Mable, where are you from?!?

Recently I realized that my younger children have really led a sheltered life. My children were born in the South, and they had never eaten bologna.

This started with a conversation about the Local Hardee's that advertises Bologna biscuits on the marquee. Now mind you, I'm sure this is just a local thing. I've noticed that the local fast food joints seem to be franchised, rather than corporate owned. How do I know this? Just a hunch....our local BK generally has messages ranging from a scripture, something inspirational, but more often the time, date, and place of the viewing for someone recently "passed". (the expression used here in the south) Something tells me, our BK is not your average run of the mill company owned store. Okay, back to Hardee's. I'm just thinking that Bologna biscuits might be more appreciated in North Florida that in other places.

So back to the kids....I really hated bologna as a kid and never got past it. I will pass up one of the popular combos at Subway because of the mystery meat included, a.k.a. bologna. There is one exception, fried. I seemed to remember liking it fried, so after church yesterday, ran by the local Winn Dixie and picked up 2 packs of bologna. (they were B.O.G.O., no, we were not that hungry!) You would think I introduced them to lobster, they loved it! So much, that the 8 yr. old wants to start packing her lunch for school, so that she can have it every day. (We have moderation issues in our family, along with perhaps a few OCD tendancies....) And they might have had it again tonight for dinner.....

I started thinking about some of the regional food and beverage choices that we don't think much about, because we are used to them. First of all, let me start by saying that I was not born in the South- or at least not the deep South. Technically, you might say I grew up straddling the Mason Dixon line. I grew up in the Midwest, in a small town in Southern Illinois. To this day, the local hospital does not deliver babies, so folks are forced to drive across the river into Kentucky when it is time to deliver. So, although we lived in Illinois, I was born in Kentucky. When people ask me if I'm a Yankee, I can choose whichever best fits the occasion! I keep most a little confused, because I talk faster than anyone you will EVER meet, but apparently with a little southern twang, so everyone knows I can't be from here....you get the picture.)

Regarding the food, I must have more southerner in me than I thought, because I love Southern food! Not like most Southerners. I have observed that alot of true southerners like home cooking, soul food, etc. but that where it stops. I guess I am more of a "foodie", because I like it all! My favorite food is actually Thai food. But some of the regional favorites I have tried and liked include lima beans, collard greens, and grits, but not sweet tea. (see, that's where the yankee kicks in...over the last 2-3 years I have began to love unsweet tea. That is almost profanity in these parts!)

Several months ago, we had some friends that were staying here from up North, and due to health problems, had to move back up north with very little notice. As they were cleaning out the fridge and pantry, they sent many perishable items to my house. My kids were thrilled with the gallon of Publix sweet tea, since mom doesn't make it! It is interesting to me to see what foods others buy. These folks were from Iowa, (doesn't seem far from Illinois), but some of the thinks in their pantry I had never heard of, or certainly would never think to buy. Plum pudding, which in reading the label, I found is really raisin pudding, and then something called Hard Sauce. That is some sort of brandy sauce for the plum pudding. There were other weird things, but it was kind of fun using up Barb's odd grocery items.

Let's see, what should we try tomorrow night?

When God Doesn't Make Sense

Many years ago Dr. James Dobson wrote a book entitled, "When God Doesn't Make Sense." If it were not for my confidence in Dr. Dobson, the title alone might have put me off. I'm not even sure I ever finished the book, but it was recommended to my husband when a young man from our church was diagnosed with cancer. Who are we to question God? But isn't that exactly what we do when crisis strikes?

Today my heart is heavy as another very special person in our life has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She call me tonight to tell me the news, and as in so many cases, seems to be doing better than all of the rest of us. I'm not sure why, but in troubled times, everyone turns to God. Those of us who already know Him draw closer, or in some cases come back. Those who have never known Him find themselves looking for that "higher power" My friend is probably the most Godly woman I have ever met with a rock solid faith. Even though I am a Christian, I suspect that this blow will suddenly have me finding the time that I never seem to make enough of to pray, spend time in the Word, etc.

About 17 years ago, I went through a trial in my life, not related to my health, but rather to my marriage. I will say that though I would never wish on anyone what I went through, it was a time of spiritual growth for me. During this time, my friend to whom I refer today, gave me a scripture. To this day, anytime I encounter someone going a tough situation, this scripture come to mind:

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. " Psalms 61: 1-2 Once more, I find myself clinging to this scripture.

I am a music person, so I usually think of songs that speak to me. We sing one called, "Healer"

The lyrics are:

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
and Heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe you're my healer
I believe you are all I need
I believe you're my portion
I believe you're more than enough for me
Jesus you're all I need.

I know that God is bigger than all of this. Grateful tonight for the example my friend has set for me, before either of us ever knew this would happen. Praying for complete healing!!!

Hello Bloggers

Over the last year or so, I have become intrigued with the Blogging community. I have one that I follow faithfully, and now have picked a couple of new ones. My husband has never been much of a reader and gets a little irritated when I go on a binge. I can get on a fiction reading kick and bury myself for days! Not just one book, mind you, oh yes I speed read and may read 2 or 3 books before I come up for air. My recent thing has been tivo. Not sure why I cannot get out of the house to go to work when I'm in the middle of a good episode of Numbers or NCIS or House.....they are recorded for crying out loud. What is wrong with me?!? I have long thought we have some OCD tendencies in my family, I just did not get the neat part that most OCD'ers have! So now that I have discovered blogs, I think I could spend all day every day reading them. Some are funny, some are inspirational, and I enjoy both. Not sure what mine will be about. Life generally gives us all plenty of material, so we will see.......