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Mama’s Moving Biscuits -----------------------------------
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y mother was born in 1918, the daughter of migrant sharecroppers. Her family was raised along the farming banks of the Red River in Northern Louisiana. The numerous moves from farm to farm never allowed her family to settle in one place for long. As soon as they would establish new living quarters or hang the curtains in their home, Grandpa would inevitably come in from the fields and tell them to pack up for a new job. His work was as varied as his moves. He could at any moments notice be a farmer, a carpenter, or even a blacksmith should the need arise. School for the children was “hit ‘un miss.” The kids were accustomed to the
fact that they may come home to find the buckboard packed, waiting on only their presence to leave the old premises for the new. There was a standing joke in our family that even the chickens knew when it was time to move. When the chickens saw Grandpa with pieces of cotton twine in his hands, it was said they immediately fell to the ground. They were so well trained that they would cross their feet in readiness to be tied and tossed on the wagon in preparation of the forthcoming move. That was one move in particular which spoke well of my mother’s ability to adapt to any situation. She had just placed breakfast biscuits to cook in the old fire-box stove when the men came to help Grandfather move. Evidently she had other chores which needed tending, and on her return, she found the movers had removed the fire and ashes from the firebox, then loaded it on the wagon. Apparently they never realized biscuits were in the oven side. Since the move
was only a few miles down the road, Mother followed and arrived in time to promptly remove the biscuits for breakfast. I can only imagine how that move must have looked to the casual passerby. In my mind’s eye I can see it: an over-loaded wagon plowing through the deep ruts of a muddy trail. In the rear of the cart, with faint smoke billowing from its pipe, set the stove. Among the tossed and tumbled disarray of household items lay the chickens, tossed like feather pillows atop burlap bags of barnyard feed. Children in flour sack dresses or denim overalls perched or hung from the wagon's side; they grasped any available hand hold. Further behind, following at a fast gait, was Grandma in her long dress and apron. Strung out behind were the older children. It must have been a sight; surely it reminds me of the English nursery rhyme regarding the man going to St. Ives, “Kits, cats, sacks, and wives…” We may now laugh at Mom’s stories from the
past, but those were truly hard times. I savor these accounts of my mother’s childhood and relish each part and parcel of her lively recap of bygone days. They are a part of the Godly heritage she has given us, and they are a part of north Louisiana's heritage. Though life was hard in those days, it gave my Grandma the attributes necessary to make it through tough times. With the help of our heavenly Father, “long ago life” provided the stamina to raise nine children on biscuits and “in the way that they should go.” Thanks Mom, for sharing these memories. And by the way, you still make good biscuits. ----------------------------------Southern Style Biscuits 3 c.self rising flour* ½ c. shortening 1 c. buttermilk ½ c. water Melted margarine Heat oven to 450 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet or baking pan with shortening. Measure flour into a large bowl and with a pastry blender or fork, cut shortening into flour until mixture resembles crumbs. Add buttermilk and water; stir with a fork until soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Sprinkle the top with flour. Knead dough until no longer sticky. Roll out to ¾ inch thickness and cut with 2” round cutter. Place biscuits about 2” apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 1214 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted margarine*If using all purpose flour, add 4 t. baking powder and 1 t. salt.
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editor
from the
I
was raised on bluegrass gospel music. Every Sunday morning, we gathered at New Bethel Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, Louisiana and pounded the ivory keys of an old piano. My sister's job was to sit beside my grandfather and learn to pick the guitar. Mine, however, was to sing and sing and sing and sing. As those years pass me by and the memories seem more distant, I think often of those Sunday morning bluegrass sessions. Those old hymns were, and still are, an integral part of my faith and my family's strength. But lately, I have come to realize that those wonderful Protestant hymns were also a part of the heritage of northern Louisiana. It all began in the early to mid-1800s, when Scotch-Irish immigrants settled these lands. The first European-blooded settlers of this land brought the Protestant faith and the Celtic culture to north Louisiana. Their faith was quite different from the beliefs of the French and Spanish in south Louisiana. But that certainly wasn't the only difference. Unlike the French and Spainish, the Scotch-Irish did not immigrate to these lands through the port of New Orleans. The Scotch and the Irish typically sailed from their homelands to the Carolinas (North and South) before setting out once more to make their way to the rocky, hilly region we now call the Ark-La-Tex. I knew from an early age that my GreatGrandparents (McGough Clan) settled in south Arkansas before moving once more to northern Louisiana. And I knew that my fiddle-pickin' Grandfather (Burns line from Scotland) had the dark hair and blue eyes of our ancestors. But I didn't realize that the Scotch-Irish had made such a significant impact on Louisiana history. Neither did I know that the term Scotch-Irish was considered an insult during the early days of Louisiana. Because of the social stigma attached to all things Celtic, the Scotch-Irish immigrants in northern Louisiana were very tight-lipped about their heritage. But even today, it's still easy to see cultural signs that point back to Ireland and Scotland. The next time you drive by New Bethel Baptist Church on a Sunday morning, stop in and listen to the old bluegrass hymns that have been sung since before the Civil War. Truth be told, there's nothing like sitting on an old hand-carved pew, playing and singing the old hymns that were brought to north Louisiana by our Scotch-Irish ancestors. If your church, too, is steeped in bluegrass hymns, give me an email at lewisfamily1908@bellsouth.net. I'd love to document north Louisiana's Scotch-Irish history, one bluegrass hymn-playing church at a time.
Jacquelyn Lewis 7
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Anita Goodson Winnie Griggs Michael Hoh Shelia Hoh Laura Horton
Seasoned Moments by Barbara Ellis Durbin Scottish Blood in the Bayou by Jackie Lewis
Are You a Healthy Woman? by Emily Lee Scottish Cooking by Michael & Shelia Hoh Antique Junkie by Donna Arender Louisiana Girl Revelations by April Timmons The Journey by Jason McReynolds On the Spectrum by Lela Robichaux A Novel Approach by Winnie Groggs PJ's Point of View by Phillip Volentine You Never Know by Laura Horton Weeder's Digest by Anita Goodson Life's Blessings by Vicki Caskey Hormonal Woman by Elizabeth Drewett
Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be copied or reproduced without permission. The Minute Magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials. The editorial content of The Minute is prepared in accordance with the highest standards of journalistic accuracy. Readers are cautioned, however, not to use any information from the magazine as a substitute for expert opinion, technical information or advice. The Minute cannot be responsible for negligent acts, errors and omissions. The opinions expressed in The Minute are those of our writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher has the right to accept or reject any advertising and / or editorial submitted.
contributors Donna Arender Vicki Caskey Elizabeth Drewett Barbara Ellis Durbin Emily Lee
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Jackie Lewis Jason McReynolds Lela Robichaux April W. Timmons Phillip J. Volentine
cover Our cover photo was taken at Scotland Farms of North Louisiana, and features Michael and Shelia Hoh. Read their interview and learn to make Scottish recipes on page 16.
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SCOTTISH BLOOD
in the bayou
Pictured: Dr. Alan Cameron of Scotland Farms, just outside of Minden, Louisiana
written by Jackie Lewis
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ong before you and I were born, many of our ancestors settled in a new, mysterious land called northern Louisiana. And here in northern Louisiana today, in the rugged piney forests often called The Uplands by historians, a secret is still hiding deep within the bloodlines of our ancestors. The secret is one of shame and sorrow, of persecution and fear; but it is also a story of rich heritage, a beautiful faith, and strong determination. But what is that secret, exactly? And why should we care about people who died before we were even born? Dr. Alan Cameron thinks he knows the answers to these two very important questions. And if he's right, there is an enormous chunk of Louisiana history that has somehow been left out of our Louisiana history books. Dr. Cameron is a Veterinarian in Minden, Louisiana, and he spends much of his free time researching the Scotch-Irish roots of northern Louisiana. "People come into my clinic all the time, and I notice that their last names are often Scotch-Irish," teases Dr. Cameron. "I tell them to just go down the phone book and see the other Scottish names. Most people from this area don't even realize that we're mostly Scotch-Irish. We all hear about the Germans outside of Minden, or the Cajuns down south, or the French. But that's not our ancestry in north Louisiana. We're Scotch-Irish. "It seemed like nobody knew about north Louisiana's Scotch-Irish ancestry, so we decided to organize a society sixteen years ago," he tells me while preparing for the Scottish Tartan Festival he holds every spring just outside of Minden. "That's why we started having this festival. We're trying to teach people about our real ancestry in this part of the state. And in the hill country of South Arkansas and in the hills of northern Louisiana, we're all so busy studying other people's ancestry that we don't realize we're not French Creoles. That's not our ancestry. I tell people that they have Scottish last names, and they don't believe it. I want to change that." Often, when we think of the diverse history of northern Louisiana, it is easy to assume that our roots can be easily traced back to the Indians, the French, the Spanish, and to the African Americans who were brought to work the land as slaves. And though we are not wrong to assume that these peoples occupied the piney hills of northern Louisiana, there was also another very important group of immigrants who moulded and shaped the history of our state, too. They were a proud, hearty people. As descendants of Scottish and Irish immigrants, they eventually became known as the Upland Pioneers, or in modern terms, some of the first European-blooded settlers of northern Louisiana. The Scotch and the Irish came to the rolling, thickly pined hills of northern Louisiana by the wagon load. The land itself resembled their homes in Scotland and Ireland, so they flocked to this region with determination in their eyes and Scumpernong and Muscatine vines in their hands. As the
Scumpernongs are native to the east coast of the United States, particularly the area of land known as North Carolina, it is quite possible to follow the trail of the Scotch-Irish across the country by searching for Scumpernong vines. These immigrants brought a spirit of determination and stubborness that transformed the piney woods where we live today, and there is non a Scumpernong or a Muscadine vine in our area that was not brought here by these early settlers. "They brought Protestant Christianity to this area from the Carolinas, too," says Dr. Cameron. "We are in the heart of the Bible Belt, and it all came from the ScotchIrish." Our history books tell us that the French and the Spanish brought the culture, reipes, religion, and an era of exploration from Europe to this unsettled territory. And with those French and Spanish settlers came Catholicism. But historians should not forget that our Protestant ancestors brought to northern Louisiana a distinctly different heritage. Their celtic music blended in with the North Carolina hill music, and over the course of generations it transformed into modern Louisiana Bluegrass that is still played in the rural areas of north Louisiana churches today. The French and Spanish may have explored this land and claimed it as their own, and the French and Spanish settlements are still considered a major part of Louisiana history. But we should not forget that it was the Scotch-Irish who truly made the strongest, deepest mark upon northern Louisiana culture. "That's what our goal is, actually," says Dr. Cameron. "We want to organize and let people know about their heritage. That's why I want people to come out to my farm for the Scottish Tartan Festival and learn about who we really are. By learning about our ancestors, we can learn about our world's history." Dr. Alan Cameron has spent a great deal of time learning about his family's history. "My Great-Granddaddy settled here around 1850. My family has always been told that we were Scotch-Irish, but years ago nobody wanted to be labeled Scotch-Irish. It was a derogatory term at the time. i finally started studying about my Scottish heritage around twenty years ago, and I learned a lot. My family pioneered an area between Junction City and Wesson, near the Louisiana line. There was nothing there, really. It was called Corney township, and there were Scottish families and a Scottish Presbyterian church. All of those settlers gathered around the church, and everyone there had immigrated from North Carolina. I had my DNA tested, and I was told that my bloodline goes back all the way to the Island of Islay in Scotland." So where are you, dear reader, really from? Did your family immigrate here, or were they enslaved and given no choice in the matter? Or did you descend from Native American blood, perhaps one of north Louisiana's founding Scotch-Irish families? Always remember that we've inherited a lot from our ancestors. They gave us our wits, our looks, and our smarts. And at the very least, we owe it to them--and to ourselves--to find out exactly who we really are.
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Dr. Keitha Smith Ear, Nose & Throat
MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER IS PLEASED TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST PHYSICIAN Dr. Keitha Smith chose to locate her practice in Minden to be closer to her family, but also for the community’s rich cultural heritage and exceptionally friendly people.“I’m looking forward to becoming fully integrated into the Minden community – both personally and professionally.” She brings a vital and growing specialty to our community, OTOLARYNGOLOGY. Louisiana ENT Associates will offer a wide variety of ENT services including: head and neck surgery, facial plastic/reconstructive surgery, allergies, disorders of the ears, nose and throat, as well as cutting edge endoscopic sinus surgery, for both children and adults. Dr. Smith is accepting new patients (ages 6 months and older) at her new practice located at 101 Murrell Street Suite 3 in Minden. Appointments may be made by calling (318) 382-4777. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
EDUCATION MEDICAL DOCTORATE DEGREE University of Arkansas Medical School INTERNSHIP & OTOLARYNGOLOGY RESIDENCY University of Texas – Houston
PERSONAL (V 7QMXL MW E GIVXM½IH (MZI 1IHMGEP 3J½GIV ERH MW ER EZMH WGYFE HMZIV She enjoys traveling as well as riding her motorcycle. She is personally committed to improving her patients’ quality of life and strives to encourage their participation in achieving these goals.
www.mindenmedicalcenter.com #1 Medical Plaza | Minden, LA 71055 | (318) 377-2321
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What is a Healthy Woman? -----------------------------------
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Healthy Woman never stops learning. A Healthy Woman is flexible. A Healthy Woman has the confidence to make the right decisions. Our goal at Northern Louisiana Medical Center is to make a Healthy Woman out of you. If you’re like most women, incredible demands are placed on you every day. Work, home, family – sometimes it seems that everyone wants your attention. With all of your obligations, you might have forgotten someone special: YOU. But we haven’t. Our free events are designed to help you maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit. Our Healthy Woman program will empower you with the confidence to make informed health care decisions for you and your family, offer free monthly health education events and classes, and provide information about health, relationships, and life issues. Healthy Woman is fast approaching some of our biggest events of
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the year. This program has grown immensely in the past three years and is only destined for greatness thanks to more than 800 dedicated, loyal members. Without the support of our members and the community of Ruston and the surrounding areas, Healthy Woman wouldn’t be where it is today. Our 3rd Annual Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge is wrapping up a 2-month long challenge of 85+ dedicated women trying to accomplish their New Year’s resolutions. All of our participants have worked diligently to attend all four sessions of our challenge and participate in take-home workouts. This journey will end with the 3rd Annual Wellness Challenge 5k Run and Walk on March 24th at Squire Creek Country Club. This event is open to both men and women. Race fee is $20 postmarked on or before March 7th and $25 thereafter and day of race. Registration begins at 7:15am and the race starts at 8am. For more information on this event, please visit www. northernlouisiana m e d i c a l c e n t e r. c o m / healthywoman. Our 4th Annual Healthy Woman Anniversary Party is also fast approaching. This celebration of “Denim and Diamonds” will take place on April 12th at the Ruston
Civic Center from 4pm to 8pm. An event exclusive to women, will offer a free women’s health expo from 4-6pm with booths offering free health screenings from Northern Louisiana Medical Center physicians, and shopping with local vendors. A catered buffet will follow for $20 per person which will also include a wine tasting and dessert, while two-
time guest speaker Dale Smith Thomas shares her newest topic, “Women who R.O.C.K.” Dale Smith Thomas, a huge advocate of Healthy Woman, is an unapologetic optimist and a woman whose passion for making a difference is stamped on every page of her life. Her direct and powerful message has challenged and inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world to make winning choices in every area of their life. She is the president and founder of Winners By Choice, Inc. but you may recognize her from one of her many national television appearances. Because of her message and her work she has been a featured guest on The Dr. Phil Show, on CNBC, CMT and she was featured on a documentary on The Travel Channel. Whatever you do, don’t miss her appearance here at our very own Healthy Woman Anniversary Party.
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SCOTTISH COOKIN'
in the Louisiana bayou
Long before creole restaurants began appearing in Shreveport and Monroe, northern Louisiana was known for traditional Scotch-Irish fare. Nearly two hundred years after Europeans settled in our area, Michael and Shelia Hoh want to re-introduce you to the foods that kept our ancestors going strong. 16
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INUTE MAGAZINE: Thank you so much, Michael and Shelia, for being so willing to give our readers a taste of traditionally Scotch-Irish northern Louisiana. Could you tell us when and why you began preparing Scottish fare? SHELIA: I’ve always been interested in my Scottish heritage, but in the last several years, I became involved in the local Scottish Society here in Shreveport. Because the society hosts several events throughout the year, it became a necessity or at least a strong desire for me to know how to cook some dishes native to Scotland. MICHAEL: When I met Shelia, I didn’t know the difference between a clan and a cowbell, but I did like to cook in my spare time. I would pull out a gourmet cookbook, or one of my mother’s old cookbooks on a Sunday afternoon and see if I could whip up something interesting and delicious. SHELIA: Michael’s affinity for experimenting in the kitchen was a godsend to me and my need to learn about Scottish cookery. One of the first dishes we attempted was Scotch Eggs. MICHAEL: Talk about the perfect combination! In a nutshell, a Scotch Egg is a hard-boiled egg covered with breakfast sausage, rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried. The Highlanders carried Scotch Eggs with them through their treks in the mountains of Scotland as a portable and delicious meal. SHELIA: Our Scotch Eggs are now a hit with everyone who’s tried them. We bring them out for special occasions like our Christmas Celidh and the Multi-Cultural Center of the South’s Annual “Taste of Culture” celebration. Here's our recipe.
Scotch Eggs 8 eggs, hardboiled breadcrumbs 1 lbs bulk breakfast sausage Dijon Mustard 2 eggs, well beaten Vegetable oil for frying Peel hardboiled eggs. Beat the raw eggs and mustard together in a shallow bowl. Place the
bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Encase each hard-cooked egg completely in a thin layer of sausage, using both hands to mold the sausage around the egg. Dip one sausage-encased egg first in the egg mixture and then coat with the bread crumbs. Set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining eggs. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees. Fry 2 or 3 eggs at a time, turning occasionally, until well browned (approximately 8 minutes). Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Allow to cool to room temperature. Cut eggs into quarters. Serve with mustard.
MINUTE MAGAZINE: I once made Scottish Eggs, and they were a big hit with my kiddos. What's another quick and easy, traditionally Scottish recipe that kids and adults will enjoy? SHELIA: Another early foray into Scottish cuisine for us was Scottish Shortbread. The key to flaky Scottish Shortbread is high quality fresh butter. MICHAEL: It’s called Shortbread because of the large amount of shortening (in this case, butter), used in the recipe. Like Scotch Eggs, Scottish Shortbread calls for just a few simple ingredients: flour, sugar, and lots of butter. As you might imagine, it melts in your mouth. Traditionally, shortbread is baked in an earthenware mold often embossed with designs such as Celtic knots, thistles or other Celtic symbols. Here's the recipe:
Scottish Shortbread 1 cup butter (do NOT use margarine) ½ cup plus 2TBS sugar 2 cups sifted all purpose flour ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp baking powder Beat the butter until it is light and creamy. Beat in one-half cup of the sugar. Sift the flour with the salt and baking powder and fold into the butter mixture. Place the dough on a cookie sheet and pat into a rectangle, one-half inch in thickness and approximately 4” X 10” in size. Mark into 1” X 2” bars. Sprinkle with the remaining two tablespoons of sugar and bake in the center of the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes, until edges are very lightly browned. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container.
MINUTE MAGAZINE: What about a recipe involving potatoes? When many people think of the Irish, potatoes come to mind. And when Americans think of southern food, we think of mashed potatoes and gravy. Is there a Scotch-Irish recipe that southerners would love to eat? SHELIA: Reading Scottish literature, and perusing through menus of traditional Burns Night meals, we stumbled upon an excellent example of Scottish comfort food: Neeps and Tatties. Tatties as you may guess refers to potatoes. Neeps is a Scotch-Gaelic term for turnips. MICHAEL: There’s not much to say about Neeps and Tatties. Neeps are mashed turnips cooked on a stovetop with little seasoning other than salt and pepper. Of course, turnips have a certain pungency that require little additional seasoning . Tatties are what we Americans would call mashed potatoes. These two foods when served mixed together is a dish referred to as Clapshot. Here's our recipe:
Neeps and Tatties 1¼ lb potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped 1¼ lb turnips, peeled, roughly chopped A generous pinch of grated nutmeg 4 tbsp milk 4 tbsp butter salt and pepper Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, cover the pan with a lid. Bring the potatoes to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until tender (approx 20 mins). Drain the potatoes. Add half of the butter and half the milk to the pan the potatoes were cooked in. Melt the butter and warm the milk, add the cooked potatoes and mash. Add the nutmeg and mix well. Place the turnips in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, cover the pan with a lid. Bring the turnips to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until tender (approx 20 mins). Drain the turnips. Add half of the butter and half the milk to the pan the turnips were cooked in. Melt the butter and warm the milk, add the cooked turnips and mash. These veggies are traditionally served with haggis.
MINUTE MAGAZINE: All of these dishes sound wonderful! Is there a traditionally Scotch or Irish dish that wouldn't be so appealing to the southern table? SHELIA: A traditional food which is a fundamental component of any Robert Burns Dinner(Robert Burns being the Poet Laureate of Scotland whose birthday is celebrated each January by Scots all around the world), is haggis. You may feel a shiver go up your spine at the very idea of this dish, which has had its share of bad press. The ancient method of preparation included ingredients such as sheep’s lungs and entrails. It also required boiling the mixture encased in a sheep’s stomach and is considered by most to be quite unpalatable. More recent versions, one of which is called “The Queen’s Haggis” is actually quite delicious. MICHAEL: Haggis is, of course, required for a Robert Burns Banquet. For one of the Scottish Society’s Burns Dinners, Shelia and I volunteered to supply the haggis. Our haggis was simply made mixing coarse-ground beef, diced suet, steel cut oatmeal and in keeping with tradition, a small amount of calf’s liver. The only seasoning used was onions, salt and pepper. Rather than boiling in a sheep’s stomach, we baked it in oven roasting bags. SHELIA: Our haggis was met with mixed reviews, but the overall impression was favorable. We did learn, however, that preparing haggis at home is not an endeavor one should undertake lightly. MICHAEL: I did find that suet made my hands nice and soft for the next several days! SHELIA: Our dabbling into the world of Scottish cooking is a continuing adventure. There’s many a recipe we’ve yet to attempt. MICHAEL: There’s more to Scottish Cuisine than the few items we’ve mentioned here. For those interested in learning more about Scottish Cookery, we recommend the tongue -n-cheek cookbook, Maw Broon’s Cookbook for Every Day and Special Days, published by Waverly Books. It will give you not only some authentic recipes, but an insight to the culture as well. -------------------------------------
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s I find pieces of furniture that need to be restored (or usually rescued from trash collection), I often think about their journey and how they ended up in the shape they’re in. Obviously, at some point and time they were “wanted” and had to be of some value to their owner. Why do some pieces get discarded and considered worthless as they get older and have a few scratches & flaws? Yet, others get placed in fancy antique stores with big price tags and considered to be very valuable. Do you ever think about yourself in that perspective? Do you ever stop and wonder how you ended up where you are in life and what got you to this point? Are you someone who has some flaws and in need of repair? Or maybe you’re in a place where you are considered more valuable than those that have a lot of damage. For me personally, I relate to the pieces of furniture that need a lot of repair work. There seems to be a popular trend these days to turn old pieces of junk into useful things. In the world of “Trash to Treasure” we, (junkies as we have named ourselves), like to use terms such as restore, refinish, refurbish, reclaim, and repurpose... just to name a few. Slap a fresh coat of paint in a “hot” new color on almost any piece of junk and viola- you have yourself a trendy piece of art. This modern decor allows itself to make old things look new & sleek. It seems that the “shabbier” it is, the more “chic” it becomes. That works pretty
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well for outdated furniture and old rusty objects that are now being recycled and featured on the front of popular decorating magazines as the “Gotta HaveIts.” But what about people? Do we feature those who have been abused, neglected, and have really messed up their lives on the front covers of magazines? (I know that famous people & all the skeletons in their closets are always in the headlines, but I’m referring to everyday people... like you, me, and the people around us.) When we see or hear of people that have obvious flaws (or sins), do we immediately want to restore them and give them new life? Or do we judge them and perhaps gossip about them? The last time you picked up a newspaper and read about a drug bust or a DWI, did you wonder how the person got to be in that situation and wish there was something you could do to help? Or did you think that they were “worthless junk” and need to be locked up and throw away the key? I believe that everyone has some kind of struggle, pain or problem in their life. Many people try to hide their hurt, guilt, or other problems. They tend to “stuff” everything inside, so they can “function as normal” on the outside. After all, we can’t be going around and “airing our dirty laundry” for all the world to see, now can we? What would people think if they knew the “real” you? In order to numb their pain (either physical or emotional) or to cope with the stresses of this thing we call LIFE, people
turn to substance dependence or behavioral addiction. Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling & food are usually the first things that pop into your head when you hear the word addiction. With today’s modern technology there are more addictions such as video games, cell phones, computers, etc. Some people are even addicted to things that aren’t necessarily “bad” things (unless they are done with obsession) like work and exercise. We tend to be like a piece of furniture that starts out with a small scratch or a ding in the finish. After many years of wear & tear, someone decides to give it a new coat of paint to “cover-up” the flaws. Later on, that paint gets chipped, so once again it is given another coat of paint. Then, as it is passed down through the years, it gets layer after layer of paint. After a while, it is so thick with paint, no one knows what’s really underneath. Finally it falls into the hands of someone who sees the BEAUTY that lies beneath. Thus, the RESTORATION process begins. It takes several coats of “paint remover” and a lot of sanding, scraping, and scrubbing until it is finally back
down to the bare wood. Nothing to hide… there it sits with all its warts & secrets that had been hidden for such a long time. It is REFINISHED, and then RE-PURPOSED, and given a new life. For some, the problems & challenges they face are a lot easier to cope with, while others have situations they have endured that almost seem unbearable. Regardless, there is hope for ALL of God’s children to be Restored, Refinished, and Re-Purposed through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Believe me, I know this from my own personal experiences. My TRUE CONFESSION came after a 30 year battle of “onagain/off-again” drinking, and finally admitting to myself that I was an alcoholic. (aka: HighFunctioning Alcoholic) Since I finally laid EVERYTHING at the foot of the cross, the Lord has “restored” me. It’s been a very painful process at times, but the outcome has been far greater than I had ever imagined. New doors have been opened, and God is using me as a vessel to encourage others. It took a lot of COURAGE for me to write this story, but if it helps just one person to get healed- then it’s worth it! -------------------------------------“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 --------------------------------------
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y wiener dog hates me. I’m not really sure why. I mean, I have an idea, but I’m no dog whisperer. I can’t read her thoughts. It could be that I like to dress her up in costumes – skirts, sweaters, headbands – stuff like that. It could be that I look at her harshly whenever she begs for food. Or it could be that I like to make her do “The Dance”. If you haven’t seen “The Dance”, you should really come by here sometime and watch Gilley shake her groove thang. To get a visual or to make your own wiener dog dance like a fool here’s what you do: 1. Pick up the unsuspecting pup or if you have to, chase it until it’s tired. 2. Put your hands under the dog’s front legs and hold them behind the elbow joint. Your dog’s back will be towards you and her stomach will be visible for the world to see, so a sweater would be appropriate. 3. Now take those tiny paws in your fingers and hold them up. 4. Sing (My song is always K.C. & the Sunshine Band’s Get Down Tonight) 5. Make the paws dance a little – mostly disco moves. Now as you can imagine she pretty much hates it. I, however, get a big kick out of it. Gilley usually won’t even look me in the face for several days afterwards. Don’t feel too sorry for Gilley though, because she definitely gets her revenge.
She got her ultimate revenge several years ago and I’m sure she still thinks of it from time to time, especially when I’m belting out “Do a little dance, make a little love, Get down tonight!” right in her ear. Years ago my husband and I came home from work after a long work week. We were exhausted but happy to see each other. Our little dog, Gilley, was our baby since we had no children yet. She expected lots of attention and usually got it. She was extremely spoiled. Just as we came in the front door on that particular day, we got a phone call from someone who told me that there was an ambulance in front of my grandparents’ house. My husband and I rushed out of the house so quickly we forgot to let Gilley outside so she could do her business. She was mostly housetrained, but she wasn’t perfect yet. My Papaw had been robbing a beehive and had been stung by several bees and had somehow managed to make it back to his house to call for help. He, along with the rest of our family, spent most of the evening in the Emergency Room. Thankfully he was released and the doctors told he was going to be okay. My husband and I went home, exhausted from the chain of events. When we got home we realized in our haste that not only had we forgotten to let Gilley out, but we hadn’t locked her back up in the laundry room where she stayed during the day when we were
gone. Well, every dog owner knows what happened. We searched the house for our “surprise”, but to no avail. We looked everywhere and just couldn’t believe she had been such a good girl. We let sweet little Gilley out and praised her for being so good and even gave her an extra treat for her self-discipline. It was late so we decided to go to bed, and that’s when I found out that dogs can be
evil. There it was, right on my pillow – not Jeremy’s pillow – two little ebony surprises. She could have went anywhere in the house, but she chose to jump up on our bed, and hunker down on the place where I usually lay my head. She was getting her revenge for all the times I’d dressed her up or made her do “The Dance” or left her in a hurry without properly greeting her. I will never know for sure, but I think I saw her smiling that night after I screamed obscenities at her. She had gotten even. And she knew it. I definitely learned a big lesson about life that night, too. Revenge is sometimes sweet, but usually it’s pretty stinky. So in the meant time, learn to forgive. Learn to laugh. And know that even when your dog poops on your pillow, you're learning to love. -------------------------------------------If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge? – William Shakespeare
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The Island --------------------------------------------
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need to warn you before you read any further: I’m not Scottish. I’m ScottIrish; a gentile mutt from the islands across the pond. I’m also not originally from Louisiana. This is a sin in New Orleans. My wife was born and raised in New Orleans. I love it, too. (So much so we call it home.) But that isn’t enough for some people. If you aren’t from here you often get the cold shoulder once people find out. It’s not something I put out there. Anyway, I digress. I have no Louisiana Scottish heritage. I cannot comment on my bagpipe playing on top of Driskill Mountain (or Monkey Hill for that matter). I can comment on an immense desire to one day visit Ireland & Scotland though. I have always had a deep longing to put my bare feet into the lush green of an Irish pasture. I know that sounds weird but, to be fair, I grew up next to a pasture so I think it would be a great childhood resurgence. But who knows, I may just put
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my feet in grass and think I’ve wasted a couple of grand to get there. I’ve always wanted to visit Blarney Castle in Ireland – home to the Blarney Stone. I know people encourage you to kiss it. According to legend whoever kisses the Blarney Stone is gifted with eloquence and persuasiveness, but I’ve heard stories… I ain’t kissing that thing. I’ll let God give me those things and I’ll stay disease free. I want to go scuba diving in Loch Ness with a meat poncho to finally get that monster. No, not really but I would like to visit the lake (can you believe they named the lake after the monster! Nevermind). I’ve heard it's a gorgeous lake. I guess we all have places we want to go. For some, it would be closer to home – New Orleans, Atlanta, or Dallas. For others it is the other side of the world. I was blessed to live in Australia for four months when I was in the 5th grade. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Spying out Koalas in the Eucalyptus forests. Stopping in the middle of the road for the sheep to pass by (my congregation has heard that one a few times). I still have the coins I showed my teacher when I got back. There are a lot of good memories that we have and that we would like to make but it isn’t the
location that makes the memories. It’s the people we go with. I could go alone to Ireland and visit that green grass but you wouldn’t want to hear about it when I returned. Sure, you’d listen but you’d be thinking, “I don’t caaaaaare!!!!” I know it, you would. But if my wife and kids took off their shoes and
experienced that green grass with me… well, they’d laugh and make fun of me still, but they would laugh and make fun of me with me! We would be making shared memories that would encourage and refresh us. Here’s the thing. God didn’t create us to be alone. He created us to be with other people. He made us to have brothers and sisters, to have children, to marry, to have friends, and to experience life with all of these people. Perhaps I’m a bit naive but I think that was an incredibly nice thing of God to do. Otherwise it would have just been you (or me). That sounds like fun until you realize that it would be awful! Let me encourage you to spend time with family and friends. Everyone needs someone. Everyone needs a lot of someones. No one should be an island. But I think we should all go visit an island… together.
be stripped away, while he is left to fend for himself in a world he struggles daily to understand. The current proposal is to lump autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) under a new category. Those individuals whose identity is linked to one of these defined diagnoses could lose the treatments they need to be productive citizens. Please take the time to visit the website of the DSM-V Task Force (www.dsm5.org) to at the Child Study Center every fiber of our being educate yourself on just at Yale showed that 55% for the past eight years to what these changes are. of the people who have a bring our son to his current In the Spring of 2012, the diagnosis under the current place as a straight-A public will be allowed to criteria in the DSM-IV would student at the best middle submit comments to the lose that diagnoses under school in Louisiana. He group. I encourage you all the DSM-V, and lost along has some very specific to take the opportunity to do -------------------------------------------with that diagnoses could and necessary supports this. It means the world to be educational placements, listed in his current IEP not only those with autism Changes are health insurance access, (Individualized Education but those who have other heading our way Medicaid benefits and Plan). I am terrified these mental health diagnosis many other services that could be lost as soon that will be affected by this -------------------------------------------people with autism and their as next year, setting us rewrite. And, please, to families and communities back to where we started. learn just how harmful these depend upon. And the Everything my son has changes could be read the change in diagnostic criteria fought to achieve could Autism Action Network’s would more than likely to crumble with the decision report at http://capwiz. the completely undermine of a group of Psychiatrists c o m / a - c h a m p / i s s u e s / the last 20 years of autism to ignore opposition alert/?alertid=61029901 here are some big epidemiology (Autism from mental health changes on the horizon Action Network).” professionals and the for the autism community. We have fought with public. His supports could -------------------------------------------The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is due to release the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). This document is used to diagnose psychiatric disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). If you can’t already tell, part of living with autism is deciphering the alphabet soup that comes along with it! I just wanted to address the potentially terrifying results of what this could mean if it comes to fruition, which is very likely. So far, the Task Force in charge of updating the DSM has completely locked out its stakeholders. Those would be people with autism and Asperger’s. According to “a recent study conducted
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Symbolism --------------------------------------------
Iabout n my last article I talked imagery and promised to go into more detail on the subject of symbolism. So that will be our topic for today. Symbolism is a great way to add the power of imagery to your work. As its name implies, it employs the use of symbols to represent an idea, emotion or other abstract quality. In other words, symbolism is a kind of shorthand. For instance, if you show an octagonal red sign to a motorist, even if there is no lettering on the sign, he knows he is supposed to stop. If a parking space has a stylized image of a person seated in a wheelchair, an approaching driver knows that that spot is reserved for handicap access vehicle parking. Both the sign and the image are symbols. In literature, there are two types of symbols - universally understood symbols and author created symbols. Universally understood symbols are those that convey meaning either by their very nature or by their context.
There are lots of these kinds of symbols out there - road signs, storms, falling leaves, howling wind, flowers in bloom, shooting stars, new dawns and sunset, and oh so many more - they are all around us, all have meaning to our readers and all can be used in a number of ways to signify different things. For instance, depending on your story’s theme and context, a reference to falling leaves can conjure images of the inevitability of death, or it can signal that holiday time is drawing near, or for the less astute reader it can mean nothing more than that it is autumn. And it can do this without any overt reference to any of those things.
that exist only because you as the writer have imbued them with a significance and meaning. If you’ve done your job properly, that item, phrase or gesture then becomes shorthand for that specific meaning throughout your story. For instance, in page one of my book What Matters Most you’ll find this
Her sweet, curious, intelligent little boy - he was so precious to her. Now that her own mother was gone, he was all she had that truly mattered. Lucy’s smile faltered at that reminder of her tragic loss, and she pressed a hand lightly against her bodice, comforted by the feel of her mother’s locket, cool against her skin. From that point on in the story, whenever she touches that locket, which she does often, the reader has a sense of what she’s feeling without me having to elaborate You should be subtle about your use of symbols, even the more obvious ones. And never, ever explain a symbol to your readers. If you’ve done your job properly, then perceptive readers will ‘get it’ either on a conscious or subconscious level. If less perceptive readers misses it and only see it for its face value, then so be it.
One of my favorite examples of how this can be used effectively is from the movie Notting Hill. There’s a scene in the movie, where the Hugh Grant character is trying to get over the blow up of his relationship with the Julia Roberts character. During this scene, which only lasts about two minutes, we see him walking through the market. But during this short walk, we see the weather elements change, and spy familiar characters in silent vignettes, in such a way that by the end of his stroll we know that an entire year has passed in the character’s world. And this was done entirely with a shorthand that we as viewers instinctively understand. Then there are the second category of symbols, those that are author created. These are symbols
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Tanks and GoatWeeds -----------------------------------
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hat’s in a name? The generation gap, and people living in different areas of the country, lend themselves to different languages. More often than not, the “new” words are accepted and old terms are outdated. But sometimes, it’s just a different way of describing things. One summer during my pre-teen years, back when I was really, really smart and knew almost everything, I went to visit my relatives who lived in Henderson County, Texas. The first day I was there, my cousin caught me up on the latest news in the area. Our family visited almost every summer, so I usually knew what was going on. One of the first things that my cousin told me about was the
new tank their next door neighbors had gotten a few months earlier. I was all excited and couldn’t wait to see the new tank. My Uncle had an old John Deere tractor that he let us drive from time to time, but a tank--that was so neat, yes neat, not cool, not awesome, but neat! I imagined a big green machine with a 50 caliber mounted on the top as I day dreamed. I knew the hay field drifted off into a wooded area that would be an excellent place for war games. I went to sleep thinking about the next day’s adventures with the tank. The next morning I gobbled down my breakfast and encouraged my cousin to hurry and finish eating so we could head to the tank. As we were about to leave the house, my cousin ran to the shed and grabbed a couple of rods and spinning reels and a tackle box. I thought this was a bit unusual but I was just along for the ride. When we got to the hay field we drove up on the levy of a new stock pond. My cousin grabbed one of the rods and reels and handed me the other. He explained to me all the fish we caught would
be released back in the pond this year. Maybe next year we could keep enough fish for dinner, but nothing more was mentioned about the tank. We fished for an hour or so and we decided to leave since we had peas to pick before lunch. During lunch, my aunt asked what I thought
of Mr. Barnes new tank. I scratched my head and responded with the best answer I could come up with. “Oh man, it was everything you said it would be.” My aunt said, “Next year we plan to dig a tank on our property so you can fish when you come to visit and we can cook what you catch.” By that time I knew we weren’t talking about used military equipment. Another thing I learned that summer was the knee-high grayish weeds around the newly built tank were called “dove weed” by my cousin, but it looked a lot like “goat weed” to me. I learned a valuable lesson during my visit that summer. Sometimes you don’t have to travel very far down a limb of the family tree to learn a new language.
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The Tough Conversation All Couples Should Have
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eventy-four percent of couples rarely or never discuss the topic of life insurance as part of their financial planning strategy, according to a 2010 State Farm® Life Insurance Study. A 2011 study from
the primary wage earner. Or that a spouse who has recently lost a job will react negatively to the topic. But whatever the obstacles, talking about life insurance is critical to both partners -even if one earns substantially more than the other, or one doesn’t earn an income. To start finance research firm the discussion, try LIMRA revealed that 41 these tips: percent of U.S. adults don’t even have life insurance. 1. Talk before you’re in a That doesn’t mean it’s not financial crisis. Pick a on their minds. Sixty-two time when you’re not percent of respondents said stressed, and treat the uncertainty in the economy topic as you would any makes having life insurance other aspect of your even more important than it financial planning. had previously been. 2. Make a plan that Bringing up the subject incorporates life can be difficult. It may insurance as a be that discussing the primary component of unexpected death of a your overall financial spouse is awkward. Or strategy. Having a that one spouse already plan in place can feels the pressure of being be reassuring if
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your circumstances change. 3. Set a monthly budget and learn what options you can afford. Schedule follow-up evaluations and adjust your coverage as your needs, family situation and income changes. 4. Consult an insurance expert who can provide an outside perspective and make the discussion less stressful. 5. Focus your discussion on the love you have for your family and your desire to protect it from financial burdens, rather than on the possible death of a spouse. ----------------------------------Contact Laura at 318-377-5556 or laurahortoninsurance. com to learn more about the life insurance options that protect your family’s future. -----------------------------------
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Native Bloomers -----------------------------------
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hile driving the country side I couldn’t help but notice that Spring has sprung. The native plants are blooming everywhere. Every week a different species shows it face from deep within the woods. Oh, the beauty from within the wilderness. If I only knew the names of these lonely blooming strangers, I would love to invite them to my home and have them become my friends. Recently, I was invited to attend the annual event of the Piney Hills Master Gardeners, “Birds and Blooms” seminar. This was a first for me. Refreshments were served before the speakers began the program. I browsed the beautifully decorated tables for homemade breakfast treats made by the ladies of this wonderful group. With coffee & biscuits in hand, I ran into my group of Homer ladies that invited me. The program began with Dr. Gladden
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Willis, who presented information on Growing Native and Heirloom Plants. Dr. Willis, owner of the Willis Farm located on the west side of Lake Bistineau in Doyline, La. gave a slide presentation with month by month native plants that bloom in our area. Dr. Willis opened with the statement: Did you know that the Ohio Buckeye, an under story tree blooms, but the hummingbird is the only pollinator? I had never heard of this before, and it kind of surprised me. Dr. Willis showed an abundance of slides from Carolyn Dormon’s Nature Preserve, Briarwood, in Saline, La. This is a must see if you have never been before. Dr. Willis explained, as he displayed slides, the different blooming times of many native plants. March and April are the prime times for blooming of natives. The bog garden is magnificent. The Louisiana Iris are magnificent. Picture plants are galore. Rhododendron, in harmonious blooms of yellow & red flowers, puts on a stately show. Mountain Laurel and the Sweet Shrub bloom in April. May is the perfect time to see the pale pink blooms of
Pale Coneflower and the Snow Flake Hydrangea. In June, blooming ranges from the Leatherwood Tree to the Plum Leaf Azalea, with its brilliant red color. September brings the Beauty Berry blossom. October shows varieties from the Orange Sweet Olive to the Calico Aster. At the closing of the program, Dr. Willis sold some native plants he brought from his farm. One I came home with is the Florida Azalea. Mary McFarland, contributing writer to the La. Gardeners Magazine, spoke of her knowledge of Daffodils. The bulb of the daffodil, as with all bulb type plants, is an underground storage system. Daffodil bulbs were found in the tombs of Kings in ancient Egypt. Did you know there is literally no difference between the Daffodil and Narcissus? The two words are synonymous. Narcissus is the Latin or botanical name for the commonly called Daffodils, and Daffodil is the common name for all members of the genus Narcissus. Mary’s slides included shots of her farm with natural bulbs located across from her pond. The effect from the pond doubles her flowers within the reflection.
Crafting & Cultivation of Gourds was explained in detail by an artist from Plain Dealing, Louisiana. Susan Breeland's family owns a gourd farm, and Susan takes her pick of the gourds from the garden patch with her “Artsy Fartsy” ideas in mind. She knows immediately what she wants to craft. She uses native items, such as pine straw and black walnuts from the forest floor, to enhance her gourd project. Susan cleans, drills, wraps, weaves, wood burns, and/ or paints images onto her homegrown creations. With no two alike, her Fine Art Gourds can be found in The Louisiana Craft Guild Galleries across the state. Mrs. Breeland also teaches her gourd craft, as an American Indian Heritage, for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. The program is Arts in Education, and Susan often teaches school children. Susan can be contacted for tours at susanbreelandgourds. com. Remember to Reduce, Recycle, & Reuse. And when possible, use native plants. Happy Gardening Y’all! ----------------------------------
"There are two reasons why I turned away from the formal gardening style that employed foreign plants. The first reason was an increasing dissatisfaction with both the plants and the unyielding design-I suppose dissatisfaction with things as they are is always a fundamental cause of revolt-and the second was that I was becoming more and more appreciative of the beauty and decorative quality of the native flora of this country." ~ Jens Jensen, landscape designer (1860-1950)
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My Sweet Hazel --------------------------------------------
“O h please, can I have her? Please?” These were
the words of my dear sweet Ruby, referring to the tiny brown puppy she saw as she dropped off our beloved 9 year old Shih Tzu (Biscuit) at the groomer the week of Valentine’s. My husband has never been a fan of inside dogs, but 9 years ago he finally gave in to our pleas and let us have a dog. Biscuit has since become a part of the family and we can’t imagine life without her. She loves macaroni and cheese, peanut butter sandwiches and pop tarts, and because my husband is the bearer of these treats he has become her favorite person. She has provided us with much companionship over the years. My husband, although he never really wanted her (but please don’t tell her that) has grown to love her. Now Biscuit loves everyone and welcomes everyone to our home with open paws, except
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the neighborhood cats. She is not afraid and has run off many cats from our yard without fear. Not sure what would happen if one of those kitties’s decided to fight back. I would hate to see that fight! It would probably warrant a visit to our vet as I am sure Biscuit is more bark than actual bite, or scratch for that matter. Sometimes I look at Biscuit and can’t believe that I cohabitate with this tiny creature. I find it amusing when I actually communicate with her, often without actual words. Yes, she can read my mind. And most of the time, she behaves better than Ruby and Wayne! Ruby will graduate in May, and she'll leave for college in the fall. Because of this, she and Wayne have expressed deep concern for me. They think I may need therapy when Ruby leaves home, and I think they may be right. This leads me back to the week of Valentines and the puppy Ruby found. She said it would give me something to occupy my time when she was away at college. Yes, Ruby begged long enough that Wayne agreed to go look at the puppy. So there at our groomer was this tiny brown Shih Tzu in a cage with a couple of other puppies, all longing
for a family to love. Well let me just tell you, it was love at first sight. She stole Wayne’s heart and before he had time to talk himself out of it, he had purchased her. I could not believe it. My husband, the man who swore he would never have a house dog, now has two. We brought her home and named her Hazel. Everyone was happy except for little Biscuit. In fact, she is still not happy with the new addition to the family. She has not hurt Hazel, thank goodness, but I am wondering if they will ever be friends. There's never a dull moment at our house now. Ruby is a great kid, and Biscuit is a great dog-so I am thinking I am pretty good at this training thing. But Hazel is proving to have a mind of her own and I am wondering how she is going to turn out.
She is giving us a run for our money for sure. Biscuit's reaction to Hazel caused me to think about my reaction to new people in my life. I have often said in the last few years that I have my core group of close friends, and really don’t have time to nurture any new friendships. Watching Biscuit growl at Hazel, and then run to the highest point of the sofa to get away, made me realize that Hazel just wants to play, much like new people in my life that want to get to know me. I have decided to be a little more open with myself. I have met a few people recently who I think I may want to get to know better, and I would sure hate to think they were growling on the inside and running for the hills to get away from me. I never want to give off the impression that I do not have room for anyone new in my life. After all, Ruby is going away to college and I am going to need more to do than sit around and break up fights between Hazel & Biscuit! New friends are always needed. Funny how a new puppy can make you realize that. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that someone thought enough of you to think “please can you be my friend? Please?" We should all take the time to nurture new friendships. One can truly never have enough friends!
CRISTAL KIRBY, M.D. MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER IS PLEASED TO WE LCO M E OUR NEWEST PHYSICIAN As a parent of two children, Dr. Cristal Kirby understands the trust you must build with a physician as they treat your child. She truly cares about her patients and looks forward to seeing them grow up to be healthy and productive adults. Dr. Kirby has chosen to bring her expertise in PEDIATRICS and love of children to Minden. “We were looking for several specific qualities when my husband and I were deciding where to move and we found them in Minden. We wanted a community that was of this size, where people were friendly and a positive environment where we can raise our family. The next challenge was to find a hospital and medical personnel that was top notch. Minden Medical Center fit that and more.” Dr. Kirby has joined Dr. Michael Ulich at Minden Pediatrics and is now accepting new patients (newborn to 21 years) at their new location 1232 Sheppard Street in Minden. Appointments may be made by calling (318) 371-7733.
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The Trap of a Busy Life and the Moment it Turned into Joy -----------------------------------
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must confess something. Slowing down and being still is very difficult for me. I guess because I’ve always had a lot on my list of things to do; maybe that's why I find myself multitasking, hoping to get it all in. There’s the book I’d like to read but never seem to find the time to crack the cover. There’s long list of music I’ve been salivating to learn but never have time to practice. Of course, the laundry is a neverending item on the to-do list, as are the groceries and the errands. As a wife, mother and business woman, my life seems to be a series of tasks that are required to fulfill the responsibilities I’m committed to. Don’t get me wrong--I have no complaints or regrets. (Not even about laundry!) I’m thankful that I have clothes to wash, and a laundry room in my house with a working washer and dryer. Sometimes, however, I wonder about the world I live in. During this season of my life,
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I am so obligated that I have no time to stop and serve others. I’ve felt very convicted about it. I’ve prayed about it, asking Lord, how can you use me if I don’t even have enough time to get done these things you’ve set out before me? It’s funny how God answers prayers. One morning not long ago, I got up and went through the usual routine: wake the kids, make my bed, throw on clothes and tennis shoes, make breakfast. Then off I went for my morning job of taxi driver, delivering Reagan and Langdon to school. I needed to mail a letter, so I thought I’d drive by the post office while I was out and about. On the way, however, my routine came to a screeching halt. I saw them in the distance. He was a young man, mid-20’s, carrying a blanketed bundle securely held to his chest. She followed behind, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt in the cold morning air that must have been in the high 30’s or low 40’s. “That’s odd,” I thought as I watched them cross a very busy road, darting around the morning traffic as best they could. I realized he must be carrying something valuable, but couldn’t really tell what it was until I got closer. It was an infant. I continued my errand, dropping my letter at the post office and
u-turning to head back home. Once again, I passed the couple. “She must be cold,” I thought. I was cold and I had on several layers, a seat heater, and was sitting in my warm car. Where could they be going? I passed them and decided to pull over and pray for a minute. I’ve been told my whole life that it's not a good idea to stop for strangers. I had a busy morning ahead of me, including the task of writing this column. But the voice inside of me was screaming in my ear -- STOP! I pulled into a parking lot and said a quick prayer. “Lord, what should I do?” I grabbed my iPhone and opened my Bible app to see what scripture would pop up, hoping that God would give me a clear word. He did. “...for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. You are my King, O God.” Psalm 44:3-4 Everything I have is a gift from a generous God. His expectation of me, at that moment, was to share it with someone that I didn’t know. I turned my car around and drove back to where the young couple was walking. “Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” said the young man who was clutching the baby. “We’re walking down to the store. My truck is out of gas.” “Can I help you?” I asked. “Can I drive you down there?” “That would be great. I’m keeping the baby as warm as I can,” he said. “Okay. I’ll take you,” I said as my heart leaped with joy. I drove them a mile down the road and dropped them at the store. I offered them what little cash I had on hand, which they didn’t want to take. “I don’t have much, but if I can help you out, I want to,” I told them. Reluctantly, and with an offer to pay me back once he got his paycheck, the couple took my $20 bill and climbed slowly out of the car. Their heartfelt thank you’s were matched by the sincere look in their eyes as they tried to navigate their difficult situation. As the young mother walked away, she turned around and mouthed the words “Thank you” to me. I drove away, crying and thankful. I spent the drive home praying for them. I had stopped being busy and had a moment to serve someone in need. While it might have helped them out, I thanked God for how it changed my busy routine and opened the door for a magnificent blessing of joy. I challenge you to do the same. -----------------------------------
Elizabeth Haynes Drewett: a hormonal woman rumored to be somewhere between the age of 30 and 50. Her job: Managing Partner of SPRING Media USA, a boutique marketing firm in Ruston, LA. Her training: BA in journalism degree from LSU and a BFA in piano performance from LA Tech. Her life: wife of C.P. Drewett, Jr. and mother to Langdon, age 13, and Reagan, age 7. Her passions: the state of Louisiana - as Miss Louisiana 1992 she devoted her year of service to breast cancer education; lover of music - choir director and piano teacher; lover of a good game - job experiences include PING Golf Equipment and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Her favorite things: an underdog who overachieves, a good laugh, a good book, a good word, and a good hair day. Follow her on Twitter @edrewett.
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Occupational Therapy Now offering outpatient therapy services
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THREE TIMES IN EIGHT YEARS. TWO YEARS IN A ROW. It’s a time for celebration at Minden Medical Center. We have been selected as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals for 2011 — the only Louisiana hospital to receive the recognition three times since its inception in 1993 and the only hospital in northwest Louisiana to be so honored in both 2010 and 2011. It’s a big honor based on ten areas of excellence in patient care and safety, financial stability, patient satisfaction and successful outcomes for patients with heart problems and pneumonia. It’s also a way for us to see how we measure up to our mission: to be the finest hospital in the country. This national recognition tells the community that the very best possible healthcare is available right here. Thank you to our staff and physicians whose loyalty, support, dedication and passion for excellence have enabled us to provide outstanding care and treatment for our patients. Thank you to our Board of Governors for their leadership and to our LifePoint corporate family for providing the support and structure to achieve our goals. As we celebrate this recognition, we vow to continue to strive for excellence by earning the loyalty of our staff, praise from our patients and the respect of our physicians…the best rewards of all.
cheers!
cheers!
cheers! MINDEN
Medical Center
100 TOP HOSPITALS
again
Sincerely,
George E. French, III George E. French III, CEO
#1 MEDICAL PLAZA MINDEN, LA 71055 (318) 377-2321
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www.mindenmedicalcenter.com