Hey folks, how is February treating you, at least we have had a few days of sunshine and that always makes me feel better. It is kind of like saying, don’t give up, spring is on the way. Incidentally the daffodils are up four or five inches out here on the Pike, probably higher down near the river. Seeing them poke their heads up out of the cold, seemingly dead, ground, always reminds me of the ‘Resurrection.’
This winter I have had so many blankets on my bed, it is like sleeping under a ‘Mack’ truck…one with flat tires – I have been warm, it is kind of hard to turn over though. I love the snow (preferably in inches, not feet) but detest ice (except in my tea.) I am ready for spring and many days of warm sunshine.
Technology never fails to amaze me (not that I understand it) but you do know that ‘wireless connection’ has been around for centuries don’t you…it is called prayer.
Carolyn Green sent me a ‘warning alert’, did you know that senior citizens were the principal carriers of ‘AIDS: hearing aids, roll aids, walking aids, band aids, medical aids, government aids…and not forgetting HIV, (hair is vanishing.)
Please understand we are not joking about the serious nature of this terrible disease but only seeking a little stress relief through laughter.
Wednesday the 13th is/was (depending on when you read this), Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent; mostly when we hear the word ‘Lent’ we think of Catholics and I believe that most Protestants cheat themselves out of a wonderful opportunity.
The Lenten season is the 40 days before Easter (March 31st this year) and is meant to honor (and emulate in some way) the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for us; it is a wonderful time to re-examine our spiritual life…and possibly, make some changes.
It can be an act of ‘doing’ or not ‘doing’ but it should be something that draws you nearer to God (please remember not to give up something that will turn you into an absolute bear or burden on other folks. Years ago I remember that Mom decided to give up soda pop (to which she was seriously addicted), none of us could wait for ‘Lent’ to be over – Daddy gave up shaving (which he hated anyway and kind of negated the whole idea of honoring Christ.) Please don’t make that mistake.
As you ‘do’ or not ‘do’ whatever it is you have selected, think of what Christ was doing those 40 days so long ago as He prepared to enter Jerusalem for the Passover…knowing what He was going to have to endure and talk to Him about it, at the very least thanking Him. I have chosen to read the New Testament (a sacrifice for me of time and commitment) from beginning to end (yes friends, I have read it before but it always has something new for us to discover…no matter how many times we read it.) Think about it.
Linda Scott I owe you a huge apology and I am sorry for not printing the recipe you asked for before this…I forgot.
‘No-Fail Pie Crust’ (seriously, you can’t screw up this crust, no matter what you do, it turns out tender and flaky and the mixing is all done with an electric mixer.)
Three-quarters cup shortening
One-tablespoon milk
One-quarter cup boiling water
Two cups all-purpose flour
One-teaspoon salt.
Mix on medium speed the first three ingredients together until all the liquid is incorporated into a light and fluffy mixture, then add the flour and salt on low speed until everything is moistened. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap (I use a baggie) and chill at least four hours (overnight works too – actually it can be stored in the frig for a week.)
Remove one portion from the frig and roll it out between two sheets of wax paper (this is a very tender dough and ‘tears’ easily but it is easy to patch together with a little water.) Carefully pull off the top sheet of paper and invert the dough into your pie plate. Remove the remaining paper very gently from the dough, fit it into the pie plate and flute the edges. Bake at 350* for 18 minutes (depending on your oven) or until lightly browned; you will like this crust.
Sometimes I skip making a pie with it, just roll it out and spread a little soft butter over it, sprinkle on some sugar and cinnamon and maybe some ground nuts, roll it up like a log, slice it up in quarter or half inch slices and bake at 375* for about 15 minutes. The kids always loved these ‘pin-wheel’ or ‘pie-crust’ cookies.
Spanish class Friday was full, everyone was back from wherever or whatever caused them to be absent the last time…actually it was canceled last week due to weather so I mean the time before that. We had fun pronouncing, (or trying to) the different parts of a car. Speaking personally, I am not very good at car parts in English either. We had fun and know how to ‘honk’ our bocinas now.
Bridge was at Carolyn Green’s home with Ana Slover, Rita Green (she and Gary just returned from Atlanta), and me attending…and enjoying the lovely ‘tea’ she prepared. It was delicious and the card game was fun too. We have missed several times playing due either to weather or illnesses. It was good to get back together and catch up with each other’s goings-on.
There is a baby shower for Dana Carter Sunday (17th) at church right after the Worship Service. Daughter Lily’s new little ‘sister’ is due in March.
Congratulations to Eldric and Joy Hazeldean who are celebrating (or at least acknowledging) their 66th (Howard thinks) wedding anniversary. Eldric and Joy are having some medical problems also so do please keep them in your prayers.
Phil and Charlotte Kroening got moved Saturday (for the most part anyway); they are living at Switzer Square now. Both were exhausted after the move – Mary said she felt that way too so certainly understood how Phil and Charlotte felt.
Karen Wooten, Cyndi Carr’s best friend (all the way from kindergarten), had a stroke and is in serious condition in a Cincinnati hospital. Please remember Karen and her family…and Cyndi too. Karen and Cyndi are only in their 40s and it is a terrible shock to have something like this happen at that age.
Got a note from my ‘friend’ sharing a little joke: she said, “I don’t want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything but I can still fit into my earrings that I wore in high school.”
A couple of ‘Church Bulletins’ (actually) printed these little ‘mistakes’: “Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help!”, “Tonight’s sermon: “What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.”, “Potluck dinner next Sunday – prayer and medication to follow.” Laughter is the best medicine; enjoy these little doses.
Several people on our prayer list this week: Young Noah Stevens for healing, Vandora Bennett, Louise Rayles, Mary Davenport, Chris Bosh (Betty’s grandson-in-law) flu, Joyce and Chuck Byrum (Chuck is having some severe medical problems), Grieving families in our community, Emmett Church, Kent Hendricks is out of the hospital and need continued healing, Jim Huddleston and Roger Swinney (Mike’s friends for healing), Jan Rayles goes into King’s Daughters’ Hospital for a medical procedure, Diane and Denny Brown, For our neighbors in the Northeast who have suffered a terrible few months with hurricanes, school shooting tragedies, and now blizzards, For unsaved friends and family and for service personnel, Unspoken requests and our travelers. May God in His grace, answer each petition.
Grandson Michael Martin just called, he is broke down somewhere near Lexington and wanted me to run out to the school and pick up Elijah. With my wonderful memory, I have actually written myself a note and rubber-banned it to my wrist. I might mention it takes decades to attain this kind of memory – just think what you have to look forward too.
Wilma and I have been ‘back-n-forth’, here and there (she goes a lot more than I do – Wilma says she doesn’t ‘go’ like she used to and stays home a lot – ha, don’t try to catch her in the daytime – early evening only – neither of us like to drive at night.)
Well friends until we talk again, my prayer for each of you is that the Lord will cause His face to shine on you, to bless you and keep you safe from harm; that He will lift up His countenance and give you heart-peace. Amen.