, and so, he no longer lives here."
The old man thanked him again and left.
The third day, the same old man approached the White House and spoke
to the very same U.S. Marine. "Young man, I'd like to go in and meet
with President Clinton."
The Marine, struggling to hold his temper, "Sir, Mr. Clinton is no
longer the president and he no longer lives here. Can't you understand
that?"
The old man smiled. "Oh, I understand, son," he said. "I just love
hearing it."
The Marine snapped to attention, saluted and said, "See you
tomorrow, Sir."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~A Taste of the South~~
Would you like to come home to the smell of mama's pot roast in your
own kitchen? I thought so. I've got a great recipe for you. This roast
is entirely too simple. Just put it on tomorrow morning and let it cook
all day. We like to take the leftover gravy and serve it over baked
potatoes the second day. Yum!
"Crock-pot Beef Roast, Onions and Peppers"
3-pound boneless chuck roast
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon oil
2-3 onions, sliced
2-3 sweet green and red peppers, sliced
16 0z. jar salsa
2 14-1/2 oz. cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
Tie that apron on porchers, and let's get cooking. Brown your chuck
roast in about a teaspoon of hot oil, flavored with crushed garlic.
I like to use Panola's Pickled Garlic. Place the roast in your slow
cooker with your diced onions and peppers. Pour a jar of salsa and
two cans of stewed tomatoes over the meat and cover. Let this cook
on low all day and the meat will be so tender you can cut it with a
fork. Oh, and you really should have your mama over for supper. Tell
her I said, "hi".
~Shellie
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It's Porch Day! Are you wearing your ALL THINGS SOUTHERN T-SHIRT? I am!
http://www.allthingssouthern.com
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~~Spotlight on the South~~
SPOTLIGHT ON DORIS SMITH
Doris Smith was born and raised in Baywood, Louisiana. The month was
September. I can't tell you the year. In true southern belle tradition,
she doesn't like to divulge her age. Although Doris would grow up to
become a cheerleader and a beauty queen; she spent her childhood days
as a tomboy, exploring her grandparent's farms with an ever-present critter.
Years later Doris Smith, now known as Donna Douglas, took that life
experience and beat out hundreds of Hollywood hopefuls to earn a place
in television history on the most watched show of all time. Donna says,
"I was raised a tomboy, learned to swing on vines, whistle through my
teeth...that sort of thing. When the part of Elly came along, it was
like a slice out of my life." Elly Mae that is...hillbilly, southern
beauty--a tomboy with the tools of a girly-girl. Toting a chimpanzee on
her hip, Elly Mae moved out of the hills into a Beverly Hill mansion
and stole America's hearts.
I was always a little disappointed in Elly Mae. She had the goods, but
she was a real slow learner. I wanted her to lose that rope belt and
take Hollywood by storm. On the other hand, there was one thing about
Elly Mae I always respected--the girl outrassled Jethro every time.
~Shellie
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
~~It's Been Said...~~
Today's southern quote, comes from the late Mississippi writer, Walker
Percy...
"My theory is that people enjoy hurricanes whether they say so or not.
Because in hurricanes, terrible things are happening, people are getting
killed, you're liable to get killed, there is a certain exhilaration...
yeah...Louisianans enjoy their hurricanes if they're not too bad."
This is Shellie again. I'm not trying to make light of people's problems,
but I think the man has a point. We do tend to feel a strange pride
about our storms. It's almost paternal. Watch the news the next time a
hurricane is closing in. Evacuation is hit and miss for the most part
and you can see the locals practically swell with pride as they recount
the storms they've seen come and go. It reminds you somehow of a family
reunion where everyone is invited, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Move? Heck, no! Rebuild? Okay. Come to think of it, maybe they should
give these hurricanes double names...like Isadora Ann and Lili Belle.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
~~Southern Comfort~~
"A Kingdom Principle"
I want to tell you about a kingdom principle I've found.
Suppose someone you love has hurt you and you want an apology. No, you
need an apology. Different versions of this battle have been raging for
some time and you're fed up! Still, because you desperately want a
better relationship with this person, you've made it a matter or
prayer. Good! But what else are you doing?
Are you "withholding" yourself from them emotionally until you get
that well deserved apology, determined not to let them off the hook
before they learn their lesson? I understand. The last thing you want
to do is condone their actions and you're afraid that if you forgive
and forget they might never change. You're just trying to help.
But, does God need this kind of help? Or do our actions reveal our
lack of trust in His response? I believe we tap into an awesome
spiritual principle when we forgive without first requiring an
apology. It seems when we combine our prayers with faith and return
to being the sibling, friend or spouse we're called to be, we remove
ourselves from the equation and break the pattern of conflict. Think
about it this way. When our loved one isn't engaged in verbal battle
with us, how much easier will it be for them to hear the real Teacher?
~Shellie
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
~~Southern Exchange~~
Your letters:
Dear Shellie,
I'm kinda new at this, but I did enjoy "All things Southern", sent
to me by an E-mail buddy, and I'd like to subscribe. I must be
truthful though, I'm a Yankee by birth. Now, I Married a Southerner,
(Texan), so my 'window' sort of faces the South! If that counts, I'd
love to receive the Magazine!
Thank you,
Evelyn married to Charlie for 57 years,
from Washington State
(Dear Evelyn, It counts and you are very welcome on my porch! No one
around here is supposed to be checking for southern credentials. If
they do, you let me know, okay? ~Hugs, Shellie)
_____________
Dear Shellie,
Have you heard about the little boy who approached his dad and said
proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied,
"Really? Well, what does the Bible mean?" The son replied, "It's easy,
Daddy, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth."
The story reminded me of something I wanted to share with the porch.
When people are old and retired, or perhaps disabled, you find them
many times sitting with a Bible in their lap. I don't know if they
expect osmosis to put the Truth in their hearts where it belongs, or
if the Bible is too heavy to hold up close to their eyes for very long,
or if it is such an old, trusted friend, they just like to have it
close by to touch it every once in a while. I would hope it would be
the latter reason.
Sybil
Monroe, La.
(Dear Mrs. Sybil, I've been trying to get your letter in the emag for
some time! Every time I reread it, your musings warm my heart. I can't
speak for the folks you've seen, but I know I've often gotten peace
from just "holding" my Word, even when my heart was too heavy to read
it. Thanks for sharing. ~Hugs, Shellie)
_____________
Hey Shellie,
I finally drug myself out of bed early and caught your radio
show on. I work 7Pm to 7Am and usually sleep till 3Pm. (Your
show is on at 12:50 here in Nevada.)
I would have known that voice no matter what. Actually you sound
a little like my cousin Julie, but she's from Ga. Keep up the
good work, I'll try to listen at least once a week, for now, it's
back to bed.
Shilo in Nevada
(Dear Shilo, Bless your heart for the effort my friend. Although,
I'm quite sure that hearing my voice isn't anything worth losing
sleep over. :-) I'm working hard on the details in getting the show
syndicated. I'll be taking Dec and Jan. to market it to other
stations, (but more about that in the news update). Now, if you'll
give me the name of your local country station, (if you have one),
I'll put them on my contact list and beg them to save my friend
Shilo from having to get up during his resting hours to hear
this country twang. ~Hugs, Shellie)
___________
Dear Shellie,
I haven't thought about "Sunday visiting" in so long! I want you to
know that I thoroughly enjoyed your quote about visiting by Shirley
Abbot. It brought back so many wonderful memories from my own
childhood. My name is Wendy McNabb and I'm from a little town called
Choudrant, right off the I-20, next to Ruston. I'm now residing in
The Netherlands for a spell. My little sister, Erin, (from Monroe),
sent me a link to your site some time ago and I enjoy all of your
letters, the jokes and the stories, not to mention the recipes--they
take me back more than anything else over here. Thanks, Shellie!
Love,
Wendy in the Netherlands
(Dear Wendy, Thank you for a really sweet letter. I know exactly where
Choudrant is. Mercy, you're a long way from home, aren't you? I'm
tickled to be able to bring you a little bit of the south clear over
the ocean to the Netherlands. Thanks for droppin' by my porch today.
~Hugs, Shellie)
__________
Hi Shellie,
Panola is a family tradition here in Rayville. My dad buys it by the case
to give to friends and relatives. Momma eats regular Panola Sauce on eggs
for breakfast. But since football season is here and snack food is a
necessity for games, both at home and tailgating, I think everyone should
know that the sweet jalepenos are wonderful just poured over a block of
cream cheese and served with almost kind of cracker. They are kind of
hard to find in the grocery store however, folks may have to ask to get
them ordered. Or just make a trip to the Panola place and pick up a
case...
Happy trails!
Alece Copeland
Rayville, Louisiana
(Dear Alece, Honey, I'm right with you on the sweet jalepenos and creme
cheese. They are my weakness! I just thought I'd hush and let you tell
the porch this time. Good job! ~Hugs, Shellie)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~~A Southern Definition~~
Here's a defining quiz for you porchers. See how quickly you can name
the following game. The equipment was limited to a sheet of notebook
paper and a small amount of salvia. The scoring system was just as
simple. It was built around the criteria of stickability. Well? Your
familiarity, or lack of it, says a lot about who you were in grade
school and the answer--it's found in today's southern definition, which
reads...
"If you never learned to make a spit ball that would stick on it's
target...you could have been a girly-girl."
--Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
ATS NEWS and NOTES:
I had a lot of fun today! A sweet lady from "The News-Star World" in Monroe,
Louisiana came out to interview me for the paper. Looks like everyone
wants to know what is happening here on our porch. Their photographer had
me pose on top of Phil's tractor. ~grin~ If you want to read the
article, it's supposed to be in Sunday's paper. (That would be the 20th.)
You can find the paper online: http://www.thenewsstar.com/news/accent.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
All Things Southern Sponsors:
If you enjoy All Things Southern on the radio--or by internet, please
let my sponsors know. ~Thanks,Shellie
Panola Pepper Corporation, where great hot sauce is just the
beginning. If you're not cooking with Panola, your stomach might be
full, but is your mouth satisfied? You can find Panola on the web at
http://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.
**************
Let New Attitudes Hair Design and Boutique blend all your fall
shopping needs into one beautiful style that flatters your
distinctive personality. Stop by 710 Florida Street, Delhi Louisiana,
and tell Sheila that Shellie sent you. ~smile~ 318-878-3397
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
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
Home
Advertise • Archives • Policies • Terms of Use • Email Shellie and All Things Southern • Link to All Things Southern • Eternal Help • Email Promotion and Sales
