THE MINUTE MAGAZINE 2016 January February Issue

Jan/Feb 2016 Volume 11, Issue 1

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ASHLEY MADDOX MELANIE MASSEY

8 Let's be Adventurers

by Judith Roberts

19 Minden St. Jude Auction 20 Let's be Friends

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28 Surviving Mardi Gras

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32 Love Is

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Shelley Duran Barbara Durbin Sara Enloe Winnie Griggs Wesley Harris Elizabeth Hines Jason McReynolds Kathy B. Nelson Rachel Pardue Rosemary Thomas

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hew! We made it through 2015. Congratulations!

There were some major ups and downs for many of us last year and I sincerely hope your 2016 is more like a Sunday drive... We have lots of resolutions filling the pages of this issue so I thought I'd share a few of my own.

My ideas can be broken down into six categories: Get ACTIVE: Memorize some easy 5 minute workouts. Join a neighborhood sports league.

Get SMART: Learn a language (Bonjour!) or get into podcasts to broaden your knowledge.

Get ADVENTUROUS: Start hiking or go Glamping like our four fiesty ladies on page 8.

Get RID OF IT: Learn how to say no, make time to declutter, learn how to upcycle.

Get ARTSY: Have a sip n' paint night, buy a tiny watercolor set to use on your lunch break, take some pics with a real camera, try an adult coloring book to relieve stress.

Get ONLINE: Websites like Skillshare and Lynda.com can teach how to do just about anything. Still can't think of a new hobby? My motto in life: Google it!

Tiffany Byram

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Speak It! written by Kathy B. Nelson

New Goals for Life and Love

W

hat is it about a new year that provokes us to start new things, make new goals or adjustments to old ways of doing things? We could have started those “new things” on Oct. 17th or June 23rd or any other random day that we wanted to start, right? Traditionally, the first day of any month can launch our new plan. But, especially the FIRST day of a new year seems fitting for some bigger more lofty goals to get started. Whatever the motive is, it is always a great move to start doing something better.

The 2015 year, for me, has been one of learning. I wish I could say that I made A’s on all of the tests given on what I was learning. But, unfortunately, I didn’t do so well and frankly, failed some.

Have you had a fail this year? This glorious life that we have been given comes fraught with a built in tendency to fail. We want things that can hurt us or at the least that are not in our best interest. Our bodies are prone to pain and disease and illnesses that we would hope to never have to encounter.

Our life comforts can be taken away by circumstances beyond our control. A year in the life will definitely bring tests and challenges that we may not have anticipated. What grace we have been given in that not every test is “pass/fail”.

The good news for you is that there is someone who takes all of our fails and the things we are struggling with or feel overwhelmed by and sets our feet on solid ground. Yes! Even the muck and mire of our bad decisions, frustrations from unreached goals, disappointments from missed opportunities and weariness from a body that won’t heal are His specialty! His name is Jesus.

He is our hope. He is the one that redeems us and restores our purpose and our plans by helping us understand what those should be. I know him personally and he is faithful.

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As if starting a new year with new plans isn’t fun enough, it is followed up by the month that we focus on loving!

Now that is a month you don’t want to sleep through. Of course we are to love every single day and I mean the “give your whole life away” kind of love. But, to have a month dedicated to loving is just like having a month where we focus on the birth of Jesus and how that one event changed the whole world. It was because of love that we Christmas!

Please tell me you have already started thinking about how you are going to show someone how much you love them on Valentine’s Day or during the whole “Valentine Month”! Maybe that could be a New Year’s resolution – “I will show someone they are loved every single day of February by doing some small (or big) act of kindness.”

Talk about life changing plans? Chunk those self-serving thoughts of what someone is going to do for you. Don’t think about what lame displays of love you have received in the past or how no one is speaking to you in your “love language” right now. Be a pro-active lover. The bible teaches us that we can love, because Jesus first loved us.

So, embrace that perfect love that is given to you and let it propel you to love someone else. I am thinking this could be the best February ever. Shoot, it could even make March a great month, too!

Did you know that God demonstrated how much he loved us, in that while we were sinners, he died for us? God

loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that none of us would have to die and live apart from him, but could have life forever with him. What a love gift! Surely, we can come up with a way to show some of that love to those around us, as well as those that are far away. Another group that would benefit from this profound love are those who may not be aware of this great love that is offered to them. You can be the catalyst of that love. We are surrounded by a hurting world… everywhere. If you are one of those hurting, the deepest healing comes from loving anyway. So if you are feeling great love or feel alone with no love – reach out to someone and pull from the reservoir of love that comes straight from heaven right to your heart.

We need to give it and someone needs to receive it. Let’s get busy.

Happy New Year! I pray that your life will be full of tests that you pass and people that feel loved because of you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is our through Christ, who loved us.”

Romans 8:35, 37

Kathy is an author and speaker that loves to bring a word of encouragement to anyone that will listen.

Founder of Speak It Ministries, she has been sharing her faith and teaching God's Word for over 30 years.

She is a wife, sister, mom and Mimi to some great people and loves spending time with each of them.

You can follow her on FaceBook, Twitter @cckahy, Goodreads and Wordpress. She is best described by having a desire to live life, love people and laugh out loud.

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Pictured

TAMMY STEVENS' "Riglett"

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– AND THE MORE GLAMOROUS "GLAMPING" IS BECOMING QUITE POPULAR FOR FRIENDS, FAMILIES, AND GROUPS OF ALL AGES AND STAGES IN LIFE. Millennials, for example, have become more and more interested in camping for several reasons.

According to travel blogger Trevor Morrow, because millennials seek social environments, camping offers an outlet for social interaction. Camping also allows for a unique experience – after all, no one camping trip is the same. Also, camping can be cost-effective. A Yahoo survey stated that 68 percent of millennials are more likely to spend less than $1,000 for a trip – which, depending on where one goes, may be hard to do. Unless, of course, your accommodations are under $100 or already paid in full.

The term glamping also can come into play. According to G Brief digital magazine, glamping is a more luxurious and comfortable style of camping, often involving actual beds to sleep on and electricity – such as in a camper. owner of the Townsend House, has taken her camper cross-country for the past two years and said she considers herself both a camper and a glamper.

“Glamping, to me, is easier to do when it’s a fun trip, when you have others you are entertaining,” Birch said. “When you hit the road like I do, glamping may take up too much time.”

Birch owns a 2012 Casita 17-footer camper and travels with her daughter and dog

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every three to four months. Her first trip was a celebration, she said, of her 50th birthday.

“I was turning 50 and took a 50 days for 50 years trip,” she said. “We covered nine states, 8,000 miles. I went out west to Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, Arizona, California, and Nevada.”

The beauty of camping, Birch said, is that it’s actually not hard.

“When I bought my camper, I had never camped before; I knew absolutely nothing about camping or campers,” she said. “Other people who camp are so very nice, and they’ll help you. Also, there are networks of others who love to camp and will freely and gladly help you.”

The network of new friends, she said, has been a joy.

“I have met and made many friends because I started camping, people who have enriched my life that I would have never met if I had not started camping,” Birch said. “I wish I had known about it when my children were little. Better let than never.” been camping for about two and a half years and said her vintage camper allows her to get away from the everyday norm.

“We have a 1965 Airstream Globetrotter, 19-feet long and cute as pie!” Stevens said. “I wanted to keep with the vintage camping theme so my camper is filled with camping things, like a picnic basket, vintage thermos jugs and my weakness is old coffee pots. Oh, and my travel bar is pretty cute. I set up an old wooden ironing board outside and that is where I cook or fix a cocktail.”

The Globetrotter, she added, is an outlet for her creativity.

“The fun thing about a vintage camper is that you can customize it in a way you would never do your home,” she said. “It is great to see the creative vibe that some of these people transfer to their campers. You can really get a feel for who they are just by walking inside.”

She said she feels, too, that she is a camper before glamper.

“I was a camper way before this glamper craze hit, so I guess I’m both,” she said. “However I prefer a good Coleman lantern over a chandelier any day.”

Stevens and her group, which includes her husband and friends, said they often travel to parks in Arkansas or even Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

“I think camping is good for anyone if they would just give it a chance and go with an open mind – and fun people,” she said. “We sit inside way too much so getting outside and enjoying this beautiful world is so therapeutic.” a glamper who helps others find their glamping spirit, lives and works on a 200-acre cow farm in Ruston. She owns 10 vintage trailers, including Yellowstones, a Mercury, a Scotty and others, ranging in years from 19511977, and she helps others create a home away from home with their own vintage trailers with her business,

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Glitzy Glamper.

“I was first introduced to glamping by reading an article in a publication,” Leachman said. “It was talking about a group of women, Sisters On The Fly, that traveled all over our country in trailers, some new, some old and some all painted up! That was right up my alley. Skip my hubby and I don't always have the same schedule as far as vacations go, so the idea that I could paint up a trailer and travel with other women without worrying about my safety was very appealing.”

Leachman said the glamping community is a very warm, inclusive group that embraces individuality.

“What makes it special is that it's my story,” she said. “I'm the only one who can tell it. No one else can live my story except me. Glamping gives you the opportunity to do just that – be yourself, tell your own story, put it out there, put yourself out there, let people see who you really are! An original!

Glamping has given me the opportunity to do that, and it’s helped me see that people love me just like I am: the quirky, crazy, artistic, colorful cowgirl, farm girl, city girl, mother, wife, sister, woman, girl that I am. And I’m able to accept others, learn from them, share with them, despite all our differences.”

Not only can camping and glamping be entertaining and social, but like Leachman, others have turned it into a business. a client of Leachman’s and owner of Roadside Clicks, a traveling photo booth.

“A couple of years ago, I saw some party pics an old friend posted at a wedding in Memphis,” Boyter said.

“The photo booth pics were so cool and totally different from anything I had ever seen. I message him and asked him about it and he told me all about this old vintage camper. The line to get pictures was wrapped long and it was worth the wait! I saved his pics and said, ‘If I ever can afford to buy an old camper, that's what I'm going to do with it.’ A couple of years later, my friend and coworker Suzie had a 1963 Holiday Rambler Camper in her backyard. She told me if I would come get it I could have it. Then, I became obsessed.”

Boyter sought out Leachman to help find some ideas for Roadside Clicks, which Boyter owns with her partner and friend Kami Buchanan.

“My husband and I realized quickly fixing it up ourselves was out of our league,” Boyter said. “I started researching ideas on Pinterest and friends would send me ideas. Most of my favorite ideas for the outside lead back to one amazing artist, Angela Leachman. She just so happened to be one of my client’s sister-in-law who lived really nearby in Ruston.

I messaged her and poured my heart out to her about my vision. She agreed to paint it, and her husband Skip agreed to remodel the inside. He put new flooring and painted the inside shiny silver, which provides us the perfect backdrop.

The outside is an awesome piece of art. I told the artist to do whatever she wanted. She has the best spirit and it comes out in her work.”

Boyter said she doesn’t actually camp in her camper, but it does travel.

“We will go anywhere! Birthdays, weddings, fundraisers, parties and festivals,” she said. “The camper is for party pics using fun, funky props and lights. We can customize any event … The inside (of the camper) is empty. We painted it silver, added lights all on the inside with lots of props.”

However, Boyter said she is a glamper, not a camper.

“I'm not really a camper, I am definitely a glamper!” she said. “I like to float the river or canoe, then go back to the cozy hotel or cabin.”

Like Birch and Stevens, Boyter said the socialization of glamping makes her Roadside Clicks business worthwhile.

“I just love people,” Boyter said. “I have been a hairstylist for 22 years. It is so fun to see people step out of their comfort zone and take silly pics with their family and friends using crazy props. I just can't get enough!”

Birch, Boyter, Leachman, and Stevens all gave advice for how individuals interested in glamping or camping can get started and how to prep for one’s first trip.

“Well, I grew up tent camping, and then moved up to a pop-up camper, so having this little Airstream is luxurious for us,” Stevens said. “I would say know where you are going and what amenities the park provides is a big help and is there a Walmart close by!”

She added that having a friend to camp with is also important.

“Find a good friend and go for it,” Stevens said. “One is my childhood friends just recently got divorced and came camping with me one weekend. She loved it! She went back home and found herself a vintage camper and that has been her divorce therapy. She just met me in Arkansas a few weeks ago for her maiden voyage. We had a blast, and I am so proud of her!”

Boyter said to search for deals for vintage campers.

“I think if someone wants a camper, especially a vintage one, they need to start searching the Internet and Craigslist and newspaper ads,” Boyter said. “They aren't hard to find but can be pricey. I was totally blessed to find mine. It's a dream come true.”

Leachman said to prep before hand as well. “My best suggestion for this is to practice hooking up, pulling and setting up your trailer a few times, even if it means doing so in your own yard,” Leachman said. “Keep in mind that safety is what your main concern should be. Various sites include checklists, and if you are new to camping/glamping I suggest going over these. Become familiar with how your glamper feels when you're pulling it down the road. My very first road trip was right down the road from where I live at Lincoln Parish Park. As I built up my confidence my trips became further and further.

Also know that there is always someone available willing to help a beginner with backing in a spot – don't be afraid to ask. Everyone had to learn.”

Birch said someone who likes adventure, who likes to meet interesting people, who likes to bring their animals and someone who wants to grow as a person would love camping.

“Planning is always key. There isn’t much room, so it’s best to have items that can be used for more than one thing. Also, tools. Food preparation ahead of time helps as well,” Birch said. “(There’s) freedom to do your own thing and be as comfortable as you want to be.”

Leachman said, "it doesn’t get better than showing one’s feminine, independent strong spirit while being all twinkly at the same time." She gave some advice for how to select a vintage camper and glamping.

Pictured

ANGELA LEACHMAN'S "Glitzy Glampers"

“I have to say that all my trailers do have a theme,” she said. “The theme usually comes later. Color seems to always be first. Most of the time when I first see a trailer, a color comes to mind. The shape has a lot to do with it and, of course, the year.”

Leachman purchased her first trailer without having a mobile shop in mind, but that quickly changed.

“Suddenly it was a means of transport for travel; something I could put my artistic mark on, my personality,” she said. “There’s something to be said about nearing 50. You let a lot of trivial things go. You’re comfortable with letting people see who you really are. I think this can be more difficult for women. As a lifelong artist, I’ve always enjoyed creating things that make people happy. Things that people appreciate with their eyes. And also there’s that encouraging factor to it all. Someone looks at one of my trailers and suddenly realizes, ‘Hey! I can do that!’ Yes, yes, you can!”

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Pictured

AMY BOYTER'S "Roadside Clicks"

Pictured

ANGELA LEACHMAN'S Sketches

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Pictured Below

KIM BIRCH Traveling through Utah, Wyoming

Pictured

The Inside of "Riglett"

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headlines & hemlines written by Rachel Pardue

A Non-Resolution

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ow that I am officially done with my first semester of college, I have noticed that there is a new term to define me, “business major.” This conversation occurs with everyone from inquiring family members to the lady I sat by on my flight home from Boston last week.

After I tell strangers or people who do not know me that well of my major, they seemed shocked. I guess a young blonde girl doesn’t initially make them think of business suits and boardrooms.

In fact, my response is almost always followed up with an approving but shocked nod and something along the lines of “smart! You’re going where the money is.” As an aspiring entrepreneur this makes me laugh.

I want to create sustainable companies with social value that I am passionate about. While it is true that I will graduate with a degree that would allow me to enter the world of finance for the giant companies that dominate Wall Street, after my Dad asked me what was the most important thing I learned from my financial accounting class, my response was “I learned I never want to become an accountant.”

Since my college is a business school, finance and accounting are incredibly important to my education, but as the school for entrepreneurship, these classes are only part of a much larger education. While understanding the numbers of business is crucial, creating businesses worth running is what I am passionate about. My personal goal is to never apply for a job; I hope to always be working on my own businesses instead of being a faceless number in a corporation.

To many people, entrepreneurship is an insane gamble. In response to this my foundation of entrepreneurship and management class invokes the just crazy enough wisdom of Albert Einstein.

I have heard this quote enough times I feel as if it is engrained on my brain. It goes, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

I am not sure how accurate this definition is in terms of describing insanity, but I can certainly say doing the same thing

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over and over again would make me go insane. I have picked my career because it’s my passion, and because I know my job will be ever changing.

This unique career means that my professional life will change as I evolve as a person since I am the one who dictates my work.

Change so often has an extremely negative connotation simply because we are scared of it. I know I was.

When my life was a steady progression from day to day it was easy. Only after recently experiencing a life in which everything I have ever known is questioned, and I never know what to expect from the next day, let alone the next year, I realize I have never grown more. As long as I was able to easily succeed and go through my daily life with struggles that I now laugh at, it was great. However, it was not until I was pushed to every limit that I learned my strength.

With my recent move to Boston to attend a college with an incredibly high percentage of international students from nearly every country, I realize I am in a unique situation that has allowed me to experience all the change in the world. However, in a small way don’t we all aspire to experience the same kind of growth and change every New Year by making resolutions?

I once hoped that if I completed my list of aspirations, I would be a better person, maybe even a different person.

No matter if I completed the list or not (usually not), the following New Year I would be making another list of resolutions and hoping for a different outcome.

After I had been in Boston for a few weeks, I started settling in, making

friends, and learning how to navigate both the T and Boston traffic depending on which seemed less heinous on the given day. I also began noticing a common trend. Many of my fellow first years had come to college hoping to reinvent themselves. Whether this was through a new wardrobe, ditching a childhood nickname, or trying to alter their personality all together, it never worked.

I once considered my inability to become a different person endlessly frustrating.

Now that I find myself living a dual life that is split between the tiny village of Downsville that has more cows than citizens and the modern metropolis of Boston, the only stabilizer between the dramatically different lives I lead is that I am the same person in both.

While my friends tease me for my southern sayings and old-fashioned pearls in Boston, and my family lovingly mimics my evolving proper accent and new ‘liberal’ ideas, I soon realized that if I alter myself even in the slightest capacity to please the people I am with or the place I am currently located, I would lose myself all together. It was only when everything in my little world changed that I truly appreciated the resilience of the person that I once wished away with every new years resolution.

If insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome, don’t make the same New Years Resolution this year. Instead of trying to change yourself, change your surroundings. If you’re like me, then you may realize remaining true to yourself in a world and life that never ceases to change is the greatest resolution of all.

Rachel Pardue is a recent graduate of Cedar Creek School in Ruston, LA. Rachel is an aspiring entrepreneur who is studying business at Babson College outside of Boston, MA. Babson is ranked as the #1 School for Entrepreneurship in the nation, and Rachel is attending as a Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholar.

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a fresh perspective from rosemary's kitchen

written by Rosemary Thomas Once Again...

Begin Again

I

he New Year is here and it is one of my favorite times of year. It is certainly not because of the winter season – I am not a huge fan of cold, rainy weather and gray skies. The best thing about January is that it is a chance to start over once again. Now…. I know we always have the chance to start over. Every moment of our lives we have the chance to start over. We can get up every morning and do better.

Mondays are one of my favorite times to start again. And the first day of a new month provides an amazing opportunity to set new goals. But – the Mother of all Do-Overs begins in January. That is THE time for setting goals and making resolutions and dreaming about all those things you want to change about yourself or your world. And knowing that the miracle of spring is just around the corner makes it so much more dramatic.

I have so many people say they don’t believe in making Resolutions because they just end up breaking all of them.

And I get that. EVERY year I am going to reach my ideal weight, travel more, entertain more, be less critical, eat healthy, read more, exercise every day, drink less wine, drink more water, etc. And much of the time none of that happens. I end up staying in my PJs all day and watching TV and polishing off a bottle of wine with a bag of Cheetos while having critical thoughts. But… Sometimes, you make a little bit of progress along the road. Just a little.

Maybe when you look back at the end of the year, you realize that you did read a few more books than you did the previous year… or that you did have folks over a couple more times than the year before or that you were eating a little healthier these days. Maybe just a little. You have to persevere in

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making resolutions. Don’t ever give up.

Keep making them. If it is something important to you, keep adjusting and pushing forward.

The point that hits home for me is that if you don’t try, how will you ever make any progress? I remember when I finally quit smoking (25 years ago!). I know I “quit” dozens (dozens) of times before I finally really truly quit. If I had stopped trying – despite all the times I failed – I would not have eventually been successful.

A little progress is still progress.

Say it with me now. A little progress is

still progress. The older I get the more I realize I will never (never ever) live up to the exaggerated icons that we see from Hollywood and other examples of outstanding specimens. They are outstanding specimens because they are outstanding. They are not the norm.

I am the norm. And the older I get, the more I embrace that. Now the trick is to be the best “me” I can be – and still be “me”. And it’s a trick because it’s tricky.

It is so easy to be pulled into wanting to be something you aren’t. I am not particularly athletic. I see pictures of young folks (or outstanding specimens of old folks) doing all these athletic things – hiking and sports and yoga…

Rosemary Thomas is an avid cook and gardener who enjoys the challenge of owning a restaurant and working with her daughter. She is an RN and continues to work several days a week in Shreveport where she lives with her husband, three dogs, two cats and 80 chickens.

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and they just look so dang cool. I mean, of course they are all gorgeous and fit and have beautiful bodies and flowing hair.

And I think – Yea – That is what I want to be like. But then I remember that I have a bad back and the last time I went camping I seriously wondered if I could walk when I crawled out of Big Agnes (the tent). Does that mean I can’t do Yoga?

Of course not. Anyone can do yoga. Doing Yoga is on my list. I may look like a cute little toad when I am in position as opposed to a gazelle, but I can do it my own way. Sometimes I think we quit because we didn’t not meet the expectations (unrealistic as those were) that were in our head, not because we weren’t succeeding or making progress with our goals.

It is like material things. It isn’t hard to convince yourself that you need “things”. One example of that is I started thinking about getting one of those robot vacuum cleaners. I have dog hair tumbleweeds in my house so large you may think you walked on to the set of a spaghetti western. I sometimes expect to see Clint Eastwood come around the corner and look at me all squinty-eyed. But you know – I really don’t like technology.

I don’t want any more gadgets – especially those that cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I don’t even have a TV right now – and haven’t had one for several months. What do I need with a robot vacuum? I really don’t know what that robot vacuum story had to do with anything, but I just wanted to tell it. Oh yeah! You don't need "things".

So – My resolutions for this coming year. I have a lot of them.

Many of them have been on the list quite a few times (dozens of times actually). But – maybe this year will be the year that I make a little more progress on some of them.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Eat Healthy – Vegetarian. Organic. No Soy. Minimal Dairy. Decrease processed food.

Lose Weight – see # 1 and # 3 Exercise More – Take the long way around. Take the stairs. Rake pine straw. Hike. Yoga and Pilates classes?

Read More – Decrease TV. Maybe not get a TV for a while (but… realistically – I cannot miss Game of Thrones – resolution or no resolution.)

Entertain More – invite friends over for dinner. Have parties! (Call me if you want to come over - seriously!)

Have a Game of Thrones party?

Garden – Vegetables. Herbs. Flowers. See # 3 Complain less. Worry less. Accept more. See # 8 Stay in gratitude. For everything. I mean, really – what do I have to complain about?

Get off of Facebook. See # 7. See # 4. That thing is addictive. I don’t like it. It’s hard to quit it.

Be Happy. Find Joy in everyday life. See # 1 - #9.

So, whatever your resolutions are, I hope that this New Year brings you happiness and growth. I hope that you can look back and see where you made steps forward – no matter how small. I hope you enjoy your life most every day. Who knows how many of them we have left. Be happy with who you are but strive to improve on those things that bother you.

Onward through the fog…… with baby steps if need be, but always onward.

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365 days. So much can happen in that amount of time. January is a beginning. It’s a time for reflection of the old and excitement about all that is possible.

How will you use your 365 days this year?

To get started on this journey, consider these questions. Questions give us more focus, better decision making, and greater perspective. John Maxwell says, “You only get answers to the questions you ask.”

1. What matters now? This helps you make the best use of your time at each moment.

2. What totally makes you come alive? This helps keep your passion ignited.

3. What opportunities could you do something about this week? This helps you keep your eyes open for turning ideas into results.

4. How might you use your strengths in new ways? This helps you engage the creative parts of your self-awareness.

5. What areas of your life do you need to declutter? Getting organized in one aspect of life helps you build momentum for other areas.

6. Whose negativity is rubbing off on you and damaging your health?

Secondhand stress kills just as much as secondhand smoking so avoid negative people whenever possible.

7. What do you want to learn next? There is always more to learn if we stay humble.

8. Who needs your kindness today? Carve out time to serve others because the best goals involve people.

9. How can you take better care of your finances this year? One year from now, you'll be glad you did.

10. What are you planning to do that's fun in 2016? Planning some recreational activities, especially if they're outside, is good for your soul.

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Additionally every year I engage in a Wheel of Life Activity which helps me take inventory of where I am currently in the eight key areas of my life, and what areas need the bulk of my time and attention. The idea is to look at each of the eight areas in the graphic below, consider the center to be zero, and the outer border of the circle to be ten. Rank yourself in each area with regards to your level of satisfaction in that domain.

The answers to 1 + 2 = your passion 2 + 3 = your profession 3 + 4 = your vocation 4 + 1 = your calling 5 + 6 = your convictions 5 + 7 = your goals 6 + 7 = your vision

For instance, it is clear with a single glance that health and money are two areas of weakness in the overall scheme of the represented graph.

Combine all 7 = your mission!

Your mission is molded by your core values, and if your values are misguided, you'll miss your true mission. Start with WHY, and the WHAT will become more clear over time. Think of your mission statement as the purpose behind your goals and aspirations in 2016, and your one word vision is the HOW you'll get there. Keep your mission statement inspiring and simple enough to remember it, and it will emotionally refuel you all year long.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This one tool can determine how to focus your energies in the coming year. This makes a nice baseline to use monthly to see if expected gains are occurring in each area. It has been my experience that when energies are focused in one area, one might experience a decline in another. That’s okay. Our goal is not to be balanced. Our goal is harmony. Are you at peace with where your life is? With the wheel of life, a monthly reassessment can be preformed rather quickly, lending itself as a gauge for what changes need to be at the forefront of your thinking for the month ahead.

I always include a wheel of life assessment in my weekend retreats.

I feel strong self awareness is invaluable in helping one plan out a life of joy and significance. Consider also, a personal mission statement for 2016.

Your mission statement is an empowering way to not only express who you are, but who you want to become. Stephen Covey says that a personal mission statement is a way of "connecting with your own unique purpose and the profound satisfaction that comes from fulfilling it".

With regards to this specific design, your mission statement should only be 2-4 sentences, and it should be something you take some time to create. Simplicity helps you prioritize what really needs to be included. First, you'll need to contemplate 3 areas: self-awareness, others-awareness, and the connections between those two. Here are 7 questions related to those 3 areas that will help you design a personal mission statement:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

What do you love to do?

What are your strengths?

What do you get paid to do?

What does the world around you need?

What are your core values?

What do you know that God wants you to do?

What do you want out of life?

As a physical therapist and entrepreneur, Melanie Massey Groves has the privilege of owning and operating 5 outpatient therapy clinics across north Louisiana. She has further begun two new businesses, MoJoy Art Studio, used as a conduit for teaching self-awareness and confidence in an environment of creativity, and MoCo, a coaching, speaking, and training company which helps individuals and businesses develop culture, influence, and achieve their maximum potential by using their individual gifts.

Melanie has been developing her leadership for 30 years since her Poppa first gave her information on leadership and personal growth at the age of 11. Melanie is a certified coach, speaker, and trainer with The John Maxwell Team, and her mission statement, “Joyfully use your gifts to brighten the lives of others” sums up her life’s calling.

MoJoy currently has a schedule for MasterMind Groups throughout 2016 (find schedule at www.MoJoyStudio.com).

These groups are designed to be over a lunch break one day per week. This is just the boost that many of us need to be continually growing. Having a weekly accountability group, who is like-minded and growth-oriented, greatly increases one’s potential for positive change. These groups are great for anyone wanting to seek a fuller expression of themselves, from homemakers to business executives to owners of a Mom & Pop shop. They are for everyone.

Similarly, I have the great pleasure of hosting weekend retreats which are designed to promote creativity, personal growth, and increased self awareness.

If you have any questions regarding my services MoJoy offers or are interested in having Leadership/Team training for your business, contact me at MoJoyStudio.com. This is also the place to sign up to receive Monday Motivation emails for weekly inspiration.

Use your 365 wisely.

Use Your Gifts.

-----------------------------------------

21

www. theminutemagazine. com redeemed &

free indeed

written by Sara Enloe

The WEIGHT is OVER

W

hen I was 6 years old, I loved eating Lender’s mini bagels and watching TV with my friends after school. I don’t remember giving my weight much thought until my beautiful Hawaiian friend, Relana, sat next to me on the floor. I saw her tan, skinny thighs next to my own white, thick thighs and said out loud to her, “Are your legs pressed down to the floor all the way?” She looked at me like I was crazy, so I bypassed permission and pressed down on her legs. She replied with a “What? Ow!” I asked her in my most serious voice, “Relana, why are my thighs so much bigger than yours?”

She shrugged at me, looking bored with the whole conversation, and focused her attention back to the show we were watching.

I, however, couldn’t dismiss this so easily. I thought about the other girls in my 1st grade class. Was I bigger than them too? It planted a thought in my head that would linger on throughout my adult life: “Am I fat?”

First of all, no one IS fat. It bothers me that something we ALL have on our bodies has become a means to measure our worth as human beings.

In my opinion, the term “fat” should be

22

a noun, never an adjective. You HAVE fat; you are NOT fat. Think about it.

It also irks me that women talk about their weight all the time. I hear the word “diet” multiple times a day at work (many times out of my own mouth, regrettably). My friends and co-workers are either on a diet or talking about how they should be on a diet. These are bright, smart, beautiful women who have better, more meaningful things to discuss than a number going up or down on a scale.

I know it’s society. I know it’s the media.

I know it’s not something easily fixed or explained.

But ladies...can we please do something about this?

It’s 2016. I don’t know about you, but I am sick to death of worrying about what other people think of me. I am tired of

talking and obsessing about something that has no eternal value. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who loves me and calls me His masterpieceTHAT’S the truth I need to be focusing on.

My resolution this year is to stop talking about my weight. It seems like such a stupid, silly resolution, but it is absolutely necessary for my overall health and happiness. I am going to focus more on how I feel and how I make others feel about themselves. I am going to be generous with compliments. I am going to be a great listener. I am going to go for a walk because the sun is out. I am going to go to the gym not to punish myself for not being model thin but because the endorphins make me feel unstoppable. I am going to laugh more and worry less.

It’s time for a change, and it starts with me.

Fluent in Spanish and meow-ing, Sara Enloe is a Jesus-lovin' cat lady who traded Michigan winters for Florida sunshine. You can find her writing, singing, or laughing at herself. Follow her on Instagram: @quitesimplysara

life's

blessings written by Vicki Caskey The List

I

, like most of you, set goals every year. I was taught, in order to achieve said goals you must write them down.

Something about getting them on paper makes it more likely you will actually accomplish your goals. So here I go, list of goals for the New Year made. The usual stuff, eat better, exercise more, exercise period, get more sleep, spend less, save more, yada yada yada. I never get all of the goals completed.

When I was younger this bothered me. Not anymore, I move anything not completed to the New Year or I scratch it all together. Don’t judge, I gave up guilt a long time ago.

I prefer and do much better with a list.

You know, like a grocery list or a daily to do list. I can check things off as I put things in a buggy. So here is my list of things I want to do.

Replace all the towels in every bathroom and throw out the old. I will never need that many rags around the house and no one wants my ratty old towels that are 25 years old anyway. I vow to this year actually purchase the towels I put in my buggy at TJMAXX next time. Lord knows I have pushed my buggy around that store loaded down with new towels so many times most certainly causing other women to envy me and my new towels. Poor things, they don’t realize I put them back before checking out.

Ask my friends Rachel & Ginger. I do this all the time. But not next time. I am whipping out the wallet and buying those suckers.

Pick out and purchase a comforter set for my bedroom. I am a terrible decision maker and apparently I have very expensive taste. My bedroom furniture is just about a year old and I have yet to commit to a comforter set. The one I want is about $3000.00. Even if money was no object I could not bring myself to pay that price. The quilt I am using has a hole in it but it keeps us warm.

But it is time to show off my gorgeous furniture and to do that my current quilt

will need to go. If I do not purchase new bedding this year or mentioned towels in above note, I may need therapy……. retail therapy! HAHAHA Replace my everyday silverware, what’s left of it. I mean where did it all disappear to? Kind of like socks, I have a bag full of socks with no mate and I have a silverware drawer with 2 salad forks and a few teaspoons left along with other patterns I have never purchased. How does that happen?

Clean out my utensil drawer. This drawer is like diving into the abyss. I don’t even know what some of those things are to be used for.

Replace my dishes. I simply want new dishes. I have Fiesta Ware and lots of it. Yes I know it’s great but I am sick of it. I will keep it and store it, no you can’t have it.

Clean out my junk room. The thought of something happening to me and y’all finding out just how bad my junk room is terrifies me. This should be at the top of my list and I should be ashamed of said junk room.

Have family portraits made and send out Christmas Cards. It has been two years.

Learn to crochet or knit. Ruby surely wants an afghan made by her mother.

Probably not but I am determined to make her one anyway. Wanna bet I only get a scarf made?

Take a trip by myself, all alone, just me and the highway. Preferably, just pack up and leave while no one is home and see how long it takes for anyone to miss me. I threaten this all the time.

My family doesn’t think I will do it. That is what will make it so much fun when I do. Don’t worry, I promise to share the experience with you.

In case you haven’t noticed, my list here is in the order in which these things need to be done. Prioritize they say. The trip is what I really want to do FIRST but will be lucky if I actually make that happen. I can still dream. The rest is oh so doable. I just have to do it.

Like every list we create for ourselves, it just takes effort. The reward is in the line you draw through affording you that moment of accomplishment.

By all means, please read Melanie Massey’s article in this issue (it's just one page over). She is actually a certified John Maxwell Coach and will give you some worthwhile suggestions for real goal setting this year. I just want new towels, so if you see me in TJMAXX with my buggy loaded with beautiful new towels, please take my hand, walk me to cash register, watch me pay for them and then help me load them in my car.

Happy New Year! I am blessed beyond measure and grateful for everyday I am afforded the privilege to serve others.

----------------------------------------------------

Vicki is a Louisiana native who has lived in several towns in North Louisiana. She spends her free time baking, cheering on the Lady Techsters (#3 is her girl) and playing with her three dogs. She is a recent empty nester currently enjoying the small town life in Arcadia with her husband Wayne. She is not afraid of hard work and is a very driven woman.

From organizing a magazine to serving on several non profits, she will do what it takes to succeed. If you ask her she will tell you this, the Lord blessed me with the gift of gab and I use it hoping and praying to make a difference in the world.

23

a season of

becoming written by Shelley Duran Making Things

Y

’all, I wish I had more exciting things to chat about, but I’ve mostly been making things at home. Over the course of 2015, while I wasn’t intentionally looking for a beau, I found one! While being all the things I enjoy in a man, he too, enjoys being in the kitchen or across from a table. It’s one of the main ways we spend time together. Note: because of this, I’ve had to seriously up my gym game. Worth it.

I’ve always been way too excited about food. My first memory is food – specifically my third birthday cake. My parents were getting everyone ready to take the typical birthday photo and placed the cake in front of me. Multitiered yellow cake, white cream cheese frosting, decorated with plain M&Ms. My mom had placed the cake on the table in front of me, and I remember my mind being blown that there was CANDY ON MY BIRTHDAY CAKE. While my love for cake is no longer, my love of food is still strong.

My parents bought me a small (and plastic) version of a stove and ingredients to preoccupy me until I was old enough to stand on a chair and be a helper. Then when I could stay home alone, my parents would give me money for pizza and I would then pocket it and raid the pantry to make supper myself.

While leaving for college, you better believe I was one of those that snuck a mini oven with me. I’d mix condiments together when I had to eat in the school cafeteria to somewhat elevated my once frozen hamburger. Being a Residents Assistant was the easiest way to get away with stashing illegal cook wear.

When living in Nola, I went through food phases. There was the homemade bread phase, the cream shaking to butter phase, the paleo phase, the

24

rice krispy phase, the stuffed French toast phase…you get the idea. I made friends because of a red pepper tomato soup….the editor to this magazine can verify this. When living alone, cooking gets creative. Of course I want to make all the things, but I don’t really want to eat the thing for another week. So I’ve learned to buy better ingredients in smaller portions. The first time I told someone the amount of time and money I took in buying bread and ya know, I could be considered a weirdo.

Maybe this is why it took me until 27 to find another food person.

out good.” And he was correct. So far the only fire that was started, was by me and I blame my quick reaction to grabbing the oven thermometer when it dropped to the bottom of the oven and not my cooking skills.

It began early on in the relationship when Sir Butler suggested bone marrow as an appetizer, and has turned into cogrocery shopping and quick pickling and a shared ice cream maker. There are local shops that know us by name and an understood rhythm on how the making of dinner is divided. It’s really sweet and a great surprise to look up from mid stir to see this someone head down focused on cocktail making or pepper grinding. A meat and cheese plate is our jam, we take weekend breakfast seriously, and he cannot, WILL NOT buy meat at a Wal-Mart. The man has his food opinions.

The thing about making things with another person, is how much it can become the making of a real relationship. How childhood stories and hopes for the future come up with waiting for something to boil. How steady eye contact from across the dinner table is sometimes vulnerable and romantic. Sharing food is figuring out how to share two lives, too.

The first time Sir Butler made me dinner, he warned me with the following: “You’re gonna hear a lot of noises. There will be spills and possibly fire, but it will turn

When we’re not making things, we’re eating things from another place that makes things….also known as a restaurant. Or food stand or taco truck, whatever. There’s an amazing coffee shop a block from my apartment and have made it a regular Saturday morning pit stop.

So instead of making a list of things I want to accomplish for 2016 like I’ve done in the past, I just want to keep sharing. Whether it’s sharing food or feelings, I’d like to be open enough to enjoy it in the present moment. Making things takes time, but it’s going to be so so worth it. Don’t you agree?

----------------------------------------------------

Shelley is a twenty something gal two-stepping in Lafayette, Louisiana. When she's not working as a Marketing Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, she can often be found running through her neighborhood in order to enjoy Cajun cuisine on a regular basis. Her beloved dog, Olive is often by her side. Follow her rants and quips on Twitter @shellbellduran.

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a collage of southern stories and recipes:

seasoned moments written by Barbara Durbin Life and Legacy Eggs

I

bundle up to face the cold of early morning and step quickly from the warmth of my tiny old homestead. As I walk from my back door, I glance at my home’s timeworn frame and wonder if it will see another 90 years. I question to myself how many people passed under the door frame and should it survive the coming years, what would it have seen? My mind continues its path of wandering, stopping here and there on things and thoughts for which I place a quick prayer.

I make my way through the lowering ice covered pine trees and across the frigid remains of autumn’s leaf bed.

My meditations ramble and I pray for family, friend and foe. I contemplate the loss of my mom whose hand no longer touches my childhood fevered brow, or mends a torn garment. Oh! How I miss her, she left us a few weeks shy of her 97th birthday to reside in glory.

I then reminisce of my dad, gone now more than 40 years. My thoughts consider his well-worn working hands.

How those hands could guide a horse and plow with ease, wear gloves to stack hay bales, or grab a running child from harm’s way.

The loss settles but it never disappears.

I don’t allow the mantle of life to become a heavy burlap garment which drags me down life’s path, rather it becomes as a glossy-smooth silk sash. That which plays and intertwines itself along my mind and brings me joy.

Soon, the cold reminds me that I should hurry. So, turning myself to the job at hand, I grab a pail and scoop chicken feed from the large plastic can. As I do so, I look at my own hands, red and cracked dry from the cold, and wonder if folks will remember me. Will my hands have made a difference in a life? Will someone reflect on memories of my life as they gaze upon their own hands?

From the fog of my thoughts, I hear the cackling and scratching of my laying hens as they await their chops and laying pellets. Forcing my reflections to the back of my mind, I quickly move to deliver their tiny organic fodder, that which nourishes them and provides

26

fresh eggs for me. As I turn from the feed bin, I hurriedly glance for any early morning eggs and find one. Tenderly I place that one tiny prize in my coat pocket rather than grab a waiting egg carton.

I finish my chores by replenishing hay in the laying boxes for the hens, cracking the ice off the water trough and replacing it with fresh water. That task completed, I leave the hen house and make my way to the timbered area at the back of the property.

There I take in a deep breath of frosty chilled air and allow my thoughts to become one with the creator of the universe. As a child I always felt close to my heavenly father when I wandered in the woods and the same holds true more than one-half a century later.

There I take communion for a few brief moments with Him and hand Him my heart. He takes it, pulls out the snarls and knots left by a broken world and returns it to me whole and healed and ready for another day.

As I return home, my thoughts are on my lunch menu and perhaps how soup or a casserole would fit the chill of this day. The left-over turkey in the freezer should work.

As I go, I slip my icy cold hands within my pockets. There within the one pocket lies the egg. I begin to twirl it in my hand and reflect on my time with God. Ironic how my thoughts run, eggs and work worn hands, what do they have in common? What do they represent?

Life, life to come and a life worth living.

A full life which leaves a birthright for future generations. The egg as a means of a future food source. My hands the ability to weave spiritual mantles of knowledge and wisdom for my progeny.

Hands which may yet build a home that will last into the next 90 years.

Mantles and legacies left waiting for upcoming posterity to slip into and wear with comfort. May they be left neatly folded and in their proper place, for those who have yet to come.

---------------------------------------------------Legacy Casserole 2 cups fine chopped turkey 6 oz. uncooked egg noodles ½ c. celery 1/3 c. chopped green onions ½ to 2/3 c. sour cream ½ c. mayonnaise 2 t. mustard ½ t. dried thyme ½ t. salt 1 small sliced zucchini 1 c. shredded cheese (your choice) 1 medium tomato, chopped Cook noodles according to directions on package. Drain and rinse in hot water.

Combine noodles and turkey with celery and green onions. Blend in sour cream, mustard, mayonnaise, thyme and salt. Spoon half of the mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish which has been sprayed with butter spray. Top with zucchini. Repeat layers. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with tomato and serve with garlic bread

Barbara Durbin is a legal secretary and a published newspaper and magazine columnist.

When not at her "real job", she works on her baskets filled with vintage books/china for "The Vintage Bee." She loves a walk in the woods and her time with God. Barbara and her husband have four children, five grandchildren and a dappled dachshund named Bella. Look for her on facebook and follow her "Pocket Full of Moment" comments.

Outside the Boot written by Elizabeth Hines

No Regrets

N

ew Year, New adventure. Right?

Isn’t that what the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is about? Deciding how you are going to reinvent yourself, change your life, etc? How many of us actually succeed at this? How about this: let’s not totally reinvent ourselves. Let’s just improve upon the person we already are.

Embrace your battle scars, your broken hearts, and your trials. They have made us who we are today. Let’s build upon the hard times, and see how much they have shaped and molded us. After all, refinery is not easy, and easy rarely produces the best products, right?

I have loved my two years in NYC. Maybe not every minute of the two years, but loved nonetheless. It’s been hard. I have missed three Thanksgivings in a row with my family. I spent my first Christmas here working, watching the clock for my family to arrive in NYC. I have cried- a lot. I have gotten angry, frustrated, and ticked. I have been pushed, spit on, and treated like cattle.

I have also made great friends, learned hard lessons, and grown exponentially.

I have started and ended my first job in my career and learned some really hard lessons about the professional world. I have learned what feeling homesick really feels like. I have learned to appreciate time with my family. I have grown much more thankful for the technology that keeps my family and friends connected to me thousands of miles away.

I told my mom that if I would have known how hard moving here would have been that I probably would not have done it.

Thank goodness I didn’t know, right?

What a chicken. I am not afraid to admit it. If I could have seen into the future to see what these two years would have held, I can honestly say I have no idea if I would have done it.

It’s time to say goodbye- for now. I always thought NYC was the ‘big adventure’. I had no idea that it would just fuel a passion that has been smoldering inside me for years. The plan had been to spend a few years here and then head back to the south and settle into my child-bearing, house

cleaning, retirement saving, back yard mowing, minivan driving years. I thought it was just going to be a fun detour to the life for which I was headed. It never crossed my mind that it would be just the start of something.

Funny how that works, right?

It’s not a detour. Just the first step. It was just preparation. All those frustrations, hard times, and adjustments were just getting me ready from something even more frustrating, more difficult, and a HUGE adjustment. NYC has made what used to be a quiet whisper has turned into this loud siren constantly going on inside me. Adventure. Travel.

Love. Help. Give. Bless.

I won’t apologize for being driven by my heart. I have been criticized for my decision to help others. But is it safe?

But what about your career? What about your stuff? What about disease? Don’t they have other people that do that?

What about your dog? Shouldn’t you be having your own children now and not worrying about others? Shouldn’t you be looking for another job? What if no one is hiring when you get back? How do your parents feel about this? (By the way, I’m 30, and just like when I was 15, I pretty much just do what I want.

My parents give their opinions, but ‘controlling’ me has never really been an option).

Does any of this stuff really matter that much anyways?

One thing that I have heard several times is that people have said I will never regret going. Well isn’t that what our ongoing goal is? Leave this life with

no regrets. Maybe I’ll hate it and never want to go back. But I won’t regret that time that I have gone.

So off I go. I leave for Africa on January 14. I have low expectations. I try not to think about how hard it’s going to be; because like NYC, if I knew, I might not go. I know I will cry. I know I will get angry, frustrated, and ticked. I know I will be treated differently from here. I also know there is a lot I don’t know. I don’t know if I will want to stay. I don’t know if I will get sick. I don’t know if I will always be safe while there.

But what I do know is that it will change who I am. It will change my perception of so many things. It will change my idea of wealth, I’m sure. It will change my future plans. It will change my outlook and appreciation of family time, running water, and electricity. It will change what I think need vs. want is. It will change a lot of ways I think and act, but it won’t change Who I Am. So this year I’m out for building upon what’s already there. I don’t want to reinvent myself. I don’t want to change the person I have become. What I want is to not have any regrets for not taking a leap of faith because of fear.

What are you afraid of doing? What are you letting fear hold you back from? You don’t have to start over. You don’t need to change who you are as a person.

You already have a great foundation, so build from that, and improve upon that.

“What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?” – Robert Schuller _______________________________

Liz is a typical southern girl who is taking on the world. After following the scenic route through college at Louisiana Tech she moved to New York to work as a Child Life Specialist. Recently she took her next big leap by taking a hiatus from her career to travel to the other side of the world to live in Kenya, Africa. After that? Who knows!

But wherever she ends up outside of the boot, a part of her is here. Follow her at tradingbootsforpearls.blogspot.com

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W

ell it’s that time of year again. The presents have all been opened, the New Year has been rung in, and we are finally, reluctantly, taking down the Christmas tree. Just when you think it’s time to take a break…..Here comes Mardi Gras!!!!!!

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a marathon people, not a race. Many tourists seem to think that it is a race and so you find them somewhere in the French Quarter (most likely on Bourbon St) displaying their lunch to the dismay of the people passing by. Don’t be that person. Pace yourself. Below you will find a North Louisiana Girl’s Guide to Surviving Mardi Gras.

1. Accept the fact that Mardi Gras is crowded! That’s right.

There are thousands and thousands of people lining the parade route. You will get pushed and shoved some. Don’t take it personally.

2. Be nice to little kids. As someone who doesn’t have kids, I still follow this rule because it’s common courtesy. Don’t catch items thrown to children. You are an adult. You do not need a bunch of beads or a stuffed lamb. That kid is going to get way more joy from those beads or that toy than you. If you catch something that you know was meant for a kid, just give it to them. The kid might actually play with the toy while you will probably just go home and throw it away or give it to your dog to chew on.

3. Specialty throws are exciting. That’s right, whether it’s a purse or a shoe or a coconut, we are all excited to catch a specialty throw. As someone who has ridden in a parade with specialty throws here is the deal: there are only so many.

Each rider can only make a certain amount of the krewe’s signature (specialty) throw. Therefore, if you want one of these throws, be creative. Signs are a great way to get a rider’s attention. Also show you are excited to get the throw.

Some hollering and jumping up and down helps. However, no one wants to see your unmentionables. Accept the fact that you may be jostled if a specialty throw is thrown your way. Remember, everyone wants it.

4. PAY ATTENTION!!!! Let me say that again, PAY ATTENTION!!! If a float is passing by keep your eyes up and focus or you may end up being hit in the face, arm, chest, etc by a throw. As someone who personally hit a parade goer in the face with a package of beads, I can assure you it is not a good thing. The parade goer made eye contact with me, I threw the package of beads, she looked away, and then got

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knocked right in the face with a package of beads. Of course I felt horrible but I hope she learned a valuable lesson. PAY ATTENTION!!!!

5. Let’s talk about drinking. There is always someone drinking at a Mardi Gras parade and that’s fine. Just don’t be that person who is so drunk that you are falling all over everyone and sloshing your drink around. I prefer my drinks in my mouth and not dumped all over me by some random stranger. No one likes the fall down drunk person. NO ONE. 6. Now what should you wear to a Mardi Gras parade? Simple answer, anything you want! Mardi Gras is a celebration!

Wigs, tutus, and costumes are encouraged! Have fun with it! However, Mardi Gras can be cold so be prepared! As cute as you look in that little skirt you may want to put some tights on under it!

7. Accept the fact that you will probably have to use a porta-potty. Gross right? Well if you want to go to the bathroom they may be your only option. Suck it up Buttercup.

8. People often wonder what they should bring to a parade.

Here are some suggestions but don’t bring more than you can carry. Remember you are going to have some throws to carry home as well! a. A chair to sit on – it’s always good to show up early for the parade to get a good spot so you might be sitting for a while before the parade gets to you! b. Ice chest or cooler – you will get thirsty during the waiting so enjoy a cold beverage to help the time go by! c. Food – Popeye’s is always good but any snack will do d. Your friends – share the fun! e. Some music! Nothing helps pass the time faster than some dancing. f. Hand sanitizer – for when you have to use the port-a-potty. g. A bag to carry home your throws. h. A designated driver – if you plan to imbibe have someone to drive!

9. Remember it’s good to get to the parade early but if you don’t please don’t be that jerk that gets in front of people who showed up early. They earned their spot and you have no right to get in front of them. People will want to cause you bodily harm if you do this. I’m not saying harm will come to you but it will cross people’s minds and you would deserve it.

10. Dance to the music from the floats and the bands!

Have fun! Happy Mardi Gras!

Ashley is originally from North Louisiana but now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her experiences growing up in the country and being transplanted to the big city give her a unique perspective into life's quirks and hilarities. She is active in the New Orleans lifestyle and she has a great group of friends from which to draw her inspiration. She is a former member of the Krewe of Nyx, attends numerous Mardi Gras Balls, runs, and enjoys reading and ice cream.

She is married to her loving husband Jerry (who may or may not have written this bio).

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a novel approach written by Winnie Griggs

The Art of Backstory Part 1

H

ello everyone. Last issue we wrapped up a five part series on The Author Agent Relationship. This month, I’d like to start a brand new series on Backstory – what it is, and the What, When and How of weaving it into your story.

So to start the discussion off, let me give you my own working definition of just what backstory is: Backstory is everything that happened before your story opens that has a potential impact on your characters and/or on their story journey.

That sounds simple, yes? But let’s look at that definition again and highlight a few key words.

Backstory is everything that happened before your story opens that has a potential impact on your characters and/or on their story journey.

If we use this definition, then we can see that backstory involves more than sketching out a few key life-shaping events in your character’s past, more, even, than a detailed timeline of the many milestones of his life.

To really understand your characters and the growth arc they must experience during your story journey, to understand them in such a way as to make them real to your reader, they first need to be real to you. You need to know your character inside and out - you need to know her passions and fears, her hot buttons and soft spots, her beliefs about herself, and her world view. And to do this effectively, you need to know what people and what events in her past formed her into the person she is in the today of your story.

I truly believe that whether you are a plotter or a pantser, the more time you spend figuring out what makes your

30

character tick, the easier your story will be to write and the more depth it will have.

So, if we use the definition I opened with, all backstory is important to some extent, because for fully realized characters, everything that came before, shaped them into who they are today.

However, while it’s important for you as the author to know all of the minutiae of your character’s history, if you want to avoid irritating or boring your reader with prose that reads like ‘info dump’, you need to be selective in WHAT portion of this backstory you tell your reader, WHEN you reveal it to them, and HOW you weave each piece into your story.

So, let’s talk a bit about the facts of life when it come to backstory.

• Any time you are recounting backstory you are inserting prose that lacks immediacy. Face it, by definition you are relaying old news • Relaying backstory, no matter how you do it, will tend to take the reader away from the current action of the story and slow the forward momentum to some extent. The key is to minimize this drag on your forward motion as much as possible.

On the other hand • Providing backstory information to the reader provides insight into the motivation for a character’s action or emotion in the here and now • Which in turn helps explain how the story or character reached this current

state In fact, key growth points for your characters often depend heavily on their backstory, and you need to be able to convey this to your reader effectively So Let’s Talk About THE WHAT: How Much Do You Actually Insert Into Your Work?

There’s a very simple answer to this question – only as much as is necessary to serve the purpose of your story. It truly is as simple- and as complex - as that.

Like learning to properly season a favorite dish, once you get past the basics, weaving in backstory is more of an art than a science.

Add too much or the wrong mix of seasonings and you risk making the meal unpalatable.

Add too little and it becomes bland and uninteresting, lacking in that certain zest we all strive for.

Let’s take a for instance: Suppose the protagonist in your current WIP was traumatized as a young child by witnessing his older brother drown while he stood by unable to help. And to make matters even worse, let’s say his father blamed him for letting it happen.

Now, you’ve done extensive research on not only the probable effects this will have on his mental health and world view during his growing up years, but on the kinds of services and treatments that would and would not have been available to help him during whatever

Winnie Griggs grew up in south Louisiana in an undeveloped area her friends thought of as the back of beyond. She and her siblings spent many an hour exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. Once she ‘grew up’ she began capturing those wonderful adventures in the pages of her notebooks. Now a multipublished, award winning author, Winnie feels blessed to be able to share her stories with readers through her published books. You can learn more about Winnie at www.winniegriggs.com or connect with her at www. facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author

years this encompassed.

In fact you have a file bursting with all sorts of fascinating, little known facts on the subject.

Now, having done all of this research and discovered all of these intriguing bits and pieces of information is a good thing. It allows you to have a much clearer picture in your own mind of who he is and what sort of coping mechanisms he would have developed, mechanisms that will likely have followed him into the present day of your story. And, if at some point you have him or another character remembering or ‘flashing back’ to the early period of his life, you will have some authentic details to sprinkle in.

The key here is the phrase ‘sprinkle in’. Because, unless the information you have so diligently and painstakingly collected serves a real purpose in your story, furthering the plot, providing necessary characterization, solidifying your world building, etc., leave it out.

What you must consider, and consider ruthlessly, is whether the information is essential for the reader to know in order to make sense of your character motivations and move your plot forward.

That’s it for this article. Next time we’ll discuss the WHEN of revealing backstory in your work.

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bringing back

the past

written by Wesley Harris Louisiana Tech's Lagniappe Beauties:

How Hollywood helped choose the prettiest girls on campus

I

n the 1930s and 40s, many colleges called upon well-known artists, actors, cinematographers, and other celebrities to select the beautiful coeds to appear in the schools’ yearbooks.

In 1934, Bing Crosby selected beauties for the University of Northern Iowa yearbook from ten finalists. The University of Southern Arkansas used natives of the state like actor Dick Powell and radio comedians Lum and Abner to choose beauties for the Mulerider, the school’s yearbook.

Louisiana Tech also adopted this policy in the 1930s. In the 20s, a single coed was usually selected annually as the school’s “most beautiful” or “prettiest girl” for the Lagniappe, the college’s yearbook. A bevy of campus beauties was first selected in 1929 by vote of the students.

won a best actress Oscar. She would be nominated three more times for best actress and won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for a TV miniseries.

Louisiana Governor Richard Leche made the selections in 1937 just after Tech’s new administration building was named in his honor. After Leche was convicted of serious corruption charges, the building was renamed for former Tech President J. E. Keeny.

Hollywood star Charlie McCarthy made the 1938 selections, followed in 1939

by Kay Kyser who made the choice “from among a group selected by a campus-wide poll.” Kyser’s orchestra was hugely popular in the 30s and 40s with eleven number one records. The band also appeared in several motion pictures.

Theatrical producer and composer Earl Carroll made the 1940 picks “on the basis of a bust photograph and a full length pose, supplemented by a chart of measurements and general descriptive information.”

No celebrity was utilized in 1941 so the selections were most likely made by

student vote. In 1942 big-time producer Cecille B. DeMille, the founding father of the Hollywood film industry, made the choice.

The last year Tech used a celebrity for judging campus beauties was 1943 when comedic actor Bob Hope picked six Tech coeds. The autographed photograph of the star of stage and film sent back with the selections read, “I’m breathless!—but ‘Thanks for the Memory’ of 28 real beauties.” Hope presented his stand-up act at Tech in 1985 and got to see many of its gorgeous coeds in person.

The disruptions brought on by world war probably played a role in ending the practice of celebrity judges. Tech did not produce a Lagniappe for 1944 because of war shortages and no celebrity selections were made when publication resumed. Whether the choices were made by the Hollywood stars themselves or by a manager or press agent is anyone’s guess. But the consistency in selecting many of the same young women in consecutive years indicates someone made a serious effort to choose the most beautiful of the beautiful.

In 1930, actor Charles “Buddy” Rogers selected five Tech beauties from twenty photographs mailed to Hollywood.

Rogers was well known at the time, having starred in nearly twenty films, including the first one to win an Oscar (Wings, 1927).

No celebrity was used to make the 1931-33 Lagniappe choices but actress Mae West selected the 1934 yearbook beauties. As one of Hollywood's original "sex symbols," West may have been a controversial choice for a conservative Southern school like Tech. When she made the Tech beauty selections, her current film was aptly named I'm No Angel.

In 1935, after student balloting narrowed the field to eighteen, seven-year-old actress Shirley Temple picked six Tech coeds for the Lagniappe. Temple was at the height of her popularity, having already made over a dozen films. A photograph of the honorary Oscar winner holding a Tech Talk, the campus newspaper, announcing her selection as judge appeared in the yearbook along with the chosen coeds.

By 1936 when she was asked to select Tech's beauties, Claudette Colbert had already made nearly thirty movies and

32

Wesley Harris is a native of Ruston. Among his books are FISH OUT OF WATER: Nazi Submariners as POWs in North Louisiana during World War II and GREETINGS FROM RUSTON: A Post Card History of Ruston, Louisiana, available from amazon.com. Check out his Louisiana history blog at http://diggingthepast.blogspot. com. He can be contacted at campruston@gmail. com.

1st Corinthians 13: 4-8 My happiness is not found in a box of chocolates, a piece of jewelry, or yellow tulips. My happiness comes from my husband's foot next to mine as I wake in the morning refusing to let me loose to start my day, my daughter in my arms when she is going through trying times and the only comfort she can find is with me, and in my mother's voice from across the street calling to tell me she is praying for me.

Like most women, I want it all on Valentine’s Day. I won’t get it all, but I do want it. Or, do I actually already have it all? All I really want, I have. And although I will still get a large heart shaped box of chocolates from my Valentine, there is so much more to love than any gift I could be given. I am shown this every day in the tiniest of ways and I bet you are as well.

So this Valentines Day take a moment and really read this scripture. What a wonderful guide this is for us to cling to. There is reassurance in these words when we do not feel loved. We can read this, dig deep and realize love can be found in many actions and real, true love is always enough.

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the journey written by Jason McReynolds Faith = Trust

M

y kids are getting older now.

They used to be babies but now they are 10, 8, & 7. I have found that the transition between complete dependence and semi-independence comes right around the time they can ride a bike without training wheels.

Think about it. Before the 2-wheeled bike they rely on you for everything. You have to strap them into their carseat.

You have to clean up after them (even when you ask them to clean up and tell them they did a great job!). You have to fix their meals for them… every single one of them. This is parenting. And this stage of dependence is hard.

But there seems to be a light that goes off in that little minion’s mind when they are able to ride a bike on their own. I don’t know what it is. It’s very difficult to explain. It’s like they’ve had their eyes opened. They seem to get a taste of freedom. They seem to like being on their own. But they aren’t, are they? You, mom and dad, are still there watching them. It’s just that now you are watching them from a distance that is no longer within arms reach.

We love to ride our bikes in our neighborhood. Our kids are all on 2 wheels now. Our youngest was a late bloomer but even she has been riding w/o training wheels for a year and a half. My wife and I walk. She says it gets the blood circulating and is good for my heart. I defer to her expertise as she once worked in a hospital as a child-life specialist. The problem we have now is that our kids are fast when they ride. I ain’t running so they have to go to the stop sign, turn around, go back, turn around again, etc., etc. They’re still young enough to not mind the back and forth. However, there are a few straightaways that have a 90-degree curve at the end. Cars tend to whip around them too fast to be able to stop. My kids don’t seem to notice when they’re racing each other.

That’s where my incredibly deep, booming voice comes into play. “TURN AROUND!!!” This brings them to a screeching halt and they speed back the other way using us as the finish line. They don’t test us. They know the consequences of the curve but just need to be reminded in the competition

34

of the moment. They have freedom but they also know that we are still watching over them and know what’s best for them.

I love how God works in such a similar way. We may be on the right track in life. We are seeking Him. We are spending time in Scripture, prayer, and with other believers. We are having fun in life. We are trusting Him with a new freedom given by Him. And we know that He is watching over us. And then all of a sudden we hear, “TURN AROUND!!!”

We’ve all been there. We’re following God’s will and then we hear Him scream it out! It’s not an actual scream, it’s a scream on the inside that says something’s not right… this isn’t right!

It causes your heart to beat faster, your mind to race, your senses to be heightened, and time to slow down.

It’s decision time. Do you listen or do you keep going and try to ignore it? It is in this crunch time that you reveal something about yourself… who you trust.

So you got the great job! Fantastic!

And you know that it was given to you by Jesus. You thank Him, praise Him. You are making more money and you begin to rely on that money.

Then something happens. Maybe the boss asks you to do something slightly unethical. It can be explained away. It can be rationalized. It actually fits fine within the scope of the business but something inside you screams, “TURN AROUND!!!”

Maybe you’ve been dating that perfect guy or girl. They are Godly. They are challenging you spiritually… to go after God more and more every day. You took up the challenge to not settle for just anyone but to wait for that someone who wants to reflect Jesus. And God provided you with that someone. In fact,

you are wondering if you are holding them back but you put those thoughts away because they are awesome and you are awesome together!

Then something happens. You begin to look at them in a physical sense. Just slightly… but they do look good, don’t they? You are both there… struggling.

Someone has to be the strong one and resist but dang if they don’t look good, right?!?! One thing leads to another and all of a sudden you find that you want to… “TURN AROUND!!!”

Wait, what were you thinking? You don’t have to tell me. I may be a pastor but I dated my wife for 2.5 years before we got married and she had to kick me out of her apartment plenty of times. There were also plenty of times that I decided I needed to leave. Why? She’s smoking hot! That’s why! I’m still a human being.

God created all of us to be attracted to the opposite sex, even pastors!

Now, you may be thinking that leaving is silly. But we wanted to trust God. We trusted in what God said about sexual immorality, about the pain and regret that comes with sex outside of a marriage, about how God describes sex and the marriage commitment going hand in hand. The world uses the word “faith” to talk about your religion but the bible uses the word “faith” the same as our word “trust.” Do you trust that God will take care of you if you follow Him? Do you trust Him immediately like kids on a bike who know that their parents can see cars around corners?

Do you trust Him to stand up for what’s right at work? Do you trust Him to keep purity in your relationship? Don’t have religion. Religion is man-made. Have trust. Trust in your Heavenly Father that He knows what is best for you.

Trust in Jesus that He died for your sins and loves you. Trust in the Holy Spirit that He will direct you on the right road.

He won’t let you get to far away. And if you do He’ll call you back. Trust Him with every single aspect of your life.

Jason McReynolds is the pastor of New Orleans Community Church. He and his wife, Liev, have two boys and one little girl. Jason enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, watching and/or playing any kind of sports, and taking his wife out on dates. To learn more about him, or NOCC, visit: www.neworleanscommunity church.com

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The Hospital Safety Score is an elite designation from The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit that sets the highest national standards for patient safety, quality, and transparency in health care.

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