Columns

Fireflies 2021

I noticed this week that it seems all of the Fireflies, or Lightning Bugs as some say, are out in full force. I’m always amazed at the display and the show they put on all summer. It seems that they are more numerous this year than in years past and I think it may be from the very wet Spring we’ve had. We had a similar wet spring a few years ago when I lived “all the way across town” (at least 1.5miles!) and I remember the bugs being pretty numerous then, too.

The stitching pattern they make happens when their abdomen ignites with a cold flash as they dip then rise higher, then dip — light — rise, to be repeated over and over with seemingly hundreds doing the same. It is so soothing and almost hypnotic. Watching all these and hearing the cicadas buzzing a counterpoint to the frogs out on Barney’s Lake singing a chorus or two seems so like summertime in the South to me.

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16) Mankind has a choice of eternal destinations when his time comes to die. They are Heaven or Hell. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Hell is a prepared place for unprepared people.

Heaven is described in the book of Revelation as a city 1,500 miles long, 1,500 miles wide and 1,500 miles high. My, what a city! (see Revelation 21:16) There will be no night there and the gates will never be closed (Revelation 21:25) Jesus spoke of this in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you so. I go to prepare a place for you.”

We believers look forward to going there after our life on earth is over. There words are true and faithful He says, in Revelation 21:15, “Write for these words are true and faithful.”

“A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.” Proverbs 12:23 NKJV This week I want us to look into ethical issues of work and effort. We have many young people that are developing in an era where everything is given to them. They want to spend what they don’t earn and want to quit before they even try. The two ethics rules this week are; “Before you spend, Earn” and “Before you quit, Try”.

A Fun Gift in a Jar: Spoon Butter

Spoon butter is one of my favorite ways to give a Gift in a Jar. It’s perfect to give as a single jar or tucked in a kitchen gift basket. It is also one of the most beneficial things you can have in your kitchen. Spoon Butter helps to keep your wooden spoons, cutting boards, and knife handles from drying out and splintering. When you make a batch, be sure to keep a jar for your own use!

Ingredients: (see the Notes below) 4 oz. Beeswax 16 oz. Neutral Oil Glass containers Directions: Put water into a pot and bring to a simmer. Put beeswax into a glass jar (a quart canning jar or mayonnaise jar will work), and place in the pot with the simmering water.

In a separate pot, add water and allow to simmer. Pour neutral oil into a second glass jar. Place the jar in the second pot of simmering water. When wax in the first pot is completely melted, remove from water and add the oil from the second pot.

A request has been made that a concise short history of Louisiana and DeSoto Parish be made for reference when needed. A prominent Mansfield person wanted to be sure his grandchildren knew this information. The Louisiana Territory was a large area with New Orleans as a valuable port near the mouth of the Mississippi River. President Thomas Jefferson realized the need for the U.S. to own and control it for its western growth. He sent a representative to France to buy the N.O. area but Napoleon needed money badly to finance the wars the he was waging. He offered the entire La. Territory which composes about one third of the present U.S. for $15 million. Also the U.S. paid $5 million to U.S. citizens who held claims against France bringing the total to $20 million.

How to Host a Swap Meet

Is it a Swap Meet? Or a ‘Swap’ Meet? It just depends upon your perspective! Traditionally, a Swap Meet is a place where folks can swap one item for money or another item of equal value. But it can also mean something else – a ‘Swap Meet’ among friends! This is when friends gather together to ‘swap’ items they need.

To host a swap meet, the first step is to do a bit of homework. Consider the season and potential swaps. Then poll your friends to see which ones work best. For instance, a Seed Swap might be held in January. Once your poll is completed, choose the top three favorites and work on those.

Arlington Cemetery has been in the news for the past few months without many of us knowing the tremendous history involved. As Paul Harvey said, “Here’s the rest of the story.”

George Washington’s adopted son — his wife Martha’s only son — bought the land know as Arlington in 1778 to be closer to his mother at their beloved Mount Vernon home. General Washington advised him on the purchase in correspondence from his winter camp at Valley Forge. However, three years later her son contracted fever at Yorktown and died leaving a sixmonth- old son. George and Martha raised the six month of boy whose name was George Washington Parke-Custis and nicknamed “Wash”. Wash became of age and inherited the Arlington land his real father had purchased but his lifelong mission became to honor his adopted father.

A Very Old Cookbook

In the last few weeks I’ve been receiving Ms. Hope Calhoun’s collection of books delivered by her Niece, Cheryl Ryder Brightwell, from Cousin Tommy Calhoun AND it’s been a major undertaking. In the 24 boxes delivered I’ve been finding gardening books, bird and plant books, cookbooks and ,most importantly for the Museum, textbooks from the old Female College. Yes, actual text and reference books!

So far some interesting finds as I unpack are a 1924 book on Parliamentary Procedure, a set of “The Student’s Cyclopaedia” copyrighted 1893 most recently updated in 1919, volumes of the “Messages and Papers of the Presidents” with Volume II copyrighted in 1897 starting with James Madison … This is gonna be fun!

Spring is here and summer is very close!! Isn’t it good to be a true Southerner and enjoy tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes? Allow this writer to divert from history this one time to write about the above “vegetables” — especially watermelons and cantaloupes. Cucumbers are great but watermelons are more to my liking. This tasty “gourd” — yes it is in the gourd family — is good for much more than a summer picnic. Watermelon is 90% water and a great way to stay hydrated. It is an excellent healthy alternative to sugary drinks and is a good choice for people watching their weight. It’s full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Trout Battles — Meniere vs Almandine

What?! Noooo, it’s not a European title fight but a competition of two simple yet elegant French dishes. I’ve told about the famous (to me and my Daughter) New Orleans trip with my Mom in search of the perfect Trout Almandine dish from the great 4-star restaurants there. It took two columns to tell it all and I will gladly send you a copy if you’re interested but basically Sal Saia, the owner of Sal & Sam’s in Metairie, La., said that it was one of the simplest but easiest recipes to mess up. He insisted it should be the measuring stick of all really great restaurants. Soooo, we decided to try that at every one we visited. Of course 10-year-old Ashley was more interested in the different deserts but we all had a great and fun week.