My Mom's Poetry at 7 Years Old

My 88 Year Old Mother Downs Another Martini

My mom celebrated her 88th birthday recently.  I'm happy to say that she is in really good shape for the shape she's in, and in  possession of a quick wit and mind. 

My Mom---Age 19

While going through some old family papers recently, I came across this copy of a poem she wrote when she was about 7 years old.  It's pretty good.  Made me laugh.

My Mom---Age 6 Years

Yes, there is a typo here and there and the meter could use some fine-tuning, but for a child that young, I'm pretty impressed.  I plan to show her this poem when I see her at Christmas---I wonder if she will remember it.  I hope you enjoy it!

POMS.  (supposed to be "poems")
           By  Aileen Clinton

One dark night
When the moon was pale
For the want of light
In a little rude hut
In a little rude town
The rudest hut for miles around
A man was trembling
With fear and fright
For he was afraid to die that night
He called his wife to come and sit with him to the last
For he was dying dying fast
He told her he would soon be nocking at God's golden door
Asking if there were room for one more
He told her that and no more
All he heard was her wailing cry
And with that he died

               Holy  M i g h t

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Christmas Presents....

Over the years, our country has allowed Christmas Day to evolve into a shameful orgy of gift-giving.  I don't think I know anyone who would disagree with this.  Of course, I freely admit that for many years I was a part of the problem.  If you have children, you want them to feel the love of the holiday, and you do not want them to be looked upon as less fortunate than their friends.

Fortunately, I am older now, and (hopefully) wiser.  All those gifts we gave our children over the years did not in any way make them better people or, more importantly, bring them closer to God or foster a relationship with Jesus.

To this day, I recall the Christmas of 1954.  I was ten years old.  And my parents, trying their best to make sure I had a wonderful day, spent much more money than they could afford to give me a great Christmas.  They gave me a set of World Book encyclopedias.  I later found out that this set of books cost them $100.  This was a very large amount of money 56 years ago.  There were other gifts, as well.  I thought I had a very nice Christmas until I went outside and found out that my friend Walter had got a football and a BB gun; and my friend Tony had got a baseball, bat and glove.  In my wisdom and maturity I stomped inside the house and informed my parents that I had been "gypped".  My dad would have killed me on the spot if my mom had not intervened.

Years later, I asked my dad what kind of gifts his family gave each other when he was a boy.  He said they usually gave things like fruit---apples, oranges and bananas and such.  He said they had wonderful Christmases back then, and no one even thought about gifts that much.  The day was more about Jesus and celebrating Him.

My, how far we've come!  Here is hoping we can begin to return to celebrating Christmas for the right reasons. 

The fact is, I neither need nor want anything for Christmas in the way of gifts.  Most of the people I know have no real needs, either.  The bottom line for me is this:  God has given me far more in this world than I deserve, and I shall be thanking Him for that on Christmas Day, just as I do every other day.

Baptism

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While going through some old family papers, I chanced upon a baptismal record of a long-gone relative.  As you can see in the photograph, Gerard Niggemyer was baptized in the Catholic Church in Ft Madison, Iowa in 1861.  He was two days old at the time of baptism.

Jesus was Baptized By John the Baptist Around the Age of 30

This got me to thinking.  The word "baptism" comes to us from the Greek "baptismo", which means "immersing" or "ritual washing" and is a sacrament and ordinance of Jesus Christ.  Jesus himself was baptized, apparently around the age of 30 years, by John the Baptist.

Questions:

---If baptism is the act of a true believer, how is it possible that a very young child who does not comprehend can receive true baptism?

Christening of a Baby

---If a baby is baptized (christened), is it desirable or even necessary to be re-baptized later in life when the individual has come to understand the true and full meaning of the act?

Full Immersion

---Is it important to be fully immersed when baptized, or can one be sprinkled and receive the full cleansing?

I would love to have your thoughts on this topic.

Lookin' The Beans.............

Place The Beans On A White Background And Use A Knife To Sort Thru Them.  This Is How To Look The Beans

Yesterday, Cindy and I were talking about what to have for dinner.  She suggested a roast with potatoes and beans.  I said that sounded good.  Then, she dropped a phrase on me I have never heard in my life.  She said, "If you will peel the potatoes, I'll look the beans".

I let that sink in for a few seconds, and then said, "Say what?"

I had never before heard the phrase "lookin' the beans" and didn't have a clue as to what it meant.  In turn, she was astounded that I had never heard that terminology.  We began to discuss it.

It seems when one buys a bag of beans, there are other things besides beans in that bag---usually small pebbles, or dirt that must be removed before cooking.  Also, she explained, there are some beans that are "bad" that should also be removed prior to cooking.

These Are The Bad Beans And Dirt And Pebbles Removed After "Lookin'"

"Lookin' the beans" is accomplished by taking a handful of beans from the bag at a time and placing them on a white paper plate.  The white plate makes it easy to see the impurities.  With a knife, the beans are sorted as the "looker" examines them (much like a pharmacist counting pills).  The pebbles and "bad" beans are removed, and then the process is repeated until the entire bag of beans has been "looked".

I tried to do some research on this phrase, and it turns out that it is commonly used in the southern United States---mostly in the Appalachian region (Cindy grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee).

Cindy also explained to me that not only beans need to be looked before cooking, but also leaf lettuce that is going to be prepared as "kilt" lettuce (that is a different blog for another day) and greens. 

So, before you cook dried beans or greens or leaf lettuce, be sure you "look them" first!

Avocadoes=Guacamole=Manna From Heaven

Your Basic Ingredients

When my mom introduced me to the fruit of the avocado plant, I was quite young.  But even at that tender age I realized that this was something very, very good.  It has turned into a lifetime love affair.

Toss the Pits

You can eat them sliced in salads, chunked on tacos or in sandwiches, or as a dip in guacamole.  Today, my peeps, we shall discuss my simple, yet quite addictive recipe for guacamole.  You can eat it as a dip, or as a salad dressing.

Quarter and Remove the Skin

I start out with six good-sized avocadoes.  You want them to be firm but with some squeeze-ability.  If they are too hard, you'll have to put them aside a day or two until the texture is squeezable.  If they are too soft, don't buy them because they are over-ripe.

Place the Meat in a Mixing Bowl

You need a cutting board, sharp knife, grater, masher, large spoon, lemons, large onion, pepper mill, mayonnaise and large mixing bowl.

The Meat of Six Avocadoes in Mixing Bowl

Add One Large Spoonful of Mayo

Quarter each avocado.  Toss the pits.  Remove skin. Place the fruit in the bowl.  Add one large spoonful of mayo.  Rookies make the mistake of putting in too much mayo.  Don't be a rookie.  Grate the large onion and add that to the hopper, along with the juice from one large lemon and pepper to taste. 

Grate a Large Onion

At this point, your taste buds will be tingly in anticipation of the wondrous treat that awaits you.

Mash this concoction together, making sure there are no lumps.

Avocado Quarters, Grated Onion, Lemon Juice and Mayo all Together

Stir thoroughly.  When this is completely mixed, lick the spoon.  If it needs more lemon or pepper or onion, add and re-lick.

Mash Thoroughly Until Creamy

Now, my friends, you have an ample supply of one of God's wonders.  If He made anything better, He kept it for Himself.

Add Pepper to Taste

I like to dip it with corn chips.  Cindy and I love it as a salad dressing.  Enjoy.

The Finished Product

UMMMMM   UMMMMM   UMMMMMPH!!!

PS---This is a basic recipe.  Other ingredients such as cilantro, chunked tomatoes, etc can be added according to one's preference.

Ringin' For Salvation Army!

Cindy Rings Her Bells For Charity

Cindy and I worked at Fry's Electronics in Plano, Texas today, ringin' the bells for the venerable Salvation Army, collecting money to be used to help feed the less fortunate.

Fry's Electronic Superstore in Plano, Texas Helps the Salvation Army Collect Money for the Needy

Fry's Electronics is an electronic superstore, and draws thousands of customers a day.  These huge crowds give generously to the Salvation Army collection volunteers.

The High Winds Made It Much More Uncomfortable

Today, it was 58 degrees, with 35 mile per hour winds.  Brrrr.  Colder than it sounds because of the high breeze.

Me, Ringin' My Heart Out!

Many folks dropped money in our collection buckets.  Children, senior citizens, young adults---everyone wanted to contribute to a good cause at Christmas time.

Me and Cindy Pose as Mr and Mrs Santa Through the Window

Our local Salvation Army collections leaders, John and Barb Jolly, do a fantastic job coordinating our collection effort.  The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian organization that raises money for the needy.

My Dog...

                              
                               My Dog

Waggletail!  Licky-lick!  Jump up, my Rover!
I love you!  I love you!  Sweet little nipper!
Sit for me!  Shake my hand!  Now roll on over!
Whine a bit!  Beg a bit!  Bring me my slipper!

Lie you down next to me;  Make me all cozy!
Curl up and close your eyes; Drift off and slumber!
Get warm and snuggle up!  Dream dreams so rosy!
Trust in me!  Loyalty!  No cares encumber!

Wolf your food!  Lick the bowl!  Lap up your water!
Fetch the ball!  Chase your tail!  After the squirrel!
Growl at it!  Bark a bit!  It's what a dog oughter
Do....Play with me!  'Round the tree---Give me a whirl!

Take a walk!  By my heel!  Don't go to the potty
On the street!  Please be neat!  Gnaw on your bone!
Scratch the floor by the door---"No, no---that's naughty!"
Yes, my pet....Love you yet!  Won't leave you alone.

Chase the cat!  Where's she at?  Beware of her paw-paw!
Jump and run!  Have more fun!  After the frisbee!
Come and eat at my feet....Here's a dog-bone treat!
Love you so!  Do you know what you mean to me?

(C) 2000 Clint Ellison