Minute Magazine July August 2016

July/August 2016 Volume 11, Issue 4

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inside this magazine TIFFANY BYRAM

Owner/Publisher/Editor/Graphics/Layout

VICKI CASKEY Sales Manager PENNY JONES RACHEL PARDUE ROSEMARY THOMAS

Feature Writers

JENNY REYNOLDS Founder

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8 Let's Talk: Honest Tips from Real Couples by Tiffany Byram

18 A Reading List to Travel the World by Rachel Pardue

26 Sunshine Yellow Recipes

by Rosemary Thomas

40 The Silence of Carville

by Penny Jones

Leslie Albritton Barbara Durbin Sara Enloe Beth Fontenot Winnie Griggs Yvette Hardy Wesley Harris Ashley Maddox Jason McReynolds Kathy B. Nelson Darla Upton

Office Phone: 504.390.2585 Ad Sales: 318.548.2693 Address: P.O. Box 961, Belle Chasse, LA 70037

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The publisher has the right to accept or reject any advertising and / or editorial submitted.

ave you ever noticed that every romantic comedy and Disney princess movie cuts to black at the exact moment "happily ever after" is supposed to begin? Isn't that convenient.

We are raised to believe that once we get married all of our troubles are over and we get to live in a beautiful little worry free bubble of happiness. Umm.. no. Marriage is work and even more importantly, it requires constant attention. Think about it. If you have a garden and you stop tending it, what will happen? The plants will wither and die. If you have a job and don't do it, what happens? You get fired.

Marriage works in much the same way. You have to invest your time, energy, love, joy, and passion into it. My husband Josh and I are coming up on 9 years of marriage and are blessed with 2 beautiful boy (ages 2 and 1) and another on the way. I think the most important thing I've learned in all that time is how to juggle. Balancing our jobs, kids, personal interests, and dating each other sometimes looks and feels like a circus act but there's no one else I'd rather perform this balancing act with.

Tiffany Byram 5

Speak It! written by Kathy B. Nelson

Hangin' Out the Window at Church

M

y roots run deep in Mississippi.

My dad was born there to parents who had lived there since they were born. He lived in the Gillsburg, Liberty area until he left to attend Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. My whole life I remember great family vacations several times a year to this area to visit my grandparents on my Dad’s side as well as other members of the Brabham family that lived in McComb, Brookhaven, Starkville, and those close enough to come meet up at Grandpa and Grandma’s house. As l reflect back on our family vacations I realize they were always going to see people, not necessarily to see places.

It was either Mississippi, Alabama or Texas, because that’s where we had family living and we would stay with them. I never even knew that other people did anything different. And I know that no one else had any more fun than we did playing outside building pine straw houses, walking the pastures and swimming in the Amite River. We especially loved walking through the fields and picking big yellow and green plums. Having a bowl full of plums and a salt shaker, the cousins would pack four people in a three person swing and swing as high as we could until we would bump the back wall of the side porch. We would swing all afternoon… or until we would get a stomach ache from eating so many green plums.

The big white home that was my Grandma and Grandpa’s we loved so much and visited for so many years is not there anymore. But because we still have property there we recently took a road trip to see those places that brought us so much joy. My mom, aunt, cousin, two sisters and niece loaded up a van and headed to see some of these special places.

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church was where we would go on Sunday every time we visited Gillsburg. I loved it. I loved that it was small and beautiful and that my daddy went to church there when he was young. I loved that there were some people who never moved away and would be there every year to welcome “the Brabham girls”. They

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would even let one of us ring the church bell at the front door every now and then. The natural spring right down the hill was so cold you would take a cup to get some water because it was so cold it would freeze your fingers if you just cupped your hands to drink from it. Even now, every June, they host a Homecoming for all of the families and Pastor’s that ever had any connections with Mt. Vernon. The church will be packed out and we worship together, share testimonies about how God has

blessed this church and how God has sustained all of us through deep grief, happy moments, new beginnings and just life and the love of a family. We still attend those every time we can.

Oh, and did I mention the ‘dinner on the grounds”? After the service we walked outside to tables lined up for what seemed like forever. They would be filled with food of all kinds and two or three of each kind. To me, it was like a picture of heaven’s banquet table. I knew to always go for the fried chicken.

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.

Everything was good, but always look for the homemade fried chicken.

I also learned a great lesson about mercy from those sweet church members. My younger sister and I, and some our other cousins would sit on the back row of the church. We discovered that just outside the window at the back was a blackberry bush with huge berries on it. If we leaned out the open window (because there were no air conditioners) we could reach the berries and have a little snack during the preaching service.

Mom finally found out so we were banished from picking the berries until after the service was over. It just didn’t seem as much fun to pick them then.

I loved this trip, but I especially loved the ones I was traveling with. Family is a very precious gift. Our history as a family is filled with all kinds of surprises – good and bad. Those life experiences are what shaped us and gave us our beginnings, but they are not the final say on who I am. As a follower of Christ and a believer that the Bible is the ultimate authority in all matters of life, I know that my identity is not solely dependent on what my earthly family passed down or failed to pass down.

My identity is in the intrinsic value that our Creator gave me.

We are all made in his image. Our inheritance is given from the one who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the one who gives and takes away, the author and finisher of our faith, the one who started this world and the one who will bring it to an end.

My encouragement for you is to: love each other, listen to and learn from each other, remember that when distractions come – whether in the form of blackberry bushes or something else, try to refocus and pay attention to what the main thing is, and thank the ones that have shown you grace when you kept reaching for the things that weren’t the main thing. And take time to see people and not just places and things. After all, no place or thing loves you – only people can love you. And man, don’t we all need a that!

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Careers, children, technology and personal pursuits often get in the way of our relationships. Couples lose sight of each other because they get too busy to notice the deterioration in communication. If you want your marriage to flourish, make it your top priority. Don’t put your marriage on hold while you’re raising your kids unless you want an empty nest and an empty marriage. Your marriage won’t wait while you work on that job promotion. Invest in your spouse. Model the kind of marriage that will make your children want to grow up to be good husbands and wives. The best marriages have a mix of individual, family, and couple time. Give your best to each other, not your leftovers. This is your marriage. You have to put in the work if you want it to be great.

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Are you carrying your weight when it comes to dividing chores, communicating your needs, expressing frustrations, dealing with finances, parenting, and supporting each other? If not, what can you do to balance the scales? Do you take responsibility for your part of the relationship – good or bad? Take a good long look at yourself and look for areas that need improvement on your end. You will not come up empty handed. We all bring good and bad pieces to the marriage puzzle. Be willing to share responsibility in arguments as well. More often than not both individuals have valid points and valid reasons for their feelings. Acknowledging one another’s opinions will not only strengthen your marriage but also allow you to resolve disagreements more quickly.

It is important to maintain your individuality in a relationship.

It’s easy to forget the “I” when you become a “we” or when you’ve been a “we” for so long that the “I” gets left behind.

Your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing are keys to keeping your marriage fresh and thriving. Surround yourself with individuals and hobbies that strengthen your character and your marriage. Remove yourself from

the ones that would tempt you to compromise your character.

A recurring “girls night” or bible study can do wonders for refreshing your soul but be mindful of your conversations.

Don’t talk badly about your spouse to others. Those negative comments can infiltrate your heart and eventually seep into your relationship.

Give a quick hug or kiss each morning and before bed. Hold hands, rub shoulders, brush past each other in the kitchen.

Intimacy is much more than just sex. It is a constant nurturing a close familiarity with one another. Touching each other builds a stronger bond and makes your partner feel wanted and loved. The more you touch each other, the more you’ll want to touch each other. Your body increases its levels of oxytocin, endorphins and even dopamine, which aids in feelings of romantic attachment.

One of the most important keys to a good marriage is respect.

Respect each other, avoid verbal abuse, and keep insults to yourself. You can’t take it back once it’s been said. And sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it. The tone of your voice speaks louder than words. Replace tones of condescension, contempt, disrespect, and disgust with more neutral ones. And remember, everyone is entitled to an occasional bad mood but that doesn’t give you permission to mistreat your partner.

By simply increasing the use of the following statements you can change your relationship for the better: “I’m glad your home”, “I’m proud of you”, “I love you”, "I'm here for you", "I understand", "I'm sorry", "Thank you", "I really appreciate all that you do". Positive affirmation can transform the entire dynamic of your home. Notice small details like complimenting her new earrings or that he took out the trash without being asked. Make the effort.

Set aside regular times (a few minutes daily or a longer session weekly) to check in on your relationship and communicate with each other. It's much easier to create your best relationship together if both people's needs are voiced, heard and supported by their partner. Give each other your full attention (no cell phones or tv) and look directly into your partner’s eyes.

Sometimes all you need to do is listen. Can’t think of anything to talk about? Spend your time building a clear vision of your shared future with each other. Write it down. Ask each other silly or serious questions. “Name the three worst songs of all time.” Or “What do you want to be remembered for?” Whatever it takes to keep the communication lines open.

(sad, angry, happy, lonely, frustrated) instead of your thoughts. Sharing those core feelings creates better communication. Don’t expect your partner to intuitively recognize a problem. They cannot read your mind or guess what you’re thinking. Withholding conflict creates a huge barrier to open, honest communication and festers resentment, anger, and frustration. If something is bothering you, talk about it! There are never winners and losers in a marriage argument. You either win or lose in this partnership together. If you know you’ve made a mistake, be quick to ask for forgiveness and you might bypass the argument altogether.

Sometimes hurt feelings and sensitive emotions can linger after a big fight. In the heat of the moment, what feels like the most important argument ever will likely fade as time goes by. Before you react by yelling or throwing out insults, remember that "This, too, shall pass". If you’ve addressed the issue and are working on the solution together, give it time. The wound needs to heal, there’s no need to pick at it. Don't let one difficult argument or challenge destroy a lifetime of happiness.

Forgive until you actually mean it.

Can you remember when you first fell in love with your spouse? Think back to how romantic life was when you first started dating. Now try to recreate that feeling. A picnic in the park. A nice, quiet, kid-free meal. A round of putt-putt. Can’t find the time for a full-fledged date?

Take a walk and hold hands, be his sous chef, work out together. Find ways to have fun together every day in small ways and big. Make laughter the soundtrack of your life. Share moments of joy, and even in the hard times, find reasons to smile.

Trying to change your spouse often leads to polarization and emotional distance. It sends the message that ‘who you are is not enough’ and the constant bickering fosters a negative environment. Focus on the underlying cause of why you want your partner to change a particular habit or characteristic. Perhaps you feel he or she spends too much time at a hobby and not enough quality time with you. See if you can resolve the issue without trying to “fix” him/her.

Remember that a “perfect marriage” is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other! Choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other. Love is a commitment, not a feeling. And if you feel like you are in over your head, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Invest in your future happiness by working with a professional.

Next time you argue, drop the shaming, blaming, needing to be right, and really listen without interruption. Try to start your sentences with the word “I” and share your feelings

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- RACHEL KYLE: By doing for the kids.

- GLEN KYLE: By simply being happy when I am home.

- JERRY DOUGLAS: She's patient with me and forgiving.

I'm not very romantic, but I've tried to be a good provider, a saver, and provide stability for her and the kids. I've tried to be a Godly man. I'm always praying and talking to God to know what I should be doing.

- LUCY DOUGLAS: I think one of the things he does that means so much to me is that he is a fantastic manager of our financial resources. He has never allowed us to live beyond our means and the knowledge that we are not in massive debt has always given me a sense of security and safety. I trust him. He has also always 150% believed in me and supported me in all I have accomplished professionally which means the world to me! I think showing both physical and verbal affection is important. I'm good at that and I think Jerry appreciates that affirmation.

- CATHERINE HUNT: Treat each other as equals. We share in responsibilities around the house and surprise each other with notes and small gifts to show our love and admiration for each other. And he always listens and gives great advice!

- BRENT HUNT: Listening to her, especially when she has had a bad day. Spur of the moment hugs.

- AMANDA & RAY ROBERSON: He/She tells me everyday.

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- RACHEL KYLE: Walk away and come back later.

- GLEN KYLE: I resolve arguments by listening and understanding and occasionally letting her be right whether she is or not.

- JERRY DOUGLAS: That's a hard one. Talking things out is important; I'm not the best at that. Sometimes you just might need to be quiet.

- LUCY DOUGLAS: Don't fight dirty; don't bring up past sins/ failures, and always try to maintain a sense of humor. Life is too short to hold grudges!

- BRENT & CATHERINE HUNT: Try to work it out through communication and compromise, always acknowledging the other person's feelings and truly apologizing for hurting them.

And whatever you did to hurt them the first time...don't do it ever again! This could be taken as a sign that your apology wasn't sincere.

- AMANDA ROBERSON: Never go to bed mad at each other and talk it out calmly.

- RAY ROBERSON: Hear each other out.

- RACHEL KYLE: Pick your battles.

- GLEN KYLE: Be understanding and tolerant.

- JERRY DOUGLAS: Respect, Communication, Faith in God. - LUCY DOUGLAS: A mutual faith in God and a commitment to Him first.

Everything else flows from that.

- BRENT & CATHERINE HUNT: Communication, Understanding, Loyalty, Compromise and Respect.

- AMANDA & RAY ROBERSON: Communication.

- RACHEL KYLE: Strength - Taking care of things for him. Needs Work - Caring more about football & being more supportive.

- GLEN KYLE: Our biggest strength in our marriage is that on most things we think alike.

Things we need to work on: communication.

- JERRY & LUCY DOUGLAS: Our faith in God has most definitely kept us from giving up when times have been hard and we'd be lying if we didn't admit we are still growing in every area of our relationship even after 28 years!

- BRENT & CATHERINE HUNT: Biggest strength is loyalty followed closely by respect and communication. I think everyone needs to show more understanding no matter what the subject. If we would just take a step back and try to understand, there might be less turmoil in the world.

- AMANDA & RAY ROBERSON: Strength - We talk about everything together and make decisions together. Needs Work - Slow down and take time for each other.

- RACHEL KYLE: That he is always happy & does anything I ask for anyone!

- GLEN KYLE: The thing I love most about my wife is that family and home are the most important things in her life.

- JERRY DOUGLAS: She loves me in spite of my faults and shortcomings.

- LUCY DOUGLAS: He's not a quitter, he's always thinking about our future, he loves his children, and he is more tender hearted than he likes people to know. He is a great guy and I am crazy about him.

- CATHERINE HUNT: I love the fact that I can count on him no matter what.

Doesn't matter what the situation is. I know that he will always be there for me and I for him.

- BRENT HUNT: I love her smile, straight-forwardness, and compassion.

- AMANDA ROBERSON: He is my best friend and soulmate.

- RAY ROBERSON: There are too many great words to describe what I love about Amanda.

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blissful chaos written by Yvette Hardy

Lessons From a Baseball Game!

A

s I’m writing this article, we’re actually on the way to Omaha, Nebraska to watch our youngest son play in the Little League World Series. This will be one more memory in a growing vault of them that we have shared with this great team of ours. He has played with this same team for six years now and we are definitely a family. I have often said that if my son grows up and looks back on these times and can say that he played some good baseball, with good teammates, and learned some lessons along the way, then I’ve done my part as a “baseball mom.” It’s really not about baseball, it’s about life.

So a few weekends ago, my youngest son had a ball tournament. As I was getting ready, knowing I had to wake him soon, my mind began to wonder back to the last month’s tournament where my son actually wanted to throw in the towel on a sport he’d played since he was four years old. It had not been his best games to say the least. He was in a hitting slump and struck out every time he got up to the plate. He was so down on himself and thought he was the worst baseball player ever.

I told him we would get extra help and practice to work on his batting skills. I also told him to just pray and thank God for what he was able to do and to keep a good attitude. That is something we talk about OFTEN in this home full of sports… to always be thankful and rely on God and to keep a good attitude through it all.

That was also what was so confusing to my son. He said he had been praying,

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every time he stepped up to the plate or on the mound and he was trying to be thankful but that was just hard when nothing seemed to be going his way.

As I was preparing for the weekend’s tournament, I wondered how his attitude was going to be. Was he going to dread the games and be all doom and gloom? Or was he going to be the encouraging kid he usually was, cheering his teammates on and having a good attitude even when things didn’t go as he wanted? It was time to find out.

As I woke him, I lay on the bed with him and just started talking. I said, “You know, sometimes Daddy and I worry and worry about things or situations or you kids. And we’ll pray and pray over these things. We’ll give it to God only to take it back again and again. And sometimes we go through the situation or hard time and the outcome isn’t what we prayed for. It was just really a hard time. And we begin to wonder, Did God hear my prayers? Does He care? Why did He let this happen?”

At that moment I realized I hadn’t yet figured out the answers to all these questions. I still struggle with these questions especially when it’s for prayers concerning my children that

weren’t answered the way I thought best for them! Wow! Yes, as I’m writing this I’m definitely seeing and hearing how arrogant I must sound! I mean, they’re MY children, right? Surely I know what’s best for them! So when I pray that why does He not answer accordingly? Well, who am I to tell Him what is best for these little creatures that He only loaned to us for a short time to try and rear in the best way possible?

He created them and us. He knows what’s best and what’s not. He knows that sometimes it’s the disappointments in life that mold and shape us more than the successes.

But at this point in the story with my son, I had already opened my mouth and all this started flowing so now I had to come up with some answers.

It became clear to me at that moment.

The answers to these question I already knew. Sometimes when faced with not getting what I so desperately pray for, doubt creeps in. Lies from the world and from Satan fill our head. Truth told from anywhere but the Word of God is really no truth at all. It has to align with His word. So the answers to these questions became quite clear. Did God hear my prayers? Yes, He heard them.

Does He care? Absolutely He cares!

Why did He let this happen? Well, as

Yvette is a mom to 3 brown-eyed beauties, a wife to a hard-working "Louisiana oil-man," a sister to two crazy gals, an aunt to many, and a child of the One True King.

These are just some of the titles she holds humbly, and near & dear to her heart. She's still chasing a few dreams (even at her age), and trying to live intentionally! Yvette is a lover of all things old, southern hospitality, a gypsy at heart and happy in boots or heels! She is a nurse and the owner of Fashion on the Fly online boutique with a mobile fashion truck on the way.

I told my son that day…we may never know. You see, Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I explained to my son (and myself) that morning that we may never know why He lets things happen that we don’t want or feel like we need but we can be assured He knows what’s best. He hears us and He loves us. We just have to have faith and move on.

I also reminded my son about a favorite story of mine in the Bible when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to be thrown in the fiery pit if they didn’t bow to the King’s idols. The part I love is when they responded to the King by saying,“….if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, (emphasis added) we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or

worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18.

The fact is they were probably praying for what they wanted, which was to be rescued from the blazing furnace. But more importantly they were praying God’s will, not theirs. Their faith had to be fully resigned to His will. And so does ours. Often times we want to be delivered FROM the fire but God may want us to be IN the fire. But He’ll be in there with us.

I read once, sometimes God doesn’t calm the storm, but calms the child. I reminded my son that God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45.

“So if you get up there and strike out and nothing seems to be going your way, you have to remember…yes, He loves you, yes He heard your prayers, and we don’t know why it is the way it is. But what is going to be the difference in you and the kid that doesn’t know Jesus? It’s going to be your attitude.

You be thankful that you can even play ball. You keep your head up knowing He is with you. Your actions should point toward Him. Otherwise, how can the world tell us apart?”

My baby boy seemed to understand this lesson as I spoke. He listened very intently. I’m happy to report that while he didn’t strike out that weekend, he did get out and is still struggling some with his batting. But he kept his head up and said he thanked God no matter what.

That is really all that I can ask.

We begin our games tomorrow in Omaha. I hope that Team Chaos plays to the best of their ability. I hope we win it all. But even if we don’t, I hope there is one kid on that team that will be thanking God for the opportunity and abilities and striving to do better. And that is really all I can ask!

It has been said in baseball, as in life, all the important things happen at home!

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a collage of southern stories and recipes:

seasoned moments written by Barbara Durbin “Do Nothing” Cake

M

y world at this particular point has become so busy that I meet the “me” coming and the “me” going.

There are moments when I manage to run abruptly into myself between the mundane household chores and the legalities of my workplace.

If I had time, I would speak to one of “me”; but I can’t manage to catch up with either the one coming or the one going. I would attempt to determine how life has been treating “them” but they are too fully engrossed in their own “busy-ness” to even leave a kind word.

Life for everyone is a tizzied whirlwind.

It appears the days are much too busy to enjoy the life God purposed for us. We are pulled from one hectic madhouse moment to the next. Our spirit cries out for peace but it doesn’t appear to be found.

I once read an anonymous person’s short writing. Perhaps he stated best how life appears to be for most of us: “We the willing, led by the unknown, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful.

We have done so much, with so little for so long, we have learned to do anything with nothing.”

Personally, I do not intend for my outlook on life to be as his, but the cares of life are attempting to give me that perspective. I fully intend to have my glass of life full and not half empty.

Before I know it the day has gotten away and I have nothing to show for my time. In fact time is so hectic it too almost appears elusive. Where does it

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go? Where does the calm and peace slip off to? So, I had fully intended to do nothing for the last few days, to perhaps find some of that obscure calm and peace. Instead I found myself having to “do” things just to maintain my life in the normal setting to which I am accustomed.

“To do nothing” is a basic directive which translated in today’s language means: Doing those things you desire rather than those which you don’t. It would seem the key word here is “want”. If it is something I want to do, I will somehow manage to find time to do it.

Well I am about to grab the brass ring and pull myself from this chaotic spinning mad-house we call life. I am about to take a break from the thousand hands which intend to pull my peace away. I am determined to regain calmness in my spirit and spend some “down time” with those who are closest to me. I intend to spend quality time with my heavenly Father and my earthly loved ones. I fully intend to prioritize and regain my peace. I am about to be

one of those who are called to “come away my beloved”.

Sorry guys, but the world can wait while I go “do nothing”. You are welcome to join me there if you so desire.

---------------------------------------------------“Do Nothing” Cake One prepared angel food cake 1 can crushed pineapple 30 large marshmallows 1 c. milk 16 oz carton Cool Whip 1 can Angel Flake Coconut Crumble cake and spread evenly in bottom of a large oblong pan. Pour pineapple evenly over cake. Heat milk and marshmallows in saucepan over low heat until marshmallows are dissolved. Pour this over layer of pineapple. Allow to cool then spread with Cool Whip. Sprinkle coconut over top. Chill.

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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.

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15

a knack for

nutrition

written by Beth Fontenot, MS, RD, LDN

Any Way You Slice ‘Em, Tomatoes Rock!

N

othing says "summer" quite like tomatoes plucked fresh from the garden. All their juicy goodness comes from an impeccable balance of sweet, savory, and sour flavors combined with perfect texture. Best of all, they serve up lots of good nutrition.

Though classified by the United States Department of Agriculture as a vegetable, botanically speaking, a tomato is a fruit. Nevertheless, tomatoes are the most frequently consumed non-starchy vegetable and a unique package of nutrition. For the few calories you consume when eating a tomato, you get significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and a phytochemical called lycopene.

In case you aren’t familiar with phytochemicals, they are chemical compounds found in plant foods that provide considerable health benefits.

Plants produce them to protect themselves, but the same compounds also protect us against disease.

Lycopene, the principal phytochemical in the tomato, is what provides its deep red color plus the protective health benefits. As an antioxidant, lycopene fights wayward oxygen molecules that can cause damage to the cells of the body. The relationship between lycopene and a lower risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer, has been well studied and documented.

Research in its early stages shows that the lycopene in tomatoes may help increase bone mass, which could reduce the risk for osteoporosis, and that people who eat tomato paste regularly experience less skin damage from exposure to sunlight.

While the exact mechanism by which tomatoes (and other fruits and

16

vegetables) reduce the risk of disease is not fully understood, it’s likely that various parts of the entire food package work together to contribute to the overall health benefit, and it is not just a single component that is responsible.

So while lycopene is given a lot of credit for its protective role, it could be that lycopene plus some nutrient or other compound in the tomato is what actually provides health benefits.

A rich source of vitamin C, tomatoes support a healthy immune system, help maintain healthy skin, and increase the absorption of iron found in other foods.

Fresh vegetables are usually considered nutritionally superior to those that are processed, but tomatoes are unique in that they are good for you either way – fresh or processed. The heat required for cooking and processing canned tomato products, like tomato sauce and tomato paste, increases the body's ability to use lycopene. And if you add some type of healthy oil when cooking tomatoes, it helps your body absorb even more of the lycopene. So feel free to add olive oil to your spaghetti sauce.

The fiber in tomatoes aids in preventing constipation, helps reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol, and aids in the control of blood sugar for those with diabetes.

Besides lycopene, tomatoes serve up healthy doses of several essential nutrients. They are one of the top contributors of potassium in our diets.

Most people don’t consume enough potassium even though there is good evidence that it helps lower blood pressure and can reduce the adverse effects of a high sodium intake.

Potassium may also lower the risk of developing kidney stones, and protect against age-related bone loss.

Vitamin A deficiency is a known cause of poor night vision, so it’s presence in tomatoes can help keep your eyes working properly at night. Vitamin A also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin and bones.

Most people do not consume the recommended two and a half to three cups 2½ to 3 cups of vegetables a day.

Tomatoes are an extremely popular vegetable, liked by most people in some form or fashion. Whether you eat yours in the form of red pasta sauce, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, fresh bruschetta, salsa, or salad, make sure you eat this popular and healthy vegetable several times a week.

The late Southern writer and humorist, Lewis Grizzard, once said, “It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.”

And knowing how good they are for your health, I think you would have to agree.

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

With her life and time divided between the swamps of south Louisiana and the piney woods of north Louisiana, Beth Fontenot is a registered dietitian, a licensed dietitian/nutritionist, a freelance writer, and a watercolor artist. Though she’s been known to indulge in a certain Texas brand of ice cream or a fried seafood dinner, she does believe that good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. When she is not busy writing, painting, or working on the homestead she and her husband are building in Gibsland, she spends her time loving her large family and high-school sweetheart.

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Dubai, I could have gone to all the same places without feeling the soul of the countries or its people.

How do you regard the people of a third world country as savages once you have been welcomed in their homes with open arms and have been shown kindness that rivals even the warmest display of southern hospitality?

How do you hold an entire religion to be evil once you have been in their mosque and seen loving families of kind and peaceful people who are not at all unlike the families at your local church?

How do you believe you are superior to or smarter than someone because of their nationality when they speak to you in your own language while you do not know one word of theirs?

I felt, saw, and experienced the shattering of all of these prejudices during my recent travels through India and the United Arab Emirates. I was fortunate to have friends who live in every place I traveled. They told me the history of their cities, walked me through their palaces and forts, introduced me to their families, taught me about their beliefs, made me their favorite foods, and so much more.

Without my friends who grew up in Mumbai, Jaipur, or

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The second best thing to seeing a foreign country with native friends is to see it through the eyes of a local without ever leaving home. This can only be done through the pages of a few truly remarkable books.

Here is a summer reading list that will take you on a journey through India, Iraq, Africa, Paris, Italy, and Bali. It is my hope that these books will open your minds and hearts to the people whose stories are filled of hunger, oppressive governments, poverty, or war, and yet I hope you find the common thread of humanity that unites us 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.

This New York Best Seller takes place in Tehran, Iraq, and is the memoir of a teacher who began holding secret literature lessons in her home when a tyrannical government forces its extremist beliefs on the people of Iraq, and more specifically the women.

The most beautiful aspect of this memoir is that it allows Americans to see the pain extremism inflicts on the average Muslim person who simply desires peace and a normal life.

In this empowering story of feminism, a group of young women refuse to let an extremist government oppress their desire to learn with an open mind and an uncovered head.

As India is beginning to prosper and the people of the slum find themselves surrounded by five star hotels and a new international airport, even the poorest and youngest members work endlessly to find a way out.

However, when the slum is struck by terror and a global recession, the struggle of poverty is revealed as many kind, honest, and hardworking people are forced to abandon their morals to feed their families. In a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit, this book also shows the courage, imagination, and raw humanity of even the poorest uneducated child.

When I was in Mumbai just a few weeks ago, I was sitting inside the very airport this book describes looking down onto the slum. I asked myself why am I here when there is a girl just like me inside that slum who has probably spent her entire life looking up at this airport and dreaming of the day she gets to go inside.

This novel is written as if it is from the perspective of the first wife of Earnest Hemmingway. Reading this book is the closest thing we have to time travel as the reader is launched into the jazz, art, cafes, and scandals of Paris during the 1920’s through the experiences of the woman who was married to the man that made it legendary. As wife to the celebrity of the decade, she struggles with her husband’s self-absorbed nature, alcoholism, and infidelity. A new side of the lost generation is shown from the perspective of a wife who tried to maintain her true self in a new age.

Eat Pray Love is a wonderful book but I must also recommend the movie version. Julia Roberts is sensational as she portrays a woman who travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia on an adventure of self-discovery. The movie adaptation wonderfully captures the simultaneous serenity and madness of India that can only be understood through sight. This movie is sure to give you a case of wanderlust as Roberts perfectly portrays the joy and overwhelming sense of happiness that comes from embarking on an adventure you didn’t know you were brave enough to begin.

This cautionary tale follows a Southern Baptist preacher who moves his family from Georgia to Africa on a mission to convert all of the Congo to Christianity. This entertaining story follows the uprooted lives of his children who eventually befriend and learn from the people of the Congo. Their father, however, refuses to believe the Congo has anything to teach him because of his ‘superiority’ to the Congolese people.

The pastor’s unwillingness to learn about the people, their customs, or their way of life leads to comical misunderstandings such as the pastor’s dismay as the result of no one wanting to be baptized when in fact, he was offering to baptize them in a crocodile infested lake.

The pastor learns a hard lesson from his lack of success while the previous minister of the Congo who respected the people and their customs was successful in sharing Christianity and was loved by the community.

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the uncommon

housewife written by Leslie Albritton Growing Old in Swimsuit Purgatory

C

an I just say just how much I loathe swimsuit season? Not the actually season but the other word – swimsuit and the dreaded ego crushing act of trying to find a stylish new swimsuit that covers up and camouflages all the unflattering parts. I look forward to swimsuit shopping about as much as I look forward to my yearly gynecologist visit. Flipping through racks of overpriced miniscule pieces of material that cost more than a weekend getaway to Florida can bring about a mental breakdown or at least a nervous tic.

With summer at the backdoor and a beach trip with a few girlfriends on the horizon, I mustered up what little swimsuit courage I had feeling hopeful this time would be different. However, my latest excursion to the local mall ended in a particularly unfortunate shopping experience.

Wandering the aisles amongst the various floral patterns and prints, I was astonished at what passes for a swimsuit nowadays. I swear there is more material on my shoe strings than some of the slinky dental floss bikinis hanging off the racks. What little shred of optimism I had fades as I hasten my steps to the more conservative section.

I hurriedly snag a few pieces resembling something between “skimpy teenager” and “old lady” and make my way to the chamber of horrors known as the dressing room. Knowing what lies next, I begin to feel my heart rate increase and start sweating like I’m smuggling drugs across the border.

The circulation to my lower extremities is slowly being cut off as I somehow

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compress my body into the tightly stretched lycra. I stiffly turn around and there I am in all my pale white, untanned glory.

My winter weight proudly on display reminding me of the Thanksgiving pumpkin pies, followed by rich Christmas fudge cakes and the enormous Valentine tin filled with assorted chocolates my husband gave me on love day. I am unable to see the results of the salad I ate for lunch last week at all! Go figure. Why are the mirrors so dang big? Why is the lighting so bright? Why are there dimples on the back of my thighs? Noooo… not cellulite! Okay, in all honesty, I know I have cellulite but I have perfected the art of forgetting it’s there.

The sales girl, a bubbly brunette with less body fat than my little finger, taps lightly on the door. “Hey, how is it going in there? You doing alright? Need me to get you another size?” She asked, a little louder than necessary.

“No.” I replied despondently back to Ms. Bubbles. “It’s not another size I need.

It’s another body!” Ugh, I should have consumed a few glasses of wine before I started on this calamitous debacle.

I quickly unpeel the suit off of me and try on the others with much the same luck. Looking in a 3-way mirror under the atrocious glow of fluorescent lighting wearing nothing but ill-fitted synthetic fabric should be labeled as

a hate crime. I left the swimsuits along with my dignity in a pile on the dressing room floor. Depressed, the decision to become a social pariah for the summer started looking very appealing.

Let’s face it; there is nothing more lethal to the female psyche as the demented search for that perfect or near perfect beach wear. This was not the case for me in my younger years, but Mother Nature has a way of changing one’s way of thinking.

In my skinny teens and twenties I looked forward to bikini weather and trying on that perfect bikini to match my sun kissed tan. My thirties saw me dressing a bit more modestly opting for more coverage like that of a one-piece with a skirted bottom or a sassy sarong.

Now here in my fossilized forties, I could possibly be mistaken for a nun taking the veil while at a day on the beach.

Oh, fountain of my youth where are you? It seems just yesterday I was frolicking in the beach sand on my high school senior trip; tanned and toned in my purple flowered bikini without a care in the world. I remember picking out that particular bathing suit. It took me less than thirty minutes to select, try on, and purchase. It seems the older I get the harder it is to find a decent suit that lifts, flatters and stays put on this middle aged body.

Leslie Albritton is a simple girl living in a country world.

She is married to Brent and lives on a small farm in Farmerville with their daughter Nicole. They raise mini donkeys, mini horses and mini goats, hence the "small" farm. A runner, biker and kayaker she enjoys all things outdoors, especially the furry and four legged kind.

Getting older has not only affected my hardships in the swimming wear department, it has also turned me into a hardcore fighter. I’m fighting gray hairs, wrinkles, and the urge to punch out those referring to me as ma’am when I’m only a few tiny years older than they are.

I decided, way before I was anywhere near the neighborhood of forty, that when I hit middle aged I would embrace it with open arms and not try to conceal it away underneath hair dyes, wrinkle creams and salad days. I would happily accept that my size 10 belongs in a 10 and not tightly squeezed into a size 8. I would abide by the age old rule that women of a ‘certain age’ must opt for a bob cut and do away with their long locks of yesteryear. It is so easy to be blissfully naïve when you are young. As it stands today my cosmetic cabinet is stocked with more anti-wrinkle creams and moisturizers than Olay and Aveeno combined. On a good day I have managed to get this size 10 into a size 6 with the miraculous help of spanks. And lastly, not being a big fan of the helmet hairstyle, I still sport around my long lengths with monthly appointments to cover up the persistent gray highlights that seemingly sprout and multiple each month.

Who wants to grow old gracefully? What does that even mean?

So, while I’m still in search for the Benjamin Button pill to turn back the clock along with the wrinkles, the grays and return my purple bikini body back, I will continue to fight the good fight one box of Clairol at a time.

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ice cream & other things that should be discussed

written by Ashley Maddox

Summer Memories

W

ell it’s officially summertime.

The kids are out of school and the temperature is on its way to triple digits.

It’s time for swimming, sno cones, and ice cream. And, if we are honest with ourselves, summer is always a time of reminiscing, reliving those moments we had as children with our family and friends. Splashing in the pool, going to vacation bible school, etc. One of my favorite memories is making homemade ice cream with my dad.

First, let me talk about my dad. He is the reason I have the sweet tooth I do. As a child, I remember my dad eating a few sweets: ice cream, milkshakes, Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, and vanilla wafers with peanut butter on them (delicious). He wasn’t a big cake or candy bar eater. He usually ate these treats an hour or so after dinner. You will find the same routine at my house.

My husband and I will have dinner and then an hour or so later I have either ice cream (preferably Blue Bell) or cookies and milk. I do this most days during the week. I’m not saying it’s healthy but it is definitely how I was raised and I can’t seem to break the habit.

Growing up, making homemade ice cream was a big deal. My dad loved it.

He got his recipe from his cousin’s wife.

He let my sister and I help him make the ice cream and we loved doing it because we loved our daddy.

Over time, my sister stopped helping because she didn’t have the love for the ice cream like dad and I did. Dad and I worked over the years to perfect the recipe from how many eggs to what brand of whipping cream to use. Trust

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me, there is a noticeable difference when you stray off the beaten path. One of the big issues is the vanilla. It has to be real vanilla. My dad had gotten some vanilla from Mexico. It smelled amazing and I somehow convinced myself it would taste the same as it smelled. My dad tried to tell me it wouldn’t but I didn’t believe him. Needless to say, he was right and I was very disgusted at the taste of the vanilla. So much so that I have never tried it again!

I remember mixing all the ingredients together and then pouring the mix into the container and putting everything into the ice cream maker. We would set up the ice cream maker under the carport or in the store room because it was so loud. You had to wait until it sounded like the motor was struggling before the ice cream was ready. As a child, that seemed like an eternity but it was so worth it. Everyone loved my dad’s ice cream.

After everyone had eaten as much as they could, we would pour the remaining ice cream into a Tupperware bowl and put it in the freezer. Dad and I would spend the next few days eating as much as we could until it was gone.

This reminds me of one of my other favorite ice cream memories, eating ice cream with the dog.

Now my sister Meagan and I had a German Shepard named Mckenzie and he was the best dog in the world. He let us take naps on him, he stopped us from running into the lake, and protected us at all times. We loved that dog so much.

So naturally we shared a lot of things with him, including the homemade ice cream. Now when I say shared, here is what I mean. Meagan and I would get the aforementioned Tupperware bowl and 3 spoons. Meagan had a spoon, I had a spoon, and Mckenzie had a spoon. We each had our own section in the bowl and we each ate off of our own spoon. Mckenzie loved the ice cream as you can imagine.

Since Mckenzie was a part of the family we didn’t think anything about just putting that Tupperware container right back in the freezer and eating out of it again later. My dad had no idea that we were feeding the dog out of the container so he kept eating out of it too.

When we became adults and told him about this he was not very happy with us as you can imagine.

My dad and I still make homemade ice cream together and I also make it with my husband. However, we no longer share it with the dog.

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

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 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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25

Nope. So in honor of Lisa the Lemon Head, Chevy Vegas, summertime, Robert Dinero, and Mike Golden, I offer you some lemon recipes that are perfect for this summer!

Although my favorite color is probably green… and lately I am sort of enamored with turquoise… I do love the color Yellow – especially during the summertime. It just shrieks of summer fun. So, that got me thinking about yellow flowers and yellow food and … some of my favorite recipes for lemons and squash!

Lemons are of course the first thing that come to mind when you think of Yellow Food. The poor lemon is kind of mixed up I think. On one hand, it is just a happy little fruit --- all bright and sunshiny. But on the other hand, the lemon is used to describe that Chevy Vega in the shop or the sour puss you have to work with every day (Lisa the Lemon Head). Looks like this symbol of summertime and little Johnny’s spirit of entrepreneurship has a negative side as well.

But, when all is said and done, lemons are pretty amazing!

What is prettier than a bowl of lemons sitting on a kitchen table? What is more refreshing than a glass of sweet lemonade when the thermometer is inching up to triple digits? What is more entertaining than watching someone eat a lemon and make the inevitable Robert Dinero face?

It doesn’t end there. Do you remember the experiment in high school where you had to make electricity by using a lemon? Well, I don’t either really because I was too busy thinking about how cute Mike Golden was… but I think there was an experiment like that. And there’s more. The classic book “Hints from Heloise” is full of things a lemon can do to remove stains or freshen a garbage disposal and stuff like that. It never ends really.

So, we have this fruit that is decorative, refreshing, handy, educational AND entertaining! Can an apple do all that?

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I've paired these sweet treats with a couple of quick and easy squash recipes. Now, although not all squash is yellow – we can include it here due to poetic license. So – just humor me and know that you do not have to use yellow squash for all these recipes – feel free to sub in zucchini or whatever you like. When the squash come in, they will come in with a vengeance and take over your kitchen! Skip one day of picking them and you are covered up in baseball bat size squash – which does not hurt the feelings of the chickens who get to eat the squashes that get too big.

Random note of the day: Did you know that squash can have a plural (as in squashes) or not? One squash… five squash or five squashes. I have never heard of anyone saying they picked a bunch of squashes. Have you? Did you know that if a word does not have a plural form it is called a plurate tantum? Well, now you do. Other words with no plural form are buffalo, moose, sheep, bison, swine, salmon, trout, pike.. but not another vegetable that I can think of except maybe okra? I don’t remember anyone ever saying that they picked a big ole mess of okras. I am sure that squash is not a true plurate tantum (I just wanted an excuse to use that phrase again), but I think it should be.

Another cool fact about plurals…. If words chang form to become a plural it is called a mutated plural. Examples would be foot - feet or tooth - teeth or mouse - mice. I think we should change the plural of squash to squish. Squash – squish. That cracks me up. Anyway, I am not sure of the correct singular/plural form (I am sure my brilliant librarian sister Annie would know), but I do love squash or squashes or even squish and I love these delicious recipe for whatever you want to call them.

Enjoy your summer.... Visit your Farmer’s Market and shop local… Cook fresh food!

Rosemary Thomas is an avid cook and gardener who enjoys the challenge of owning the Ruston restaurant, Rosemary's Kitchen and working with her daughter.

Use this lovely, sweet, lemon cream to put into tarts or between layers of a cake or just eat it with a spoon – why not?

Ingredients

3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (can use bottled in a pinch) 1/4 cup butter 1 Tbsp. lemon zest

Directions

Use a double boiler. Beat the eggs and sugar and then add in the juice, butter, and zest. Cook in the top of the double boiler over simmering water until thick.

Keep stirring it the entire time. It will take about 15 or 20 minute to thicken up (but it will be worth it! Stay the course!). Once thickened up, go ahead and remove it from the heat. You don’t want it to curdle. Stir it for a few more minutes as it cools.

From my sister who selfishly sacrificed her tastebuds to retest this childhood recipe.

What a trooper! Here's what she had to say: “Yep. Still good after all these years.”

2 cups flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 cup butter – softened to room temp Mix these ingredients and press into a 13X9 pan. Bake for 20 min at 350 degrees.

1 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour 4 eggs 6 Tbsp. lemon juice Powdered sugar Mix well the sugar, flour, and egg. Add 6 Tablespoons lemon juice. Mix well. Pour over baked crust. Bake again at 350 degrees for an additional 25 minutes.

Cool. Dust with powdered sugar.

2 cups sugar 1 cup water Juice of 8 lemons Rinds of 3 lemons cut into thin strips Boil water, sugar and rind for 5 minutes and then let cool. Add the juice of 8 lemons. Strain and keep in a covered jar in fridge.

When you want a glass of lemonade, use 2-3 Tbsp. of syrup for every glass.

Fill with water and ice and add a sprig of mint for color. Little Johnny (and his lemonade stand) would be proud!

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2 to 2 1/2 pounds of yellow squash 1 onion chopped 1/2 tsp. salt 6 Tbsp. butter 1 1/2 cup whole kernel corn 1/2 tsp pepper 1 cup (or more) shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cup crushed corn chips (divided) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice squash and cook in covered sauce pan with onion and salt until tender. Drain and mash up a bit. Drain again. Add butter, corn, pepper, cheese, and another 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 cup of the crushed corn chips. Pour into a buttered baking dish and top with remaining 1/2 cup corn chips. Bake about 20 min until heated through and cheese is melted.

Good stuff.

Pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar Add sautéed jalapeno for a little more heat Add red bell pepper for a little color Use whatever chips you have – tortilla chips or even potato chips!

2 - 4 yellow squash – chopped or sliced 1/4 - 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 3 - 4 green onions – chopped 1 clove garlic – minced 1 – 2 tomatoes – chopped into large chunks 1/2 cup grated cheese (your choice) Parmesan cheese to top Salt and pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oil Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté pepper and onion in a little EVOO for about 5 minutes and then add squash, garlic, salt and pepper.

Sauté until just barely tender. Place in greased casserole and put tomato on top. Stir in cheese and sprinkle with Parmesan. Cover and bake until cheese melts.

This is oh-so-easy and really tastes fresh.

Perfect for when you need a quick dish and are desperate to use up that extra squash and tomato from the garden!

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Bubbles the Ridgeback Rescue

M

eet Bubbles the Ridgeback rescue and newest member of our family.

What?

Ok, so maybe she isn't a full-blood Ridgeback.

What?

Fine! She's a Yorkie!

But look at her droopy ears! She could have something else in her bloodline. It could be Ridgeback. Maybe. Doubtful.

I've written before that I had a Yorkie which passed away right before I found out I was pregnant with my son.

If you recall, I was so torn up when my companion of 10 years passed away that I had him preserved. And by preserved I mean stuffed. After Atticus was born in 2006, I just couldn't handle housebreaking and potty training so we were dogless for the last 10 years. Even as Atticus became more independent, I just couldn't stomach having another dog and possibly losing it. At the bed and breakfast I could thwart most dog talk because you never knew who would complain about a dog being around and who wouldn't. Plus, at the bed and breakfast we lived in such tight quarters we did not need to add another body to the mix -- animal or human!

When we got out of the bed and breakfast business a year ago, I started thinking about having a dog again. However, Atticus was never very receptive to dogs or any animal really. I actually became worried I had missed the window when children love puppies and kittens and watering that love will make them grow into animal loving adults.

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Pitching the dog as a pet for Atticus though was just a ploy, I was ready for a dog.

between pet and show quality. The breed runs $1,200-2,000! Isn't that ridiculous!?

During the time we toyed with moving to our farmland instead of selling it, like we eventually did, I had discovered the Rhodesian Ridgeback. They are big and beautiful. I wanted a big dog because the little, bitty Yorkie face still broke my heart. I couldn't do small again. Plus, I wanted my son to know the joy of a big dog loping along beside him during his walks around town. I also knew I didn't want a puppy. I wanted a dog. I had no desire to go through puppy years.

Puppies are cute but we wanted a dog that was done growing.

I'm going to say this as someone not in the industry and just a person wanting a pet that's a certain breed: If you are a breeder charging those prices for a family pet then you are just as much part of the problem as a puppy mill. You are not protecting the breed you are making it unattainable and therefore forcing people into puppy mills. If you care about the breed, spay and neuter the pups before offering them for purchase and lower the price. You've protected the breed and offered a family a pet they can afford.

The Ridgeback breed is expensive, though. I just wanted a pet not a show dog, not that pricing is all that different

In December, we started our search for a rescued Ridgeback. There are gobs of breed specific rescues out there that

"save" these specific breeds from pounds and shelters. I had never adopted an animal before. I now hold the belief I could have adopted a child easier. I have four friends that foster in other states and they have assured me my experience with the two Ridgeback Rescue groups was not typical. This column is not to trash rescues trying to do good work. I'm just saying I filled out an application that fell short of asking for a blood sample and my credit history. After four months of email exchanges, no in-home visit, a three hours drive to a shelter and being stalled for weeks we were not blessed with a Ridgeback. However, we were offered the name of a breeder so we could buy one.

Banging. Head. On. Desk.

I had documented a great deal of my struggle on social media.

As a result, I got the following email: "...would you be willing to take a 2 year old Yorkie? She was my mom's and Nana just can't take care of her anymore."

I stared at that email for a long time. A. Yorkie. A. Stinking.

Cute faced. Yorkie. I knew his mother had passed away and that Nana, who was 82 years old, had been taking care of the dog for over a year.

Hugh had to be over in Nana's neighborhood anyway and agreed to go glance at this dog. Glance! He then picked up Atticus and they went back and did another glance! Yorkie face got my boy! Stinking. Fuzzy. Ewok looking. Yorkie face.

I went to see this sorry sack of a dog and she wagged her little nub tail so hard her whole butt shook. She raised up on my leg and looked up and you guessed it......YORKIE FACE. The cutest wootest wittle bitty Yorkie face you've ever seen. Yes, she is. Wook at that wittle furry face. Just gonna eat her up.

You’ve known her for so long. Now, suddenly, something has changed.

You’ve known her for so long. Now, suddenly, something has changed.

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Our services include:

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You’ve known her for so long. Now, suddenly, something has changed.

If you or a loved one is experiencing changes in For Quality the ability to cope with daily living, Senior Care at Minden Medical Center is here to help.

For more information If you or a loved one is experiencing changes in or to living, schedule a free, the ability to cope with daily Senior Care confidential assessment, at Minden Medical Center is here to help. call us at 318-371-5646.

Senior Care is available to persons age 55 and over with --------------------------------------------------------------------------------You have a choice when it comes to caring for your health. Make it a smart one, a mental or cognitive decline that hinders daily life, who and choose the area hospital that was named one of the nation’s top performers Hope is only a phone call away. has become a threat to self or others, or is limited in selfDarla lives in Jefferson, Texas, on key quality measures two years in a row. care ability. Our mental health professionals are available where she raises her son, through our 24 hour referral line to discuss treatment Atticus We’re Gregory, with her proud to be recognized

by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor significant other, Hugh Lewis II. needs and are devoted to helping patients get back to healthcare organizations in the nation, for our achievements in quality… but Prior to of being a self-employed, www.MindenMedicalCenter.com their optimal level of functioning. to be chosen by you. Minden Medical Center stay at homewe’re momeven shemore wasproud a #1 Medical Plaza | Minden, LA Civil Litigation Paralegal formatters a understands what most toOur patients and their families – safe and services include: defense effective firm in care.

NorthWe Carolina. are committed to providing the highest quality care possible, After leaving North Carolina, • Free initial consultation Management of secondary with thefor expertise technology that you expect at • larger she livedalong in Houston a shortand leading edge • Thorough assessment medical needs hospitals, all conveniently close to home. time. She eventually returned • Customized treatment • Continued care planning to her hometown of Texarkana,

plans and referral assistance Texas, where she met Hugh while • choose Group, individual, and working at the Texarkana Gazette as a production assistant.

Whatever your healthcare need, Minden Medical Center. family counseling When they met, Hugh was the owner/operator of the AlleyMcKay House Bed & Breakfast. Girl meets boy, girl falls www.mindenmedicalcenter.com in love with boy, girl has a baby and gets a bed and breakfast?

It happened. But after 10 years they decided to get out of the For more information business. They purchased a historic building right smack in or to schedule a free, the middle of downtown Jefferson and started over. Renting the bottom portion to businesses and living upstairs means confidential assessment, lots of opinions from the locals about everything from paint call us at 318-371-5646. colors to flowers to plant. Darla now spends a lot of time attempting DIY renovations and yelling off her balcony at friends passing by below. Her once hectic life in hospitality Hope is only a phone call away. has now slowed to gardening and gossiping. Atticus Gregory who was once the Eloise of the bed & breakfast is starting to show signs of a mustache, has a voice deeper than his father's and is getting texts from little girls. Luckily, no matter what life hands her, she has a good sense of humor, www.MindenMedicalCenter.com vodka and her typewriter. #1 Medical Plaza | Minden, LA

Senior Care is available to persons age 55 and over with a mental or cognitive decline that hinders daily life, who has become a threat to self or others, or is limited in selfcare ability. Our mental health professionals are available through our 24 hour refer al line to discuss treatment 31

redeemed &

free indeed written by Sara Enloe

The Truth About the Lies

"Y

ou know what, Sara? You’ll be really beautiful once you get down to your goal weight. The reason you’re still single is because God knows your husband wouldn’t love the way you look right now. Lose that weight and maybe then you can get married.”

Lies. Trash. Garbage. But the more you allow yourself to think on a lie, the truer it begins to sound to you. Subconsciously, you get in agreement with the lie and it becomes your truth.

I have always felt less than. The media doesn’t help- the constant message to consumers is “You’re not good enough!”

Don’t believe me? Just tune in during a commercial break to find out all the stuff you ‘need’: You need this concealer to hide those blemishes, this creamer to zap those wrinkles, this diet pill because your body isn’t perfect, and on and on and ON… UGH. I am so tired of the enemy using what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears to negate and distract from the Word of God. The only reason that “you’re not good enough” message is so prevalent is that it keeps people shelling out big money to the diet and beauty industry in the never-ending, impossible quest for physical perfection. We have bought into the lie that what we look like defines us.

Is there a solution? What is the truth? The truth is that our value is found in our Creator, God. He made us so He gets to say who we are- NO ONE ELSE! Not the media, not our parents, not our friends- not even ourselves!

The good news is that He speaks LOVE and ACCEPTANCE over us! He showed us our tremendous worth by sending His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we could have eternal life. The price He paid for us is immeasurable- what insecurity can exist when you learn that you are a co-heir with Christ, God’s own child, His beloved son or daughter?

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Song of Solomon 4:7 describes how God sees you, Reader: “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.”

Psalm 139:13-14 says that God made you, Reader: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Ephesians 2:10 explains that you are God’s work of art, Reader: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

I pray that you would ask God if there are any lies you are believing as truth. Let Him speak to your heart and refresh your soul with His perfect love, which casts out fear.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” -Romans 12:2 Here’s to freedom and truth reigning in your life!

HAPPY SUMMER! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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bringing back

the past

written by Wesley Harris COUPONS AND COFFEE STRETCHER: World War II Rationing Changed How Americans Lived and Ate

M

y grandmother never threw away anything. Not that she was a hoarder. She kept a simple, clean home without trails meandering through mountains of newspapers, mystery boxes, and other paraphernalia typically associated with a hoarder. No, she never discarded anything because she had so little and what she had might be needed again. Bacon grease was saved for frying. Potted plants received coffee grounds as fertilizer.

She made her own quilts from scraps of cloth, cooked everything from scratch, and maintained her own milk cow and chickens until she could no longer care for them.

If I held the refrigerator door open too long, she reminded me the escaping cool air cost her money. I didn’t dare leave on a light as I left a room. She bought cattle feed in colorful cloth sacks that served as material to make her dresses.

Grandmother was the most frugal person I’ve ever known. So I was not surprised while cleaning out her house after her death in 1982, we discovered her World War II ration book. I don't know if Grandmother assumed rationing would return and she would need ration coupons again or if she kept the book as a memento of those hard times.

As I examined the ration book, I could not help but think about her difficult life through the Great Depression and World War II. When America entered the war in 1941, Grandmother was raising my mother and her two brothers, the three ranging in age from four to eight. Rationing only exacerbated a trying family situation. Frugality was a product of necessity through much of her life.

WWII caused shortages of manufactured materials, including metal, rubber, and clothing. But food shortages affected everyone. With markets around the world inaccessible, some imported foods like coffee and sugar were unavailable in quantity.

Much of the processed and canned

34

food was reserved for shipping overseas to the military and our Allies.

Food transportation across America was limited by gasoline and tire rationing and the priority of transporting soldiers and war supplies.

Because of these shortages, the federal Office of Price Administration established a rationing system to manage the distribution of foods in short supply. Every American received a series of ration books.

The ration books contained removable coupons necessary for buying certain rationed items like sugar, meat, canned goods, and cooking oil. A rationed item could not be bought without giving the grocer the appropriate ration stamp.

Once a person depleted the ration stamps for a specific item for the month, no more could be purchased.

This meant planning meals with care, utilizing creative menus, and avoiding waste. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program.

was but impossible to acquire. Even Thanksgiving football was suspended.

The Detroit Lions, who have hosted an annual Thanksgiving game since 1934, put the tradition on hold between 1939 and 1944.

Citizens found innovative ways to compensate for the shortages. When a car owner could not obtain a new tire, one might be fabricated from wood.

“Coffee stretcher,” a concoction of roasted grains added to coffee to make it go further. People were encouraged to grow “Victory Gardens” in their backyards to supplement the food supply and contribute to the war effort.

Examples of Rationed Items Between January 1942 - April 1944:

Holidays like Thanksgiving were quite different during wartime on the Home Front. The traditional turkey centerpiece

Most wartime food rationing ended in November 1945. The first item to come off the list was coffee.

The privations and inconveniences endured by those back home hardly compared to those in the service overseas or the suffering and starvation experienced in war-torn countries.

Those years, however, influenced how the people who struggled through them would live the rest of their lives.

Tires, Cars, Bicycles, Gasoline, Fuel Oil & Kerosene, Solid Fuels, Stoves, Rubber Footwear, Shoes, Sugar, Coffee, Processed Foods, Meats, Canned Fish, Cheese, Canned Milk, Fats, Typewriters

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.

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35

the journey written by Jason McReynolds Correction

C

an we talk about something that nobody likes. When this pops up we always say “NOPE!!! I’m out! You know when a friend comes to you and starts the conversation with, “So we’ve been friends for a while and you know I love you, right?” You’re mind jumps straight to, “This can’t be good!” Still struggling for what I’m referring to? Let’s go a different route.

Do you know what the top three reasons that Americans give for leaving a local church are?

The first is a selfish/consumeristic mindset. They don't like the speaker or the music or the type of community about the church. That is primarily an American construct.

The second is because of sin within the church. Whether it’s drama, a Pastoral sin, conflict, unnecessary control or power, loneliness, fakeness, etc.

The third is because of confrontation.

People may have their sin pointed out and instead of dealing with it or acknowledging it or admitting it they choose to leave the church. This is also an American construct because all you have to do is find another church in town and start all over.

One of two things normally happen after this... 1. The individual will go find a church that will let them continue their sin. Or 2. The next church they attend will point their sin out and they leave that church and then the next church and the next church and so on.

Today I want to talk about that last one

36

specifically: correction & rebuke. Simply put this is pointing out someone's sin to them. Now, in a perfect world this would go smoothly. Sin would be pointed out in a loving manner and the person would quit that sin and grow closer to Christ. But we live in a sinful world so it is very easy for this to get very messy very fast. You’ve probably experienced a situation like this go sour in one form or another whether it’s a relationship or in the church. So how do we prevent things from getting messy & keep a Christ centered view during the whole situation?

First let’s backup and talk about correction. Correction and rebuke are to be used to edify (instruct or improve morally) the church. Edification in the church is designed to build up believers so they can be conformed to the image and character of Christ. Encouragement is part of the edification process. We love encouragement, right? But so is correction and rebuke. Correction or rebuke is corrective measures taken by an individual, church leaders, or the congregation regarding a matter of sin in the life of a believer. But listen, rebuke isn't just the role of a pastor, it is the role of every Christ follower to other Christ followers. The reason pastors get deep into sin while the congregation suspects things are going on is b/c no one has the guts to step up, ask questions, & rebuke.

Correction is designed to challenge and encourage you to go deeper with Jesus. Now, our culture has demonized confrontation and defined it to mean "a fight" by the time we are in middle school. But the definition of confront is “to deal with something in an honest and direct way.” So what is the purpose of correction & rebuke? It is not punishment. It is discipline. Discipline is designed to train and restore. But how do we keep it from getting angry, messy, & turning into a fight?

We have to be immersed in Scripture.

Scripture gives us incredible details about who to correct & how to correct.

God’s word has to be important to us.

It has to be the most influential thing in our lives because everyone else will tell you a “better way” to correct someone and it’ll get messy. When God’s word becomes more important to us than other people’s opinions, we end up seeing the value of rebuke and correction and desire it in our lives.

2 Tim. 3:16 tells us that Scripture is our foundation on which we correct Christians.

Now many of us may consider this judging others, which Jesus tells us not to do. However, Jesus speaks of us not judging others as lesser than ourselves in Matthew 7:3-5. For example, don’t tell someone they’re a horrible person when you’re a gossip yourself not

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.neworleanscommunitychurch.com

even attempting repentance. As Christ followers we are actually commanded to judge not against one another but against Scripture and the Holy Spirit and God’s holiness.

Rebuke is not for someone who acknowledges their sin and is working hard on their sin but stills fails every once in a while. It is not for those that you see progress with. Correction is for 2 types of Christians: 1. Those who don't know or recognize they have sin.

2. Those who acknowledge they have sin and refuse to repent or do anything about it. This does not include nonchristians, but those within the church.

And we are not to do this with greedy, power hungry, sinful motives, but with love. 1 Cor. 5:12-13 tells us that we don't judge those outside the church, only those inside. Outsiders don't play by the same rules. They are not under the law of Christ so we cannot expect them to obey Christ. Lead them to Jesus by loving them first and then help them grow in Christ.

The proper response to rebuke is to study scripture, acceptance, &

repentance. Proverbs is filled with verses about correction and rebuke.

- Proverbs 17:10 - "A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes on a fool."

- Proverbs 12:1 - "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

- Proverbs 15:32 - "Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence."

Scripture also talks about correcting different types of Christ followers in different ways.

- Ephesians 6:4 - "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Even with our three children we have to correct them in different ways that will work with their personalities. We can talk directly to my oldest and he’ll accept correction.

My middle child needs a tactile example for him to understand. My youngest is a girl and she’s like a moving dart board.

It completely depends on her mood as to how to deal with her. Sometimes it’s applying some pressure and sometimes it’s giving her space to think about things.

- 1 Timothy 5:1-2 - "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." When we correct we are to love them as if they are our family.

Ultimately, what we are talking about here is how to love someone and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus. Christ followers are not called to be passive & just slump through life.

When correction and rebuke are done properly in love, all excuses dissipate.

We are called to actively engage w/ Christ in the Holy Spirit & challenge other Christ followers to grow deeper in Him through correction to lift up the body of Christ.

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

37

a novel approach written by Winnie Griggs

The Art Of Backstory – Part IV

T

his is the fourth in a series of articles I’m bringing you about qeaving backstory into your work. In previous articles I discussed what backstory is and what and how much should be included in your manuscript and when to include it. I also discussed one of the methods you can use, namely Omniscient Narration. This time around, I’ll be discussing Flashbacks and Prologues.

So Let's Start with Flashbacks: I’m sure everyone here has, if not written a flashback, at least read one before.

These are sections of backstory that are told in present tense as if they are happening now. They are blow-by-blow accounts and can be quite effective if used properly, but if and when you do decide to use them, be very careful to use them sparingly and keep them tight.

Keys to making it work:

• When writing a Flashback, make certain you orient the reader so that she immediately knows when you are moving into a flashback and then when you are moving out of it.

Use the conventions that readers are almost subconsciously familiar with either italicize it so that there is a visual cue to the reader, or use the verb tense convention of leading with past tense, moving into present during the body of the flashback, and then easing back out again with past tense.

• If it’s important for us to know the when and where of the flashback, insert this as smoothly as possible. You can do this simply by starting with something along the lines of “It had been the morning of Evelyn’s twelfth birthday....” or “They had pulled him out of his Psych 101 class to deliver the news...”

• It’s also best to have the flashback follow a strong scene that pulls the reader forward, through the flashback, and on to the other side.

• Try to avoid inserting flashbacks too early in your story. Some folks will tell

38

you never do it in your first ten pages or even avoid using them before the third chapter. Actually, there are no hard and fast rules. The important thing is to scrutinize the need each time you use one, wherever it is placed, and to make certain the reader will care enough about your protagonist to be curious about this bit of backstory. In other words, you want the reader to have some emotional investment in learning this piece of the puzzle to what makes your character tick.

Flashbacks can be of any length, but normally range from a couple of sentences to a couple of pages. There are of course, the exceptions. I’ve read books that start out with some dramatic scene and then spend the next several chapters, sometimes half the book, showing us how we arrived at that point.

Frame stories are the most extreme example of this. A frame story is one that starts after the main story action is complete, and then tells the rest of the story as one long flashback, with perhaps a short wrap-up at the end.

Why would you want to employ a frame story? There are several reasons. A couple are: • To show dual perspectives - the protagonist as he’s experiencing the story events and also as he's reflecting on them afterwards • To pose a story question through some dramatic event that you then explain throughout the rest of the book.

Some Pros and Cons:

• Besides Omniscient Narrator, Flashbacks, can be the most obtrusive way to relay backstory because it is an obvious pause in the current action.

In fact, if you run flashbacks on for too long you could actually cause the

reader to temporarily lose the thread of your current story.

• Because flashbacks employee a ‘show don’t tell’ methodology, they tend to be longer than other methods.

• However, the other side of the coin is that because Flashbacks DO employ that 'show don’t tell’ methodology, they can provide a more effective ‘punch’ or emotional tug. If done properly, a flashback will bring the backstory of your characters alive, and is dramatic in its own right.

• And sometimes there is just no other way to feed the information to the reader effectively.

Here are some examples from movies: • The Fugitive: This is a good example of where flashbacks are employed at the very beginning to good effect. The movie opens with the police arriving at the murder scene, then we have a series of scenes where we juxtapose backstory events - scenes of Dr. Kimble and his wife at the party and immediately after - with ‘here and now’ scenes of Dr. Kimble’s arrest and trial.

• Forrest Gump – In this movie, very lengthy flashbacks are interspersed throughout the movie.

• Titanic: This is an example of a frame story. We open with Rose in the ‘here and now’ , then for most of the rest of the story we flashback to her time aboard the maiden voyage of the Titanic, then we end with a brief scene back in the ‘here and now’ .

Remember, revelation of Backstory is most effective when it both unveils the past and adds to the present situation.

That’s it for our discussion of Flashbacks.

Next time around I’ll discuss the use of Prologues and Introspection to reveal Backstory.

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

39

40

they mentioned I was going away for treatment to a hospital, but would not tell me where. That is all I know, Samuel.” efining quiet is the night, deep silence serenades the stars as they shine so brightly within the Heavens. Humid is this cloak that encompasses my body and soul. I am unable to breath, as the air is filled with perfume. Yet, it is not the silence that sings of dreams lost or the humidity that has caught my breath. Nor is it the sweet innocent fragrance of honeysuckle whispering on the waves of the wind, asking to be enjoyed. This is my journey. My only witnesses to these moments, are the solid oaks as we drive down the river to my destiny. I am alone in the truest form. Surrounded by trees laced with silver moss, a driver who refuses to lift his head to see my face, and tell me of my destination. I am left to myself, and my thoughts have become my only companions. It is here that life as I have known it is being buried on this great old River Road. What is to come I do not know. The funeral of the past is being buried, as the future forces its way into my life with each whine of the wagon wheels.

Like liquid glass running over ivory porcelain I could see her reflection in the still moon light as tears begin to slip down those fair cheeks. I am of no importance to the majority of the world. Known as Samuel to friends, and the dark Negro to others. I am considered uneducated, yet trust worthy.

Such a contradiction I do not know or understand. They trust me to take people from their present home and carry them to their future destination; all the while silently keeping it a secret. I am to be a man who works in transition. I am able to fulfill the task they need, but regarded as unintelligent.

To say I am uneducated is false. I have the strips of slavery to prove my education. The hard knocks of life to verify I have a heart that beats within. This heart learns so quickly in a world full of pain and sorrow. I feel often at times more like an undertaker who quietly slips in under the cover of night, taking away precious ones from their families without an explanation. Taking their luggage, putting each piece one by one inside my wagon bed. Then briefly rising my head to point to the wagon seat for them to sit upon. Almost like the grim reaper, I stand in the shadows of dusk, awaiting the moment I can move my “cargo” to its future location. For it is only in night that I am allowed to fulfill this arrangement.

It has been just once that I have had to physically help someone in my wagon. The others know to simply get in, for no amount of fighting will stop this moment of death. Yet, at other times like, now I feel like a preacher. Overwhelmed with great compassion for this young woman, who has no idea of the life ahead of her. I try to comfort and soothe the wounds of the people who find themselves next to me.

Helping them pass this transition into another season of life, while walking the fine lines of etiquette. I need the work, my heart wants to help, but my skin color dictates my closeness.

“Ahem… ma’am…Miss Lily you asked me earlier where you were headed. Do you not know? Has your family not mentioned your destination?”

“How do you know my name?” she asked me with a look of horror and surprise.

Running my hand over my face in frustration, did they not tell her anything I wondered? “I am Samuel, and Dr. Brooks asked that I pick you up. Now would you so kindly answer my question? Do you really not know where you are going?”

Slightly starting to sit up straight, I look over at this dark skinned man with a grass hat. With lines etching the outline of his mouth from the moon’s light, a day’s growth can be seen around his chin, but his eyes are hidden. I can feel them penetrating my face, unwavering until I answer. Clearing my throat, and battling my thoughts I respond in honesty. “Yes,

Good Lord, help me! Didn’t they know she would be scared!”

“Miss Lily you are heading up the river…see through the trees there. You can just make out the outline of the riverbed, and just around the bend you will find a house. We used to call it Indian plantation, but you ma’am would know it as Carville…the leprosy home.”

Dropping her head she begins to shake with overwhelming emotion. “Yes…yes… I know of Carville, but Mamma said it was a hospital. There was never any mention of Carville! I thought I would be able to leave after treatments.”

“Miss Lily I hate to tell you this, but unless a cure is found Carville will be your home indefinitely.”

Then it came. Like a rushing wind and rain from a hurricane the tears rolled and continued to slip down her beautiful cheeks. No more than a flower that just bloomed, she will have to bloom inside the walls of a humane prison. Life as Miss Lily knew it would be no more. Gently I slowed the horses. The moon creeps out from behind the clouds to display the grand oaks in all their majesty, while illuminating the path ahead to Carville. “Miss Lily look up.” Quietly she wipes her eyes with a lace handkerchief that seems so out of place, and peers at me in pain and wonder. “What I am going to say I want you to never forget, do you hear me?”

“Yes, Samuel I understand.”

“It may seem painful, but if you can remember this moment it will give you the courage to continue on in the days ahead.

Look ahead of us. Do you see how the path in front is bathe in the light from the moon, and now turn and look behind.

Do you see that darkness is covering the path surrounded by the trees? Life is often like that Miss Lily. The Good Lord said in his word, ‘That he will make our paths straight, and order our steps.’ Life’s paths may seem to not make sense, and often times be full of heartache. But, if you can stop and look over your past like this dark road behind us and realize it was only for a season, but now the season has changed.

The light is now ahead of us to guide us forward. We too in life must let the past lay behind and walk forward into the light of life. I know this is hard for you, but someday you will thank God for this life you are living. He will lead you just as this moon’s light is leading us straight to Carville. Now, dry those eyes, calm those thoughts, and breathe in this warm air.”

He continued, "In the emotion of letting go of your home, you almost missed the beauty of transition, Miss Lily. Do you hear the river? Its waters sing of the promise of longevity.

The crickets chirp to the music of the whipping wind. And the honeysuckles release their fragrance of beauty for your enjoyment. Life Miss Lily is not over, it simply took a turn you thought you were not prepared for, but you are. Breathe deeply for a new season is coming into your life. In fact we will be there shortly. Are you ready?” “………Yes…Samuel I am ready; let’s go.”

Quietness enveloped us as we approached the halls of Carville. The ghosts from the past seemed to haunt me as the horse turned into the drive. This house so grand was surrounded in a solemn mist, and almost appeared gloomy as the moon slide out showering it with a glow. Gas lamps illuminated the wide porch. This place was where my father and grandfather served as Master Thompson’s slaves. In the stillness I can still remember him saying “Get that son of yours Samuel out to the field. He is old enough to work.”

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That day was the day cruelty’s grip for me came to life. Racism was shown in its truest form. I saw my pappy whipped for not answering the master quick enough. They beat him so bad, he never recovered. Three days later the good Lord took him home.

We buried him across the way, down by the river.

My thoughts were suddenly broken by Miss Lily’s sigh. “Samuel, this place looks awful scary. With eyes full of fear she asked, ‘Are they nice here?’” How could I tell her she would be treated as a person with no rights? In reality how do I tell her she would be treated like a slave with no voice? Of course no whippings, but her desires would have to conform to her surroundings and the will of others. Life as she knew it was over. Gently I said, “Miss Lily, they will treat you well. Just don’t ever lose your dreams that are within your heart. For it will be those and the Good Lord that sustains you.”

Our conversation had just come to a close when Dr. Henry stepped out on the porch. A young man of twenty-five he had arrived at Carville a week earlier from Tennessee to work with Dr. Brooks. Stepping down off the steps he walked straight to the buggy. “Thank you Samuel for bringing Miss Lily Hebert here.

Please place her bags on the porch they must be treated before arriving in her room.”

As Samuel got out of the buggy I thought my heart would stop.

He was the only familiar person I knew, and he was going to leave me. This man talking to Samuel did not sound like he was from here. Very abrupt and no non-sense he looked my way.

With the shadows covering his eyes, it did not stop the stare that had become all too familiar. I am sure he was wondering, “Where are the marks of leprosy?” Then it comes, the sheer look of disbelief. Was I even sick? but my spots are well hidden.

Hopefully they stay that way… what a sad ambition... So I return his stare. “You are?”

“I am Dr. Henry Smith. Welcome to Carville, Miss Lily Hebert. I hope you find this home and treatments to be a wonderful place.”

I just looked at him in disbelief. This place home! Too exhausted to even begin to explain why this will never be home, I simply respond “Thank you.” Lifting out his hand, he helps me down. “I know it is late, but you will be met by Sister Mary. She is waiting just inside the door to take you to the wash room to clean up, and then to take you to your room to rest. Please go ahead and go in.

I have a few things to finish up with Samuel.”

Turning around Dr. Henry looks at me. “Samuel, how did she do on the ride here?” “She did as best as can be expected Sir. Miss Lily was left to believe that she would be returning home after a few treatments. After speaking with her, she now is aware this is to be her new home. However, I don’t think she fully realizes

this place will be where she lives to old age and buried unless a cure is found.”

“Yes Samuel, thank you. I was afraid of that. I spoke with Dr. Brooks, and he mentioned that the family never told her the full truth of Carville. They thought it would be too hard on her. Well the damage is done. Tomorrow is a new day.”

“Dr. Henry… Sir…, if I may say so. I do believe Miss Lily will not only survive this ordeal. She will thrive. She has a deep strength within her…”

“Thank you Samuel; good night.”

“Good night, Dr. Henry.”

With the wind blowing through the trees, the moss begins to dance, longing for an audience. The river can be heard flowing on its way, and I sit here underneath the shade. I have been here at Carville for many years now. I am no longer known as Miss Lily. The titles seem to dissipate quite quickly here. There is no need for them. We are all equal, and fighting a battle within. I am simply Lily. To those close to me I am known as Lily Love. For you see dear reader, I chose very soon after my arrival to love in the midst of pain. In part because of Samuel. That journey long ago with Samuel will forever be etched within my memory. A night that started in fear, became a night of divine encounter. In one sentence the words he spoke, “In the emotion of letting go of your home, you almost missed the beauty of transition,” became my lifeline. I realized life is like a river. It continually flows to its destination no matter the storms that rage upon its waters. This raging of leprosy was not to stop my life. It just merely determined where I would live my life.

My destination at Carville was not in my plans, yet I am at peace.

There are many of us here. Some by choice others by decree.

There are a special few who feel called to come here. Having devoted their life to Christ, they come to serve us as we devote our lives to living through leprosy, and the medical staff devote theirs to finding a cure through our trials. We each have a destiny, and a purpose intertwined with each other in life. The night I arrived Sister Mary took me to the wash room, looked me in the eye, and asked, “How are you?” I just cried. She walked over and hugged me like a mother. Love was shown to me in the midst of my fear, and courage was given to me through loving me as Christ does. There is beauty in life, even when hardships come.

It is here serenaded by the river and shadowed by the oaks that I choose to thrive. May you choose to thrive in your “Carville.”

Lovingly Patient,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Penny Jones was born and raised in Louisiana, and finds joy in the history of this unique state.

She holds a degree in English from the University of Kansas City-Missouri.

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