May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You in 2010!
In Celebration of MHS Class of 1958
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Still Recovering?
Hope you had a great Christmas. I had a wonderful Christmas in Meridian with son and family and enjoyed so much being with grandchild, Peyton, who is now 2 1/2. He calls his mother Mama and me MamaMama. Beth Hobgood Clark and I went to see "Blind Side." What a movie!! We loved it. I highly recommend. I'm also reading the book now.I'm home now, trying to recover. I brought back granddog, Lucy, to spend the winter in our sun room. She is black lab and very old. It is not that I need another dog with 5 Maltese (3 of our own and two fosters), but could not help but help bring comfort to granddog. She goes to the vet today, and I'm trying to figure out how to give bath to this big dog. Perhaps I will put her in our large walk-in shower.
God bless!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Morris Thigpen
Morris, Santa is bringing you a big birthday cakeand lots of presents. Have a great day!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
State of happiness - Mississippi Ranks No. 7
State of happiness - Featured Story - SunHerald.com
People in sunny, outdoorsy states — Mississippi, Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida — say they’re the happiest Americans, and researchers think they know why.
A new study comparing self-described pleasant feelings with objective measures of good living found these folks generally have reason to feel fine.
The places where people are most likely to report happiness also tend to rate high on studies comparing things like climate, crime rates, air quality and schools. Mississippi ranked seventh happiest. . . . (click link above to read the complete article)
People in sunny, outdoorsy states — Mississippi, Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida — say they’re the happiest Americans, and researchers think they know why.
A new study comparing self-described pleasant feelings with objective measures of good living found these folks generally have reason to feel fine.
The places where people are most likely to report happiness also tend to rate high on studies comparing things like climate, crime rates, air quality and schools. Mississippi ranked seventh happiest. . . . (click link above to read the complete article)
DR. GUY THOMPSON VISE, JR.
Dr. Vise, 70, died Tuesday at his home in Jackson. He, along with his siblings Mailande, Michael, Murray, and Richard attended MHS. His family has contributed greatly to the Meridian community.
Go to Meridian Star obituaries online. For some reason, I was unable to copy and paste.
Go to Meridian Star obituaries online. For some reason, I was unable to copy and paste.
True Story of Rudolph
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing.
Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.
Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.
Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in he Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook! Bob had created a character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.
Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.
Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009
Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.
Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.
Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in he Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook! Bob had created a character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.
Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.
Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Love's Kitchen in Meridian
In recent years, an open kitchen for the poor, which began in one of our predominantly Black neighborhoods, received some start-up resources to build a larger permanent structure just north of the frontage road along I-25 in Meridian. Widely known as Love's Kitchen it quite simply provides free meals for those who need them. There may be some question about the ability of the needy to get transportation to the Kitchen now, but the organization overall appears successful in the mission it has undertaken. Churches and private donors, as well as private donors through churches, are some of the supporters.
As the holidays approach, we sometimes are heartened to learn of the efforts of organizations like Love's Kitchen in providing such direct, needed and welcomed help to the poor. Meridian has this one.
Happy Hanukkah, December 11 - December 19, 2009
Blessings be with you during this festival of lights. Happy Hanukkah!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Recommended Reading
The Hero’s Choice
If you don’t like what is happening, you have to consciously make new choices about how you think, feel and act.
Roger K. Allen
I am constantly searching for new ways to share valuable life’s lessons with others. I recently read a life changing book which has a series of lessons wrapped in a very emotionally compelling story. I would like to share some insights from this book.
The story is fictional but the characters are so real and their actions so commonplace you will no doubt be able to identify with them.
The story centers around Hal, a very successful real estate developer. He is a very typical entrepreneur and dedicated businessman. But his world comes crashing down around him because he fails to consider and include others in his decisions. He makes a lot of wrong choices. As his world gets turned upside down, he resorts to his typical behavior – to run and hide.
Instead of drawing closer to his family and friends, he grows angry, blames others and further isolates himself. Quite by accident he meets a quite remarkable stranger who guides him to see his mistakes and eventually change his life. The story will certainly make you smile but it will also bring tears to your eyes.
One of the important lessons is about the 3 Rs. This is not what you learned in grade school. Here the 3 Rs are: Reality + Responsibility = Results.
“Reality is what is or the way things are. Reality exists independently of our opinions about it. Embrace it and find peace. Resist it and find pain.”
“Responsibility. The choices we make about how we think, feel and act about reality. The quality of our life depends on our ability to make good choices.”
“Results. The consequences or outcomes we get from the choices we make. Results are a function of the other 2 Rs.”
There are a number of other valuable lessons in this book. You will be moved by it and will gain some valuable insights.
In addition to the valuable lessons you will read a very heart warming story that will leave you feeling better than before you read it. The story is fast moving, a real page turner. I believe anyone can benefit from this book.
It would make a great gift. I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It is well worth reading.
I have posted a review of the book on Amazon.com. Click on the title to go to the review.
You have to feel your emotion before you can take responsibility and move beyond it.
Roger K. Allen
(Link to amazon.com)
If you don’t like what is happening, you have to consciously make new choices about how you think, feel and act.
Roger K. Allen
I am constantly searching for new ways to share valuable life’s lessons with others. I recently read a life changing book which has a series of lessons wrapped in a very emotionally compelling story. I would like to share some insights from this book.
The story is fictional but the characters are so real and their actions so commonplace you will no doubt be able to identify with them.
The story centers around Hal, a very successful real estate developer. He is a very typical entrepreneur and dedicated businessman. But his world comes crashing down around him because he fails to consider and include others in his decisions. He makes a lot of wrong choices. As his world gets turned upside down, he resorts to his typical behavior – to run and hide.
Instead of drawing closer to his family and friends, he grows angry, blames others and further isolates himself. Quite by accident he meets a quite remarkable stranger who guides him to see his mistakes and eventually change his life. The story will certainly make you smile but it will also bring tears to your eyes.
One of the important lessons is about the 3 Rs. This is not what you learned in grade school. Here the 3 Rs are: Reality + Responsibility = Results.
“Reality is what is or the way things are. Reality exists independently of our opinions about it. Embrace it and find peace. Resist it and find pain.”
“Responsibility. The choices we make about how we think, feel and act about reality. The quality of our life depends on our ability to make good choices.”
“Results. The consequences or outcomes we get from the choices we make. Results are a function of the other 2 Rs.”
There are a number of other valuable lessons in this book. You will be moved by it and will gain some valuable insights.
In addition to the valuable lessons you will read a very heart warming story that will leave you feeling better than before you read it. The story is fast moving, a real page turner. I believe anyone can benefit from this book.
It would make a great gift. I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It is well worth reading.
I have posted a review of the book on Amazon.com. Click on the title to go to the review.
You have to feel your emotion before you can take responsibility and move beyond it.
Roger K. Allen
(Link to amazon.com)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Happy Birthday To All
Happy Birthday to All Classmates in 2009!!
For most of us, next year is the big 70!
Christmas for the Elderly by Maxine
It was the 24th of December
And we were too old, you see.
There's no way Santa would come to our home
And leave something under our little tree.
Our children were all grown and had left us,
Each with their own family plan.
They couldn't come home for Christmas,
They were scattered all over this land.
Just Pop and me sitting here,
All alone in our warm cozy home.
The fire in the fireplace was crackling,
But the Christmas excitement was gone.
We started remembering the good times,
And the Christmases in the past.
We each had a favorite memory,
Memories that I hoped would last.
We weren't putting toys together this year.
There is no wagon with a missing wheel.
There's no need to make Christmas cookies,
We will just have a small meal.
The greatest gift a grown child can give
To a parent who loves them so much,
Is not something wrapped with a pretty bow,
But to just simply feel their touch.
A hug and a simple "I Love You"
Can heal many a weary heart.
It's so sad that we have to live in a world
Where jobs can tear us apart.
Listen Pop!! Was that the doorbell I heard??
Or the wind blowing on this cold clear night??
Christmas carols were playing, but I wanted to see,
The full moon and stars were a beautiful sight.
I wanted to take just one more look,
And be sure the Magic was still there.
The door swung open, and I couldn't speak.
"Merry Christmas Mom and Dad, we made it, We're here."
Of all the presents they brought us,
Wrapped with pretty bows and such,
The only one I remember now
Is what it was like to feel their touch.
So stay in touch with your parents,
Let them know how you feel.
And tell your parents you love them,
It's amazing what love can heal.
St. Nicholas - Saint of the Day - December 6th
The absence of the “hard facts” of history is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to St. Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. And yet, historically, we can pinpoint only the fact that Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor.
As with many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for him—an admiration expressed in the colorful stories which have been told and retold through the centuries.
Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus—further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.
Comment
The critical eye of modern history makes us take a deeper look at the legends surrounding St. Nicholas. But perhaps we can utilize the lesson taught by his legendary charity, look deeper at our approach to material goods in the Christmas season and seek ways to extend our sharing to those in real need.
Source: American Catholic.org
As with many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for him—an admiration expressed in the colorful stories which have been told and retold through the centuries.
Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus—further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.
Comment
The critical eye of modern history makes us take a deeper look at the legends surrounding St. Nicholas. But perhaps we can utilize the lesson taught by his legendary charity, look deeper at our approach to material goods in the Christmas season and seek ways to extend our sharing to those in real need.
Source: American Catholic.org
Friday, December 4, 2009
Check on the Elderly by Maxine
I am a child of the 40's, a survivor of WWII, and I paid attention, watching my parents survive with very little.
The weather report said "There will be a freeze in our area, with 80% accumulation of up to 2 inches of snow." Well, that got my attention, and triggered a survival mode in me. We live in the rural countryside, where power lines can get heavy with ice and break, or trees can fall from the weight of ice. I knew this, so I thought about what would happen if we lost power.
Loss of power means no heat, no cooking, and no well water to even flush toilets. So, I filled up the bathtub with water for flushing, filled several jugs for other things, we built a fire in the fireplace, lit a few candles, located flashlights and things we might need to put our hands on in the dark. Then I started cooking. I knew a big pot of pinto beans with ham hocks, a big boiler of rice and a pan of cornbread would keep on the stove in an emergency. And a big peach cobbler would be good by the fireside. These are staples that can be added to and warmed over the coals in the fireplace, or outside grill.
Right on schedule, we started getting sleet mixed with snow and a light drizzle. The temperature started dropping, but we were ready for the worst.
I went down to the bridge that leads up to our house. It is 140 feet long and it is the only way in or out from our house. It goes over our lake. This bridge had a 1/2 inch solid sheet of ice on it. I went back inside and told my husband there was no way we could drive over the bridge and that we would be here alone and could spend a quiet peaceful day together. There is no way anyone could get in. The electric gate was closed and no one could drive over the bridge. We were ready for the power to go out. No problem for us!! All of a sudden, just as expected, NO ELECTRICITY!!
We snuggled in for a cold winter's day, enjoying the last of the morning coffee, watching the fire and cuddling our 4 dachshunds, when all of a sudden we heard the sound of spinning tires and traffic on the bridge. We ran to the window and looked in wonder. What is going on???? Several cars had made their way in to our property and was trying to get across the bridge to our house.
These local young people that we had met since moving here, were arriving with panic in their eyes. I thought they were evacuating town.
They told us that the local radio station announced "IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS MESSAGE, GO CHECK ON THE ELDERLY!!"
Well, that tells you where we stand with the locals. We all had a good laugh and they were so glad I had PLENTY for all to eat.
The power was out for several hours, but since we were "elderly" the power company got right on reconnecting us.
Age has its advantages!!
Just another fun day here in the Garden of Eatin'
Maxine
The weather report said "There will be a freeze in our area, with 80% accumulation of up to 2 inches of snow." Well, that got my attention, and triggered a survival mode in me. We live in the rural countryside, where power lines can get heavy with ice and break, or trees can fall from the weight of ice. I knew this, so I thought about what would happen if we lost power.
Loss of power means no heat, no cooking, and no well water to even flush toilets. So, I filled up the bathtub with water for flushing, filled several jugs for other things, we built a fire in the fireplace, lit a few candles, located flashlights and things we might need to put our hands on in the dark. Then I started cooking. I knew a big pot of pinto beans with ham hocks, a big boiler of rice and a pan of cornbread would keep on the stove in an emergency. And a big peach cobbler would be good by the fireside. These are staples that can be added to and warmed over the coals in the fireplace, or outside grill.
Right on schedule, we started getting sleet mixed with snow and a light drizzle. The temperature started dropping, but we were ready for the worst.
I went down to the bridge that leads up to our house. It is 140 feet long and it is the only way in or out from our house. It goes over our lake. This bridge had a 1/2 inch solid sheet of ice on it. I went back inside and told my husband there was no way we could drive over the bridge and that we would be here alone and could spend a quiet peaceful day together. There is no way anyone could get in. The electric gate was closed and no one could drive over the bridge. We were ready for the power to go out. No problem for us!! All of a sudden, just as expected, NO ELECTRICITY!!
We snuggled in for a cold winter's day, enjoying the last of the morning coffee, watching the fire and cuddling our 4 dachshunds, when all of a sudden we heard the sound of spinning tires and traffic on the bridge. We ran to the window and looked in wonder. What is going on???? Several cars had made their way in to our property and was trying to get across the bridge to our house.
These local young people that we had met since moving here, were arriving with panic in their eyes. I thought they were evacuating town.
They told us that the local radio station announced "IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS MESSAGE, GO CHECK ON THE ELDERLY!!"
Well, that tells you where we stand with the locals. We all had a good laugh and they were so glad I had PLENTY for all to eat.
The power was out for several hours, but since we were "elderly" the power company got right on reconnecting us.
Age has its advantages!!
Just another fun day here in the Garden of Eatin'
Maxine
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