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Tin Cup

3 Dec

A Few Thoughts

Patricia Franklin

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Tin Cup is a very special place.  It is a unique, old fashioned little mining town in Gunnison County, Colorado.  I’m not sure if anyone lives there year round, but the old homes and cabins are all occupied in the summer.

I love their cemetery most of all.  A little creek runs through it and you have to cross over some little hills and a little bridge and follow a little path to reach the different parts of the cemetery.

One hill is Jewish, one Protestant, one Catholic, and then the last one is Boot Hill the final resting place of criminals and nondenominationals. The unique graves and tombstones are fabulous.  Famous people, infamous persons and paupers are all buried there.  One man’s grave had a stump at the head of it with an old tin cup sitting on top.  I’ve seen the cup every time I’ve visited the cemetery. I’m sure almost everyone who passes by has picked it up and set it back down again.

In the cemetery, up a long hill, we saw a single gravestone inside a rail fence, so we walked up the hill to look at it. The name on it was Kate Fisher. Later we heard her story. She had been the only black person in town, she had fed and sheltered the community in her rooming house, but the cemetery was segregated, so she had to be buried alone. She was well-loved and revered, so I like to think her grave was above the others because she was so special to the miners.

The old jailhouse is still there. Someone bought it and made it into a home.  The bars are still on the windows of the tiny cabin.  We took a picture of it when we were there, but that has been at least a couple of years ago.  I don’t know where the picture would be.

There is a legend about how Tin Cup was named:  A man dipped a tin cup in the stream and discovered gold-dust and sand at the bottom of the cup.   I bet you could find something at the library or on the internet.  There is a beautiful lily pond on the other side of the town, just a little way from the main (dirt) road.  You have to know where it is to find it, as you can’t see it from the road.  I love this place.

Please see pictures at http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/Tin Cup.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Simple Truth, Peanuts-Style

2 Dec

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

The author of this is Jeanne Rogors.  I want to share her message.

 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you

and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

(Mathew 5:11)

 

For years, major television networks have featured a Charlie Brown Christmas as one of their prime time specials during the days prior to Christmas.  Audiences of all ages have viewed the 1965 classic movie.

The famous cartoon provides clean entertainment as the beloved Peanuts characters explore life’s challenges.  Each scene is honest and humorous and Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy, always steals the show. It is also a favorite because the movie features the true meaning of Christmas.

Throughout the plot of the movie, Charlie Brown experiences frustration and disappointment, and eventually despairs with all the commercialization of Christmas. Guided by the five-cent, psychiatric advice of Lucy, he accepts the role of director for the annual Christmas Pageant.

As usual, he gets no respect for his leadership effort.  He voices his frustration with familiar Peanuts remarks, “Good grief!” and  “Oh rats!”

Just as he is about to give up on understanding Christmas, Charlie Brown’s friend, Linus. offers him hope.

“I’ll tell you what Christmas is all about”, Linus says.  The scene changes as Linus walks into the center-stage spotlight.  The true meaning of Christmas unfolds as the voice of a pre-school child narrates the story of Jesus’ birth.

 

“And there were shepherds gathered in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people of the earth. For today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you.  He is Christ the Lord.”( Luke 2;8-10)

Charlie Brown gets it.  Something happens inside his heart.  A change in attitude and behavior moves through the entire cast of characters, and their disagreeable mood transforms into celebrative joy.

In typical Peanuts style, Charlie Shultz gave a truthful solution to a dilemma that has intensified over the forty years since the movie’s creation- the secularization of Christmas. We are grateful to this  talented cartoonist who spoke a timeless, spiritual message through the lives of animated children.

This Christmas when so many messages of truth are silenced, perhaps the message of hope, told in a classic cartoon, will be heard.  May we once again experience the profound and simple meaning of Christmas; that a Savior was born “for all the people of the earth.”

 

 

corriewho-can-add-to-christmas

 

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I Like Black Friday Sales Events

1 Dec

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

It seems to have become cool to bash people who participate in Black Friday shopping, Well, I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoy Black Friday shopping. The critics bemoan the greed and commercialism, while feeling superior that they don’t partake of such activities. My answer is good for you! Last I checked there was no law requiring one to participate and I respect your choice. Now, how about serving up a helping of respect for people like me, who do enjoy it?

Black Friday shopping began for me, as a way to get a lower price on items I wanted for my children’s Christmas. We didn’t have a lot of fluff in our budget and I found that by being a savvy shopper, knowing the regular price of the items on my list, I could save some dollars.

As the years and our finances evolved, I no longer shopped the sales every year. Plus the internet made it easier to find deals.  I began going to the sales again about five years ago after we purchased a home in a small town in North Carolina. Wal-Mart was offering a 32 inch televisions for ninety nine-dollars and we needed one for our new home. Our son was looking for a television too. The four of us, my son, daughter in law and daughter decided to give the sale a try. My husband, having been traumatized by a Kmart  sale in years past, volunteered to stay home with the grandchildren. It turned out to be a fun and memorable experience. The store was well staffed with friendly associates and an orderly system was in place for distributing the items. It was a very different experience from what you see on the television and created a happy memory. Since then, my daughter and I have ventured to the department store sales in Florida and overall they have had pleasant experiences.

This year, we were in North Carolina for Thanksgiving. We decided to go to the Thursday evening sales. It was interesting talking to the  folks who were working. When asked if they had been able to celebrate with their families, all  of them said yes and no one I spoke with was upset about working.

As i mentioned before, our home is in a small town, so it was an easy drive to shop in the four main stores. In the first store, while looking over a display of laser Christmas lights, we encountered another mother-daughter team looking at them too and we discussed the merits of the laser. Throughout the rest of the evening, we ran into this team in every store. By the end of the evening, I wanted to invite them to go with us for hot chocolate…but I didn’t. I watch too many crime shows.  : )

Ten years ago, we were on a cruise ship over Thanksgiving and the cruise line decided to offer Black Friday shopping.  A group of tables were arranged in a square outside the shopping area and merchandise  rested under paper covers until the official start. Once those covers came off, people went crazy. Those standing next to the tables began scooping up piles of shirts and other articles, without even looking at them. When their arms were full, they moved  next to a wall and began sorting the items. I was horrified that people could act in such a way. I don’t know why some people go crazy at these sales. Maybe, for them, it is greed.

I have friends who can’t imagine living in a small town, but I wouldn’t trade the lifestyle for any big town I know. I guess I am a Green Acres kind of woman…without the farm and chores!

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So, Why Should I Be Thankful?

25 Nov

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

A thankful heart causes us to look upward.
It causes us to look around,
and causes us to look within
where the peace of God is found.

 

The number one secret to happiness
is a grateful heart.
Beginning our day with a prayer of gratitude
brings tranquility from the start.

 

Fear is the father of failure-
a negative emotion, to be sure.
Replace it with a positive thought-
Failure you will no longer endure.

 

Quote:

“When we choose not to focus on what is missing
from our lives, but are grateful for the abundance
that is present, we experience heaven on earth.”

Author unknown,
but is wise advice

 

 

squirell-taking-a-bite

 

 

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My Thanksgiving Letter

24 Nov

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 I am writing this as a letter because, I think of our readers as friends. You come and let us share our lives with you and share yours in return. That is what friends do. I am beyond thankful for the friends who faithfully blog here each week, DiVoran, Bill, Louise, Judy, Melody and Janet. They inspire me with their commitment and wisdom. I love you guys!

Dear friends,

It is funny how circumstances change our thankful list. Usually on Thanksgiving our  list is for family, health ,friends, and of course, our Savior.  This year, we woke up to wet grass and the wonderful rain is at the top of our list.

Our beautiful North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee mountains that are part of the forest service lands, have been viciously attacked by arsonist and thousands of acres  are affected.  I pray it was enough to give our firefighters and those from across the country who came to help, a rest this Thanksgiving day.

This morning, I pulled out old favorites as well as new cookbooks to get our meal started. One of my “must have” books is an old one from Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC. It has been a part of our Thanksgiving meal for years. They have put out newer ones, but I love the old version. This year, I have added a new favorite, Janet’s Appalachian Cookbooks. Rebekah mixed up the School House Rolls recipe and I can’t wait to sink my teeth in their yeasty goodness. Of course, I had to go to the internet to find a recipe so we have a beautiful blending of old with new. Our turkey is in the roaster and the oven is almost ready for the side dishes. It has been a joy working side by side in the kitchen with my daughter. We each have our quirks when it comes to cooking and how we do things, but we can laugh about them and it adds to the fun.

I won’t pretend that my heart does not have a tender spot, missing the large family meals with my parents, brothers and their families. We don’t have any children’s voices laughing and arguing or the camaraderie of a bunch of women in the kitchen. I miss it but I am so blessed to have had that time. I hope wherever you gathered today, that you treasured the moments and you loved richly.

Talk to you later, the oven is ready!

Love,

Onisha

philippians-48

UPDATE: One of our favorite places in Macon county is Wayah Bald, with it’s rustic fire tower and breathtaking views. It is also a favorite rest stop for hikers on the   Appalachian Trail. I read on Facebook tonight that one of the forest fires burned the tower. I can’t conceive of the anger a heart must hold to destroy so much beauty. I fear the damage to the stone structure might be too damaged to repair. I am thankful for the memories we made there and hopeful it will be restored.

Beautiful in the fall
Burned

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Six ways to soothe your soul. 

19 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

10-28-16-6

I wasn’t prepared to hear this revelation. A group of seven folks sat around the table, eager to learn about the writing craft. And I planned to impart all I knew about my writing journey.

“How about if we share a bit about our story,” I said, hoping to know a bit about them.

Everyone took their turn. And then the lady seated in a wheelchair to my left spoke.

“I lost my leg. But I still have my courage,” she said in a peaceful tone.

I gave a silent gasp. She not only had a leg amputated, but she lost her sight too.

“I want to write my story,” she said, “to inspire others who might be feeling sorry for themselves,”

Admirable desire for sure. But little did she know that God had already written her story. He wrote all the details: He knew the moment she would receive the bad news from the doctor. He knew the limitations put on her life. He had written her future. He jotted down her every need and He’s still writing her story.

He’s also writing your story and mine, too. So we can be free to let go that anxiety about the future and instead, take a deep breath of relief. He’s aware of what we’re facing. What is being cut off from our life. What is diminishing. What we lost. What we miss. He knows the joy and hard times of tomorrow. And best of all, He’s written in the tablet of His love our victory over grief.

That tablet is the Bible. No matter what you’re missing in life, whisper these six truths found in Psalm 139. They will soothe your soul:

  1. He knows me intimately. “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.”
  2. He knows my every move. “You know when I sit and when I rise…”
  3. Even my thoughts are familiar to Him. “You perceive my thoughts from afar.”
  4. He knows where I came from and where I’m going. “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”
  5. He knows what I’ll say, “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely…O LORD.”
  6. He is close enough to touch my pain. “You have laid your hand upon me.”

If He knows your thoughts, your words, ways and whims, how can He not know how to soothe your soul?

Source: Six ways to soothe your soul. | Janet Perez Eckles

 

May I pray for you?

I considerate it a privilege to pray for you. Please send updates to previous prayer requests, too. You can send them HERE.

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The Epitome of Love

18 Nov

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

pink-butterfly

 

“One word frees us of the weight and pain of life, that word is “love”

The irony of that quote is it was written before Christ by a

Greek Tragedian.

 

We are so blessed to know that God came in the flesh to redeem
us back unto himself.
That was true love.

 

I thrive on love.
There is promise in the air.
I stand on the word of God.
I see Him everywhere.

 

He is in the air I breathe-
His promises fill my soul.
Without Him I can do nothing,
With Him, I am whole.

 

We are all so different-
still all of God’s own plan.
I marvel how He leads us
to support our fellow man.

 

I thirst to hear the words you speak-
I long to know your soul.
Tho diverse in our interests-
Our similarities make us whole.

 

 

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God Has Been Watching Over Me~Part 2

16 Nov

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

 

One day on my way to school, the traffic around the school was hectic and I tried to go around an older car that was double parked. Just as I got alongside of that car the driver (who obviously hadn’t seen me) started off, while edging over toward me. There was oncoming traffic so I couldn’t move away from the car. I tried to slow down and let the car pull ahead, but it was too late. My brake pedal got caught under the rear portion of the car’s running board (Google “Running Board” if you have never heard of such a thing) and flipped my motorcycle and me to the pavement under the car (luckily, behind the rear wheel).   The motorcycle and I ended up sliding down the street behind the car on the pavement a few yards. I don’t think the driver knew what had happened, because he sped off down the street. I got some minor road rash out of that experience, but was otherwise unhurt, and there were only a few small scratches on the motorcycle. It would have been a totally different story if I had ended up on the street in front of that car’s rear wheel! Thank you Lord!

 

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Another time, I was giving one of my friends a ride on my motorcycle. He was quite a bit heavier than I was, and that made it difficult to turn if he didn’t lean into the turns with me. When we got to his house, I was turning into the driveway but my friend wasn’t leaning into the turn with me. His extra weight kept me from being able to turn enough, and we sideswiped a three-foot high flagstone wall that tore my jeans and scraped a 2”x4” patch of skin off of my right leg. That incident could have ended up with broken legs for both of us if Someone hadn’t been watching over us both that time.

 

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The summer after my junior year in high school, my girlfriend’s family moved to El Paso, Texas and I longed to see her again. After getting the OK from her family and much promising, on my part, to be careful and not to do anything foolish, my parents gave me permission to make the.* I left early on a Friday morning and rode my motorcycle the 225 miles, from our home in Albuquerque to El Paso, to visit Barbara for the weekend (when her folks would be home). The trip down was long (3 ½ hours), uneventful, and I was filled with anticipation. I liked Barbara’s parents and we had a great visit that weekend. Then it was time to tear myself away from her Sunday afternoon in time to make the trip back home to Albuquerque before dark. It was during the second hour when the lack of sleep, the desert heat, and the constant hummmm of the engine that I woke up with a start, just as my motorcycle went off the road onto the gravel shoulder of the oncoming lane! Somehow I was able to get back onto the pavement, without crashing, and back into my lane. As LUCK would have it, there was not another car anywhere on that stretch of the hiway at that time (now who do you suppose arranged that?). And, as you might have guessed, the amount of adrenaline that incident produced kept me awake for the rest of the trip home.

 

 

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* See Bill’s blog “Trip To El Paso”- 9/29/2012

—–To Be Continued—–

 

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For the Love of Photography

15 Nov

A Life to Live

Melody Hendrix

Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter.
Ansel Adams
 
You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world. Oprah
 
Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.  Mark Ribound
 
We take pictures as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone. Unknown
 
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving, what you have caught on film that is captured forever…..It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.  Aaron Siskind
for-love-of-phography-copy

 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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This is one test you don’t want to fail

12 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

11-04-16-f-failure

 

“This way, Ma’am” the airport agent said as she took me by the arm, leading me close to the security counter. “Hold out your hands, palms up.”

I obeyed. And with quick strokes, she swiped both hands with a paper/cloth material. That was their way to detect if I had handled any controlled substance.

A minute later she drew close. “Okay, all clear. You may proceed.”

Wow! That’s what I would like God to say should He swipe not my hands, but my heart. Sadly, He might not see it clean. Instead, He might detect insecurities, restlessness about the future, feelings of inadequacies, confusion and at times, fear.

What about you, will your heart be clean, clear and ready to proceed on?

No need to stress because it’s more crucial to answer God’s question. He will put us through one more test. The one that makes the difference. The one that determines if we will cross the entry to heaven.

And in case you thought that we’ll pass the test by simply saying we know who Jesus is, or if we called out His name, or if we turned to Him in hard times, here’s His answer: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Will you be one of those who pass the test by doing His will?

 

Source: This is one test you don’t want to fail. | Janet Perez Eckles

Janet’s Two Minute Video for this week

 

 

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