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| June 25, 2004 Memories of the 4th of July I called my sons and asked what their plans were for the 4th. of July. They said they might just work on Saturday and the following Monday. My daughter wanted to know if they didn't remember what their grandfather had taught them about this day. I believe she remembers every special day and what my mom and dad taught them about it. My dad and mom loved all the holidays. I believe they really wanted the grand-children and me to remember the 4th. of July as a day to celebrate our freedom. They always told the story of their 18 year old son going to war and getting killed so Americans and others could be free. After I reminded my sons of this, I think they changed their minds about working. My memory travels back to my childhood and our 4th. of July picnics. My mom started cooking the day before. She would pack a large picnic lunch in her picnic basket. This was a big basket her stepfather had made her. I can remember going to Lee County, Kentucky to see my grandmother Liz and her husband. On one trip, he gave mom a huge basket. She always used it for picnics. On the 4th. of July, we would take the basket, a watermelon and an old tablecloth up the mountain above our house. We would go to an old coal bank. My dad told us that in years past, people dug coal from it and used it to cook and heat their home. We would spread the tablecloth and mom would put the food on it. As I remember she always brought fried chicken, potato salad and an apple or other fruit pie. After we ate my dad would tell us stories. He always told about the Native Americans and most always a story his grandfather had told him about his native people, The Vikings. He or my mom would tell us a story about when their son was a youngster. Then one of them would always tell us that he had gone to war and was killed so we could be free. Then we would go back down the mountain. It must have been a lot easier for my mom and dad. The picnic basket was now empty and the watermelon had been eaten. I will never forget our wonderful picnics and the wonderful companionship of family and friends. Our old family traditions are passing away, so we need to keep some of them alive. Recently, I read a paper my granddaughter had written. The very first sentences stated, "I come from the old men, who go to Hardee's. There they drink their morning coffee and talk of younger years." She said she would tell her how her grandfather McKinney used to go to Hardee's and the stories he and the other older fellows told. So maybe in the future there will be traditions in our future families that we never think of today. June 18, 2004 The Swimming Hole by Elizabeth This week has sure been hot. It makes me wish that we had our own swimming pool. When I think of a swimming pool, my memory travels back in time to my childhood days and to our swimming hole. My childhood home was built on a high embankment above a large creek. My sister lived next door. My oldest nephew was five years younger than me, the next nephew was a year younger than him. My niece was a year and half younger than the second nephew. So I always had playmates. In the late spring, mom would tell it to dam up our swimming hole. We would get rocks and tree limbs and other debris from the creek and use this to dam up our swimming hole. When the community kids saw what we were doing, they came to the creek and helped. Soon almost all the kids in the community were helping dam up "Our" swimming hole. Each child referred to it as their swimming pool. Before very long we had a deep swimming hole. The swimming hole was full of kids almost every day. I can only remember one argument and fight. It was between a brother and sister. What makes it funny, in memory, was they were our ministers kids. The brother threw a rock at his sister and cut her toe. Mom sent them home right away. They were back the next day. When the weather was hot, and our chores done we were in our swimming hole. My nephews, niece and me had to weed and hoe in our garden. A lot of the kids would come help us, so we could all go to the swimming hole. Mom or my dad would always tell them that if they want us to swim then they had to help us garden. We always had plenty of help. Almost everyday a different mom would sit on the porch with mom and my sister, to carefully watch us. Mom, my sister and the women would bring all us kids a snack down to the swimming hole. My favorite was a bolony (bologna) sandwich, and an R. C. cola and a slice of mom's pie or cake. Often they would bring us slices of watermelon down to the creek. I never tasted watermelon as good as this. My oldest nephew had a July birthday. Mom or sis baked him a cake. After he had blown out the candles, we took our slice of birthday cake down to the creek. I don't remember why we always ate on the bank of the swimming hole, but my guess is that mom didn't want the mess in her kitchen. Mom told us in her last days that the swimming hole was her link to her friends in the community, and that was her way of keeping my nephews, niece and me where she could keep an eye on us. To us kids, the swimming hole was just pure joy. I visit this old place it my memory often. It was a simpler, happier time for me. June 11, 2004 Things Unspoken With the death of ex-president Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's is finally getting some much needed attention. Aids, hepaticas C and other diseases have been brought to our attention by the news media and others fighting for money to try and find a cure, but Alzheimer's has remained in the closet. Some people still believe this is a disease of elderly people. This is incorrect. It can strike, beginning stages, in the forties and fifties as well as in elderly people. A lot of the time doctors and others think it is just forgetfulness or even dementia in younger people. This horrible disease not only affects the person with it but their family as well. Nothing is ever will be the same once this disease strikes a family member. With all that Nancy Reagan and the media have said, there are many horrors that have been unspoken. My dad died of Alzheimer's and black lung. Mother was his primary caregiver. I worked, but I helped her as much as I possibly could with him. She never spoke to the grandchildren or me about the most horrible hurts dad's disease inflicted upon her. So, I was not fully prepared (I don't believe anyone can ever be), when it happened in my family. A few evenings ago, a man spoke on WYMT - Hazard News about his ninety- five year old mother having alzheimers. My heart went out to him. He spoke of your loved one cursing you and thinking dead loved ones are with them. Yes, this really happens. No one speaks of the cursing or anger. I truly believe the anger and the cursing comes as a result of knowing something is wrong with them, but not knowing what it is or what to do about it. This is just a person belief of mine. Even in the first stages the person gets angry. They take this anger out on the person closest to them. This is very seldom spoken of. As the disease progresses, so does the anger and frustration. Yes, there are days that all is pleasant, but the anger always returns. The afflicted person can't tell the difference in a dream he/she has had and reality. A thought becomes a reality for them. Other caregivers or my- self, don't speak of this. The dead mother is a person they often talk to or call upon. This is probably because a mother is so beloved by her children. This to is a personal belief. The wife or caregiver gets accustomed to being called "Mommie." I've never heard this spoken of. The good and the bad childhood memories become reality. This is a good reason to make happy memories with our children and grandchildren. Someday someone may hear your happiest, saddest, and darkest childhood memories. I didn't hear Nancy Reagan or the media speak of this, but it's true. We also never speak of the unrealistic ramblings of our loved one/ones. I've never heard anyone speak of their loved one forgetting he/she had not eaten. My dad would argue that he had just eaten and we were trying to burst his stomach by feeding him too much. My mother-in-law would always want to get out of bed and cook for us. She had been an excellent cook and thought she could still prepare wonderful, hearty meals. None speaks of a mate being thrown into a situation where they must make all decisions to keep the family aground. Really in Alzheimer's the roll of husband and wife are reversed when the husband is afflicted. My husband and I used to make our decisions together, but this stopped long ago. Children don't speak of a parent who can do nothing either physically or mentally. Sometimes other family members and friends make excuses. I've had some to say they can't stand to see him this way, but if the person ever needed someone, it is at this time. In my dad's final days, he thought I was a little boy that had come to help him and mom. This broke my heart. Today there are drugs that alter the afflicted person's personality and calms them down. No drug has been invented that can heal or stop this horrible disease. There is a drug that is supposed to slow it down. Maybe it does some, but not all the way. I would ask my readers to pray for my family and all families who have a loved one afflicted with this horrible disease. Also pray that your family will never be touched by it. Kindness 5-31-04 "I will requite you this kindness 2 Samuel Ch. 2 Verse 6 Kindness Is Always Repaid While visiting my home county on Monday, my husband had to be admitted to the hospital. His admittance and stays in the hospital are always a fearful time for me. This time was especially bad because all our children live out of state, My brother, nephew and his wife came to the hospital to visit him. My brother came at seven a.m. before he went home from work. He reminded me that we had always visited him in the hospital, even when we lived out of state. He said he was repaying the kindness by visiting my husband. A young friend called him. He told me that my husband had been just like a dad to him. This fellow's dad had died, when he was a child. My husband had befriended him. He took him hunting and fishing with him and my middle son. My husband's kindness has been repaid by this young man many times over. My daughter came as soon as she could get off work and make the drive. I'm sure her wonderful kindness toward her dad and me will be repaid by her own daughter, someday. My son's called long distance many times, keeping a close watch on his condition. He loved his two stepsons and was kind to him. Now they show him much kindness in return. My granddaughter made my husband laugh. She told him stories about her friends and school. He really got a laugh, when she showed him her outlandish new shoes. I like to think her kindness toward her grandfather and me is a reward to me for being kind to both grandma Liz and Sarah. The most surprising kindness was shown by my oldest son's ex-wife. Her mother was in the next room and she darted in regularly. She told both my husband and me that she loved us. She and my son argued bitterly before their divorce. I never took sides. This is one of the hardest things a mother can do is not take sides with her child against his/her mate. Even after their divorce, I've never said anything about or to her that would hurt her feelings. I always thanked God that they had no children to be hurt by the divorce. My husband has talked so much about her coming to visit him. He told someone that he knew she loved him, because she had a kind face. He can't remember her name, but he remembers her kindness. I do believe that God repays each of us for every kindness we show someone else. It may not be shown by the person we've been kind to, but it will come back to us. My husband sees his regular doctor Tuesday. Please everyone remember him in your prayers. Elizabeth McKinney May 16, 2004 Decoration Day (Memorial) My granddaughter, just called from Jackson County. She wants to go to our cemetery on Memorial Day. My mom, dad, and the older members of my family called/call it Decoration Day. My dad's niece called also and says she is coming in to go to "Decoration Day." I was taught from a very young age to honor our deceased family members. The first death I recall was my oldest brother, who was killed at the very end of World War II. I can barley remember him coming home on leave. The next death was my sister's first husband, who was killed in the coal mine. I was about ten or eleven years old, but I remember the day vividly. About two months before Memorial Day, mom would buy colorful crepe paper and paraffin was. She would craft beautiful roses and other flowers from the crepe paper. My nephews, niece and me made simple flowers. After all the flowers were made, mom would melt the paraffin wax on the stove and dip the flowers in it. On Memorial Day, we would take the flowers to the cemetery. There was always a large crowd of people there. Many people traveled/travel long distances to honor their dead on this day. Mom and dad would put flowers on the graves. My dad, mom and sister would tell us stories about our departed loved ones. My niece lost her only son at age five. He and my daughter were the same age. She always put a flower on his grave. When my mother died, my grandson and two of the granddaughters could/can recall fond memories of her. My oldest grandson was only ten months old when my dad died, so they do not remember him. The oldest grandson son has his name, so he always put a beautiful flower on his grave. For a number of years, my grandchildren would write my mom a note on black construction paper and whiteout. They would always pick flowers from our yard and take them to "Big mam mam's (as they called her) grave. Then they moved to Clay then Jackson County, so they didn't get to visit the cemetery on Memorial Day. My daughter has always taken her daughter to the cemetery. She always puts a flower or flowers on "Big Nanny's" grave. My daughter then tells her stories about her stories about her great-grandmother and great-grandfather. My granddaughter always puts a flower on my niece's son. She always says this flower is for Johnny Bear. My daughter tells her about how she, her brother and Bear played in the creek. I listen as she describes him to her daughter. She remembers him so well. We usually end by making pictures there. My sons have also called and they think they will be home this year to put flowers on the graves. My niece mentions that when she and I are gone that our children will still visit the cemetery. I also believe some of my granddaughters will also visit and put flowers on their loved ones. I have taught my children and grandchildren without the loved ones buried in the old cemetery, we wouldn't be alive today. Our old traditions are fading fast, and I certainly want to keep the tradition of Decoration Day alive. May 6, 2004 Spring Cleaning The Way It Was With a cup of coffee in hand, I take a break from my spring cleaning. My mind travels back to spring cleaning, when I was growing up. Mom began spring cleaning as soon as the weather began to warm. The first chore was to sweep all soot tags and spider webs that were on the ceiling and in corners. These were caused by our two fireplaces and a coal cook stove. Mom kept old worn out pillow cases for this job. We would put the old pillow case over the broom, then sweep the ceilings and corners. Very few people owned vacuum cleaners, when I was growing up. Thank goodness, I no longer heat with coal heat and have a vacuum cleaner to clean the ceiling and corners. Next we would have to wash the walls. This was done with soap, water, rags and plenty of elbow grease. Mom wallpapered the living room and her and dad's bedroom every spring, as best I can remember. My oldest nephew, Bill, helped her do this. He was really good at it. I didn't like to wall paper. I could never get the pattern straight, as did mom and Bill. Then we would have to mop all floors, and scrub the big wrap-around porch. After the floors were dry then we had to apply floor wax to them. This was a job done on hands and knees. My nephew would sometimes put my niece on an old diaper, placed on the floor. Then he would pour patches of wax on the floor and pull my niece back and forth until the room was waxed. This was easier and got the job done faster, if mom didn't catch him doing it. All the curtains and crocheted scarves and doilies had to be washed and starched. Mom made her own starch from flour and water. She also made her wall paper paste from flour and water. The lace and fabric curtains had to be put on a curtain stretchers to dry. This was a wooden frame that could be adjusted to the size of the curtain or curtains. The curtains were put on to little sharp nails. These were attached to the stretchers when they were bought. I always jabbed my fingers on these as I put the curtains on to dry. We would help mom carry out all mattresses and springs to be dusted and aired. We had to take all clothes out of closets and hang them outside on clothes lines to air. Even bed pillows were taken outside and pinned on the clothes lines to air. This thinking of the old way of spring cleaning has made me tired. The washer, dryer, vacuum cleaner and new gadgets has sure made my spring cleaning easier. So there is always something to be thankful for. Elizabeth McKinney April 6, 2004 by Elizabeth McKinney Easter Memories The Way It Was Easter was a special day, when I was growing up. First because it was one of the two Christian holidays of the year. Secondly it was a day for family and friends to be together. Mom would make a trip to town about a week before Easter. She would buy Easter Egg coloring, vinegar and dozens of white eggs. My dad would tell her it was foolish to buy eggs, when our hens laid plenty. She would reply, "Our hens lay brown eggs and they don't color pretty." On Saturday evening before Easter, she and my dad would boil lots of eggs. Then they would put the boiled eggs in cold water for a few minutes. Then my nephews, niece and me would dye the eggs. We liked to take a crayon and put our names on the eggs. On Easter, if the weather permitted, we would go up the hill above our house and garden on an Easter Picnic. My cousin Leona's children and some friends would go with us some years. My dad would hide the Easter Eggs. Mom would keep us children busy spreading a table cloth and unpacking the food. She always brought the food in a large picnic basket. This basket had been a gift from her mother's second husband. Then the fun began, we would hunt the colorful eggs. My dad always remembered how many Easter Eggs he had hid and where. After this, we would eat our picnic lunch. We always had fried chicken, potato salad and an apple or fruit pie. The food always seemed to taste better on the picnic. Then my dad would tell us the story of how Jesus had died on the cross and his body laid in a tomb. On the third day, he arose from the dead. Then he would tell other stories. He always told one about the Native Americans. He loved to hide Easter Eggs for my children also. One Easter there was a small snow on, but he wouldn't be stopped from hiding the eggs. He hid the eggs in the snow. My daughter says she will always remember hunting Easter Eggs in the snow. Easter is still an important holiday for my family and me. I wish all my readers the happiest Easter ever. April 4, 2004 EASTER THOUGHTS by Elizabeth McKinney On Easter, the flowers bloom Gone is the winter's gloom The grass and trees are green All the pretty birds preen It seems everyone is having fun I wonder if anyone knows about the first Easter? I wonder if anyone thinks of the first Easter? Wonder If anyone remembers Jesus Christ? These are my Easter thoughts on this Easter Day March 25, 2004 Garden Time The Way It Was I visited my niece last weekend. Her neighbors were planting potatoes. This brought back a flood of childhood memories. My niece and I talked about our memories of planting potatoes, and what a good time we had doing it. Of course, we didn't think we were having a good time while we were doing it. This is our memories of garden time, the way we remember it. In early spring mom and dad would have my nephews, niece and me to clean off our large garden. This simply meant that we had to pick up and haul off rocks and other debris that washed from the mountain just above the garden. My cousin, Leona, had the tallest sycamore tree, that I've ever seen. It was on her property just to the side of our garden fence. Branches were always blowing from it up onto our our garden. My nephews enjoyed hauling the rocks out of the garden. They had an old wheelbarrow. One year, mom the boys and I built a rock wall around our back door to the end of our long house. Then my dad would hire someone to plow up the garden. Some of the men in our community owned horses. My dad said it was a waste of money to feed a horse through the fall and winter months just to use it to plow in the spring. We, kids, would cup up the seed potatoes. Mom had us cut each potato into thirds. Each piece had to have one "eye" or more for it to produce potatoes. Then to the garden we would go to plant the potatoes. One of us would dig a hill for the potato. My dad or mom would put fertilizer into the hole, then one of us would drop a piece of potato into it. One of us, usually me, would then cover the potatoes. The rest of the garden would be planted by the signs. This was/is the signs of the zodiac. My mom and dad swore by the signs. I believe there must have been something to it, because we always had enough vegetables to eat through the cold winter months. Another memory I have of mom and her gardening is that she always planted beans on Good Friday. She didn't care if it came in March or April, she planted her beans. A neighbor woman, newly moved into our community, told mom one year that it was too early to plant beans. Mom just keep on planting her bean seeds. I can remember that she gave the woman some of the green beans that summer. Usually next after potatoes, we kids would plant corn. Mom and dad told us to always put three kernels of corn in each hill. Dad would tell us that the three resented the Trinity. I think we planted beans in the corn hills also most years. I can remember mom planting her bean patch separate from ours. Mom and dad would plant the lettuce, cabbage and tomato plants. We, kids, would have to carry water from the spring to put it on them once they were planted. Cousin Leona's kids would sometime help us so that we would have time to play with them. My dad and mom taught my three children how to plant by the the signs. My daughter works full time but always manages to have a small garden. Last year my youngest son planted a huge garden. We still have green beans and sliced green tomatoes in the freezer from it. My niece and me thought this was the hardest work in the world back then, but now we remember it with happy memories. I think the early garden is why my family likes vegetables so much, and we are healthier by having eaten vegetables so much Grandma's Quilt by Elizabeth McKinney 3-12-04 In memory, I go back to the nights of my childhood. My mom and dad's bedroom was a large room with an equally large fireplace. On the other side was the living room with the other half of this double fireplace. Dad made mom a wooden quilting frame. It would let down from the ceiling by four strong cords. She would let it down at night, and we would carry kitchen chairs and sit around it sewing her newest quilt. Mom always gave my sister, niece, a girlfriend or two and me a thimble to protect our finger from the sharp needle. As we sewed, we talked about school. Sometimes mom would tell us a Bible story or a story about the olden days. The quilt I remember best was called grandma's quilt. I was made from Grandma Elizabeth's dresses and aprons. Mom had bought her a new dress and apron for Christmas. We were going to take them to her on the weekend, but she died before We got to give them to her. These went in the quilt. I believe Uncle Roscoe must have give mom grandma's clothes, as she was staying with him when she died. Mom made a colorful quilt from them. As we sat sewing this quilt, mom told us stories about her mother. My older sister told of how she and grandma would walk a long tiresome trip to the country store. She told how she and grandma had cooked and baked, when she was growing up. I couldn't remember these things about grandma, but I remembered what a loving kind lady she was. When the quilt was finished, it was only used occasionally. Sometimes mom would sit in front of the fireplace with the quilt over her legs. When my nephews, niece or I was sick, mom would spread the quilt over us. She told us that grandma's quilt covered us with her love. Mom gave the quilt to me before she died, as I was the last living of her three children. After mom's funeral, I covered up the quilt, and I not only felt grandma's love but my mother's also. My youngest son spent a lot of time with mom. He said he always felt at peace with the quilt around him. My two oldest grandchildren spent time with mom, as she spent her last eight month at my house. After she died, my grandson would go lie on her bed with the quilt over him. He said that he liked his great-grandmother's quilt over him. I wonder if my grandmother or mother realized what a wonderful loving gift this quilt would be to their loved ones? Between The Lion and The Lamb by E. McKinney 2-27-04 An old superstation states: March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lamb. I told this to my granddaughter and she asks in a puzzled tone, "What's between the lion and the lamb?" So we looked up March events on the world wide web. Listed are some interesting events we found on this month, and my personal feelings. March was the first month of the year on the ancient Roman calendar. Julius Caesar revised the calendar with January as the first month and March as the third month. To me, March is a great month, because spring begins either March 20 or 21. This year it begins March 20. March marks the end of cold dreary winter and a new beginning for plant and animal life. March can either be springlike or wintry. Either way we know sunny days are just ahea In March sap flows in the trees, and buds appear. Wild- flowers, can be found the woods and the edge of my backyard. Frogs lay their eggs. Hibernating animals awaken from their long winter sleep. Birds fly back from warmer climates. Usually the robins are the first birds to appear. In the spring a young man's fancy turns to love. This can be proven by visiting the mall or the movies. The flower of March is the violet and the birdstone is the aquamarine. March has no national holidays, but there are many important birthdays and events in this month. March 1 Ohio became the 17th. state in 1803. March 2 Sam Houston, American political leader born 1793. March 3 The Missouri Compromise passed in 1820. March 4 The new U.S. Constitution went into effect in 1789. March 4 was used as Inauguration Day until 1939 March 5 British soldiers fired on a mob in the Boston Massacre of 1770. March 6 Michelangelo, famous artist was born 1860, also on March 6 1836 Santa Anna captured the Alamo. March 7 Alexander Graham Bell patened the telephone in 1876. March 9 Ulysses S. Grant was commissioned as commander of the Union Armies in 1864. March 12 Juliette Low founded The Girl Scout movement in America. March 14 Eli Whitney patened the cotton gin in 1794. March Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. and Andrew Jackson, seventh president was born in South Carolina in 1767. March 16 James Madison, fourth president of the U.S. was born in King George County, Virginia in 1751. March 17 St. Patrick's Day - My husband always wore green on this date, as his mother and father's ancestors were Irish. Today, school children wear green to keep others from pinching them on this day. March 18 Grover Cleveland, 22nd. and 24th. president of the U.S. was born in New Jersey in 1837. March 19 missionary and explorer, David Livingstone born in 1685. March 23 Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death" in 1775. March 26, Robert Frost, American Poet was boarn in 1874. March 29 John Tyler, 10th. president of the U.S. born in Virginia in 1790. March 30 The United States Purchased Alaska from Russia. The U.S. Seccretary of State William H. Seward bought it for $7,2oo,ooo. (About 2 cents per acre.) Quite a bargain wasn't it? March 31 Daylight Saving Time went into effect in the U.S. in 1918. Also the Civilian Conservation Core or C.C.C. was created in 1933. So as you can see there are a lot of events between the lion and the lamb. Making Memories by Elizabeth McKinney 2-18-04 I hope that all my readers had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Mine was great. My oldest son came in Valentine's Day morning. We had a wonderful visit. He and his youngest son came back that night. This grandson is four years old. They laugh and say that he is a slip-up, as his sister is thirteen years old now. He is the sweetest and cutest slip-up ever. That night my sons worked in the basement, so that left me to entertain my grandson. He wanted a late night snack. He wanted a sweet cereal, and of course I let him have it. Then he and I watched cartoons and ate chocolates and popcorn. We laughed at the cartoons and he told me each character's name and something about him/her. Later he wanted a story. I told him "The Three Bears" but he still wasn't sleepy. I decided to do what my what my mother had done with me so many years ago. I told him the story of Noah and the Flood. I told him how God had told Noah to build a big ark, and that he put two of every animal onboard. I said each two animals slowly two pretty birds, two little lambs. His eyelids began to droop. I had only said a few animals when he was fast asleep. My son called the next night. He scolded me gently for letting my grandson eat too many sweets. Then he said Blake had told the story of Noah and the great flood until he fell asleep. He laughed and said he now knew why I had told him the story, when he was a child. My younger son said that I had kept a family tradition alive by telling Blake this story. He said that he remembered the story word for word from his childhood. The story is a tradition. It was handed down to me by my mother, and her by her mother. More importantly I made a memory with my grandson. Just maybe someday he will remember this memory and tell the story to his child/children. Proud February by Elizabeth McKinney 2-9-04 February is one of my favorite months. One reason is that it's the shortest month of the year, and that makes payday come a little early. Another is that when February comes, I know spring is just around the corner, and of course I really enjoy Valentine's Day. February is a month filled with birthdays and interesting facts. Below are some of the facts that I think you will find interesting. February is the shortest month of the year. It only has 28 days, except for leap year. This year is leap year with 29 days. I've always wondered how people with a February 29 birthday celebrate it. Do they celebrate their birthday every 4 years, or do they celebrate their birthday on March 1 each year? February 1, 1790, the U.S. Supreme Court met for the first time. February 2 is groundhog day. Superstation has it that on this day the groundhog or woodchuck comes out of it's hole. If the sun is shinning on that day and he sees his shadow we will have 6 more weeks of winter. If it's a cloudy day, and he doesn't see his shadow then we will have warm sunny days. My son called to tell me that Georgia's groundhog, General Lee, had not seen his shadow, and that warm sunny days were ahead for them. February 4, 1902, Charles A. Lindbergh was born. He made the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Other pilots had flown across the Atlantic before him, but he was the first to fly it solo. February 6, 1895, Babe Ruth was born. He held the title of "Home run king" for many years. February 9, 1773, William Henry Harrison was born. He was 9th. president of the United States. On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born. He was 16th. president of the United States, and the only president to be born in Kentucky. He was born near Hodgenville, KY. February 14 is Valentine's Day. An old English belief was that birds choose their mates on this day. Another belief is that spring is a time for lovers. These are just two of the reasons Valentine's Day probably came about. Some experts connect it with one or more saints of the early Christian Church. To me, it's just a wonderful day to show our love for family and friends. February is important in American history, because on Feb. 19 U.S. forces landed on Iwo Jima in 1945. This is a day that World War II Veterans will always remember. George Washington, first president of the United States was born February 22, 1732. There are many stories about him. One is he never told a lie. We know this is probably untrue. Experts say that he probably never chopped down his father's cherry tree. One fact remains that he is known as the father of our country. Though February is the shortest of the months, It is also the proudest. These facts were found on the world wide web and in the World Book encyclopedia. Mr. Right Rode a Greyhound 2-2-04 In a couple of days it will be February. When I think of February, I think of love. It could probably be called the "Love Month." A lady florist told me that she sold more flowers on February 14 than any other day of the year, and I would think more candy is sold for Valentine's Day than any other time of the year. So I think it's an appropriate time to tell how I met my husband, Mr. Right. My husband and I met on a Greyhound bus at Barbourville, KY. He was going home from working at Dayton, Ohio, and I was going home for summer break from school. He looked out the bus window and told his friend that he was going to marry the little blond with the big suitcase. Of course, his friend thought he was crazy. When I got on the bus, it was packed. My future husband-to-me told his friend to get up and give me his seat. He introduced himself. We made a date for the following weekend. We dated a few times, but nothing serious. In the fall, I went back to school and he went back to work. He called my apartment a few times, after persuading my mother to give him the number. This was a busy time for me and I just didn't want a serious relationship. We lost track for a couple of years. He showed up at my house out of the blue one night. We began dating again. We got married a few months later. Our marriage has lasted for a lifetime, and our love is stronger today than the day we got married. So girls, you never know when Mr. Right will come along just be ready for love. Elizabeth McKinney Cold Winter Days The Way It Was by E. McKinney 1-21-04 This cold weather makes it nearly impossible for me to get outside. My memory travels back to the cold winter days of my childhood. The winters were a wonderful time for my friends and me. It was too cold to garden or do outside work. So we spent our time mostly on outside activities. My girlfriends, niece and me would have races with my nephew and a friend's brother to see who could build the biggest and prettiest snowman in the least time. My niece would always add a pretty scarf or even beads on our snow-woman. Sometimes we would have snowball fights. My dad or mom would supervise these. I can't ever remember anyone being hurt during these snowball fights. My dad or mom would say, no hitting anyone in the face, and no rocks or gravels in the snowballs. My dad had made my nephews and me a sled and we would ride it down a little hill above the garden. Sometimes most of us would ride down on old shovels or whatever we could find like an old board. If it was a hard freeze, we would skate on the ice covering our swimming hole. This was great fun, but I had a lot of falls. Lots of times we just stay inside in front of our big fireplace. My dad had a long handled popcorn popper. It had a wire basket. I loved to watch the corn kernels pop. My dad would say that there was a war going on and we would listen to the popping sounds. Other times we would roast potatoes in the ashes beneath our fireplace. We covered the potatoes with ashes then poked red hot ashes out on top of them. Mom would put fresh churned butter on our potatoes, when they were finished. Often we would have fresh buttermilk to drink with our potatoes. My dad or mother would then tell us stories about the American Indians or about when they were youngsters. I can't ever remember being bored as my grandchildren complain of today. I enjoy these memories, but I try to do things with the grandkids to make memories for them. Elizabeth McKinney Proud February by Elizabeth McKinney 2-9-04 February is one of my favorite months. One reason is that it's the shortest month of the year, and that makes payday come a little early. Another is that when February comes, I know spring is just around the corner, and of course I really enjoy Valentine's Day. February is a month filled with birthdays and interesting facts. Below are some of the facts that I think you will find interesting. February is the shortest month of the year. It only has 28 days, except for leap year. This year is leap year with 29 days. I've always wondered how people with a February 29 birthday celebrate it. Do they celebrate their birthday every 4 years, or do they celebrate their birthday on March 1 each year? February 1, 1790, the U.S. Supreme Court met for the first time. February 2 is groundhog day. Superstation has it that on this day the groundhog or woodchuck comes out of it's hole. If the sun is shinning on that day and he sees his shadow we will have 6 more weeks of winter. If it's a cloudy day, and he doesn't see his shadow then we will have warm sunny days. My son called to tell me that Georgia's groundhog, General Lee, had not seen his shadow, and that warm sunny days were ahead for them. February 4, 1902, Charles A. Lindbergh was born. He made the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Other pilots had flown across the Atlantic before him, but he was the first to fly it solo. February 6, 1895, Babe Ruth was born. He held the title of "Home run king" for many years. February 9, 1773, William Henry Harrison was born. He was 9th. president of the United States. On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born. He was 16th. president of the United States, and the only president to be born in Kentucky. He was born near Hodgenville, KY. February 14 is Valentine's Day. An old English belief was that birds choose their mates on this day. Another belief is that spring is a time for lovers. These are just two of the reasons Valentine's Day probably came about. Some experts connect it with one or more saints of the early Christian Church. To me, it's just a wonderful day to show our love for family and friends. February is important in American history, because on Feb. 19 U.S. forces landed on Iwo Jima in 1945. This is a day that World War II Veterans will always remember. George Washington, first president of the United States was born February 22, 1732. There are many stories about him. One is he never told a lie. We know this is probably untrue. Experts say that he probably never chopped down his father's cherry tree. One fact remains that he is known as the father of our country. Though February is the shortest of the months, It is also the proudest. These facts were found on the world wide web and in the World Book encyclopedia. January 7, 2003 Is Religion Dead In Our Country? I recently read a report that stated religion was dead or dying in our country. It also stated that people felt no need to attend church anymore. I have to disagree with this report because of my daughter and granddaughter. She and her family went to New Orleans. They went to the grave of Marie Laboe, the famous witch. Many of you may have heard the song, "Another Man Gone," about this witch. My son-in-law lit a candle and made a wish at her grave. Someone asked my daughter did she make a wish there. Her answer, "I'm not crazy, because I know a dead witch can't answer a wish." She then told the family that the only true God in Heaven can answer a plea, not a dead witch or otherwise. She also warned her husband about going to the "Witchcraft Castle, as she called it. She wouldn't go near it and told him it would lead to no good. She laughs and tells that he had bought a very expensive camera for the trip. Sure enough after the trip to the castle he forgot the camera with all their pictures in the taxi. She says it may not have been the witch or the evil castle, but he still lost his camera and pictures of the trip. She says she is glad the pictures are gone, because God doesn't want us to look at evil things. This takes me back, in memory to her high school days. We lived in a small town in an apartment building On the ground floor was a church. It was called The Rock. My daughter and quit a few of the high school students enjoyed going to this church. It was founded by a local high school teacher. One night after church, she rushed in to read our family Bible. She wanted to find verses the teacher/minister had told them about. He had told them to not look at evil or touch it and you'll be safe from Satan. After all these years she remembers this lesson and is afraid of evil. She has taught her daughter this and to attend Sunday School and church. No, I don't think religion is dead in America. One has only to look at the lives and beliefs of It's ordinary citizens. Also teachers and ministers, you never know when you might give a lesson that will influence lives for generations. Elizabeth McKinney In The Year 2004 by: Elizabeth McKinney 12-22-03 The new year is rapidly approaching and another year of my life. I want to make this a better year for my family and myself. As in years past, I will make a list of New Years Resolutions. The only difference this year I will share them with Breathitt online news, and I will try harder not to break these resolutions. My Resolutions: I. In 2004, I want to be more the type of person God wants me to be. II. This year I want to be closer to God and read His Word more than I have in the past year/years. III. I want to be closer to my family than I have ever been;. IV In 2004, I want to be more patient and listen more to my family and friends. V. I want to truly be a friend to all my friends and make some new one this year. VI. I pray that I won't be as quick to criticize others until I have put myself in their place. VII. This year I want to help others with their problems instead of just observing and saying that I can do nothing to help. VIII. In the coming New Year, I want to be more creative and use my leisure time more wisely than I have in past years. IX. Finally I am going to take better care of myself, and to realize that I am only one person that can't be everything to my family. If I can follow these nine resolutions in 2004, maybe I can make life a little easier and happier for myself and others.l to her for it. Love you Missy. |
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