MIGHTY POWER

This week we have experienced nature's mighty forces. Fires in Texas, flooding along the Mississippi and tornadoes all across the southeast. We are constantly reminded of our inability to control anything.

I have experienced loss from fire and flood(all related to farm life). THANK YOU JESUS, I did not suffer any loss this week from wind. My sister and her entire family live in Cleveland, Tennessee; where they encountered an F4 tornado. My mom was visiting there when it happened. After many scary hours at Courtney's house in the basement and a few restless trips to the small hallway bathroom, they were all fine when it was over. However, south Cleveland had massive destruction. Not to mention our neighboring states.

As I watched the news, I never saw people worried about their 52 inch flat screen TV, their newest I-phone, or the latest WII gizmo.I did, however, see people in need of food, water, clothing, and shelter. And in the midst, thanking GOD for their survival.

The Bible mentions forces of nature quite frequently(just ask Noah{flood}, the prophets of Baal{fire}, and the guys in the boat {wind} when Jesus spoke,"Peace, be still").

The forces of nature are powerful, yet they pale in comparison to the source of their mighty power.

A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND

Proverbs 17:17 tells us "A friend loves at all times". After many years of friendship, I've come to know this is true. My best friend will be turning 50 in February. This posting is a tribute to her.

It all began in the 6th (that's right 6th) grade, and we've been best friends ever since. I can't tell you exactly how the friendship began, but I can tell you next to God and family, it is the best relationship I have. We have been best friends as long as I can remember. We survived high school, college at a junior college,( still have nightmares about that full length rabbit coat) then on to Carson Newman. We even managed to make it through graduate school together. We have had our ups and downs (I'll never forget that vacation in Daytona when she left her mom and me at a restaurant). I don't think we spoke to each other all the way home. But, those incidents were rare.

She has 2 beautiful daughters that I am very proud of. I take some credit for their raising , because I was the house/babysitter if she had to be out of town. I can remember keeping Cierra's bottle under my pillow to keep it warm for her night feeding. I never had children of my own, so I kinda claim them, along with my other nieces and nephews.

You never REALLY know how strong a person is, until they go through adversity. Sandy has far exceeded her share of adversity. Her grandmother, who by the way made the BEST blackberry cobbler, passed away when Sandy was pregnant with her first child. She never got to know any of her great grandchildren. But, without a doubt, her biggest adversity was when her oldest daughter was diagnosed with cancer on the day she was to graduate from college. I will never forget the look Sandy gave me when the doctor came in and used the dreaded "C"word. You just don't expect to hear that about your daughter who is just poised on beginning her own life. DEVASTATION!! Sandy was amazing through the whole ordeal. Oh, I'm sure she had her moments in private, but I went to see her one weekend, thinking I was going to cheer her up, and I was the one that walked away feeling better. Cierra is great now, and living and working in Nashville. Her youngest daughter, McKenzie is a teacher (just like her mom and Me) :) That makes me smile cause I know she is GREAT with her students. That's what she always wanted to be.

I don't get to see Sandy nearly as much as I would like to. She lives about 1 1/2 hours away from me. But we do all the normal calling, e-mailing, and texting. She is still always one of the first ones I call when something good(or bad) happens. When we do get together, we always pick up right where we left off. (Good times).

Yes, my friend is turning 50 this year, (before me, I always like to rub in). We have already decided that 50 is the new 30. So, going back to Proverbs 17:17 " A friend loves at all times". I've found mine. I can only hope and pray you find yours.

.......And HE gave us rule over them

I know we can all remember a favorite (or not so favorite) family pet. Bobby and I have really been blessed to have had such wonderful animals pass through our lives. Just recently we lost one of them, a beautiful black cat named "Mater", almost a year since we lost Jake.

At my house, however, they seem to have rule over me. I will admit it. I have spoiled my pets. Ever since we had a dog killed by 2 pit bulls a few years ago, they all sleep in the house at night. We have a 3-legged dog, that is now deaf. He loves to be in the produce shed in the summer when we are selling. If I step out and he can't see me, he thinks he is all my himself because he can't hear me. He will bark and bark and bark until I reappear. Apparently he thinks because he can't hear, neither can we:) We have 3 other dogs and another cat. They just seem to come into our lives at just the right time. You would never guess they were all strays, set out at various times and various ages in their lives. It's as if they were all born at the same time and place.

When we lose a pet, it's really hard. They somehow become part of our family. Then we all just declare that we will never get another, cause we can't take the pain again. And yet, sooner or later, we usually do get another. A friend once told me that this is a sign of all the joy they brought into our lives.

Half-Century

My half-century mark is quickly approaching. One more year left, then it's here. I have thought alot lately about all the buzz about "bucket lists". I can honestly say, there is nothing I feel really compelled that I need to do before I kick it. I have traveled in my time. If there is something I need or want, if it's possible, I usually just go ahead and get it or do it. I guess if I had to choose something it would be to spend more time with family and friends. I miss seeing and talking to my best friend everyday. She is still alive, just lives in another town. I miss her girls. They are special to me. I really miss the new little man in my life, Rader J. Brose. I could entertain him all day. I miss seeing my sister that lives out of town and her family. We get together as much as possible, but seems like it's never enough. I really look forward to holidays. Seems like we can find time to get together then. All of Bobby's family lives somewhere else, so we hardly ever see them.

As I reflect, I have many things to be thankful for. I have a great husband. He's a hard worker and a great cook. Much better than me I hate to admit. I have great pets. I have a great family, great friends, a great job, and a good church family. I can only hope that the next 50 is as good, or better, than the last.

The Customer is ...?????

After another short and HOT, HOT, and need I say HOT summer, it is time for school to start back, once again. It was a good summer selling produce, but I just wanted to share a few comments and remarks I have to hear ALL summer long. Needless to say, some of these you will never hear nor ask at your grocer. I will include some of my replies:
CONCERNING STRAWBERRIES:
"Are these sweet"
"May I sample one"
"Are these Scott's strawberries" (our competition)
"When were these picked"
"Don't you have any smaller ones"
GREEN BEANS:
"Are they full, I don't like a lot of bean in my green beans"
"Are they full, I like a LOT of beans in my green beans"
"When were these picked"{ try that one at the grocery store.Better to say, when were these shipped:)}
"What do they taste like" reply: "beans"
" How much are your beans a bushel and if I buy more than one, can I get them cheaper" REALLY!! do you get 2 jugs of milk cheaper than one????
TOMATOES:
"Got any ripe ones"
"Got any green ones"
"When were these picked"
"Are these Grainger County tomatoes" reply "no", "Where can i get some of those" reply:"Grainger County I guess"
"Where's your big uns", I like mine to cover the whole bread"
"Got any smaller, I can't eat all that at once"
"This one is soft (as they squeeze the life out of it)"
"Can we go to the field and pick our own, I just want a few"
CORN:
"Is it full, I don't like mine to be real full"
"Is it full, I like big, full ears"
"When was this picked"
"Can i get it cheaper if I buy two dozen" , again REALLY??
ON OUR LOCATION( and this is my favorite, bobby got this one, not me):
"Why are you sooooo far out in the country, can't you move any closer to town" HIS reply:" Well Morristown won't let us plow up Main Street, we asked"

The list could go on and on. There is never a DULL moment when you work with the public. Growning up I always worked in grocery stores or some other job dealing with the public. I was always told "The customer is always right". SOOOOO after many many years working with the public, I have decided, the customer (almost) always, NEVER HAS A CLUE:)

For better or WORSE

I had a sick husband. I know, I hear your groans. He evidently caught my cold. However, you would think it was the swine flu or something:( This man can take external injuries like no one I know. A few years ago, he called me on a Sunday morning while I was getting ready for church, and he was out working in the field. He wanted to know if I would be leaving the house soon. I said I would be. He wanted me to drop him off a couple advil and a wash cloth?????? come to find out, he had cut his shin TO THE BONE on a old rusty culvert in the field. Advil and a wash cloth PLEASE??? How about ER and stitches!! We did manage to get to the family doc. the next day for a tetanous (sorry nurses, can't spell it, but you know what i mean) shot for both of us. It just amazes me how a little internal bug get him DOWN. All i can say, is bring on the NYQUIL!!!

Come on man

It can be so depressing when you just spent over $1000 on irrigation supplies and it has rained every day since you put it down. Is that like washing your car if you want it to rain? Murphy's law, I guess:( Guess the rain has done more good than bad, though. Any who! You can't control the weather, sooooo just grin and bear it.