IF we should live a thousand years! Our time is all today, today, The same, though changed; and while it flies With still small voice the moments say: Today, today, be wise, be wise.
Yes, today is today and I am right in the first half of it, wondering how I will make it through the second half. I love the holiday season; but, it sure does get crowded with all the extra events that are usually scheduled for this time of year. I try to participate in all of them which I can possibly get around to; but, the pace gets more frantic each day as Christmas draws near. So. happy holidays to each of you dear readers.
Well, let’s conjure up a picture of the last week or so and see what I have been involved in or may know about. Laura Pierce was with me Saturday morning and wewere looking for rummage sales or whatever. Had planned to stop at the Rusty Bucket in Archibald and say hello to Mr. Joey Hibbard and his little dog, Bear; but he evidently had customers (or company) since two or three vehicles were already parked outside. So, we postponed our visit with Mr. Jooey and drove on to Mangham.
It’s always nice to visit a bit with our friend there in the Flea Market, Mary Copeland, sister to Kathleen Eager of rural Rayville. I had no idea of how long we had been in the building until someone told us that the annual Christmas Parade would be coming by shortly. Someone set up chairs for us out on the side-walk and we had an excellent view of the parade as it passed by.
I was so pleased to get to watch this parade since I had already decided I would not get out to watch the Rayville Christ mas Parade that night. Oh, they had the fire truck blaring away as it led the parade. There were other vehicles with some “dignitaries” on board and several high stepping hosses (that’s horses you know)_and several other vehicles and finally the float with Santa on board.
So, that parade was very satisfying to me since I had thought I would see no parade this year. After that, we got back to our scanning of the vast aisles and counters in the Flea Market.
Getting back to Rayville about dark-thirty, I was heading h ome after dropping Laura at her house when I saw the Rayville Kiwanis Christmas Parade was taking place and turning the corner onto the front street next to the railroad tracks. So, I thought I might as well get a better view and see what it was all about. (Big mistake!) I drove on down and parked where I was headed in toward the railroad tracks, about opposite of Cheek’s Jewelers. Then, I got out and walked on over to the corner where I could see better. There were several people gathered along the street; but, it was rather dark and I couldn’t see many details of the floats nor their riders. In other words, my view was limited to one float at the time and I was definitely not impressed with a night-time parade.
What followed next just further confirmed my impression. I think every vehicle in town (which was not in the parade) headed down toward the post office and was turning right there to head south.
That was the way I wanted to go; but, since the line of cars was barely moving, I chose to turn left and get on Hwy 80. I made a left turn onto Julia Street, drove behind the courthouse and finally got on Mulberry Street to head south. Another mistake! Lots of folks were heading north on that street as they left the parking lot in front of First Baptist Church. I eventually got headed east and got through the traffic light at FBC – only to get stopped again while a fire truck was parked in the street (blocking my way) until they shot off some more rounds of fireworks. I was “plumb wore to a frazzle” when I finally got back home. They can have their night Christmas parades – I still prefer either a mid-morning or a late afternoon for such events. The parades are much more visible in the daylight hours. (That’s just my humble opinion and my preference as the old man said when he kissed the cow.)
Sunday worship services were good at Woodlawn Baptist Church on Sunday morning. Laura and I joined James and Nona Garner along with Gloria Traxler for lunch at Popeye’s. Afterward, Nona and Gloria drove over to see “Journey to Bethlehem” in the Pecanland Mall. They reported this to be a most wonderful experience as they saw all of the events pertaining to Jesus’ birth presented in the order in which they occurred. I believe Nona said this was the 27th year for this presentation which is truly great. (I had seen it several years ago and I hope to go again next year.)
On Sunday night, I went to the Richland Art Center for the Christmas Singing presented by several of the Baptist Churches in this parish. This is always such a wonderful event as we get to hear the various choirs sing the beautiful songs pertaining to our Saviour’s birth. Woodlawn’s choir sang one of my most favorite Christmas hymns, “More Than Enough” and it was just wonderful. If you’ve never heard Beth Milby sing the solo part in this great hymn, then you have missed a blessing. Beth has truly been blessed with an outstanding, vibrant voice and so expressive in detail. Beautiful, beautiful! And, I don’t mean to slight the whole choir because it takes all of them and their director, Bro. Bell, working and singing together in harmony to present such a glorious rendition of any hymn. (I was so fortunate to have been able to sing with the Woodlawn choir for many years until I developed some health problems about a year ago. I’m pretty well o.k. now; but, I don’t feel capable of putting forth the effort which is involved in the weekly practice time which a choir has to have.)
I saw my granddaughter, Kristi Wiggins and her daughter, Abby at the Richland Arts Center and she told me a bit about her family’s (Kristi, Roy, Jr. and Abby) recent trip to New York City.
I am saving that report until next week when I will give some details of this special experience.
As most of you know, we have had some bad water problems in the past few days. Phew! I didn’t even know about the “boil order” until later last week; but, I still tried to “close the barn door after the cow had gotten out” so to speak. I had washed a pile of dishes the usual way (by hand); but I heated a pot of water and redid all of them, rinsing an extra time, etc. Of course, before that time I had drunk some of the unboiled water; so, we’ll see what happens next. I bought a gallon jug of water and consumed all of that. Now, I’m down to using tap water again and I don’t know what the status is at present as far as the official recommendation which may be in effect from those in charge of our water system. And, may I ask what has happened to the six-million dollar grant which our town received sometime ago and designated to give a better quality water? Have I missed seeing a report on that subject anytime lately? That yucky black water coming out of my faucets was just a bit too much to consider for a while. My greatest consolation in this matter is that I have plenty of company = at least, I presume this problem was a common one all over our town. Help! Help! That’s what we need most right now.
A CHUCKLE: (And, don’t we need a few of those more often!) A sheriff in a small western court rose to testify against a prisoner. “What’s this feller here charged with?” the judge demanded.
“Bigotry, judge,” answered the sheriff. “He’s got three wives.”
“Three!” snorted the judge. “Why, you ignoramus, that ain’t bigotry. That’s trigonometry.”
Tuesday of this week was lovely for some of us older folks as we were invited to a special function at Rayville First Baptist Church at 10AM. The younger ladies of the church had prepared some tastyfood which included three kinds of most delicious soup and sandwiches and several dessert type items along with some special tea and other kinds of cola drinks.
This all took place in the church library where a movie was shown on the large screen TV. We saw “A Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Now that is a movie that I never get tired of watching. It has great actors in it and there are hilarious moments as well as tender and some heart-wrenching ones; but, overall, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is always and still wonderful.
I want to express my gratitude to the young ladies at FBC for hosting this lovely event for the older ladies and a few men who came. It was truly enjoyable. I was so pleased that someone brought Mrs. Ethel Hazlewood to share this time with her friends/fellow First Baptist Church members. It was a really good outing for all of us.
Later that day, Laura and I went to the Open House at Richland State Bank and enjoyed some of their special goodies and the always delectable gumbo. Saw several folks we knew t here and talked a while with Thelma Peller who is looking forward to getting her home built again after it waa destroyed by fire a few months ago.
I was so shocked on Tuesday to hear of the death of Mrs. Florine Gonzales, a longtime member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. I had seen her on Sunday night at the Richland Arts Center and had chatted with her a few minutes there. I understand that she evidently died in her sleep Monday night at her home in Girard. Oh, my, I have so many special memories of Mrs. Florine. She was one of the most faithful members of our Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) at Woodlawn for many, many years. I could always count on Mrs. Florine to back me up in various mission projects; she was always present for WMU meetings and special projects – and I always knew she would show up whatever the need or whenever it occurred. She was truly a great lady and loved her Lord and served him faithfully through her long lifetime. May God’s great love be sufficient to lift and sustain all those who grieve at her passing. She will truly be missed by her family survivors and her fellow church members and a host of other loving and caring friends and relatives.
I don’t know about this weather. I would say that we are having some extra cold weather these days – it came earlier than usual and there hasn’t been much let-up. In fact, I think I heard a forecast of possible snow on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Oh, boy, we’ve been spared one of those spells of down to zero temps and snow and ice on the ground for several days and usually, no electricity for a while in such times. So, just buckle up or down or whatever way you can cope with whatever comes. We’ll make it through with the help which the good Lord always provides in some manner.
Birthdays are coming up soon for: Mike Barham, Dr. Lamar Lane, Jr. and Tracey Patrick on 12/11; for Charlotte McKnight on 12/12; Ramsey Magee and Pat Greer on 12/14; Tony Walker and Doug Beach on 12/15 and for Sellers Aycock, Jr., Dianne Wroten, Hale Boyd and Angel Wofford on 12/17. May all of these good folks celebrate their special natal day in a wise and wonderful way. And, we wish them many more….
That wraps up another Outlook for one more week. Please call me at 728-4422 if and when you have a comment, a question or suggestion. I love to hear from our readers. Many seem to be worried about my continuing to write the Outlook column. Well, I plan to keep on doing it as long as I possibly can and as long as there are folks who desire to read my efforts. May God bless us all!
PARTING THOUGHT: A friend is a priceless gem for the crown of life here and a cherished star in memory forever.
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