Has cancer affected you or someone in your circle of family, friends, or connections?
Cancer is all around us. Given that, you are cordially invited to join Andy Hewitt Helping Hands Foundation or their inaugural fundraiser featuring Steve Holland for a Toast and Roast.
Andy’s Hands
Andy Hewitt was known for a lot of things. He was a loving son, brother, husband, and father. He was a hard worker. He was an outstanding citizen of his community, a dedicated Christian, and a man who could be counted on. He was always a person who would extend a helping hand.
After cancer took him from this world, his father, Tom Hewitt, decided to make sure Andy’s spirit of being a helping hand continued on. That is why the Andy Hewitt Helping Hands Foundation was created.
They are a non-profit benefiting those in Northeast Mississippi who can not afford their expensive cancer medications. Andy Hewitt Helping Hands Foundation is a Special Project of the Create Foundation.
The poet Robert Frost once wrote “Did you ever feel so? I hope you never.” And while we hope you never know the feeling of being diagnosed, we will make sure you don’t have to know the feeling of fear that comes with being unable to afford your medication. Because that is what Andy’s hands did. They helped.
To that end, the Andy Hewitt Helping Hands Foundation will be hosting a Toast and Roast fundraiser benefit! The Toast and Roast will be Friday, April 17, 2020. There will be a Social hour starting at 6:00 pm, with the dinner and program beginning at 7:00 pm. Over 150 attendees are expected.
Toast and Roast Sponsorship Opportunities
Sear Level – $2,000
Presenting Sponsor
1 sponsorship available
● Company Logo/name on admission tickets
● Company Logo/name on all marketing publicity fliers and social media
● Signage at the event
● Recognition during the event
● 8 tickets to the event at a VIP Premium table
*Deadline Commitment=March 3rd *
Scorch Level – $1,000
8 sponsorships available
● Company Logo/name on marketing fliers and social media
● Signage at the event
● Recognition during the event
● 8 tickets to the event at a Premium table
Roast Level – $ 600
● Company Logo/name on social media
● Signage at the event
● Recognition during the event
● 4 tickets to the event
Toast Level – $300
● Company Logo/name on social media
● Signage at the event
● Recognition during the event
● 2 tickets to the event
Sizzle Level- $100
● Can’t come to the event but still want to help support your cause
● Company Logo/name on social media
● Recognition during the event
Your sponsorship is greatly appreciated and is tax deductible!! The CREATE Foundation will mail a receipt once payment is received.
Questions? Email at andyhewitthelpinghands@gmail.com (or) call at (662) 871-0271
Twelve years ago, Maria Hughes bought several giant tubes of paint along with a few other art supplies and went to work. Since then, she’s become one of North Mississippi’s most renowned artists, earning a slew of accolades — including having her work chosen to be part of the welcome package given to the President of Toyota when the automobile company first came to town. She’s also a Caron Gallery artist who has hosted the gallery’s popular Art and Wine dinners and has been featured in the gallery’s art subscription box. Her piece “Wheeler, MS” was recently accepted to be part of the 46th Annual Bi-State Exhibition at the Meridian Museum of Art. In addition, she’s been featured in Mississippi publications Mud and Magnolia and Portico.
Maria didn’t just up and decide to become an artist one day twelve years ago, but it is when she gave in to her true calling. Art is as deeply ingrained in Maria’s veins as her Mississippi roots. She’s the only daughter of the late Michael Tucci, a photographer and frame designer, and Judy Tucci, a retired NEMCC art teacher and artist whose work is also well-known and much-loved in the Mississippi art scene. Though Maria did follow her mother’s footsteps by majoring in art and becoming an art teacher for Booneville School District, it wasn’t until she became a mom that she knew she was ready to start forging her own path as an artist.
As an only child, Maria spent quite a bit of her childhood entertaining herself, and she did most of that entertaining just like the rest of us Mississippi kids did back in the days before cell phones, tablets, and gaming systems ruled the day. She spent her days playing in the dirt and rocks under the beat of that Mississippi sunshine that only we natives truly appreciate. Front porches, sweet tea, and the cool waters of Okeelala Creek brought Maria relief from the summer heat. Maria is a Mississippi girl through and through, and her love for this area is evident in all of her artwork — be it landscapes, abstracts, or pottery.
Now that you know a bit about Maria’s background, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. I chose Maria to be the first featured artist in this column because, in my most humble opinion, she is the kind of strong and courageous Southern woman we girls should all aim to emulate. Although she is an incredible artist whose name I firmly believe will one day be synonymous with the likes of other famous Mississippi artists, she’s also my friend and one of my most favorite people on the planet. She’s been a lifelong friend of my husband, and I’ve admired her since the day he introduced us around eleven years ago.
If I sound gushy, it’s because Maria is one of those friends who inspires everyone around her to be better. In fact, I would say that encouragement is one of those secret talents Maria probably doesn’t realize she has but is profoundly good at. Her encouragement is kind and gentle when needed, but also firm and matter-of-fact when the time calls for it. She’s also adventurous, brave, and a whole lot of fun to be around. When I say she’s strong, I mean that literally. A couple of summers back, she was with us on our pontoon at Pickwick when our battery died on our way back to Mill Creek. We were somewhere around Bear Creek when it happened and could see the docks in the distance. We had a trolling motor so technically we were gonna be okay, but man, it was taking so long to get there, so Maria and our friend Drew formed a plan. They grabbed some rope and jumped in the water, and y’all, those two nuts started swimming the boat back to the docks. Luckily for all of us, but especially for Maria and Drew and their backs the next day, some fishermen spotted us and kindly hauled us back safely.
The Day the Boat Stood Still is one of my favorite recent Maria stories, but anyone who knows her has an equally fun tale to share. I think her sense of fun and adventure are as evident in her artwork as her love for this beautiful state, and that is part of what makes her work so appealing.
Maria could take her work and sell it just about anywhere I believe, but luckily for us locals, she wants to keep sharing her artwork right here in Mississippi, particularly Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi. When asked why she chose Tupelo as her art scene over other popular cultural hotspots like New Albany or Corinth, she says it’s simply her love and deep roots to our micropolitan that made her decision an easy choice. During her teen years, she was a mall kid who worked in restaurants and retail in and around Barnes Crossing. She lived here for a time during her early adult years before returning to Baldwyn to get married and start a family, so really, Tupelo was a natural choice.
One of the reasons Maria has found success as a Mississippi artist is because she is remarkably driven. When she sets goals, she doesn’t stop until she’s reached them. It’s part of what keeps her growing and evolving as an artist. This year, she set a goal to enter more competitions and it’s one she’s already accomplishing. Her piece “Wheeler, MS” has been selected to be part of the 46th Annual Bi-State Exhibition at the Meridian Museum of Art.
It’s safe to say that Maria’s first decade pursuing an art career has been a success, and if it’s any indication of what’s to come, Hughes has one extraordinary future in store. The future of Mississippi art is female, y’all, and Maria Hughes is paving the way for that future for herself and female artists of all ages here in Mississippi. As an artist, she inspires other women around her to pursue their own arts, and as a teacher and mother, she’s inspiring future artists — her own young daughter included — to follow their dreams.
Want to see more of Maria’s art? You can follow her on Instagram, visit her website, or visit her at the Caron Gallery’s website, where you can also shop her art right from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Are you a local female artist, creator, writer, or maker? I want to feature you in the next “The Future [of art] is Female column. Reach out to me on Facebook or by email at telina_johnson@hotmail.com
TUPELO – The newest controversy in town is over the election between Pizza vs Tacos.
Over the past few weeks the polling numbers have indicated that tacos would win. However, after the #tacobowel movement earlier this week, it is projected that pizza might have a comeback.
Lifelong Tupelo resident and former tacoholic Evan Antony was one of the many affected by an average Taco Bell meal.
“Electing tacos is just plain reckless,” he said. “You have to stay within running distance to the bathroom at all times. What kind of a life is that? I’m voting for pizza so that tacos won’t win.”
Others, like local vegan Garrett Hamilton, look past the stigma and think about the ingredients themselves.
“When deciding which food to vote for, I ask myself, which one looks most like a salad?”
26-year-old Pizza Administration volunteer Ashleigh Lucas argues that you can’t go wrong with pizza.
“Pizza is a stable and reliable go-to food,” she said. “It appeals to the more traditional American food enthusiasts who always have and always will have pizza night every Friday.”
As it gets closer to the election, both sides are getting aggressive with their advertising tactics. A Taco Administration volunteer allegedly threw a slice of pizza at a passerby, blaming the pizza for burning her face. On the other side, volunteers have been seen taking people’s tacos away and crumbling them up to prove that tacos are weak.
“Tupelo needs to come together united as one and not let politics tear it apart,” Tupelo resident Meredith Burke said. “Like Abraham Lincoln said, ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand.’”
The voting office is based out of a new, hip restaurant fittingly named Pizza vs Tacos so that you can’t miss it.
Today I feel compelled to share with you all a blog post I wrote last year. With so much madness going on in the world, I thought this post might bring some comfort to you. If you are going through a tough time right now, keep walking! If you are in a season of rejoicing, keep walking! No matter what life brings, or how good or bad you feel, get up each day, tie up those tennis shoes, plug in Toby Mac’s song — if you have not heard Toby Mac’s song with this title, I encourage you to give it a listen; it will make you feel like Rocky Balboa! — and turn it up loud, take a deep breath and forge ahead!
Y’all, this past month has been a rough one. It seems like every day I write these words on someone’s Facebook wall, “Praying God will wrap His arms of comfort around you.”
These are not just words. These are my heartfelt prayers. Never have I seen so many people sick, never have I seen so many people I care about suffering through the loss of loved ones, and never before have I seen so much wickedness in our beloved country.
And now, with the Coronavirus lurking around the corner, we have even more on our proverbial plate.
A lot of people seem to be asking, “Why?”
A dear cousin sent me a devotion this week that asked, “Why NOT?”
1 Peter 4:12 tells us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Our trials and sufferings should not be seen as strange, but EXPECTED.
Jesus Himself assured us that there will be suffering in our lives. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Here is what we need to know: We need to prepare for suffering.
Suffering will come; it’s not a matter of IF it will come, but WHEN and HOW MUCH.
As you read this, and you do not have any suffering or tragedy, I would say, “Rejoice, and enjoy it!” But even in your time of blessings, KNOW that hardship will eventually come.
Here is the bottom line: You are either coming out of a storm — or headed into another one. It’s just a matter of time.
“People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.” (Job 5:7)
In this life, the only way to avoid suffering is to die.
So, like the diligent squirrel gathering nuts for the winter, store these truths to your heart.
In his book, If God is Good, Why?, author Randy Alcorn says, “Most of us don’t give focused thought to evil, sickness, and suffering until we experience them. This forces us to formulate perspective on the fly, at a time when our thinking is muddled and we’re exhausted and consumed by pressing issues. People who have been there will attest that it’s far better to think through suffering in advance.“
In other words, BE PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME!
At first, I thought this devotional was harsh. I felt it was riddled with a side helping of gloom and doom. But, after reading it a number of times, my thoughts changed, and I realized it was absolutely spot-on. We DO need to prepare, as best as we can, for hard times, (not just monetarily) sickness, loss, and trials. KNOW they will come!
But, fear not! There is good news! Even though our lives will be covered in chaos much of the time, God has told us that He will never leave us! Never! Isn’t that amazing?! It really is!
Does that mean our hearts, bodies and minds will not hurt? NOPE.
Does that mean we will not suffer great losses? NOPE.
Does that mean we will not be disappointed by people…even those we love? NOPE.
What it does mean is that even though we suffer, we are covered!
It means God will see us through the hard times.
He will be with us.
He will comfort us.
He will give us peace that passes all understanding.
He has us covered!
He will carry us as we walk through the fire.
He has already conquered death, so let us not feel conquered!
Because of Him, we win!
I am praying for all of my friends and loved ones who are going through difficult times right now. There are so many. But remember, that even in the eye of the storm, God’s goodness, mercy and grace continues.
Be good to yourself.
Do good for others.
We are all in this together and through it all, God stays beside us, behind us, and in front of us.
Fear not!
Y’all be sure to keep your hands washed and your spirit clean!
It’s the dawning of a new decade, and with it, the federal government is getting ready to ask some personal questions for the 2020 census. By next April 1, the Census Bureau plans to send a letter or a door knocker to every U.S. household. It’s part of a once-a-decade tradition of counting every person living in the U.S.
Each national head count usually comes with a rash of confusion. The 2020 census will be the first in the U.S. since the rise of social media. The government has already begun preparing to combat disinformation campaigns that may try to disrupt the count, which is rolling out during what’s expected to be a heated presidential race.
The deadline to respond is July 31, and participation is mandated by federal law. So before trashing that envelope along with advertisements and mailers, here’s what to know about the decennial census and why it’s important.
Why is the census important?
The census is required by the Constitution, which has called for an “actual enumeration” once a decade since 1790.
Your response matters. A lot. Health clinics. Fire departments. Schools. Even roads and highways. The census can shape many different aspects of your community.
The 2020 population numbers will shape, for example, how political power and federal tax dollars are shared in the U.S over the next 10 years. The number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets are determined by census numbers.
They also guide how an estimated $880 billion a year in federal funding is distributed for schools, roads and other public services in local communities.
The demographic data are also used by businesses to determine, for example, where to build new supermarkets and by emergency responders to locate injured people after natural disasters.
It’s a major undertaking!
The federal government has been counting people every 10 years since 1790. In total, $6.3 billion has been budgeted for this year’s process. The Census Bureau will hire half a million temporary workers nationwide to help with the count.
When does the 2020 census officially start?
The head count is set to officially begin on Jan. 21, in Toksook Bay, Alaska — more than two months before Census Day (April 1), which is a reference date. Most households can start participating around mid-March, when letters with instructions are scheduled to be sent to 95 percent of homes around the country.
IMPORTANT CENSUS DATES
March 12 – 20: Households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.
March 30 – April 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days. As part of this process, the Census Bureau counts people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at non-sheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.
April 1: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.
April: Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
May – July: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
December: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
March 31, 2021: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
How is the census taken?
The 2020 count will be the first one to allow all U.S. households to respond online. Paper forms will still be available, and, for the first time, you can call 1-800 numbers to give responses over the phone. Census workers will make home visits to remote areas — including rural Alaska, parts of northern Maine and some American Indian reservations — to gather census information in person. Households in the rest of the U.S. that do not respond themselves by early April may start receiving visits from door knockers trained to conduct census interviews and collect responses using smartphones.
Who gets counted in the census?
The Census Bureau includes every person living in the U.S. — regardless of citizenship or immigration status. International visitors on vacation or work trips to the U.S. during the census are not included. Residents are counted at the address where they usually live and sleep. The Census Bureau has a detailed breakdown of how the 2020 census will count deployed troops, college students, incarcerated people, those displaced by natural disasters and other groups in unique living situations.
What questions will the 2020 census ask?
Most of the questions will be similar to what census forms have asked for in recent counts:
The number of people living or staying in a home on April 1, 2020.
Whether the home is owned with or without a mortgage, rented or occupied without rent.
A phone number for a person in the home.
The name, sex, age, date of birth and race of each person in the home.
Whether each person is of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.
The relationship of each person to a central person in the home.
Notable changes for 2020 include new write-in areas under the race question for the non-Hispanic origins of those who identify as white and/or black (“German” and “Jamaican” are among the provided examples). There are also new household relationship categories that allow couples living together to identify their relationships as either “same-sex” or “opposite-sex.”
Can I refuse to answer a census question?
You can skip questions, submit an incomplete census form, and still be included in the head count. But you can be fined for refusing to answer a census question or intentionally giving a false answer, although the penalty has been enforced rarely in the past. Returning a partially filled-out questionnaire may result in a follow-up phone call or visit from a census worker.
What about my privacy?Are census responses confidential?
The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. In fact, every employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life.
Under current federal law, the bureau cannot share census responses identifying individuals with the public or other federal agencies, including immigration authorities and other law enforcement, until 72 years after the information is collected. The Census Bureau, however, can release anonymized census information about specific demographic groups at a level as detailed as a neighborhood.
The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous: The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
Being responsible stewards of your data is not only required by law, it is embedded in Census Bureau culture. Strict policies and statistical safeguards help protect the confidentiality of your information. Before releasing data products, the Census Bureau verifies that they meet its confidentiality standards. The security of Census Bureau systems is a top priority, and their IT infrastructure is designed to defend against and contain cyberthreats. They continually refine their approach to identifying, preventing, detecting, and responding to these threats.
Can my answers be shared with law enforcement or used against me?
NO. The law prevents the Census Bureau from sharing your information with law enforcement. Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for government benefits. Your answers are only used to create statistics about our country. The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to protect your personal information and keep it strictly confidential.
To reiterate: It’s safe.
Even though a citizenship question won’t be included, hype around this issue has caused many unauthorized immigrants to be concerned about their safety participating.
The bureau has assured residents that personal data collected cannot be shared with other agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Homeland Security Department, and, before it is published, it is stripped of all personal identifiable information. Census records are kept private for 72 years, after which the National Archives releases them to the public to be used for genealogy.
Can I respond to the census in a language other than English?
While paper forms will only be available in English and Spanish, you can respond online or by phone in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese. The bureau is also providing video and printed guides in 59 non-English languages, as well as a video in American Sign Language.
How do I apply for a census job?
Applications for the half-million temporary census positions, including door knockers and outreach specialists, must be submitted online. You can find more information on the bureau’s recruitment website.
When will the 2020 census results be released?
The Census Bureau is expected to announce the new population counts by Dec. 31, 2020. That’s the bureau’s deadline for sending to the president numbers for the reapportionment of congressional seats, which goes into effect beginning with the 2022 elections. 2020 census data used for state and local redistricting are set to be released by March 31, 2021. The bureau is planning to release other new census data beginning in spring 2021.
What questions WILL NOT be asked by the Census Bureau?
During the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask you for:
Your Social Security number.
Money or donations.
Anything on behalf of a political party.
Your bank or credit card account numbers.
If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts you via email or phone and asks you for one of these things, it’s a scam, and you should not cooperate.
Verifying census workers
Make sure census workers have a valid ID badge that includes their photo, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers also may carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the bureau’s logo.
803 South Gloster Street Tupelo, MS (Located across from the hospital)
Food coma…sooo good!!
A restaurant with its own unique style, menu, and look is always an exciting addition for our community! The excitement starts to build from early plans, new construction, and finally the big reveal!
The Madden Crab team has been working full steam on the remodel and branding of the new eatery, and are ready to welcome Tupelo to a new dining experience!
I was told that most of their seafood comes from our Gulf Coast when available and in season. And although they don’t offer a buffet, on the menu you’ll find steak, chicken, and a sea of seafood to dive into from Blue Crab, Snow Crab and King Crab Legs, lobster, Oysters, Crawfish, Shrimp, Clams, Dungeness, and various versions of Mussels. Plus many sides and sauces to accompany your main course.
I had the privilege of attending the soft opening and getting a taste of what’s on the menu. Pure awesomeness! Everyone got a mixed bag of seafood with your choice of seasoning. There was also a table set up with a sample of their fried meats and chicken wings.
After being seated, and making your menu choices, you are brought a bucket filled with crab shell cracker tools, lobster bib, plastic gloves, and wet wipes. I used all of them which came in very handy!
Speaking of menu choices, you are offered several spices for your seafood combos. My favorite was garlic butter which is then included in your boiled bag of seafood goodness. The bags were a great idea since everything from the shrimp, potatoes, and corn will be infused with all the flavors.
The Madden Crab has something for everyone. You can have something to drink at the bar with a plate of wings, hand breaded chicken strips with a side of fries, or dive head first into your favorite seafood!
Folks, I’m very excited about this new dining experience. The vibe is extremely pleasant with a relaxed atmosphere. You could show up in your beach clothes or your snazziest getup. I spoke with the owner and staff at length and they have worked hard to create a new dining experience for our community to enjoy.
The Fairy Godmother Project focuses on helping women pay for unexpected needs relating to employment.
These “wishes” or grants might be car repair so a woman can continue going to work; paying for suitable clothing for women who just got a job; providing gas cards to allow a woman to report to work until receiving her first paycheck; paying for portions of an employment training program that are not already covered by another organization or grant; or any other need that is directly related to getting or maintaining employment.
When a request is received, the situation is first vetted to ensure that it is a true need.
“We partner with the provider to make sure that we are addressing the actual issue — so we don’t just provide a check for the repair the person thinks they need. We work with the mechanic to ensure that the repair will resolve the problem and that the amount of the repair is appropriate for the needed service.”
The Fairy Godmother Project is funded by NEWMS Fairy Godmother memberships and by fundraising events.
100% of the money that comes into the Fairy Godmother Project is given away as grants. None is used for overhead, administrative or any other expenses.
Grant amounts vary based on the need. For example, in one instance, $1,500.00 was raised to replace a transmission for one applicant, and in another instance, a $50.00 gas card was provided for another.
Often, providing a Fairy Godmother grant is the difference between a woman retaining her job and caring for her family, or slipping back into dependence. When a mom is able to demonstrate the value of working, her children are significantly more likely to see working as their own path to success.
As I sit inside on this dreary day watching The Weather Channel, I keep repeating to myself, “When will the rain ever end?” I have never in 60 years witnessed so much rain! Rain, rain, please go away!
Sound familiar? I bet most of you are thinking or saying the same thing or something close to it. It has been a season of catastrophic storms, never-ending rain, and flooding. Never have I ever!
Well, I am going to have to retract that last statement. Because apparently, I have. We all have.
As I was reading over some of my past Two Old Crows posts, I came across one written two years ago. How could I have forgotten all of the rain that year? Thinking back, that WAS the year that I witnessed the young lady paddling a kayak down our street. Funny how my mind forgot, or temporarily covered with cobwebs, the events of that very rainy season.
I tend to forget many things that seemed so monumental at the time they were occurring. I don’t remember a lot of happenings that I, in one moment, labeled life-altering.
Looking back, I have realized that today, these things have no bearing whatsoever on my life at the present.
So, what can I surmise from this? My Bible and my mama were absolutely right: To everything there IS a SEASON. Not a lifetime; a SEASON. A teeny-tiny twinkling of time.
I am grateful that I had a chance to go back in time, by way of my written words, for it enabled me to remember periods of time I had forgotten. It made me recognize that even though 2020 has been filled with waters and winds, that this too shall pass. I leave you with my thoughts from 2018, so that you too will realize this season will soon be forgotten.
As I write this, my eyes turn from the written word on the page to the window next to me. As I gaze out the window, I realize the recent monsoonal season across the South has caused my back yard to become a virtual swampy wilderness. The grass is almost lime in color and the blades now reach far above my ankles. The John Deere tractor sits covered underneath a tarp. Due to the mass amounts of water at the back of our house, there is no sign it will come out of hiding anytime in the near future. The lush green tomato plants I was so proud of a month ago have changed to the colors of muddy brown and jaundiced yellow. The recent harsh winds that accompanied the deluge of rainfall have caused the owl on my window sill, the one with the bobbling head that at first used to frighten away birds from our strawberries, to turn his large, golden eyes toward me. His face seems to have changed somewhat since he was placed there in early May. It looks as though he is saying with a mime’s voice, “Please! Let me in! Just let me in!”
The birds at my home, lovingly named Ashley Cottage, have spent a great deal of time sitting UNDER the porch instead of frolicking to and fro. The weather has been so bad, they do not even attempt to pick the strawberries out of the hanging baskets anymore. The bird feeders are clogged and need to be cleaned and changed, but alas, the weather has not permitted me to take on this laborious challenge as of late. Besides, until the clouds subside for multiple days, it would be a fruitless endeavor and one that would have to be repeated after every rain.
In all of my 58 years, I have never seen it rain so much or so often. My poor home state of Texas has been ravaged with flood waters, as have the majority of the other Southern states. The Red River is mighty and high, and the closing of major bridges and thoroughfares has become commonplace. Ranchers are moving their cattle to higher ground and farmers are mourning the loss of their crops.
Even worse, people are weeping over the loss of loved ones due to the deadly weather. Tornadoes have hit hard in the past months, and even today, there are multiple warnings being broadcast over the airways. To top it off, the locusts are in rare form this year, and together, their haunting and eerie voices sound more like Martians invading than anything of nature. Yes, this has been a strange and unusual season.
But it is, after all, a season, and in my mother’s words, “This too shall pass.” Brighter days are coming and soon, the scorching summertime sun will be shining down upon us. And if I know humans, we will be complaining about the sweltering heat and the mass of malaria carrying mosquitoes. We will be begging for the smallest drop of rain and complaining about wilting flowers and dying shrubberies. The roadways will emit a steady stream of sultry steam, and the air will be so thick breathing becomes a chore. A multitude of army worms and grasshoppers will replace the screeching locusts and ticks will return with a vengeance. That too, will be but a season.
As I ponder this Earth and its many changes, I have determined two things: Humans can never be satisfied, and God is in control. Yes, HE is in control. He controls not only the forces of nature, but every aspect of our lives.
Though we do not always understand why things happen as they do, we must all believe it is all part of His great plan. He is the Absolute Architect. He is the bigger than any storm and stronger than the rising tides. HE is in complete control.
So, during this season, I will continue to praise Him in the rain, and when the next season blazes in, I shall praise Him in the sun. When the winter wind whisks itself in, I will praise Him in the cold, and when the flowers begin to bloom, I will praise Him in the sweet spring.
If we are lucky enough, someday we are going to be senior citizens. If we are really lucky, we will end up being a part of that illustrious group I lovingly call, ‘well-seasoned.’
My sweet mom is a member of the W-S (Well-Seasoned) Club. Years ago, she made the decision to move to an assisted living community. She picked out the new place she would call home. Though it was not an easy decision for her, she made it — for herself and for her children. She always insisted that she did not want to be a burden on us in her golden years. The choice she made was such a blessing to us. She is where she elected to go and it has been a wonderful eight years for us and for her.
However, there is one thing that has really been difficult: gift-giving. When she was still able to drive, it was a no-brainer; a gift card was the perfect solution. Now that driving is no longer in the equation, it’s a lot more difficult to buy for her.
Space is really an issue. There is only one small closet, and limited wall space in her room, so ‘sit-arounds’, for the most part, are not an optimal gift choice.
So, what’s left? I’m glad you asked, because I was going to offer some suggestions… even if you had not asked. (Yeah, I’m THAT kind of girl!)
The number one thing on my, ‘What to Get the Well-Seasoned’ is simply this: time.
Go visit them! I know my mom gets so excited when company comes. Even if you only have half an hour, it’s a perfect gift and it means so much to them. It’s free and it’s easy!
If members of the W-S Club are mobile, meaning they can get in and out of your vehicle easily and safely, take them for a ride! Oh, how many glorious days have mom and I spent just riding around! Too many to count. We have, in the past, driven to her childhood home, the home she raised all of us in, and around the town she lives in now. It’s such a pleasure for her to get out and see her old stomping ground. She used to be an avid gardener, and she still loves flowers. Springtime is a perfect time for a short scenic drive. Flowers have already started blooming, y’all! Oh, and on the way back home, stop by Sonic for a Happy Hour milkshake! Go ahead…make their day!
Food is another gift that tops my list. The older we get, the smaller amount of food we eat at one time. Pack up a basket, bag, or box with peanut butter crackers, miniature marshmallows and hot chocolate packets, peppermint sticks, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, fresh fruit, small bottles of juice and water, and SOFT candy. Please make sure they are not diabetic before you load them up on sugar! If they are, there are lots of sugar-free candies available. Mom has received many ‘happy bags’ and trust me…they do make her happy! NOTE: Throw in more treats than one person can eat! Everyone loves to give out candy and treats to visitors and friends. Give them enough to share!
Of course, house slippers, socks, and warm fleece blankets are nice and useable gifts too. You can pick these up on the cheap at places like Five and Below, Wal-Mart, and Big Lots. Make sure if you give them slipper socks, get the ones with the rubber grippers on the bottom. Safety is always an important issue!
Photographs are magnificent gifts, but remember, space is limited and it is sometimes difficult for the W-S Club members to keep all of their photos in one spot. Two solutions would be electronic photo frames and photo books. I find the electronic frames can be a bit pricey and sometimes, loading pictures is a time-consuming pain. My vote is for the photo books. There are a number of websites that offer these gems. They are quick, easy, and can be purchased for as little as $14.99! Years ago, I made one for Mom on Shutterfly. I put a multitude of photos in that book, plus I was able to easily add text to each of them. (It is VERY important to add notes as to who is in the pictures and when and where they were taken!) When the book arrived, I was so pleased. It was a nicely bound, hard cover book loaded with precious memories. The books on Shutterfly currently start at $14.99 and go up to $34.99, depending on the size you want. I opted for the 10 x 10 size and the total cost was $24.99. Money and time well-spent!
Another great elder gift is a collection of personal care items. Good smelling soap and lotions, chap-stick, SOFT toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, hair spray, soft tissues, soft-bristled hair brushes and combs, bobby pins, hair nets (so their hair won’t get messed up while they sleep), and toothpaste are always needed and appreciated. Hit up your local Dollar Tree for these treats! You can even get a pretty bag to put them in…for a BUCK!
As I look back over this list of W-S Club ideas, I am amazed. These are things I would love! In fact, these are things anyone would love! Hey, heck, yeah!!
I am always searching for more and different senior gifts, so if you have any super sharable ideas, please let us know! Happy “Happy” shopping!
