Christmas 2015 and MS Tornadoes

Mississippi was unseasonably warm and wet Wed., Dec. 23rd. Fourteen tornadoes ravaged 150 miles across the state. The Governor declared a State of Emergency. Along US 49 and 322, in our Clarksdale area, homes, a church and a crop duster's business were severely damaged. Our neighbor's home had the meter base torn off.

Tornadoes traveled northeast clocking winds in excess of 150 miles an hour. I55 was closed between Batesville and Como after multiple truck accidents. I put cat, Madchen, in the bathroom. She sat and stared like a statue. Johnny was a nervous wreck insisting we move to the bathtub. Instead, I tested my faith muscle. From my recliner, I prayed for protection for all in its path. Buckshot, our little dog, was not rattled. Neither was I. The storm came over our house, lifted the shingles, and laid them back down. Not one blew off. Thank you, Lord!

Holly Springs was ravaged the worst. Topped trees looked like tall pencils. A car was trapped under a twisted tractor trailer and the occupants survived.

The death toll rises. It took weeks to log damage and put a pall on Christmas. But there were miracles to give praise for. Three people left their house and piled into their truck. Before they could get away, it blew the truck into a tree saving their lives; the house was destroyed. Many homes were wiped off their foundation. Victims concurred the tornado sounded like a raging freight train.

Our hearts go out to all. Google MS tornadoes 12-23-15 for more information. If you want to help, contact the Red Cross.

Wed. evening I watched I Love Lucy reruns I haven't seen since 9/11. They are light moments that shore us up for coping with life's monsters. Peace and Grace to all and to all a Good Night. May your Christmas be Merry and the New Year super!

Love,
Maeann

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Veterans Day 2015 and Europe in 1993

Remember the Veterans

Europe in '93
Maeann B Jasa

We thought the wars over

'til we laid down to rest

guns, tanks, barking dogs

were heard in our heads

Germany, Luxembourg,

Holland, France

war haunted our sleep

how could it last

From out of the heavens

came this command

"Free these dear souls

from the hell of the past."

Walking battlefields, cemeteries

my sister and I

acknowledged, telepathed 

with those who are dead

Thousands took notice

 piled weapons in heaps

ten abreast they crossed over

the Bridge to the Light

Military, civilian

all countries alike

God welcomed each one

"Come home. Rest."

The pain and the warring

were gone from the air

peace was on their side

and we felt it here.

Microsoft Clip Art

©2015 Poem Red Convertible Travel Series

"Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" Carol McCloud

For the fourth year, I'm volunteering to read to Ms. Green's 2nd grade class at Kirkpatrick School, Clarksdale, MS. My hugs, kisses, smiles and kind words fill their buckets and they in turn, fill mine.

Carol McCloud wrote "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?"illustrated by David Messing. Good for any age, it raises awareness by explaining that every person has an invisible bucket, and we are either bucket fillers or bucket dippers. When we do something nice for someone, we fill the other person's bucket and vice versa. Bullies are bucket dippers. They take away the other person's good feelings, and they don't get good feelings put in theirs.

It has been translated into French, Braille, Japanese, Turkish, Korean and Chinese, and won 15 awards from 2007-2013. bucketfillers101.com

Carol collaborated with Caryn Bulzke and illustrator Glenn Zimmer to create "My Very Own Bucket Filling from A to Z Coloring book." It took First Place in the 2015 Dragonfly Book Awards.

Go to Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com to buy.

 ©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Pearl Seas Cruises, Cuba Cultural Cruises and Hemingway

My foot is itching bad. The only treatment is travel. Pearl Seas Cruises leave south Florida for ten nights and eleven days to "Discover Cuba 2016." Sailing beings March 6, 2016. The last trip is May 5, 2016. It'a s six-deck cruise ship with over 100 rooms. Ship Registry: Republic of the Marshall Islands.  PearlSeasCruises.com/cruises/Cuba-Cultural-Voyage/

Imagine walking through Havana's five Plazas hearing local music, or is it that our Country Western, like it was in Ireland? Colorful fresh produce is piled high giving off  'come hither vibes, 'Take me home with you. I want to nourish your body, mind and spirit.'
Check out Huffingtonpost.com/news/cuban-food/

Hemingway loved Cuba. hemingwaycuba.com/finca-la-vigia.html takes you to his home.

For fishing, check out hemingwaycuba.com/hemingway-fishing-tournament.html

If you have $200K looking for a home, and you're interested in an autographed, used/First Edition of E Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises," run, don't walk, to
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?Ernest+Hemingway&bi=0&bx=off&ds=50&pics=on&recentlyadded=all&sortby=1&x=57&y=8. There's only one.
.
Don't expect Cuba to be like home. There will be inconveniences. My sister-in-law said," If you want the comforts of home, stay there." Princess Di told her boys not to make a fuss when their meal wasn't just like home; "People will get the idea you are hard to get along with."

It's been so long since we had a relationship with Cuba, I pray all who go there enter humbly with open hearts and kindness toward all. How we treat them will determine whether they want us to come back or send our money and stay home.

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Traveling Solo

I could "solo" cruise in one of these and maybe do my own paddling.

According to AARP, "There are five Norwegian cruise ships that now have studio cabins priced far less than double occupancy." I called and asked which ones, but they never got back to me. They suggested I book a cruise first. I'll take one of each!

Tauk has a few solo cabins. Check other Cruise Lines also. They would rather have more passengers than empty rooms.

I like to travel solo sometimes. When, not if, I take a solo cruise, I will let you know the details. As long as I can see the shore, I don't get seasick. Maybe I should confine my water experiences to the bathtub, but that's not as interesting as the Venice shoreline. One day I'll tell myself, Just do it!

Microsoft Clip Organizer photo
©2015 article only
Red Convertible Travel Series

The Stauer Stick

The Stauer site states: This is how to walk the talk. The must-have men's accessory once carried by kings, presidents, barons and billionaires is back - and can be yours.

The stick is made of imported Sheesham (Indian Rosewood) with engraved silver-finished brass features, and a rubber tip on the end. All the better to steady his steps and yours Cinderella, when he is on dirt, asphalt, marble floors and Persian rugs.

My romantic self is having a field day. The stick makes me think of powerful gentlemen who don't need to raise their voice to get something done. Boulevard strolls after dinner. White Gloves and top hats to tip, Concierge's full attention. Fine dining. Vintage convertible rides with the top down. Picnics for two on linen in country shade. First class accommodations and more. Sigh.

stauer.com specializes in men and women's vintage accessories. "Arm yourself with Artistry."

Excuse me. My dreams are calling.

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Happy Fourth of July 2015

Blessings to all 

this 4th of July

May peace be

the order of the day

and 

explosions

fireworks only.

Microsoft Clip Organizer photo

2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

The Great Courses Catalog

My heart soars when TheGreatCourses.com catalog comes. Did you know they offer over 500 courses? I wish there were a at least a dozen of me so I could take many at once. I could time travel to Medieval Europe, Explore the Louvre without sore feet and learn about The Night Sky with stars sans mosquitoes.

On a clear August night, my sister would insist I go with her to the top of Bodley's Hill in Nebraska. We'd spread a blanket, stretch out and watch the meteor showers. They shot every direction. We'd whisper excitedly, "There's another one!" When I've been with her elsewhere and stars were visible, she'd look up with longing, similar to Claire in Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. I wonder if my sister used to have an address somewhere out there? Hmm, a really distant relative.

I could elaborate on the courses, but I want you to have the joy of studying the catalog, too.

The Great Courses partners with TheCulinaryInstituteofAmerica.com  NationalGeographic.com, and SmithsonianMag.com. This group's work is quality at its best  Thank you one and all.

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

B.B. King laid to rest

Wed, June 3, 2015 The Clarksdale Press Register printed a piece by Charlie Smith of The Enterprise-Tocsin. "For sixty years, B.B. King graced the world with his music. At his services, Charlie Sawyer, B.B.'s biographer, said, "B.B. King lives in every blues lick on every electric guitar as long as blues is played." He noted that even after 18,000 performances, B.B.'s hands were soft from the way he cradled his black guitar, "Lucille."

"President Obama and former President Clinton lauded "his musical genius and simple human kindness.

"King grew up in Mississippi poor as poor could be, like so many others. He played for the prisoners at Parchman. Music may have kept him from living there.

I first heard "When a man loves a woman" while living in the Midwest. There was such anguish in his voice, I wept for his lost love." I did not yet know the pain of divorce.

People came from around the world for his funeral at Indianola, MS., home of his museum.
RIP B.B. Your memory and music live on.

2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Random Acts of Kindness

I volunteer to read to second graders at Kirkpatrick School in Clarksdale, MS. It's the highlight of my week. My intent is to inspire them to read and learn more. They're generous with hugs and love letters.

St. Paul's Methodist Church adopted Kirkpatrick school. We provide cookies or cupcakes, lemonade and achievement stickers for over 100 K-4 children each quarter. I peel the stickers off and stick them on their shirt. Each child gets one and a compliment on their achievement.

I wore a few leftover stickers to Walmart. It didn't take long to find a frazzled clerk trying to restock first aid. "You look like you could use a sticker." She burst into a smile just short of tears, "I needed that!"

The day of our Peace March, I came around an aisle in Kroger's and there was this man wearing a gold paper crown, a black with gold threads suit, and a full-length black coat draped over his shoulders like a cape. To top it off, he had this long stick with a twisted root. When I got my breath, I asked if I could take his picture. "Sure." The man beside him happened along. They knew each other. It was a two for one.

I asked, "Mr. King, would you like a peace sticker?"
"Sure,put it on my hand."
As I turned to leave, he added, "Isn't it nice to be nice?"

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

My French Shelf

This is my dedicated, French, eye-level shelf. My sister and I would go back in a heartbeat. We will someday.

The over-sized book on the right is Monet's WATER LILIES. We stood by the pond and tried to see what he saw.

Monet's Table is to the left. Claire Joyes, text. Jean-Bernard Naudin, photos. Can you imagine being at Monet's table with his wife, Alice, Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley, Degas and Cezanne? "Other frequent visitors included Rodin, Whistler, Maupassant, Valery and the statesman Clemenceau." Glory days!!! I was born too late. I can only imagine the conversation around Pike in white butter sauce, baked field mushrooms with shallots, cognac and heavy cream, and Green (pistachio) Cake. The book is full of delicious recipes. And, for a beyond-your-wildest-imagination moment, Christmas morning was scrambled eggs with black truffles. Oh, my achy, breaky heart!!!

To the right is The Louvre, worthy of a week's visit. I was surprised to see students copying the master's works, but they had permission to learn from the best,

The Heartaches of a French Cat by Barbara McClintock, was one of Krysia's favorites. It's a pen and ink children's book about life in 19th century France. Minette is the heroine.

Fodor's Escape to Provence is not just  a map, it's a moving, soul-nurturing feast throughout the Region. The French so love their food. They take their time eating even a loaf of bread. They don't grab something to eat while driving or working. STOP and eat, for heaven's sake! Enjoy your food! I would love to learn to cook in France and understand wine. Maybe I'll live there some day.

To the right is Andy Warhol's Cats, Cats, Cats and Henry Beard's French for Cats, Advanced French for Exceptional Cats and POETRY FOR CATS. Krysia read these in French to her cat, Jasmine. The cat in turn acted out the French cat's tricks. She jumped from chair to couch to end table and made the vase spin! Just thought I should warn you not to underestimate your cat's intelligence.

Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, Acquired Tastes, Chasing Cezanne, Anything Considered and A Dog's Life.

Elizabeth Bard's Lunch in Paris A love story with recipes "denotes major life events around certain foods."

There's a ratty copy of Dickens' Tale of Two Cities. It was a ratty time in history, but it's on my reread list.

I'm reading Miles Morland's A Walk Across France. Life Transforming. Hiking the Grand Canyon did it for me.

Victoria Magazine Aug. 1992 and Oct. 2000 and Victoria's book, The Heart of France, A Journey of Discovery.

There are language books, sarcastic language books, guide books and others sandwiched in. Right now, I want to slip into bed, squeeze my crunchy lavender sachet and dream of France. Nite. Nite.

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Smithsonian Journeys Trans-Siberian Express trip

It's rainy in Mississippi and expected to continue through Friday. Knees and ribs appreciate consistent weather, so my chiropractor says. Mine agree. Where winter stays winter, people adjust. Our weather fluctuates from open windows in the morning to freezing temps in the evening, day after day. The humidity is the culprit. We pull in our necks to warm our ears and sleep scrunched up. Yes, those are two dog nights and we have only one.

Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote, "My heart is warm with the friends I make

and better friends I'll not be knowing

yet there isn't a train

I wouldn't take

no matter where it's going

She speaks to our grandfather, Roy Williamson. He loved trains. My sister and I do, too. Go to SmithsonianJourneys.org/ for information on the Trans-Siberian Express trip 9/9/15-10/4/15. Nearly 5,000 miles long, it travels through six time zones between Moscow and Beijing. We would love to ride the Tsar's Traveling Gold, see The Forbidden City and Mongolian nomads on the Steppes. There's a picture of a kiosk of Ulaanbaatar Prayer Wheels. We used to have a small prayer wheel from Tibet we twirled to send our prayers on.

The Annunciation Cathedral's rich blue with gold, onion-domes stands proudly in Kazan Kremlin. I hope we can go in. Can you imagine taking afternoon tea aboard The Tsar's Gold private train? I wonder what delicious fare is served? I see "many" stories in the making.

We haven't had a problem train traveling through time zones. I don't know how six would affect us, but we trust we could adjust. We're adventurous trying new foods, seeing new places and making friends. That does it. I'm adding this to my Bucket List. I pray I can make the trip before I'm so old I need oxygen and elevator shoes.

Prices start at $14,295 per person. SmithsonianJourneys.org/ 855-330-1542 M-F 9am-6pm ET.

Happy Traveling all!!!

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Mississippi winter 2015 vs George Washington's 1779-80

This is my fourth winter in MS. Locals say we don't have "bad" weather,  which explains why our 1960's house has"single-pane" windows. And no garage. Thank goodness we have blankets to tack over our windows and layers of clothes to wear. School closes at the drop of a hat. There is no Midwestern plow to clear the way. Mother Nature's sun is it.

Early Monday, She blessed us with a quarter-inch of ice followed by sleet. Can you hear her laughing? Looking on the bright side, think Dr. Zhivago and the costumes. I would love a sleigh ride covered in furs, wouldn't you? Remember when he studied the snowflakes on the glass? Such a romantic. I like to watch the movie in the heat of summer.

Five of us were invited to Harvey Fiser's for a lady's luncheon, but the weather wasn't cooperating. My car's front and back passenger doors were frozen shut with a mottled pattern of ice as thick as an I-don't-want-anyone-to-see-me-shower door. It took me 20" to clear the windshield and a peep hole on the right front window. Two ladies wiggled and giggled into the back seat. I was the back of the neck. Thank you Morgan Freeman for Driving Miss Daisy. We made it to Harvey's and enjoyed her wild rice soup, dainty ham sandwiches, tomato aspic on bib lettuce, baked chocolate pie and coffee in demitasse cups, a blazing fire and friendly conversation. True Southern Hospitality at its best.

Pause for a moment and imagine what it was like for George Washington's troops. Robert Middlekauff wrote Washington's Revolution: The Making of America's First Leader. © 2015. "The winter of 1779-80 proved to be one of the worst that longtime residents in New York and New Jersey remembered. Some soldiers didn't even have a shirt. There was ice on the ground. Streams froze and Grist mills couldn't turn. Troops went without meat for days at a time. Washington ordered the soldiers to take wheat from mills, beat and husk it and boil it to make a tolerable substitute for bread." With so little, so much was accomplished.

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Happy Valentine's Day

Love is all around!

 Finding natural "hearts" started with this.

 Then I took a walk and saw this.

 A tiny bit of egg white escaped the griddle to show some love.

 Oh, chocolate cake loves us too!

 I chopped celery for soup.

When I cleaned off the cutting board,

I found this heart.

 Broccoli love.

Deer meat skillet magic!

A baby seal napped on my napkin.

Nibbling an apple and sunflower seeds,

I turned a slice over to pick up a seed.

This is what I got.

I tried to create another and the seeds wouldn't stick.

Nature does it best!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day

and keep your eyes open 

for Love!

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Polish Bigos, Hand-Stretched Apple Strudel and Krysia

My daughter, Krysia, loved Poland. 

When I was in High School

I read about a Polish Dr. 

in the Sunday World Herald

Omaha, Nebraska.

I saved his daughter's name

for my future daughter,

Five years later, I gave birth

Dr. French said, "It's a Krysia."

She started this blog for me May 2005.

In her memory

I share her beloved Poland.

Polish Hunter's Stew

When you can cook prunes, mushrooms,

bacon, cabbage and sauerkraut, 

any game, beef, pork, poultry 

and vegetables together 

and cook the stew outside,

you will draw a crowd 

of hungry people!

Count me in!

easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/maincourse/r/bigos.htm

Hand-stretched Apple Strudel

We grew up in a community

of fabulous East European cooks.
At Fall Festivals and Celebrations

We waited in line for

duck and roast beef dinners
Kolaches, Strudels,
poppyseed filled sweet rolls
and accordion music
easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/strudels/

William Faulkner said, 

"The past isn't dead. It isn't even past."
My memories are alive and well

Happy New Year's Family, Friends

and Friends to be

©2015 Red Convertible Travel Series

Happy New Year, Sleep on your Dreams for 2015

Celebrations around the world

The desires in your head

put on paper

in a pie shape

sleep on them

as long as it takes

Penguin love

Sweet

As 2015 unfolds

prepare to check off

your dreams

because

Mighty Reflections

You let your

subconscious

 do the work

I've done it

It did!

Have a Very Merry New Year's

and a fabulous New Year!

©2014 Copy only
Red Convertible Travel Series

Love connects hearts forever

This is a Giesswein boiled wool embroidered jacket I bought in Salzburg, Austria during the Christmas markets in 1997. I've used it for Children's Time at Church, to show how love connects our hearts, Valentine's and bitter cold days. The truth is, love connects hearts forever.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series



.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Pillsbury Cookies

That was a short season!

Thanksgiving was the first time in four years we had guests for the holiday. I haven't been this happy since I cooked for "The Pearl Girls" to fill my home with happy. Niece Dawn brought Watergate salad and a sweet potato casserole. Yum! Her brother, Wes, brought ham, a lot of it. I cooked a Butterball Cajun seasoned turkey breast and made her mom's cornbread stuffing with chunks of the turkey. The recipe's a keeper. Of course we had mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, pecan and pumpkin pie.

Later, Bryce, Braden and Kaylee wanted Rice Krispie bars. We found Kroeger's closed. I have never seen our Wal-mart parking lot completely full. We braved the crowd. One of the kids reached between snaking carts and grabbed a box. We self-checked out and were back to the car in ten minutes. I suspect others waited hours.

Rice Krispie bars need to set and dry. Not necessarily. If there's melted Hershey to dip them in, go for it. And "we" did. I was a kid, too.

Granddaughter Bertlee came Sat. to bake cookies. Thank goodness Pillsbury mixed the dough and sold it in tubes. We made peanut butter with a Hershey kiss on top, gingersnaps, plain sugar cookies and some with bits of red peppermint candy that reminded me of Grandma. We did the Pretzels with Rolo's and a colorful mini-MnM. She had cookies to take to her 1st grade class and to her family. I hope we can do this again.

Thorton Wilder, "We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasure." 

Peace on Earth and Goodwill To All

Maeann

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series
















She took some home. I'm giving lots away for early Christmas treats.

Brian Weems wood carving, Schatzie and Madchen

 Mr. Cedar Root,

Master of Focus and Silence 

stood by
holding up the mailbox

while our Maine Coone, Schatzie

was mauled by four, large stray dogs

early 9/12/14.

 We, including Buckshot,
when we buried Schatzie

overlooking the MS River

Sweet Grand Nephew Bryce

gave Madchen a new do.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

A World of Woes

Labor Day. The Bravada died at 237,000 miles. We waited four hours for a wrecker. Usually AAA is great. This day we were west of Batesville. A wrecker company called from Tupelo. Where we were? They were at Pear Rd. Never heard of it. I let AAA know that hauler would be driving 200 miles. They found one closer. When they unloaded it, Buckshot jumped out of the car. The two young men jumped out of the hauler to help round him up. JB left my door open and quietly rode around the lot until Buckshot jumped in. He'll go anywhere with Dad.

The Bravada rests quietly in our backyard. But all has not been well in the neighborhood. Last Thursday night, a pack of four large dogs mangled our housecat. Schatzie.. He had his claws and was street smart, but he was no match for a pack of jaws. Our neighbors heard the ruckus and ran to the door. He shooed them away and found Schatzie unable to move. He quietly left him at our front door. Fri.morning Dad heard him. Something wasn't right. He always came to the side door. He couldn't move his back legs. There were three wounds on his sides. I laid on the floor with him and gently stroked him until we could get him to the vet.

Schatzie had a puncture wound where a dog had bitten him over his back. and two other wounds. Per Dr. Landess,"The dogs are packing." Other mangled cats were brought in recently. Schatzie would be paralyzed, He was the gentlest, quietest kitty for the eleven years we had him. I can't write this without tears. I held him when Doc put him to sleep.

Schatzie was a rescue kitty from the Omaha Humane Society in NE. When Krysia went to find another cat, Schatzie adopted her. He didn't ask for much. Science Diet soft chicken cat food was his favorite, and occasionally tuna. Give him a scratch, a brushing, and a quiet, secret place to nap, and he was happy. He often curled up on a kitchen chair.

Memorial Day 2012, Buckshot barked and growled. I got up and saw a black cat lying down at the curb. No big deal. Buckshot wasn't satisfied. I looked again. It was a panther with his sights on Schatzie. I opened the back door and Schatzie shot in. He rewarded Buckshot by leaving him a little catfood on his plate every day.

Madchen is our other Maine Coon Mix from the same Humane Society, too. Schatzie was black and tan. She is orange with a white ruff, about 20 lbs. and looks like a Norwegian Snow Cat. It was love at first sight for them. They snuggled together and groomed each other. I saw her put her paw across his back and lick out his ear. He squirmed, but she held him tight. Yes, she was the bossy one. Now she's the lonely one that sleeps close to me.

We buried Schatzie overlooking the Mississippi River, and left a sizeable rock to mark his grave.
I ache for him. Maybe we were supposed to sleep through it. We might have run out and been mangled, too. So much for life in Clarksdale, MS where we have more than drugged out gangs to worry about.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Her Heart Was Aimed Towards Me

     There wasn't a time in my life when I didn't know the Miners family. Bill and I were Cradle Roll babies at the First Presbyterian Church. We graduated from high school the same year. Leonard plowed Nadine's garden and brought them fresh fall mushrooms. Over the decades, plates of cookies, garden produce and other goodies were delivered back and forth. Our support for one another is without end.
     Intelligent and well read, they knew Shakespeare as if he were their next door neighbor. They studied and conversed about everything and anything. 
     Nancy is the last of the living. The rest are as near as her next thought. She said, "We genuinely liked each other. We had different ideas. We debated, but we didn't fight. We were always there for each other.
     "When I was small and overly shy, I was invited to a neighbor girl's birthday party. Two other friends were there, but they wouldn't talk to me. I guess they already knew each other. I stood at a distance. The phone rang. The Birthday girl handed it to me.
     "Nancy, are you having a good time?" Mom asked.
     "No," I whispered into the phone.
     "My heart is aimed towards you, Honey. It will be okay."
     "I broke out in a smile. Mom, the foundation of everlasting arms took time to check on me. Her love is the kind that is there all the time, goes all the way, always, all ways. No conditions. No clock. No yardstick. No count-it-out. All loving you for you. Carried all the way 100%.
     "Thank you for thinking of me." I hung up confident I could fit in, and I did."

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series  
   

   

   

Dear Robin Williams,

Thank you for your contribution to life. You touched many hearts with your wit and wisdom, and will continue to do so. You could be counted on to entertain and at the same time, inspire. I love your movies and interviews and you.

By now I suspect you know you have changed form, but your life has not skipped a beat. I do not judge you. I wish you Grace and Peace.

My family has first-hand experience with the thief Parkinsons. It was a minimal tremor in the beginning. Grandma reached for a glass of water and knocked it over. One accident was nothing. But they happened more often. Broken dishes. Dropped silverware and knives. She cut herself more often. When the head shaking started, she lost her spark. The thief held her hostage and tightened the noose on her independence. Depression moved in and overtook her from time to time. She went from a vibrant, hard working woman to being dependent. 

Grandma Mae, my namesake, could no longer live alone. Unable to coordinate a spoon or hold a glass, she lived with my parents and with us. We hand fed her. Applesauce was her favorite. She liked to go for a slow ride. We took her. Her food had to be chopped fine. A survivor of Quinsy, but it left pockets in her throat that caused choking.

She died with P more than ten years later. We lost her twice. Once when the disease advanced and when she died, but we were grateful she was out of P's grip. 

Robin you will always be a part of us. Love connects hearts 
forever. 
















Whole Wheat love,

MaeAnn

P.S.I didn't make this heart. It was in the loaf I bought.

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum

 Tracks run

around the room

see them in action

I have never seen

so much

 toy train memorabilia

in on place

Grandpa Williamson 

would be in

hog heaven

Father, Big Ed Ruland

Sons, Wayne and Gary

have collected for decades

it's for us, 

the visitor,

to enjoy now.

Corner of 12th & Walnut Sts.

Heber Springs, AR 72543

Fri, Sat, Sun

9am-4pm

Adults $5

Kids under 13 $2.50

Group tours by appt.

501-362-6342

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

An unexpected 💗

I didn't do this 

I found it
when I opened the bag

Peanut butter will stick

forget the jelly

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Sassafras Anyone

This is a Sassafras branch. An Arkansas man with Indian ancestry walked into the woods and brought it back for us. Notice the three kinds of leaves on a single stem, right to left: the mitten, three pointed leaf and a single leaf. Repeat. Repeat.

I have a sassafras twig in my purse. It reminds me of old Western movies where a youngster comes in and can’t order liquor. “I’ll have a sassafras, please.” It gives root beer its flavor.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

How to Tree a Boat

“Do you want to go fishing?” man-of-the-house asks.

Not really. I can do without a gazillion mosquitoes and humidity so thick it soaks through my everything. Welcome to the Deep South. I groan and try to think of an acceptable excuse: I’m sick; I have a deadline; I have someplace to go. Guilt overrides. You should spend time together. What if this is your last day? But I’m a Lucille Ball-type klutz.

To say I am not water savvy is an understatement. Our last jaunt, I tilted the boat within a fraction of dumping us into DeSoto Lake. I didn't hand him the right gear. I couldn't get over the seats without stumbling. And the list goes on. I was so inept I earned, “The most failures” award.

He keeps trying. “Bring your book. I’ll put in a lawn chair for you. Buckshot, let’s go." The guys are off to the truck. Buckshot follows two steps behind at the exact same pace. He’ll even wait to eat when he does, no matter how late in the day it is. They give and receive love and loyalty.

I did what I did not want to do. I got into the truck with that something-dreadful-will-happen-feeling. Buckshot rode shotgun while I clutched my coveted bag of mosquito repellent, reading material, paper, and pens. I prayed we had a sufficient balance in our “prayed ahead” account.

Scene 2: At a bar pit, small lake, the man-of-the-house says, “Mules were the muscle used to haul the earth out to build the dam. The MS River gladly filled it in."

There's green algae inches thick on the water. He backs the boat trailer into the lake, but the boat won’t float off. The rear wheels of the truck are submerged a good 18”. He wades in over his knees and shoves. The boat moves enough to float. “Don’t let it get away."

My stomach is traveling to my throat. My mouth is dry. I'm sweating bullets.

The 16 year-old Bravada eases up the bank. The stern turns toward the bank. I am powerless. "STOP!!!!” He can't hear me over the engine. The trailer wheel catches the boat and shoves it up on the bank. It will take two men to extract it from the trees and launch it.

My gut was right. We weren't prayed up.

He thinks he’s home free, gets out, and sees the damage. He turns his back on the situation and does a perfect and sincere Philo Bedo imitation, "Why me Lord."

Upset beyond words, he glares at me. “Why didn't you let go of the rope? I could have waded out and caught it.”

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Thoughts for Fathers for Father's Day

Father's

Kinds of fathers 

loving, kind, 

happy, strong, 

weak, mean

Their childhood

molded them 

What will Baby be

The father holds his newborn

Speechless, overcome with joy

the responsibility seems staggering

I can't do this 

In his arms their bond is forged

deep, everlasting

Protectiveness rises in him

Gentleness flows from him

Baby trusts him

asleep in his arms

He memorizes baby's lashes,

the all-over scent of Johnson's

Child of my heart

You are the new and improved version

of your mother and I

Be all you can be

The process is subtle

Not just Father's words,

his thoughts, too

Baby believes he's right

Whatever is thought or said

by the bed of a sleeping child,

he or she will become

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Buckshot's Sandcastle

Last weekend, Buckshot was initiated into the Mississippi River. Our trip up the river was the equivalent of a wild bronc ride. My visor flew off. I expected it to float. It didn't.

We pulled up to the sandbar where friends and family gather. Probably more so than in church. (I only mention that because it was Sunday.) The older the ladies, the more their bathing suits covered. I kept my jeans and long-sleeved denim shirt on. As fair as I am, I knew I'd pay for it Mon. I am. My forehead and the tops of my feet are on fire. Plus, I grew up with no more water to play in than the bathtub. I'm easing into this "Big Water" life.

Barges were busy moving up and down the River. The lapping of the wake startled Buckshot. He backed to higher ground. Before the afternoon was over, he waded to the boat and jumped in.

He had great fun digging in the sand. Whatever "soft" items he found, he ate, along with a little extra sand for his gizzard. Monday he pooped a sandcastle.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Memphis, TN VA

When the "Greetings" letter came, the recipient was expected to comply.
Did the VA take care of us after the stint of duty?
Yes, they did.
Recently, our family needed help at the Memphis, TN VA.
We were skeptical. And pleasantly surprised. They were efficient, organized, thorough, helpful, no matter what our need.
When appointments were lined up for two days, we were given a room in their Hoptel within the facility.
Our experience couldn't have been better.
Thank you Memphis, TN VA.

If you have had positive experience with a VA, please tell them.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

USA Memorial Day 2014

I pledge allegiance

to the flag

of the United States of America

and to The Republic

for which it stands

One Nation under God

Indivisible

with Liberty and Justice

FOR ALL

To the Veterans in our family

Thank you

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

The Homeplace Restaurant, Catawba, VA

     If you are in the Roanoke, Virginia area, I suggest you  take time to enjoy the drive up #322 to Catawba. At the top of the old, worn-down mountain sits The Homeplace Restaurant in an enormous two-story antebellum home. Their placemats state, " . . . built by the John Morgan Family in 1907, it sat on 600 acres. The family raised purebred horses, beef cattle, and later ran a dairy farm. The house sat unoccupied for several years before going up for auction October 7, 1978, when 63 acres, including the farmhouse and dairy barn, were purchased by Harold C. Wingate. Renovation on the structure began in July 1981. It opened for business on September 17, 1982. The Wingate Family currently owns 150 of the original 600 acres."
     The average wait-time is an hour. As you can see, no one is in a rush. There was a light breeze, and it was just warm enough to not need a sweater. I sat on the porch and watched all ages come and go.
     Meals are served family-style, or spoon-style, as it's called. All-you-can-eat. The chicken was outstanding. It had been fried, but wasn't exactly crispy. It seemed steamed. Our other meat was roast beef. Bowls of mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh green beans, coleslaw and cornbread filled the table twice. Warm blackberry cobbler was served with ice cream once. We could have eaten another one. Outstanding!

     For more information, Google or Bing The Homeplace Restaurant Catawba, VA.

     P.S. The Appalachian Trail is near enough for hikers to hike over for dinner.

     P.S. P.S. Audie Murphy, America's most decorated WWII soldier, was killed in a plane crash in this area in 1971.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Original Wahoo Weiners are back

Some of the awards celebrating

 Wahoo Locker's award winning retail meats

Frozen meats

smoked sausages

potato sausages

cream sausages

aged meat

Braunsweiger

summer sausage

 The original recipe it is. 

Already cooked. Good enough to eat cold.

Delicious sliced in scrambled eggs.

Great hotdogs. Thin casing.

Beranek's shipped them around the world.

Wahoo Locker ships, too.

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Dialogue between Benjamin Franklin and the Gout

     The Oxford Book of American Essays features works that have expired copyrights. I've been having great fun loading my birthday Kindle with free books. Benjamin Franklin wrote this piece at Midnight, 22 October, 1780.
     He prefers a sedentary life.
     Madame Gout, as he calls it, lists his infractions: ... your amusements, your recreation, at least, should be active. You ought to walk or ride; or, if the weather prevents that, play at billiards.  . . . While the mornings are long, and you have leisure to go abroad, what do you do? Why, instead of gaining an appetite for breakfast, by salutary exercise, you amuse yourself with books, pamphlets, or newspapers, which commonly are not worth reading. Yet you eat an inordinate breakfast, four dishes of tea, with cream, and one or two buttered toasts, with slices of hung beef, which I fancy are not things the most easily digested. Immediately afterwards you sit down to write at your desk, or converse with persons who apply to you on business. Thus the time passes till one, without any kind of bodily exercise. But all this I could pardon, in regard, as you say, to your sedentary condition.
     But what is your practice after dinner? Walking in the beautiful gardens of those friends with whom you have dined would be the choice of men of sense; yours is to be fixed down to chess, where you are found engaged for two or three hours! This is your perpetual recreation, which is the least eligible of any for a sedentary man, because, instead of accelerating the motion of fluids, the rigid attention it requires helps to retard the circulation and obstruct internal secretions. Wrapt in the speculations of this wretched game, you destroy your constitution. What can be expected from such a course of living, but a body replete with stagnant humors, ready to fall prey to all kinds of dangerous maladies, if I, the Gout, did not occasionally bring you relief by agitating those humors, and so purifying or dissipating them?
     If I was in some nook or alley in Paris, deprived of walks, that you played awhile at chess after dinner, this might be excusable; but the same taste prevails with you in Passy, Auteuil, Montmartre, or Sanoy, places where there are the finest gardens and walks, a pure air, beautiful women, and most agreeable and instructive conversation; all which you might enjoy by frequenting the walks. But these are rejected for this abominable game of chess.
     Franklin. Oh! ehhh!- It is not fair to say I take no exercise, when I do very often, going out to dine and returning in my carriage.
     Gout. That, of all imaginable exercises, is the most slight and insignificant, if you allude to the motion of a carriage suspended on springs. By observing the degree of heat obtained by different kinds of motion, we may form an estimate of the quantity of exercise given ...
     You can find "the rest of the story" in The Great American Essays.

     And that, dear reader, is a tour of history.

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Resorts Casino Pastry Chef Luis, Robinsonville, MS

Luis, the new Pastry Chef's work

 Smooth and creamy. Delish!

 Just the right size.

 Wish I'd tried it. Fruity.

I'm glad serving slices are smaller.

 Fresh Apple Streudel was great! 

Reminds me of the Czech ladies back home.

I ran out of room. Next time.

I could make a meal off his work.

Luis is definitely an asset.

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Abe's Bar-B-Q

At the Legendary Crossroads of 49 & 61

Clarksdale, MS

Famous Bar-B-Q-Sauce:

The Come Back Sauce 

 Abraham Davis Founder 1924

"Swine Dining"

Pit Bar-B-Q-Pork or Beef

Hot dogs, hamburgers

Chicken

BBQ Beans

Slaw

Tamales

Soft Drinks

Abe's T-shirts

Frozen grape leaves

Great place to eat!

abesbbq.com


2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

Meche's Mardis Gras Donut King Cake

 Before

After

It was delicious.

I could have eaten the whole thing!
Bavarian cream filling in part

chocolate frosting in others

whoever found the tiny doll

buys the next one.
Hurry back!


MechesKingCakes.com
And they ship.

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series