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Hope you enjoy my stories. My column appears in Treasure Isle Shopper, Grady County Ga......The State Of Baker, Newton Ga...Miller County Liberal, Colquitt Ga.....The Talk of the Town, Southwest Georgia, Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama....La Explosion, a Spanish Paper of Valdosta... and columns have appeared in Southern Magazine in southwest Ga..., The Colquitt Times, Colquitt County, Ga....and soon to be other publications..

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today's Episode

By Ren Summerlin

There are a lot of people to blame for this endeavor.

Stories are copy-righted by Ren Summerlin unless otherwise noted.)

Yes they will surely soon be gone and another type of night will be upon us.

God made something for everyone.  He had to have made something for everyone.

But there are some things about a summer night I don't think I will ever tire of.  For just a short time let us revisit the night of a summer's past.

I think that the first sound of the Whip-Poor-Will singing at night signifies summer . The nights are warm and as my daddy used to say, "You can plant peanuts now, the ground is warm when the Whip-Poor-Will sings."  These birds sing all night and I do love to hear them.

The firefly or the lighting bug is also a symbol of warmer nights.  These have always mystified me.  When I was much younger, I enjoyed capturing one or two and putting them in a pint jar and watching them for hours.  My mama always made me turn them lose , she said they had to go back home to their family and I reckon she was right as usual.

Who can not enjoy the smell of Honeysuckle??  I do love it so.  And also the Jasmine odor that can waft thru a warm summer night carried on a breeze.  Tack on a full moon, add a good grilled hamburger and fresh grown tomatoes, or a fish fry and a body has just about all he needs.

But also comes the drone of irrigation pumps and the knowledge that someone is not getting enough sleep.  Add the long hot days and worry if the water might give out and this is another situation.  And just as we think the worst is yet to come, we hear the roll of thunder and the flash of light and then the rain falls.

I am not a proponent of bad weather but the far off lighting at night is beautiful.  In the flash you can see the height of the clouds and that is awesome.  Smell the rain and see the water fall.

I could go on , but soon the October nights will be here and that, my friends, is another story indeed.

(Added 09/10/10)

WORDS ©

As many of you know, my son Sam passed away. This was March of last year. At times, I have great difficulty dealing with it. I have not questioned God as to why it had to happen to us but it did.

Now to the story. I know I am not alone in the loss of a Loved One. We all have made that trip to the cemetery. It is a lonesome journey. We read and reread the obituary but nothing changes.

I need for you to know that this is not intended to cast dispersion on anyone that gathers the information and writes the obituaries.

Often we read where someone died. For some reason this seems so final. Passed away seems to rest easy with me. But we all have words that we use to express ourselves and to report.

We read where someone was buried. Buried. So final, so endless, so eternal. Sam was not buried; he was laid to rest.

I know and believe that what is in the casket is only a body. I also know God did Sam a favor when He called him home. Sam was on life support and had at times had fevers of 109. That is correct. Sam is well off today. He has walked thru ‘The valley of the shadow of death’. I also know our Savior is true and good.

We do see more Funeral Chapels now rather than Funeral Homes. But I don’t know what other we could call them. There have been Funeral Homes since way before I came into this world. This is just the way it is.

Again, this is not to chastise or belittle anyone. I appreciate the job that all associated with these sad times always help to get us through them.

Sam was 35. I have two daughters that I love and to have to put one of them in the cold ground would be a task that only The Grace of God could get me thru……again.

I went as far as I could with Sam. I was with him when they put the dirt on the vault. Maybe now I can get on with things and thanks for letting me vent a little.

CLEOTUS AND MULEY GO FISHIN’©

“How you been Ren” is Cleotus favorite greeting to me.

I told him I was o k.

“I see you tinkerin’ with that mower. Ain’t they a problem sometime?” This was more of a statement than a question from my friend. Muley Wilson was with him and cracked a smile.

I told him this one was stuck in fifth gear and one side of the deck was a tad lower than the other but that I hoped it would get me thru the winter and into next spring.

“We goin’ fishin’ Ren, You want to come with us? The Ole Lady done dug the worms and put new line on the poles too. She fixed up one fer you if you want it.” Cleotus said.

“Yeah come on Ren, we goin’ and we shore would like fer you to go with us. Do you good to git out and enjoy this air.” Muley offered

Well I could not hurt my friends feelings by telling them I stayed busy a good deal of the time, but they knew that so I just shook my head and said I needed to finish running over the yard with the mower. I also knew these two liked to fish together and they were just being polite in asking me to fish with them

“Gone be the best time in a while, Ren, wish you could come with us. Why don’t git no better fishin’ than that” Cleotus said and put some Red Man in his mouth.

“The Ole Lady said she weren’t goin’ with us ‘cause she ain’t feelin’ real well. Got the runny nose and sneezin’ a lot. She's just gone stay at the house and do some stuff around there. Might as well stay there, she shore won’t be a lot of help sneezin’ all the time.”Cleotus spoke and Muley solemnly nodded his head.

“Say Ren, we wuz wonderin’ if you could do us a favor?” Cleotus said. I told him probably so and asked what it was. “Well The Ole Lady don’t feel good and she takes a sneezin’ fit every once in a while and well, I shore don’t want Quennie Jr. to catch anythang from her. We wuz wonderin’ if Quennie Jr. might stay here with you while we fishin’. She won’t be no trouble. ’Sides you and Quennie Jr. are good friends.”

I told Cleotus and Muley that would be fine.

“I ’precaite it a whole bunch. Cain’t take no chances sometimes. The Ole Lady sneezing on a full moon, well Quennie Jr. just don’t need to be around no water. She might fall in and not be the same anymore. .” Cleotus said and Muley agreed.

They fired the truck up, drove off and the dog laid down in the shade of a tree and quietly drifted off to sleep.

They caught some fish, Quennie Jr. kept me company for the afternoon, the lawn mower stayed stuck in fifth gear but I got over the yard. I reckon it was a good afternoon for all.

In a way....well I was honored that Cleotus asked me to keep his dog. Yes I was truly honored.

FROM CAN TILL CAN'T ©

The sore on his left hand will not heal. He keeps knocking the top of the skinned place and it does not have time to heal. His back has hurt for a week or more. He thinks he might have strained it moving one cylinder from one harrow to the other one.

Rumor has it a certain pesticide will be banned this year.  If so what will replace it and what will it cost?  How much has fertilizer increased?  What about nitrogen?  It is surely going up in price.

Fuel is something he no longer thinks of.  No one can even hazard a guess as what the price will be in two months.

His wife brought home some parts for him and she decides to wait until after supper to tell him what they cost.  She also got the wrong part.  Not her fault, the part guy said these would work.  So another trip will have to be made.  She did however bring him a cold drink and a pack of crackers.  This helps.

His young daughter has a piano recital Thursday night and if the weather permits he needs to be planting.  But she is his daughter and he will surely have to find a way to be there.

His accountant tells him it would be nice to show some kind of profit this year.  And was the correct number on the I-9 forms?

He works from can to can't. Sleep is something he gets only for a few hours at the time.

He is The American Farmer. He feeds us , and to a large degree clothes us.

Without him where would we be.

PICTURE THIS - IF YOU WILL ©

The car pulls slowly into the yard. There are three men inside. They look for a dog and seeing none, decide that it is o k to get out. The bird dog comes from under the house and stretches. He has little interest in the men; he does however check the car tires and does his thing on them.

The men are dressed nice. All have white shirts and a tie.

They come upon the front porch and knock on the door. Notice they did not blow the car horn. They are far too courteous for that.

The lady of the house comes to the door. There is little to fear from these men. In fact she knows one of them. He stretches his hand forward and re-introduces himself to her. “ Hello, I am Preacher Brown from the Baptist Church and we are having revival this week and wish to invite you and the family. In fact we need you to help make this revival complete.”

She smiles and extends her hand and with a little nod of the head acknowledges all present.

Preacher Brown hands are kind of rough. He works another job as well as pastors the church.

“This is Preacher Smith.” He continues.” Brother Smith is here this week and is leading this revival.” Brother Smith also smiles and says something like he knows of good things about their family. He also asks for prayer for the church and the revival.

Preacher Brown says that in fact there is to be morning services at 10:00 and that all are welcome. The lady responds by saying it is difficult to gather the small children and get there and back home by the time the husband returns from the fields for lunch.

All agree that yes that is an obstacle to overcome, but if possible please come.

Up to now the third guy has had nothing to say. He is young and very clean and has a good smile and a certain look in his eye and there is something about him that denotes well, something different. Later the lady and others will comment about how nice he looked and that quite possibly he might carry the Gospel one day.

This young man’s role is a simple one. He is along to learn. To learn how to approach people and see the old preachers in action.

Needless to say he has probably taken a day or two from work to ride and learn from them. They will be good teachers because they have been entrusted with his spiritual and gospel nourishment. They know his calling and are giving him some valuable experience.

There is a moment of prayer and then the young man says something like “See y'all tonight” or “Please come. We certainly need you.” That is the extent of his involvement. Maybe he gets in a few amens to what the older Preachers are saying.

He also says that there will be a baptizing Sunday afternoon. He makes a statement because he knows and believes that this is going to happen. He does not assume. He knows.

I can very clearly remember when the many churches made the rounds in the neighborhoods. They literally carried the gospel from door to door. And for very little pay, I am sure.

Don’t get me wrong. I know times have changed. The smaller churches are getting smaller and the larger ones are getting larger.

And the ‘Pore Old Pastor’ has to contend with what color to paint a Sunday school room door or why did he not visit the hospital last week when someone’s cousin was in for an overnight stay.? He can’t pastor because he has to settle disputes and put out fires. I have never Pastored but I have Deaconed and I know first hand of what I speak.

I don’t know if we have progressed or not. Certainly we have changed our way of service and worship. The television and radio offers a wide and various array of ‘churches’. This is wonderful for those that are indeed homebound. Beware though last week I saw a t v pastor that had a Rolls Royce and a private airplane.

I guess these pastors visit and serve a different community.

Usually in the springtime there are many revivals. Many times of prayer. Surely there is much to pray over. We may not have this time again. To those that carry and respect the Gospel, you have my total admiration and respect.

SPRING BREAK ©

Ah, the warmth of spring. How wonderful to feel the sun on your back, the flowers bloom; trees turn green, and set out tobacco or plant corn and cotton.

That is what spring break was for me when I was in high school.

I think, then, we might have gotten out of school two or three days. Anyway it was right in the busy season of spring time. And all hands were in the field. We set out tobacco, usually, because that was when we were out of school and we were the ‘ hands.’

Things are different now, really different. Now a vacation seems to be planed because the kids are out of school for a week. Some head to the beach, some to the pool but none to the tobacco patch.

Once I asked my daddy if I might go to the beach with some friends. He looked at me in a strange way. Momma reached across the dinner table and put her hand on my forehead to see if I had a fever. Daddy wanted to know if I had been ‘into something’. “You haven’t been fooling around with some homebrew from somewhere, have you?”

I assured him I had not.

He continued to give me that strange look I can very well remember it. It was a look of consternation, bewilderment, and a little anger.

Later momma asked me for sure had I been running with the wrong crowd and did I feel o k.? I told her no and yes.

My older brother even looked at me in a sort of ‘I don’t know’ kinda way.

Later in the afternoon my brother drew near to me and asked if I felt o k. “Momma and daddy think you might have breathed too much tractor exhaust. Have you?”

I told my brother I had not but that I wanted to go to the beach for a day or so with some of my friends. My brother looked me dead in the eye and said “Ren, You better not talk of that again and when these thoughts come into your mind, close your eyes and push them away. You can overcome these thoughts. You only have to try. And another thing, if you mention it again, Momma is going to give you a large dose of Syrup Of Black Drought. She thinks you need a good purging or cleaning out.”

I did not mention it again to anyone. I surely wanted to go but I could not risk a couple of teaspoons full of that laxative.

One thing I did not want was a purging or cleaning out. So we set out tobacco and I thought of the ocean.

GOD’S CALLINGS ©

In life, there are many callings. The call to supper. The call to get up. The call of nature. Many callings.

In church we hear of someone being called to preach or to the ministry or teaching or music and many more.

Back to life for a minute.

Some are carpenters, electricians, athletes, painters, great thinkers, doctors schoolteachers, waiters and waitresses, mechanics. There is no end to the callings of life.

You will of course see that I have left out plumbing.

My reassurance I was not a plumber came about last Saturday afternoon. There are two bathrooms in the house and since I live alone, only one is used. Sometime company will come by and I tell them to use the other bathroom. I know it will be clean and more private.

Saturday afternoon brought on a bad sound. I knew it was running water. I lifted the top off the commode and sure enough the water was running. Whatever made me think this would be a simple process to repair, I will never know. Just push the little flap down and the water should stop.

It did.....Stop running out. I could not stop the water from running in. I tried.

An idea. Turn the water off to this commode. There is no water turn off to this commode. I don’t know why. There just was never one put there. Lifting the float to stop the water was a grand idea. But the water keeps coming. I try to adjust the big ball at the end of the rod. It breaks.

Now what to do? Think man think. O K, I take a long plastic spoon and lay cross ways the commode top and put the rod on top. Sometimes in life one rejoices too soon. This was one of those times.

So I went looking to see what I had to repair this commode.

The short story is this. I put new apparatus in the other commode because the new one would not fit in the old commode. Now all I had to do was stop the water from dripping from the tank to the floor. There was no o-ring. I had no Teflon tape. No putty. I did what lot of non-plumbers does. I tightened it one more little bit.

Don’t ever do this. Take my word, just don’t do it.

I did get the floor dry and eventually the water to a small drip. I have a jug under the commode tank to catch the drip. But soon I’m going to call someone to fix this.

My calling is not to plumb.

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CLEOUTUS ALLEGOOD AND GROUNDHOGS ©

“How you been Ren?” my friend asked.

I told him that the cool mornings were not so much to my liking but it was just another day closer to springtime.

He agreed.

“What you thank of them groundhogs?  Thank they can make any weather predictions?  I know when the squirrels start making new nests that cold weather is comin’, but them groundhogs, well I never thought much of ’em,” Cleoutus said.

I mulled his thoughts around a little and rubbed Quennie Jr. on the head and told him that I thought it was all a tradition. I also told him that some folks would actually bet on where he saw his shadow or not.

“Well, I’m gone tell you somethin’, sprang time ain’t fer off. We may have some more cold weather bit sprang time is sho comin’. Know how I can tell? “ It was more of a statement than a question.

I knew the past generations had their ways of predicting the weather and other things. So I let my friend talk.

“Me and Muley Wilson wuz down on the creek the other day and seen some moss on the north side of a black gum tree. If that ain’t a good sign, I don’t know what is. But theys one more for shore. When them Red Horse Suckers start coming up the creeks, you can plant ‘taters and more thangs too. We didn’t see no Suckers yet but everthang is gittin’ right fer ‘em to come.”

He was right about that. Usually the Red Horse Suckers would come up the creeks in late February or early March.

“Saw somethin’ else too. The days are gettin’ longer and them robins are goin’ back north soon. Watch out fer it Ren, we shore need sprang time to git here.” 

I agreed with him and Muley and as they drove off, I thought springtime would surely be here soon and reckon if Cleoutus and Muley would catch any suckers. I hope they do. These fish are good to eat. h

FIRES AND FIREPLACES  ©

There are many artists in this world. Some paint, some design buildings, some write, some sing and of course the list goes on.

But not many can build a fire. Especially in a fireplace. Or a wood burning heater.

One of my jobs as a young boy at home was to make sure daddy had enough fat lightard splinters to make a good fire. At times it seemed he would use just about all I had chopped up. I used an old axe that the handle would slip and this was not the best tool around but it made do.

Daddy would talk to me as he burned my hard cut splinters. “You have to have it hot to start. If it ain’t hot it can’t burn.” Was what he would say. He particularly liked those with the tiny shivers or fingers that stuck out.

I would watch him stack the splinters just so . Then some dry wood . Next the green oak or whatever they had cut . Soon a fire was going and the warmth would spread all over the room.

We never used a fireplace much. Daddy likes a wood burning heater more. I have seen that heater get so hot it would turn red . In an old cold house, it did not matter how red it got; we wanted to stay warm.

That wood heater would huff and puff and some time smoke came out the pipe but no matter we were warm.

Two things that he taught me about a fire. It has to be hot to start the other wood and it has to breathe. Too much wood too soon can kill a fire in a minute. Some fires need nurturing, coaxing and a gentle touch before bursting forth into full flame.

I think I might have made a passage up from boyhood to young manhood one day. Daddy told me to build the fire . He had to go check on a hog or something. I must have done a real good job for from that day on I got to start a fire in the wood heater most mornings.

Fire building is an art. An art that one day might be gone forever.

Cleotus And Wimmin  ©

I was working on the old lawnmower when I heard Cleotus Allegood pull into the yard. His. dog Quennie Jr. jumped out thru the passenger side window and came over for me to pet her a little, so I did .

“Havin' some problems with the mower, aint cha, Ren,” Cleotus said. I told him that it would not start or turnover or do anything.. “Don’t matter, I can git the ole lady to come take a look at it ifn you want me to,” my friend replied “she ain't bad on mowers, chainsaws and 'lectric fence boxes.”

I knew something was troubling Cleotus a little so I did not say anything.

Then he came out with it... “Ren, I didn't see this fer myself, but one of my cousins said there wuz a woman announcin' a football game over the t v . You heard anythang about that??” 

This was a very delicate matter to Cleoutus, so I approached it that way. I told him there was a good possibility that this was happening. I tried to explain that some women had taken an interest in football, and more and more were appreciating the game of baseball.

“Don't make no sense, none atall. Why would they be interested in anythiang like that, like they ain't got ' nough to do... You know what Ren, next thang they will be wantin' to announce the 'rasslin matches... Just ain't no place for wimmin.”

I started to tell Cleotus that there had been a woman on a national ticket for the Vice President of the U S A . But I could not bring myself to do it. I patted Quennie Jr. on the head a couple of more times and Cleotus deposited a right goodly portion of Red Man tobacco juice on the ground and he got back in his truck.

Before he left he said, “It's these kinda thangs that git my blood pressure up, better git on home and see if the ole lady's got anythang cooked . Don't know what she's gone do when the time changes, reckon she’ll have to start a little early in the day to git it all done.”

Knowing Cleotus like I do, I expect they will work it out. He did say he hoped his wife did not git wind of this because she might want to get to watching some football...

She might.

CLEOTUS AND THE STORMS  ©

“How you been Ren?” Cleoutus asked.  “Been keepin’ yore head down and stayin’ dry?” 

I told my friend that the yard was a mess but eventually we would get it cleaned again. I also told him that there were bunches and bunches of little limbs from the pecan and pine trees.

“Know what you mean, Ren, them limbs are everywhere, I told the Ole Lady not to fret about it , That other storm might come this way and it ’ll be to do all over again. Jest let ’em lay there is what I would do , but it is her decision.. You know I would help her but I’m afraid my back might go out and then I cain’t go fishing none..” Cleoutus told me.

He put some Red Man in his mouth and asked if he could borrow the ’lectric fence box. “Seems , the red spotted sow and the white one jest won’t stay put.”

I told him that yes he could borrow it , That he was welcome to use it. I also told him I might need it back to use with some calves.

“Oh I ain’t gone need it but a few days . The Ole Lady is gone shut them hogs up in a little. They ’sposed to have pigs soon. Besides she needs something to do anyway. That brother of hers is comin’ and he don’t do nothin’ when he’s here. Jest sleeps, sits on the porch and goes to the store. I tell you Ren, he ain’t never amounted to much.” Cleotus spoke.

I did not say anything because that was his family business and one has to respect other people’s family business.

“Reckon I need to go now, I’ll send the Ole Lady over to git the ‘lectric fence box. She might git here this evenin’ “ Cleotus said.

 With that he fired up his truck and left.

“I shore do ‘precaite you Ren, Shore do,” Cleotus said and waved as he left.

The thought came into my mind , I ‘preciate you too Cleotus, you are my friend, 

BAH-HUMBUG, COLD WEATHER  ©

I don’t mind telling you I don’t like cold weather. Never have.

It might have something to do with being raised in a cold house. Many a night I went to bed and could see my breath in the air. If fact my brother and I would lie there and blow make believe smoke rings into the night.

We were not cold. No sir. Mom had put enough quilts and blankets on the bed. So many that if you wanted to turn over, you had to get out of bed to do it.

The floor was cold though. Daddy had put some linoleum covering on the floor and in the mornings when our feet touched linoleum you were almost stuck to it.

My daddy would always make about two trips to get us out of bed. It was not that we were lazy; we just didn’t want to get out of a warm bed.

One of my jobs was to make sure daddy had enough lightard splinters to start a fire in the wood heater in the kitchen. He wanted them big and splintered on the end. This would insure an instant fire. I always thought he used too many. That was because I had to cut them.

I do appreciate him and mom getting up early and having the kitchen warm for us. It was nice.

No insulation in the walls or the ceiling. So when the wind blew, you knew it and when the chickens crowed, you knew that too. In fact it seemed they were in the room with you .

The old house still stands. The ceilings are ten feet ceilings. This brought more relief from the heat in summer than it added to the warmth of the winter. That house has to be at least one hundred years old; but sadly is not inhabited today.

Physically it was a cold house. But there was also a warmth.  A great warmth.

Should someone come at mealtime, there was enough food. Someone need to stay the night, there was space. A neighbor drop by for a little while, there was always time to say hello. If one of us children were sick, there was mom right beside us.

True I don’t enjoy the cold weather. But for sure I liked the things this time of year brought.

An even greater warmth.

There are times that I thought the Christmas spirit was birthed in that home. At least I though it was. The talk was of Christmas. Who wanted what? Who was going to get what? Simply put, I was overwhelmed.

I loved that warmth. But times change. Brothers and sisters grow up and have families of their own and some have gone on to be with The Lord.. Children marry or move out and have a life of their own. Like a human cell, the families multiply and split and multiply again. It has always been like this and will always be like this. This is the way life should be.

It is not that the warmth is gone, it is just spread over a wider space.

But, God, I miss that warmth in that old cold house.

U.G.L.Y. ©

It can strike without warning.  It runs in the best of families.  For those without money it is a lifelong curse.  And there is no cure.  It seems to run in some families more than in others. A definite genetic occurrence is what it is .

To the female gender , it is a dreaded fear, possibly the worst fear known. Some males have come to grips with the situation and try to make a life for themselves.

However there is hope.  And where there is hope there is help.  And help is near. One need only ask.

U.G.L.Y. is an acronym for Us Guys Look Yukie.

The U.G.L.Y. Foundation was started by a man named Ree Pulsive."  It seems there is a greater need for this foundation than once thought."  Mr. Pulsive stated in his last newsletter to some local chapter members."  We must acquaint people to the fact that there is a definite need for funds."

Mr. Ree Pulsive went on to say that the cost of paper bags once distributed freely to its members are going up in price."  This is a sad day.  Now some people that truly need these bags for their head will have to resort to a mask of some kind.  U.G.L.Y no longer has the funds to meet the needs of it members."

Will there be fund raisers ? " I don't know " said Un Sightly, national spokesperson.  "No one wishes to be around an U.G.L.Y. person.  In our meetings, person after person tells the same story.  It's just not fair." 

What about the job market? 

"Well fortunately for us, some places need people for attack dogs to practice on. Also some of our U.G.L.Y. members are on 24 hour call to help stop run a way trains .One member reports that at least two tornadoes changed course after approaching an U.G.L.Y. member," reported Ms. Un Sightly.

What are the symptoms?  Babies crying , clocks stopping and mirrors breaking. when you are around are really good signs according to the U.G.L.Y. leaflet.  The leaflet also states that one should not be afraid to admit they have a problem.

If you or someone you know might fit in this profile then contact you nearest Us Guys Look Yukie chapter.

Thanks for reading and remember to Laff much.

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CHITTLINGS AND CORNBREAD AND OTHER STUFF TOO  ©

My friend Doyle Gray and The Siggsby Kid, George Whitfield, were talking of food. I jokingly asked The Kid if he was on any special diet as to the upcoming fight. He responded that chittlins and cornbread had always served him well with a pot of collard pot-liquor as the main course.

Doyle winked at me and said “that he always admired a man that trained well.”

From that we began to reminisce a little about how we used to eat. Not in the last 10 years but as young ‘uns coming up. We all talked of the off the yard fried chicken. I told them that we ate so much chicken on Sunday that when Uncle Turner’s ton and a half truck could be heard coming up the road, the chickens squawked and ran for the corn patch, hen house, trees or any where ever else they thought they would be safe.

Boiled hog jowl and turnips, although George preferred neck bones with his, Doyle liked the fried green tomatoes and black-eyed peas. And me, well I was happy to discover one day that a chicken had more than a back, neck, or wing. You see the ‘men folk’ fixed their plate first, then the women and finally us young ‘uns.

Oh, I’m not complaining. My Mama could fix the absolute best thin layer corn bread that ever graced a table, bar none. And a pot of chicken and rice was a specialty that was all hers. There were plenty of other vegetables, and some meats. Somebody usually brought some pork and tomatoes. Uncle J.T would bring a bakery made coconut cake. It was good but could not compare to my sister in law Helen’s coconut cake. Helen had a gift in the kitchen, as is evident by her offspring. I am not one of her offspring but I did eat well from my brother’s wife ’s table, I will leave it at that. I have to mention the mashed potatoes as well. Just delicious.

Now my brother Charlie’s, wife Marilyn could and I reckon still can make the best baked ham anywhere. Anywhere. Anywhere in the world.

There was always dressing. Sometime it was so hard we boys would slip some of it down to the pond after dinner and skip it across the pond. We never told anyone. That would have resulted in severe chastisement.

My sister Peggy could fix a peanut butter cake that could compare to a king’s table. And my other sister had a hand on potato salad that was good. The best part was, there were no onions in the potato salad.

I listened to my two friends talk of the wildlife they once ate. And how somehow the taste had gotten away over time. We all like fish as much as ever. Vegetables too. But the squirrel was not as good as it once was. The ‘Possum and ‘Tater had lost its appeal. Quail was o k and it seemed the Dove had somehow subsided in taste. One liked the taste of deer mixed with some pork to make a sausage. I never acquired a hunter’s taste for deer, duck, geese, or wild turkey. Although I ate some buffalo that was not so bad.

We reminisced for some time.

I think we all enjoyed what once was.

And with a tad of advice, enjoy those gatherings now, for one day they will be past, never to return.

Good night Starshine, you know I love you.

I had run into my childhood, school and later in life best friend. We grew up together. Played ball together A couple of times dated the same girl. Grieved when The Dodgers lost in baseball. Had classes together. Did many things together.

As usual the subject of baseball came up. T. A. Parker’s son Matt had made it to the Arizona Fall League not too many seasons ago. We talked of that and many other things. I also coerced him into buying my hamburger.

He told me that Matt was no longer in baseball. He told me of some baseball tales that I enjoyed. We laughed a lot in these moments and talked of the last class reunion. Of course Christmas came up All in all it was a good few minutes visit.

Then he told me of a story I had written. It was a letter I had written to my Daddy. My Daddy had passed away in 1992. But in the letter I wrote as if Daddy was still here. I had mentioned T. A.‘s son Matt.

T.A. told me that he had read that story.

Let me piece this together for you. T.A. works for a telephone company and a contractor had seen The Liberal in Chipley Florida . Now I don’t know how the paper got there but it did. Then the contractor recognized T.A. and Matt. So from Houston Texas , the contractor called my friend and asked if he had seen it. No was the answer. The contractor mailed the paper to my friend.

So The Miller County Liberal has a good circulation; don’t you think?

It is amazing how our paths had crossed and how that contractor from Houston had told my friend about the story. Anyway, a lesson here is to be careful what we say or write, because it often comes home.

Good to see you again T.A. We need to try our golf game sometime. I’m not any good but I do have a good time. N

(Added 12/22/09)

TNBC News reported that the government was going to ask for a recall of window blinds. Oh yes why they have not protected us from ourselves before now. Can you imagine what a rouge window blind might do?

The lady from the government was making the case that a child could strangle if entangled in the strings of the blind. Surely that is possible. I don’t deny that. But why stop there?

In the kitchen there are utensils. Maybe we should have a course on knife safety or even a recall. We can’t stop there. The government should get more involved in restaurants. The knives either should be sharp or we the customer ought to get a tender steak. I prefer the steak.

Spoons could be used as clubs and forks a spear, no less.

The bedroom or couch can not escape a government recall either. Picture this. Someone is asleep and rolls off the bed or couch. Better pray it is not your brother in law that has not worked in a while and is now taking up space on the couch. Why? Well he is probably going to sue you for not providing a safe place for him to sleep. Some agency would agree. You have to counter sue and when the snoring stops someone has not only sued you but the person that delivered the couch, the store that sold it, the manufacture but also the people that advertised it. A case like this could be in court for years. I would mention what might happen if one had a bad dream but that too would bring on a couch load of litigation.

We not through yet.

The bathroom. Oh yes, the slippery shower, the no toilet paper near, no tooth paste and later in life someone develops a cavity. And it is all someone’s fault. It has to be because we the common people have absolutely no common sense. Neither does some of our government agencies.

What if I loaned out a chain saw and the chain was not sharp? The borrower might sue because he/she became overworked. I’ll bet that would fall under some government agency. Solution; sell the chain saw.

This is true. Last Saturday night I walked outside as I always do to see the stars and moon and whatever before I go to bed. Well it was about 12 o’clock. I then heard a familiar noise. Actually it was a combination of things.

A dog’s growl, a cow’s bellow, and a calf bleat.

So I tried to call y'all but the phone would only click. No ring. Tried 3 times. Then I gathered my rifle, flashlight and started across the road. I found the run around at the end of the pond dam before I knew it. My right foot now wet, I ploughed on. The dogs growling, cows were upset.

Then I found the electric fence around the grass patch. I don't know if it bit me or if I thought it did, so now I had to scale the fence with a rifle, flashlight and wet right foot. Also there was a tingling about my belt line from the fence episode.

Now I'm in the grass pasture. The cows in a small group and the dogs steady growling.

I got into a quick trot when the calf gave another cry. I knew that in a few minutes, the dogs would have the calf and or the cow. Turning on the flashlight I saw it. There were the dogs. The trouble was, they were all in the dog pen, right where they should be.

What was making them growl? Must be another dog somewhere in the dark. So climbing on top of a hay roll, I shined the light all around the pasture and there was the culprit.

A red fox.

Then it came to me; the dog was smelling and seeing the fox. This upset the cows and this made the dogs growl at the fox. This cycle would continue. So I dismounted the hay roll, found the new born calf and all was o k and started back home. The fox probably came to see if there was any discarded food around the dog pen.

I thought maybe if I should shoot my rifle then maybe you would come see about it and would give me a warm ride home. But I thought better of it and focused my self on the now looming task of crossing the regular fence and the electric fence beside it.

I crossed the fence o k and found the pond run around and got back home.

So if you saw a light in the pasture it was me

P. S. Eddie is my nephew.

Last week, I believe it was, I was listening to Public Radio. I listen to it a lot. I enjoy it. 88.9. is the station.

There was a contingent of High School Cheerleaders making a pitch for Cheerleading to become an Olympic sport. I kid you not. I know that there is an enormous amount of time and talent that goes into what these people do on the sidelines. These young ladies were saying that competitive Cheerleading was every bit as tough as golf.

I don’t disagree.

Our two girls were both in the band in their high school years. Certainly it was an experience for all of us. One played the flute, piccolo, keyboard and piano. The other carried a flag and jumped around a lot. They enjoyed the experience. We became broker . And they got to travel the country. Certainly I do not regret this time. We got thru it.

Maybe this is a time to introduce High School Marching Band as an entry.

Personally, I would entertain hopscotch, horseshoes and or horse shoeing to the direction The Olympics seem to be heading.

Doing a little research on the ‘Net, I discovered that in time past, The Olympic participants performed in the natural. Naked.

I am sure that if this happened today, the t v ratings and Olympic ticket prices would skyrocket. Or would they? On second thought…….maybe not.

Let us return to The True Olympics. Where mankind competed in a basic and heroic challenge.

I am not against Cheerleading or Marching bands but they have about as much place in The Olympics as golf, basket ball or some of the other sports in this era.

Joke telling, now I could support that.

Good Night Starshine. You know I love you.

I have long ago gotten to a place in my life that company or companionship near The Holidays are more important than the gifts someone gives you.

But this year my mind has changed. My direction in life has changed and some other things too. As many of you know, my son Sam passed thru the Valley Of The Shadow Of Death . This took place on March 17. I am sure without a doubt that he is with his Redeemer. On his last breath Sam opened his eyes and I could see almost a sigh of relief.

Where has the time gone?

Anyway while crawling around in the attic looking for the Christmas tree, I found some things that Sam had given me in the past. A side note; this year is the first time I have put up a tree in some time. But it seemed like the thing to do. Two of my friends put the tree together for me and we had some laughs doing it. J J had a basic idea and Jennifer helped him with encouragement and laughter. Eventually she did give it some shape and purpose.

Back to the story. Please do not misunderstand. I miss my son as much as any parent can miss one of their children Also the holidays approacheth...........I know too that I could not have gotten this far without God. And those of us that do not put more of Christ in Christmas, then shame on us.

I don’t have a lot of decorations. When Sam moved out and started to make his mark on the world, he carried many of them with him. He had pride in what he did. At this time of year he would begin to decorate.

A frenzy is a good word to use here. He went at it with a passion. A mission to accomplish. But his was the most decorated and prettiest house in that part of town.

Living in the country, I had little desire or need to do a lot of decorating. I would be about the only one to see it. But Sam worked in it as if it was his life’s calling.

This year times are different. So this is what I am going to do. I am going to take some of the things we shared in the past and put near the tree, maybe some on it. With all due respect to God and Sam there might be a shirt hanging on the tree. Maybe a tie or two. One of the letters he wrote me or an e mail, there will be lights and other things too.

Yes, this Christmas will be different, but in a way I can celebrate it with my son.

Yes there will be food and memories.

Merry Christmas Sam. I love you and miss you. But I am not putting that gosh awful tie you gave me that changed colors in different lights. But I might. He had his Daddy’s sense of humor.

Some time he would put his Christmas wish list on the refrigerator or in side the refrigerator, my pickup truck, on the carport door and once he even mailed me one from our home.

Yes he did.

All of you. Let’s enjoy the good times and make more good memories.

"What 'cha doin' fer Thanksgiving ,Ren?" my friend asked. "I reckon me and the ole lady will just play it by ear. She said somethin' about goin' to her folks fer a while, but Ren, my back gits to hurtin' after a while and I jest kaint sit on them chairs they got. No sir its a car seat fer me. I can ree-lax good in a car seat," Cleotus said.

"I reckon we aint goin' no whare, Ren," Cleotus' wife added. "He sez he wants to stay here and spend some time with his brother that's a comin' home."

I knew Raymond Bob, The Rassler, was coming by for a few days . Cleotus had told me earlier in the week that Raymond Bob was coming for a visit. Cleotus also said Raymond Bob was going to be in a six way Alabama Death Match the week end of Thanksgiving.

"The way it works is this. Everbody gits in the rang and everbody rassles everbody. Then when theys jest two left, the last one in the rang is the winner. You see they have to put each other out of the rang and the last one in wins. " Cleotus had gotten excited. "Raymond Bob said I could go with him to this match and watch him rassle. They gone have it down in Floridey. Somewhare near Tallahassee. . I jest kaint wait."

"Oh you gone wait alright.  You gone wait right here till my brother gits here to go with y'all," his wife said. She was firm too. "Last time them two went off together, Cleotus didn't git home fer three days. He aint doin' it this time. I'm a sendin' Bobby Earle with them . He'll keep 'em straight."

"Bobby Earle don't know a arm hold from corn meal. Don't 'preciate rasslin'. I 'bout as soon not go," Cleotus said and looked into the distance.

"Git in the truck, we goin' home I aint arguin' no more," she told him.  "Either Bobby Earle goes or you ain't."

They left and I could hear them going up the road.

My bet is that Cleotus goes. He loves rasslin' and he probably gone take Bobby Earle too.

Number one. Adults that treat children as if the little ones meant absolutely nothing to them. I was in a store and the man and woman were telling the little guy that “ no he could not have the item”. A small bear I think. That is not important. It was the way they were scolding him. They got louder and louder. The little fellow became scared. They told him they were going to get him when they got to the car.

The pot-bellied woman dropped a jar of something and it became the child’s fault. The man was just as gut enhanced as she was and agreed it was the fault of the child.

I was so proud when the check out guy said, “I am not putting up with this.” He paged a manager. By this time these folks were out of the store. I watched them go a ways and saw that maybe they were not going to hurt the child.

I went back to the check out man and told him I appreciated what he did. He said that he and I thought alike on that matter. He said he would do it again. If the need arises, I hope he does.

Another thing is that when we all get mail, there is a super offer to attract new customers. Sign up now and get three months free. Well, what about me and a million others that have been with this company. Why not give us a freebie for being with them so long and helping to pay their salaries. This ought to change. I feel they should give loyal customers a treat for staying. In fact, the same deal offered to new prospects.

We not near about finished.

On the Internet there is an e- mail going around on how to beat the high price off gas. People get real. The oil companies know we are going to buy gas and other things. They are not afraid of an e- mail. Or a one day of the week that we do not buy gas. We will buy it the next day.

But, and this is a big but. What if we all quit work. I am not calling for a strike or work stoppage. I am talking of quitting work. No work- no money = no free rides and the list goes on.

What do we do then? Maybe we could go back to the way some of the forefathers did.

Barter. I will do this for you if you will do this for me. A dozen eggs are worth a tootsie roll and a block of salt.

This will never happen, I know but if we did not work what would the world do with all the oil they have. They could leave it in the ground. Or drink it or eat it. Hey maybe we might be on to something here. What if, just, what if a barrel of oil was worth a bushel of wheat.

Too simple. The government would never understand this thinking and they probably would have a difficult time figuring out how to tax it and when they did find a way to tax it, the paper would be 1500 pages long and no one could explain it.

Yes it will. Christmas will be here before we know it.

I have about quit shopping. I have reached the stage that I don’t know what to purchase. If only there was a section for girls and one for boys and each had only one thing to buy. That could make life so much easier at this time of year. This could go for everyone. Wives, children, grandchildren, friends, uncles, aunts, cousins, and everybody.

That would also mean that each child received the same gift. The same for the grandchildren and all of the aforementioned.

 Shopping would become so much easier. Why a visit to the grandchildren aisle and each gets the same gift. A person could cut shopping time to nothing flat. I have long since stopped trying to buy things. It either does not fit, the wrong color, the wrong size or is out of style.

One Christmas, we bought Sam [my son] an electric train. It came in a box with English as the only language. This should tell you something about how long ago this was. I made the decision to put it together for him. I knew better, but we all learn from our mistakes.

The track was together but the train would not run. I double-checked the directions again. All parts were there. All were assembled in the correct way and even resembled the diagram. But it would not run. A-Ha. There is the problem. The tracks are not making good contact and need to be tighter.

No problem, I thought. I need something to make the tracks stay together.

Super Glue.

Hey hey, this will be the solution. But it was not. It was as far as keeping the tracks together. But not to getting the train to running.

I knew what I had done. The tracks were connected with the glue and the low voltage current would not run thru the glue. I just sat there in the floor for a while. I had no idea what to do.

So I read the directions on the glue. It said finger nail polish remover would unglue the glue. The girls were still at home so I began to look everywhere I could look without being overly obvious about the whole thing. Luckily there was a little in a bottle in the bottom of a cabinet in the bathroom.

I used the entire finger nail polish remover. It took the glue off and the paint on the tracks. I had traded one problem for another. I knew for sure that the train would not run. I was not to be disappointed. It never ran the tracks again.

Nothing to do but make a trip to the store to get another. I told the store guy what had happened and he was very sympathetic.” This is not the first one of these to do this” I was told. “Tell you what, take another and see if it works any better.”

On the way home I made another decision. Leave it in the box and if Sam needed any help putting it together he most certainly would ask.

He did not need any help and in about 10 minutes had the train running full throttle.

Christmas morning and I sat watching what could have been a major catastrophe become a miracle.

Hello Daddy. In a way I am glad you are not here to see it. It has vastly changed since you left this life in 1992. The sad part is that it will probably never be the same.

I know how you loved baseball. I also know that you were a devout Braves fan. Ted Turner sold the Braves to a big conglomerate and well, half of the ones that were there five years ago are gone. It has gotten to be more about the money that the game.

You remember how the Reds always opened the season somewhere. ? No more.

Daddy, I don’t wish to upset you but I must say this. A few years back they started the season in another country. Japan . Japan is where they started the season. It was the Tigers and the Yankees... The only reason I mention the Yankees is because I know how you felt about them. Just to assure you, my feelings have not changed either. Not a bit.

When they were in Japan playing ball, there were still spring training games going on in this country.

What they called the regular season started on Sunday. Not on a Friday or Saturday afternoon. Some teams will not play for another two days. I am sorry Daddy but that is the way it is now.

I know what you are thinking. Where will this stop. Well, honestly Daddy, I do not know. The baseball people tried Canada and only one of those teams has survived. In my opinion this Bud Sealy, Commissioner of Baseball, has no authority. Maybe they ought to go back to when a suspension was that, a suspension.

Well, that is some of the things that are changing. No, the designated hitter is still around and I don’t expect they will change it any time soon. Sad, so sad, all of this.

A good thing though, I can still get some teams on the radio. I remember those times we would listen to the games together. Also we can get more and more of them on t v . I am happy for that. There is some talk of making the World Series a pay per view thing. Daddy, I won’t even mention the All Star Game. It seems to be in a shamble.

I hope this does not upset you, but I wanted to bring you up to date on some things.

Daddy, I will mention this again, my position on the Yankees has not moved an iota. On that you can rest well.

One more thing, T A Parker had a son that pitched that in both The Cardinals and Brewers clubs. Imagine a boy from Bay Georgia in professional ball.

Your son ...Ren 

(Added 10/16/09)

I was running the lawn mower over the yard. The grass really did not need cutting. Well, maybe in a few spots it did. I was cutting the leaves and pine straw. From the corner of my eye I saw Quennie Jr. come walking up to me. She waited until I had turned off the mower, then she stuck her head up where I could pet her.

Cleotus Allegood had come for a visit. That was good. I had not seen him in a little while.

“Yard looks good, Ren. Ole Lady cut ours the other day. She sho seems to have a bunch of energy lately. Must be this cooler weather.” My friend said. “She even piled up some of the junk that was in the yard.”

I told Cleotus that the cooler weather was nice but surely the cold days of January and February were coming. I asked him if he had been fishing lately.

He said he had and that they had caught a few. “Seems the cooler weather got the fish a movin’ some. Caught a right nice red belly and a few cats.”

We both sat for a minute just enjoying the others company. We looked at the wonderful blue skies. Talked of the full moon and of how an overnight slow drizzle might help a lot of folk’s allergies. “Kinda wash the air out,” Cleotus said.

But just as quickly spoke of how the peanuts and cotton boys are taking advantage of this good fall crop gathering weather. “Them gins been runnin’ day and night. Peanut dryers too. Hope the them farmers make a little money this year. I heard fuel had done gone outa sight,” he went on.

I had the same feeling. I know everything in farming had risen in price.

“Hows them nephews o’ yores, Ren? That Jeffery got another stink bomb? That had to be a funny time. Wish I coulda been there. Seeing all of you bail out of the truck and all the laughing you and Jeffery done?”

I told Cleotus that indeed Jeffery was a good young man but had a touch of his daddy and uncles in him. We both laughed at that.

I waited a minute or so for Cleotus to get down to what he had come for. But he never said a word. We listened to the birds sing. Saw a few doves fly by. Even watched a few butterflies float past. There was a jet going northward and we watched the contrails from it as it passed out of sight. Somewhere west of us a dog barked and we heard a child laugh. A squirrel came to inspect us but he did not get too close. The squirrel had a pecan in his mouth and went off to an oak tree.

“Better git what you can boy. The cold weather shore comin’,” he said to the squirrel.

Cleotus got up, stretched, and made his way to the pickup. He looked around and said “Well I better go, Ole lady is gone fry them fish we caught the other day. I need to be there when they git done, she might eat them all,” he said with a laugh and a wink.

He then looked around again and said “Ren, the fall of the year is a special time ain’t it? Just seems the colors are bright and you can see them all. I love it. I love all the seasons too but this time of year is special ain’t it? The Lord shore is good to us. Ain’t He?”

He drove off and I sat a few more minutes and soaked up the sights and sounds of the October afternoon.

Yes the Lord is truly good to us.

Many of you know my son Sam was called home in March. Like everyone that has lost a true loved one I visit Sam’s grave often. On his headstone is an assortment of things. Some I have figured out who brought them. It does not bother me or upset me to not know who brought what.

There are two different groups of sea shells. A poem in a stained glass. Some beautiful artificial flowers. At least three of these as I write this. Two different rocks. Both are larger than one might expect. A third that is polished and a few coins from Peru . There are live flowers that I keep there. Watering them is not a chore. Flowers in a bud vase. One is about half full of regular rocks to keep them from overturning. And at times, some other things.

On September 19, his birthday, were two happy birthday balloons. They were good for several days.

I am not bragging about all of this. I am setting the stage for the real story. Sam has a lot of friends and many people here know me. My two daughters are teachers in different systems and also the churches and the x wife. So, the Summerlins are well represented. Once a good friend of mine told me that “The Summerlins and ragweed would soon take this country.” You get the idea.

This particular day I was walking and talking with God.

That is when it caught my eye and the realization came. There was a small grave and it had been there for some time. On the tiny headstone was a bright shiny new toy race car. Written on the small car was “I Love You”. One had to look close to see it. The person that had put this little car together had taken a lot of time in doing it. Then was the finishing touch. Needless to say, I was touched.

I began to look at other graves. One had a birdhouse. One a replica of a coon dog. One had a small cross lying between the man and his wife. There was one with a little horse. There were other objects around the cemetery. Someone had planted a tree in memory of someone.

But the thing is, different people express themselves in different ways. They also show their respect, love and memories in many ways.

And that is o k too.   I had my son for 35 years. The people with the car only had theirs for four. But folks, love is love and it comes in many forms.

Remember Starshine, I love you.

I have a few times. No, more than a few times. In my life, several times, probably.

I was on the Internet and had entered a chat room. Wow. Well I had to leave that place. I began to get offers to see what was on this web cam or that web cam. Many offers.

Another room. About the same thing here too. Some of it just raunchy. Raunchy is the best word I can use to describe it. Awful is another. In very bad taste is another. By now you get the idea.

Let me say that there are some good chat rooms out there too. It took me a few minutes to stumble on it, but it is there. These people were discussing religion. It was thought provoking to say the least. Some had ideas that were way out there. But there was one lady that continued to defend her thinking. I can say Hoo-Ray for her. Not once did she back up. She took the best the others had to offer and gave it back in a soothing way. She definitely did a good job.

I don’t know her and probably never will.

She put out the message that religion is just a thing. She went on to say that there were many kinds of religion. She did draw some ire when she told the people in that chat room, that any religion that promoted hate and killing was just that; a religion.

Well, soon I got a message from someone that said they were in another country. We chatted a bit and then it came. It seems that there was a dire need for them. They were trying to spread the gospel and were meeting in the streets to do it. Having service in the streets.

Then it came.

They always ask for money. Always.

Needless to say, there was no money from this South Georgia Boy. I did give her the address of The Georgia Baptist Convention. She thanked me and quickly left. I reckon her thinking was ‘no money- no need to stay here’

That ain’t all folks. I got another offer. This person needed money for several things. I suppose that the thinking was to put out a menu and see what happens. Nothing happened. I did not bite. So this one left quickly.

There must be a host of people out there that give money to these people. That night there were many beggars out. I suspect some were legit. I suspect others were not.

No I did not get had that night.

Neither have I refinanced, took the free gift, went on the free cruise, ordered the free trial offer of a stimulant for men only, bought perfume and the list goes on.

By the time I return from my postal mailbox, I have looked thru the day’s mail and trashed most everything that I don’t want or think I need. What about on the computer? Simple. Block and delete.

Don’t get had.

Most everyone I know has searched for the ever elusive Fountain Of Youth, at one time or another.

Well, I have found it.

No, it is not located on Bridge Creek or near to Bay Branch.

It is, my friends, on t v.

The other night, I woke up about 4:30 in the morning. Could not get back to sleep, try as I might, sleep was not coming again this morning. So, I did what many do. I went to the t v for a few minutes. I tracked the rain for a few minutes and then started to surf the channels and that is when I found it.

There was this guy spouting the virtues of calcium. Calcium is good for us, we need it. But he said that in one country there was a much smaller cancer rate because of the calcium consumed daily. He went on to explain that calcium has done other wondrous things. Also that this particular calcium came from Okinawa , I think it was and yes you could buy it from him, because, that in the food stores did not have what his had.

This got me to thinking... So sure enough on another channel there was a lady telling the world about a cream that would reduce, even eliminate, the ever dreaded wrinkle. One man was saying how his machine could take off weight, help with blood circulation, restore memory, and improve bowel function...

I found another machine that could take off pound and pounds and all you had to do was use it about three times a week Then there was one that let you run in place, and read at the same time.

How nice. A person can find all kinds of cure alls, potions and machines to keep us young. No need to search for the elusive Fountain Of Youth. They all had one thing in common, a disclaimer that said “results may vary or results not typical.”

Now if youth is not your thing, then you can find ways to make millions. Just try your t v about 4: 00 or so in the morning.

No I didn't buy anything. I did think that the guy selling calcium probably never had a kidney stone. And I wonder if he took his own medicine.??

Have you noticed the little yellow butterflies scurrying around lately? They seem to have a sense of urgency about them. They are beautiful. I am sure that somewhere inside them a little clock or voice or feeling or whatever happens is going off. They know a new time of the year is coming.

The Black Gum Trees are also sending a subtle message. Some of the leaves are beginning to turn red or reddish. The one in my yard has been making a change for about a week. Down on Bridge Creek they are doing the same.

I can now go for almost 10 days before my yard needs mowing. The dry weather has had a lot to do with the yard but so has the sun setting a little earlier each day.

Just another sign.

The days have cooled off some but a body can still work up a sweat in the afternoons, if any manual labor is involved. The mornings can fit into this category as well.

Dog Fennels. Some of you have no idea what a dog fennel is. That is o k. But the dog fennels are beginning to take on a fluffy look. They will go into bloom soon. At this point I will sneeze some more. I am already sneezing my part. A little runny nose and a sneeze. Allergies and a change of seasons will always do this to me. I don’t think it is the flu. I took a flu shot last fall and did not have a cold. I recommend the shots.

But the best part of fall is that my electric bill starts down. I think this is what makes me like the fall as much as I do. It is a good time of the year and as I write this I see no way The Braves are going to get into the playoffs. However, once the playoffs begin, this will be but another sign of a season change.

And when those cobalt blue skies of October and November arrive, well that means more nights of countless stars. Clear nights. God once again puts on a display for us all.

Good Night Starshine, You know I love You.

Times and things surely have changed.

We used to gather tobacco from the last week in May to the middle of July and later. Hard tough work with some good times mixed in . Did not matter if the ground was wet or the temperature ranged into the mid 90's , or if you felt bad that morning ; all worked on .

Once the lugs [ the bottom leaves ] were gathered , the work got a little easier.

Mostly we worked on a harvester. A motorized vehicle that carried the croppers, stringers and driver. The croppers usually males, would take the leaves from the stalk, put it in clips and the chain would carry it to the stringers, usually females. They would in turn use string to tie the tobacco to a stick. The driver would take the stick of tobacco and stack them on a platform that was transported by pickup truck to the tobacco barn and each stick was manually hung in the tobacco barns. When a big rain came we descended on foot into the tobacco patch and cropped it on foot.

The best part of gathering tobacco was finishing gathering tabacco. We usually worked six days a week and the pay eventually got up to $10.00 a day. That was prety good money to us . We were young. Had plenty of energy . Could ramble at night and had a few dollars in our pockets.

But when the tobacco market opened and the daily sales would start , money bacame a little more plentiful. In Moultrie Georgia there were street dances, clelebrations , and plenty of laughter. The merchant knew some money would begin to circulate. The fertilizer and seed people knew they were going to get paid and I knew we were going to get a restaurant bought hamburger. And if lucky a meal of mullet fish.

School clothes were bought which included shoes, shirts , and dungarees. [ Wrangler, Levi and Lee jeans today ]

Just about everyone had from an acre to five acres of tobacco. Some had 30 - 40 . They were big tobacco farmers.

Now very little attention is paid to the opening of the tobacco market. The tobacco is in the hands of only a few growers and the labor situation is entirely different. The whole crop is different as well as the production of it .

The money still changes hands . Probably from the producer to the bank or institution that financed his farming operation. He might get to keep a little of it but more than likely the money goes to pay on the farming loan.

I surely don't wish to go back to croppin' tobacco . I'll let the ones that do it that do it.

But we had some fun and at times tempers would explode. Maybe some day I'll tell you of the time a laxative somehow got into the drinking water. Or going to Bridge Creek to wash after a day of croppin' tobacco and someone hiding the clothes . Oh yeah , we never used bathing suits, just birthday suits.

We did have a lot of good times.

I knew when my friend pulled into the yard there was some contention between him and his wife. She did not look happy at all and neither did he.

They were both silent for a minute or so. I rubbed Quennie Jr's head and asked how was everyone .

"Ain't no good Ren, No good atall," came the reply.  "You know cool weather's is on the way and the ole lady ain't even oiled the chain on the saw."

She gave Cleotus a look at is best not explained here. Then she looked out across the field and was even more silent.

"I told her the other day that we wuz gone need that chain oiled and sharpened.  But NOOO, she didn't do it.  Just didn't have time Ren, no time atall,"  Cleotus said.  She wanted me to do it but it's like I told her, my back won't let me pick up nothin' that heavy.  Ain't no gas in it neither," Cleotus added with some finality.

Or at least he thought this conversation was over. His wife had other ideas.

"He thanks ever time I ani't got nothin' to do , I'm s'posed to drop everthang and do what he sezs. Well it don't work that way. I got enough to do just looking after the sow and pigs, and keepin' that 'lectric fence workin' ain't no easy thang to do. Now it's the chain saw," she shot back.

Cleotus took some Redman and put it in his mouth and turned it over a few times. "Can we just borrey yours Ren?  She ain't gone do nothin' about the one at the house. It ain't mine, if it was mine, I would oil it and sharpen it myself, but it belongs to her brother and he's a mite kerce about his thangs."

Í told my friend that the saw was under the shelter and had not cranked in a while but he was welcome to it.

He thought a minute and said to his wife, "Which one you rather work on. Ren"s or that'n of yore brothers?"

"I reckon I 'll try to git my brothers to goin'. He's gone want it back in a little," she spoke.

"I'm sorry to do this Ren, I reckon we will use his , but I want you to know I mean no disrepect to you atall" Cleotus said.

He fired the truck up , Quennie Jr. got in and off they went.  Last words I heard were something about going by the store and getting some gas and oil and a file.

But Cleotus, you have not offended me. Glad to help you out if I can.

(Added 08/30/09)

Dear Calvin, I am sorry that I could not attend your wedding, I am sure it was a wonderful affair and all was very nice. I am also sure that I missed some good food at the reception. However I was thinking eight o’clock and when I read the invitation again it said three. So I missed it.

I don’t think I would be a good uncle if I did not dispense some marriage advice to you.

Never argue with your wife. Firstly, women do not argue. They discuss. If the situation arises where you have a discussion. Stay calm. Maintain your composure at all times. This will give the impression that you are standing your ground and later you will be glad that you did. Never look away. It is o k to look away if you can maintain an expression of true thoughtfulness. As if you are re thinking your position.

During one of these discussions look confused. Not a dumb look but as if you don’t understand. Doing this puts you way ahead of the game and in control of the situation here it is o k to say a few words. Something like “ Well, I didn’t know” or “I never thought of that” does very well.

Never ever discuss money. This will always come back to haunt you. Surely you are going to want to go to a Nascar Race and she has not forgotten the last time a money discussion was held. If a money discussion arises, just go with it.

Food. Food and coking will always be a subject when the wife will want your opinion. If she asks if you like this, you have two options. You can foolishly say something like “ It doesn’t taste like my Mom’s” or you can say “I haven’t had much appetite for a day or so” But do not compare the wife’s cooking to anyone other than perhaps your or her grandmother. You can get away with this.

Learn to operate the washer and dryer. You are going to need this information later and also it might look good on a resume if you ever need one. She is going to assume you are familiar with the microwave. I can be of help here. I am very familiar with the microwave.

You will learn that boots are stored outside. They may be clean but nevertheless, outside. There is a slight chance you might bring them inside on a cold morning. But only to warm them and put them on. Then leave. It is work time and the truck will have a good heater.

If she asks you to crank her car and warm it , then do it. It is far better to be asked than to be told.

“WE are going to Mother’s Sunday afternoon”. This can make you shutter. Knowing your in laws as I do, this will not be a problem. They are good people and will treat you nice. This can even give you bragging rights when you have a few minutes with the old gang you once roamed with. “ We were over at her Mother’s and man did we have a good meal” is a wonderful phrase to use.

I will tell you why. The word will drift back to her. It always does.

I mentioned ‘the old gang’ Those days are gone forever. Never mention any of the boys around the wife until late in the marriage. Then you can say you are so happy with Jessica.

And I am sure you are.

Best wishes to the both of you.

Remember if you ever need some advice, Uncle Ren is here.

And Starshine, you remember I love you too.

MY SOUTH ©

On t v, Turner South had a thing called ‘My South ‘ or sometimes ‘Your South.’

Turner South is no more.

All I wanted to do was make a deposit. A simple transaction. Insert card- punch in number.

It was not to be.

I could not think of the password. I must have gotten pretty close to it once because the machine sputtered for the shortest time. Then it ate the card.

I told the machine that I wanted to put money in; not take out.

No matter, it kept my card.

Well this machine is located in a very public place. By now what I really wanted to do was take a blowtorch and either get my card back or do some very bad things to the A T M.

I didn't do either. I talked to the machine. I begged it, pleaded with it but to no avail.

Folks, there is nothing a body can do in these situations. If you kick the thing, it probably would send out an alarm. You can't get your hand in the thing to try and get the card. So I tried some more numbers thinking that it just might give me my card or at least tell me something.

Silly me, a mere mortal trying to out talk or out smart this machine.

It finally asked me if I would like another transaction. Well, I told it what it could do with its transaction. By now a small crowd had gathered . I don't know if they enjoyed seeing me in this predicament or to see if I was going to cry. I did not cry. With as much dignity as I could muster I said “This thing has got to be out of order. Why don't they just put an out of order sign on it?”

 Then a small lad of perhaps ten or so asked me if I had forgotten the password. He told me not to worry his dad did it all the time? He also said to call the bank and they would retrieve it for me. He said that is what his Dad did.

I got my card back and now I have changed passwords to something far simpler, if I could only remember what it is.

I did ask the bank if they would just give me a key to the machine, it would make things far simpler. They said no.

This ATM is a thug. I think ATMs are kin to lawnmowers. And that is another story.

Cleotus Allegood had a worried look about him.

Knowing my friend as I do I let him speak first.

"Don't know what to do. Jest don't know what to do," he said.   "I need to do it but don't know what to do."

I reached down and rubbed Quennie Jr. on the head, loooked in her ears, kinda checked her over. By taking an interest in his dog, I had shown respect to him. I knew Quennie Jr. meant a lot to him.

"Ain't no need to look fer ticks or fleas. She ain't got none and ain't goin' to have none. Not if I can help it. No sir I see about my stuff. I jest kain't figger out what to do about her birfday," Cleoutus mumbled. He was letting me know he knew what I was doing.

Gently I inquired as to whose birfday it was.

"Well, it's the wife's and I don't know what to git fer her, if anythang. She already got it all. I bought her a brand new 'lectric fence box last year. 'Fore that she got a new pair of rubber boots. Don't know what else she might want?" Cleotus answered.

I had known Cleoutus for a long time, so I knew to tread lightly. I would never do anything to harm our friendship. In a moment or so I suggested some flowers.

He thought a minute, then said "That might not be a bad idee, Ren ."  Theys a bare spot in the yard next to the pickup. Not the red 'un , the green 'un [one had the transmisson out and the other the motor was gone.] Might be jest right fer something like that. And it'll be close to the water spiket. She won't have to tote water fer a'tall , That's a good idee Ren. I'm gone go see what they got up at the feed store. She needs a place to have some flowers so's she can work in 'em . I bet this gone be a surprise to her."

Somehow, I didn't think she would be surprised at all.

“How you been Ren” is Cleotus favorite greeting to me.

I told him I was o k.

“I see you tinkerin’ with that mower. Ain’t they a problem sometime?” This was more of a statement than a question from my friend. Muley Wilson was with him and cracked a smile.

I told him this one was stuck in fifth gear and one side of the deck was a tad lower than the other but that I hoped it would get me thru the winter and into next spring.

“We goin’ fishin’ Ren, You want to come with us? The Ole Lady done dug the worms and put new line on the poles too. She fixed up one fer you if you want it.” Cleotus said.

“Yeah come on Ren, we goin’ and we shore would like fer you to go with us. Do you good to git out and enjoy this air.” Muley offered.

Well I could not hurt my friends feelings by telling them I stayed busy a good deal of the time, but they knew that so I just shook my head and said I needed to finish running over the yard with the mower. I also knew these two liked to fish together and they were just being polite in asking me to fish with them.

“Gone be the best time in a while, Ren, wish you could come with us. A full moon. Why don’t git no better fishin’ than that” Cleotus said and put some Red Man in his mouth.

“The Ole Lady said she weren’t goin’ with us ‘cause she ain’t feelin’ real well. Got the runny nose and sneezin’ a lot. She's just gone stay at the house and do some stuff around there. Might as well stay there, she shore won’t be a lot of help sneezin’ all the time.”Cleotus spoke and Muley solemnly nodded his head.

“Say Ren, we wuz wonderin’ if you could do us a favor?” Cleotus said.

I told him probably so and asked what it was.

“Well The Ole Lady don’t feel good and she takes a sneezin’ fit every once in a while and well, I shore don’t want Quennie Jr. to catch anythang from her. We wuz wonderin’ if Quennie Jr. might stay here with you while we fishin’. She won’t be no trouble. ’Sides you and Quennie Jr. are good friends.”

I told Cleotus and Muley that would be fine.

“I ’precaite it a whole bunch. Cain’t take no chances sometimes. The Ole Lady sneezing on a full moon, well Quennie Jr. just don’t need to be around no water. She might fall in and not be the same anymore. You know with the full moon and all.” Cleotus said and Muley agreed.

They fired the truck up, drove off and the dog laid down in the shade of a tree and quietly drifted off to sleep.

They caught some fish, Quennie Jr. kept me company for the afternoon, the lawn mower stayed stuck in fifth gear but I got over the yard. I reckon it was a good afternoon for all.

In a way....well I was honored that Cleotus asked me to keep his dog. Yes I was truly honored.

This past week many news and other television channels have been running stories and news clips of that awful horrible day when the first atomic bomb was dropped. I supposed Memorial Day brought this on. I am not ashamed of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

I know it was bad. The bomb blast, that is.

I was not there and I am glad of it. In fact I had not been conceived. But many had been conceived and consumed by the war. A war that cost many lives both in this country and around the world.

But that August day in 1945 changed the direction this planet would take. The A Bomb was dropped and all over the world everyone within range of radio, newspaper or other sources of information knew that hopefully the war was finished.

Much has been said both ways about why it was used. Some had gone so far as to say this country had embarrassed the world and owed an immediate apology to all mankind.

I strongly disagree.

Just think about it for a moment. What happened when the first spear was thrown? Was there uproar when the sword was sharpened before a battle? When the repeating rifle came into existence, did the world hang its head in shame? No.

As the world progressed and warfare became almost commonplace, each king, general or president wanted an edge to hasten the war end and save lives. Especially their own life.

Now we are expected to hang our heads in shame or disgust because we are the only country to use nuclear arms to stop a war that surely was going to cost countless lives in an invasion of Japan . Lives of Japanese, American and the allies. Remember who blew up Pearl Harbor . Remember who did what to whom.

I am not sure who said it but it went something like this.” I don’t know what will start World war Three but I know how it will finish and then World War Four will be fought with sticks and arrows.”

By now there are enough nuclear warheads and missiles to blow this world into the next galaxy. Enough demolition and destruction to end all life as we know it. Hopefully this will not come to pass. The nuclear field can be harnessed and used to help us all. Maybe this will happen soon. I know there is the possibility of calamity. The Chernobyl incident is an example.

There are far smarter minds than me that are at work on the limitless possibilities to power this country; the world for that matter. We have to accept it and use it more. We can not continue to lean on the oil barons for our energy. We could however tell them that a barrel of oil was worth a bushel of grain or a side of beef or food and technology.

I must be dreaming. Our leaders would never go for something so simple. My Gosh, I am out of my mind, perhaps all this radiation has gotten to me.

“Sure it’s still on” said The Summerlin Road Brawler, “anytime, anywhere. Just because I’m busy in the fields right now don’t mean the fight is off.”

By all reports The Siggsbee Kid had come out of reclusion. Many rumors have swarmed around. For the last week or so The Kid has been spotted back down at the Wednesday cow sale.

When asked if he was ready, he simply replied” I can whip a hog pen full of them Summerlins and keep the gate shut at the same time. I’ll be ready when they get ready. My second ,Jimmy Dykes, is ready. We ready.”

While Dykes could not be contacted for comment, it was rumored that old feelings might erupt between himself and The Brawler’s second, Bill Lewis. Apparently the feelings go way back to the soybean field incident. While all involved are keeping pretty quiet about it, this reporter could tell that something was simmering just beneath the surface. Mention soybeans around either and you can almost see the blood pressure rise. I am not sure what happened there but it had to be awful.

We tried contacting Lewis but he too was not available.

We do know for a fact that The Kid has had some surgery on his right eye. “ I can see better than I have in years, this fight won’t be but a minute anyway. The only thing is that I’m not supposed to get any dust in it for a while. But I ain’t worried; that Brawler is the one that is going to be in the dust. Probably will be there a while.” The Kid was confident. “ Lewis is going to have to carry him to a water hole somewhere to revive him. I would hate to be him.”

“Well, he can claim eye surgery if he wishes, fact is, he is just plain scared of what might happen to him. I ain’t saying this for a fact but the rumor is that he had to get the steroids flushed from his system. Again this is only what is been floating around the circuit.” The Brawler calmly stated.

Contacting all parties has not been easy. Between the cotton and peanut fields The Brawler has been difficult to locate. He did have some words for us and we are thankful.

The Kidd, we know for a fact, truly has had eye surgery and has been out of commission for a while. However he is recovering fast. The Kidd went on to say “ I don’t want to take advantage of my opponent, if he needs a few days to rest up after this planting season, I understand completely.”

The Brawler only clinched his jaw and muttered “Rest. He’s the one that’s going to get a rest.”

We can only hope that this fight does not split the community. But it is too late to call it off. Pride and more is on the line.

One more rumor, The Kid might have picked up a sponsor. We wonder who it might be?

And on another matter, Goodnight Starshine. You know I love you.

I knew they were both angry, frustrated and upset. Both had a look that I rarely see in either one. About the only time I have ever seen Cleotus Alligood or Muley Wilson this upset was when Bobby Earl was fishing with them and turned over the can of fish bait. Worms were going in every direction.

“It ain’t right, jest ain’t right,” Muley was saying. “A man tries to have somethin’ and what happens? They raise taxes on him. I ain’t payin’ it. No sir ree bob, I ain’t payin’ it.”

Cleotus was in the process of putting a wad of Red Man chewing tobacco in his mouth and nodded in agreement. Both had a very solemn look about them.

“I know what you mean, Muley.  The same thang happened to me.  Right after Grandpa Alligood passed away, they done pretty much the same thang to me.  Weren’t my fault neither. They’ll do it to us all before its all over,” Cleotus mused. 

Muley looked at the ground and shook his head.

I knew my friends and knew that when they were ready they would tell me what the problem was.  So I looked off into the afternoon sky, muttered something about “We had a good rain,” rubbed Quennie Jr. on the head and waited. 

The wait was not long .

“Ren, you remember last year when I put another seat in the outhouse?” Muley asked. “Well I got a tax notice sayin’ that my taxes was goin’ up on account of improvements.  Got it right here in my pocket.” 

Muley pulled piece of paper from his pocket and gave it to me.  He was correct, his evaluation had risen. “When I seen this I just about croaked,” Muley added.

Last fall Muley had indeed added another seat to the outhouse . Now there were two seats in the outhouse , not just one. He said he was not trying to outdo anyone or appear up-pe-ty but that it was necessary. He explained that when him and his wife took on a stomach full of fall sweet potatoes and turnips, well one seat was not enough. “That’s why I done it so she wouldn’t git caught in a tight. I was thankin’ of her more’n me,”  Muley said.

“Well, I reckon the next thang they’ll tax is a nap or a string of brem fish off Bridge Creek.”  Cleotus offered to help sooth his friend’s feelings. “ Seems them polyticians don’t know nothin’ but tax and spend.”

The two of them and Quennie Jr. got into the truck and left . They were still discussing it when they were out of sight.

But Cleotus was right, sometime ‘tax and spend’ is the only thing some people know.

Whip-Por-Will ©

(Added 2/4/09)

For more of my stories (through the end of 2005), click here!