with Patsy Nobles Jones
“Here’s what I know: death abducts the dying, but grief steals from those left behind.” – Katherine Owen
Our community expresses sympathy to the families of Joe Tinker Burton, Sr. (4-7-28 to 11-5-19), served in U.S. Navy – Houston Cemetery in Parsons; Larry Varnell Clayton (10-12-67 to 11-5-19) – Pisgah; Iva Loretta Efaw Cave (11-29-35 to 11-6-19) – Memory Garden; Charles Amon “Chuck” England (5-8-38 to11-7-19) from Pinson and served in U.S. Navy. Husband of Evelyn Johnsey and beloved granddaddy to Erin (Jonathan) Pounds who married my cousin and nephew of Vickie Ellis. Pepper Pounds, great-granddaughter, place a pink rose beside his shoulder – Bear Creek; Steven N. Patterson (10-29-50 to 11-11-19) – incomplete at this writing; Cecil Lavan Joyner, Sr. (12-30-41 to 11-10-19) from Pinson – no local service; Mary Perkins Plunk (1-17-57 to 11-9-19), daughter of Guy and Waymon Martin Perkins Barber and cousin of Cynthia Vogt – Roby.
Tenderly remember family of Sue McEarl (11-11-28); she turns 91 in heaven. Her grandson, Nick Shelton, joined his grandmother (10-29-19). There is a memorial service Sunday for Nick. Keep McEarl Families in your prayers. Phyllis went to school here but lives in Pennsylvania now. She is my best friend, so prayerfully, this quote will give her comfort. “May you take comfort in knowing there is one more angel above us.”
Continued prayers requested for Sheila Cox; Luke Story; Andy Maness at West TN Rehabilitation Hospital; and Bob (Sarah) Lindsey, husband of my Maness cousin. Melbern Jones is working hard at Humboldt Veteran Home so he can go to the mountains with his family. Prayer is requested by Liz Kitchen for J.C. Emerson. We graduated in 1969. He’s a sweet man and has a precious family. We hold them in our prayers.
Did you plant those lime green potato vines from Cindy Springer’s Sweetlips Nursery? Well, Delores “Perky” Perkins pulled her vines up after Mr. Frost did his thing. She found small, medium and very large potatoes, so I Googled and called with good news. Cook those taters, Perky!
Wonder how “a lonely backyard dog” feels in this cold weather? Did owners make sure there was time taken to make life less miserable? Fresh water freezes fast; good warm healthy food is a blessings. Boil chicken thighs and remove bones. Add rice to broth and cook until tender. Add chicken and you have got a great meal for several feedings.
Extra hay in their house or a heated pad from R & J is great. Deserted strays huddle among piles of trash or leaves. Culvert offers some cover if it is not damp with water. Hunger drives them into cold bitter wind to look for scraps in frigid weather. They cower around other dogs or people. They are scared and deserted in this cold cruel world. Help animals that are helpless. They will become your best pal. If you see abuse, report it to the Sheriff’s or Police Departments. There is a NEW law below.
Great news for animals finally. The Senate has unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which makes animal cruelty a federally prosecutable crime. The act was passed in October. It allows authorities to charge animal cruelty perpetrators who commit crimes across state lines and/or land under federal jurisdiction.
Covering acts of torture including bestiality, suffocating, crushing, drowning and impaling. PACT would make such crimes against animals punishable as felonies. The final step in making this bill law is President Donald Trump’s signature.
One of the bill’s sponsors, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said, “There’s no place in a civilized society for maiming and torturing animals - period.” Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) said, “Passing this legislation is a major victory in the effort to stop animal cruelty and make our communities safer.” Evidence shows that the deranged individuals who harm animals often move on to committing acts of violence against people. Nearly 40,000 signed a petition to help pass this law in the House and Senate.
More great news – The Queen of England is going “fur-free.” Her dresser, Angela Kelly, announced that if “Her Majesty” is due to attend an engagement in cold weather from 2019 onward fake fur will be used. Also, the walkways will be “fur-free.” Tidbits: 18 foxes are killed for one coat; over 55 minks killed for one coat; and fake fur cost less than $10 a yard. Did you know many animals are skinned alive for their fur? Even elephants are shot several times by poachers for their tusks. Now poachers are skinning dying elephants alive for their skin. It takes an elephant sometime two hours to die. Think of this horror - helpless and dying in misery.
This was my first Veterans Day program to miss. My hubby stayed home with me due to my grunting. Liz Kitchen noticed our absence and called to see what was wrong (we appreciated her observation). She told us it was the BEST program ever. There were only a few seats not occupied. The parade got the spirit going; FHU choir sang; speakers got to the point; and about 50 veterans were given attention. FHU hosted the meal. As usual, Liz Kitchen furnished the patriotic floral arrangements on courthouse square to honor veterans – yesterday and today. Veterans Day is a humble time, so God bless all veterans for their part in helping keep America free. Our freedoms are due to their sacrifice and duty served bravely. Pray for those still in harm’s way.
Tidbits: WWI (7-28-1914 to 11-11-1918) - Treaty of Versailles signed. Nine million soldiers dead; 21 million wounded; five million civilians died from diseases; and Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France and Great Britain each lost a million soldiers. Frank Buckles (2-1-1901 to 2-17-2011) was the last surviving WWI Veteran in Texas. Also, there are only 496,777 out of 16 million Americans who served in WWII alive according to U.S Department of Veterans Affairs statistics (two died this week here).
“We’ll say bye or now; and we love you.” – Harry Brown, WWII Veteran
