Heaven on Earth

I don't try and hide it.  I'm a believer, a follower of God.  I believe He created this world and everything in it, and he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to the Earth, to be born, live, die and be raised on the third day.  I believe that on the cross, the sins of the world were on him when he died.  I believe this.  I believe that Christ, some day will come again and take his followers, fellow believers to heaven.  I plan on being one of them.

As a believer, I am to be obedient to God, to follow his word, to honor and love him, to love and serve others.  It is not something that anyone forces me to do; it is a choice I freely make.

I believe there is a Heaven, reserved for the ones who have followed God, obeyed his commands and lived their lives imitating him.  I also believe there is a Hell, which God describes as a place of torment. It is for the unbelievers, for those who have chosen not to obey God, who have chosen to live their own way, not God's way.

This is what I believe; this is who I try to be.  I am not perfect by any stretch.  I sin, sometimes with forethought.  I am flawed; I am a sinner.  I constantly want to be better than I am.  It is difficult, just so very difficult.  But that doesn't mean I don't try.  I am repentant when I sin.  I ask the Father for forgiveness, I covet his grace and mercy, which he freely pours out to those who call on his name with a truly repentant heart.

I don't know who is going to heaven.   I'm not God, and I am not going to say who is going and who isn't.  That isn't my job, I am busy enough, struggling enough trying to live a life pleasing to him.  I do expect to see people who attend many different churches in heaven, not just one as some believe, and we will all rejoice and sing praises to the Father.  We will worship him for eternity in a land with no more pain, no more tears, no more hurt.  I can't wait.

We had a special worship service last night.  Where I attend, it is a rare occasion when we all meet together on a Sunday evening, but last night was different.  We had 90 minutes of praise and worship to the Father in song.  Ninety minutes of a cappella, four-part harmony.  Five hundred voices singing from the heart.  It was special.  It gave goose bumps.  I cried.

One of our members, Will Young, who also happens to be a good friend of mine, said at the end, "Tonight, we have seen a little bit of what heaven is like."  Amen brother.  If heaven is anything like last night was, Lord, take me home now!

The Essential Dalton Collection. Classic Rock Greats from 1960-75

Have you seen the bumper sticker that reads something along the lines of being old but growing up with the best music.   That is so true.  I was born in 1957, which means I am closer to 70 than I am 60, which in and of itself is a pretty incredible thought.  As the great Mickey Mantle once said, "if I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

I love rock music, more specifically classic rock music.  Even more specifically, for the most part, if it came out after the 80's, I don't listen to it.  But I love the early days of classic rock, starting with the Beatles and going through the British invasion and ending about the time I graduated from high school, which was 1975.

When I turned 60, back in 2017, on Facebook I posted my 60 favorite songs of all time, almost all of which were from the 1964-75 time period.  The love for that music hasn't changed.

So what I am doing today is a take-off on that, sort of.  Consider this a primer for those of you not familiar with the songs of this era.  This is "The Essential Dalton Collection, Classic rock greats from 1960-75."

These songs are in alphabetical order, not in order of preference.  For you younger fans of music, I recommend going to You Tube or Spotify or Prime and give these songs a listen.  Happy listening.

1.  "A Beautiful Morning" - The Rascals

2.  "All Right Now" - Free

3.  "American Woman" - The Guess Who

4.  "Amie" - Pure Prairie League

5.  " Angie" - Rolling Stones

6.  " Aquarius/Let the Sunshine" - 5th Dimension

7.  "Baby Blue" - Badfinger

8.  "Back in the USSR" - Beatles

9.  "Badge" - Cream

10.  "Bang A Gong" - T. Rex

11.  "Beautiful Sunday" - Daniel Boone

12.  "Beginnings" - Chicago

13.  "Black Magic Woman" - Santana

14.  "Born to be Wild" - Steppenwolf

15.  "Break on Through" - The Doors

16.  "Brown Sugar" - Rolling Stones

17.  "Bye, Bye Love" - Everly Brothers

18.  "California Dreamin'" - Mamas and Papas

19.  "California Girls" - Beach Boys

20.  "Can't Find My Way Home" - Blind Faith

21.  "Cherish" - The Association

22.  "Conquistador" - Procul Harum

23.  "Daydream Believer" - Monkees

24.  "Dixie Chicken" - Little Feat

25.  "Down on the Corner" - Creedence Clearwater Revival

26.  "Draggin the Line" - Tommy James

27.  "Eight Miles High" - Byrds

28.  "Feelin' Alright" - Joe Cocker

29.  "For What It's Worth" - Buffalo Springfield

30.  "For Your Love" - Yardbirds

31.  "From the Beginning" - Emerson, Lake and Palmer

32.  "Gentle On My Mind" - Glen Campbell

33.  "Get Ready" - Rare Earth

34.  "Ghost Riders in the Sky" - Johnny Cash

35.  "Gimme Some Lovin" - Spencer Davis Group

36.  "Go All the Way" - Raspberries

37.  "God Only Knows" - Beach Boys

38.  "Good Lovin'" - Young Rascals

39.  "Good Morning Starshine" - Oliver

40.  "Good Vibrations" - Beach Boys

41.  "Green Tambourine" - Lemon Pipers

42.  "Green-Eyed Lady" - Sugarloaf

43.  "Hair" - Cowsills

44.  "Happy Together" - Turtles

45.  "Heart Full of Soul" - Yardbirds

46.  "Help!" - Beatles

47.  "Hey Joe" - Jimi Hendrix

48.  "Hitchin A Ride - Vanity Fair

49.  "Hold Your Head Up" - Argent

50.  "Hooked On A Feeling" - Blue Swede

51.  "Horse with No Name" - America

52.  "House of the Rising Sun" - Animals

53.  "Hush" - Deep Purple

54.  "I Can See For Miles" - The Who

55.  "I Feel the Earth Move" - Carole King

56.  "I Hear You knocking" - Dave Edmunds

57.  "I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye

58.  "I Saw Her Standing There" - Beatles

59.  "I'd Love to Change the World" - Ten Years After

60.  "In My Life" - Beatles

61.  "In the Year 2525" - Zager and Evans

62.  "Incense and Peppermints" - Strawberry Alarm Clock

63.  "It's Only Rock N Roll" - Rolling Stones

64.  "Joy to the World" - Three Dog Night

65.  "Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin

66.  "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" - Bob Dylan

67.  "L.A. Woman" - Doors

68.  "Lady Blue" - Leon Russell

69.  "Lake Shore Drive" - Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah

70.  "Lay, Lady Lay" - Bob Dylan

71.  "Layla" - Derek and the Dominos

72.  "Legend of A Mind" - Moody Blues

73.  "Let It Be" - Beatles

74.  "Let's Live For Today" - Grass Roots

75.  "Like to Get to Know You" - Spanky and Our Gang

76.  "Lola" - Kinks

77.  "Lomg Cool Woman" - Hollies

78.  "Lucky Man" - Emerson, Lake and Palmer

79.  "Maggie May" - Rod Stewart

80.  "Me and Bobby McGee" - Janis Joplin

81.  "Mellow Yellow" - Donovan

82.  "Midnight Rider" - Allman Brothers

83.  "Monday, ,Monday" - Mamas and Papas

84.  "Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel

85.  "Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" - The Band

86.  "Nights in White Satin" - Moody Blues

87.  "On the Road Again" - Canned Heat

88.  "Paint It Black" - Rolling Stones

89.  "Rainy Night in Georgia" - Brook Benton

90.  "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" - Four Tops

91.  "Respect" - Aretha Franklin

92.  "Ride Captain Ride" - Blues Image

93.  "Riders on the Storm" - Doors

94.  "San Francisco" - Scott McKenzie

95.  "See You In September" - Happenings

96.  "She's Not There" - Zombies

97.  "Signs" - Five Man Electrical Band

98.  "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" - Otis redding

99.  "Spirit in the Sky" - Norman Greenbaum

100. "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin

101. "Stand by Me: - Ben E. King

102. "Stop! In the Name of Love - Supremes

103. "Suite" Judy Blue Eyes" - Crosby, Stills and Nash

104. "Summer in the City" - Lovin' Spoonful

105. "Summer Rain" - Johnny Rivers

106. "Sunshine of Your Love" - Cream

107. "Take It Easy" - Eagles

108. "Tears of a Clown" Smokey Robinson

109. "The City of New Orleans" - Arlo Guthrie

110. "Time of the Season" - Zombies

111. "Time Won't Let Me" - Outlaws

112.  "Tuesday Afternoon" - Moody Blues

113.  "Turn! Turn! Turn!" - Byrds

114. "Two Hangmen" - Mason Proffit

115. "Up, Up and Away" - 5th Dimension

116. "Us and Them" - Pink Floyd

117. "The Weight" - The Band

118. ' Werewolves of London" - Warren Zevon

119. "What A Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong"

120. "What is Life?: - George Harrison

121. "White Room" - Cream

122. "25 or 6 to 4" - Chicago

Blessed are the Peacemakers

It is January 20th, 2025.  On this date, every four years, a new president is sworn in, or the sitting president is sworn in for a second term.  The swearing in date used to be March 4th, but starting with the inauguration of Franklin Roosevelt's first term in 1933, the date for the last 92 years has been January 20th.

Donald J. Trump was sworn in at 12.02p EST this afternoon as the nation's 47th President.  He now joins Grover Cleveland as the only two presidents to serve non-consecutive terms.

I did not vote for President Trump.  I did not vote for him in 2016, 2020, or 2024.  The first times ever I did not vote for the Republican candidate for the nation's highest office.  Quite frankly, I did not think then, nor do think now he was qualified to be president of these United States.  That was my opinion when I went to the ballot box, and that opinion really hasn't changed.  

I have friends, several to be exact, who voted for him, and are excited for him to be president again.  I am happy for them, but do not share in their enthusiasm.  But here is the thing.  They are still my friends.  My love for them, my commitment to them, my loyalty to them, does not change because we have differing political opinions.  For me to dismiss them because of those beliefs, would be careless, non-productive and hurtful.  That is not who I am.

The peaceful transfer of power is an amazing thing.  It is not the norm in the world, and we have been doing it for 228 years, since March 4th, 1797, when George Washington watched as John Adams was sworn in as our second president.

While elections have been close, in our lifetime there has been more than one election where the integrity of the counting of votes has come into question.  In 2000, the race between George W. Bush and Al Gore was not decided for over a month.  Remember voter "intent" and hanging chads?  Certainly the post-election riot of January 2021 is still fresh in our minds.

But at noon today, with outgoing President Biden standing a mere few feet away, President Trump took the oath from Chief Justice Roberts in the Capitol Rotunda, one of the most hallowed places in Washington.

Many cheered, not all were smiling.  Some were deliriously happy, some were sincerely hurting, but is was peaceful.  As it should have been, and as I pray, it always will be.

I am not naive.  This is not a perfect country.  There are a lot of internal and foreign problems facing our new president. President Trump's detractors in the Congress are ready for the political battle that will unfold over the next four years.

I think it is appropriate that on this day, we celebrate the birthday of one of the great peacemakers of our generation, or for that matter, any generation.  Dr, Martin Luther King Jr. advocated civil rights, equal rights for all races.  He also believed the pursuit of these rights should be done peacefully, through non-violent resistance.  That applies to politics as well.

In a 1968 speech he said, "We must find new ways to speak for peace… for justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.”.

Let me say this about President Trump.  Though I did not vote for him, I hope he succeeds.   As a citizen of these United States, I recognize he is MY President, he represents all of us, not just those who voted for him.  No matter what I think of him, the office of the President of the United States deserves my full respect and support.  If I am a true American, nothing short of that is acceptable.

Peace, perfect peace.

Blessings.

Two Mothers

Blessed.   I really can't think of any other way to put it.  I am incredibly blessed and I am very, very grateful. 

This week has brought a couple of anniversaries to the forefront in my life.  Neither involves me, but at the same time, my association with these two anniversaries is undisputable.

This past Monday, the 13th of January, was the birthday of M's mother, Blanche Rickman Horsman.   She passed away in 2018 at the age of 97.  If she were still with us today, she would be 104.  She was during her lifetime, and still is in our memory, an incredible woman.

I first met her in early 1999.  M and I met in Arkansas on October 4, 1998.  Yes, I still remember the date.  It was just a couple of months later that Marilyn brought me to Alabama to "meet the parents."  Her folks were delightful, and Miss Blanche especially wanted to know about "my people," my parents, grandparents, my job, education.  I never felt threatened in anyway, but I felt she wanted to make sure I was a suitable mate for her oldest daughter.

I think it helped that Marilyn's folks grew up in Randolph County, Arkansas, which is the same county my mom grew up in.  Miss Blanche knew some of my family and we would talk about people we both knew.  It was a common thread we both enjoyed.

One thing I remember from those days when M and I were "vetting" each other, was her talking so much about her mother and her Grandma Rickman.  After hearing M tell stories about the two, it was obvious to me she was cut from the same cloth, and I found that very attractive, very desirable if you will.  It was plain to me that M and her mother were both the type of woman that was written about in Proverbs 31.  They, along with Marilyn's Grandma Rickman, were/are women of noble character.

I sincerely cannot put into words how grateful I am for not just marrying Marilyn, but the entire Rickman/Horsman family.  It makes life so much easier knowing everyone in your wife's family is pulling for you and praying for you.  I am sure my two brothers-in-law, Mike and Stan, who are married to Marilyn's sisters, Paula and Millie, would say the same thing.

Jumping forward a couple of days to Wednesday the 15th.  It was my mom and Tom's 15th anniversary.  Tom of course is my step-father.  He and mom married not too long after my dad died of cancer in 2008.  

To put their relationship in a nutshell, Tom was the last person my mom dated before she met my dad.  In fact, Tom, who was in school at the University of Missouri, thought he was still my mother's boyfriend while Mom, who was at Harding College, was dating my dad.  I know, TMI.  Suffice to say, they had a history when they got married.  Tom's wife had died of cancer just a few months before my dad did.  It did not take a genius to see where this story was going.

The twilight years have been kind to the two of them.  They are both 88, my mom being a month older than Tom.  The love they share, is a resumption of what ended way back in 1954.  They are fun to watch, whether talking, teasing each other, telling stories on each other, they are good together.

But things are changing, and it is tough on both of them.  Tom has some dementia.  Fortunately, it is not bad.  He no longer drives, lets mom handle his medicine and pay the bills.  He will forget faces and names of people he knows.  It's tough to watch.  But he loves my mother.  He has said to her, "don't ever leave me,"  Mom promises she is not going anywhere, that she is there for the duration, whatever it may be.

That is what I want to focus on with my mother.  Her taking care of the ones she loves.

My Grandpa Dalton was my favorite.  It is his fault I have a love of baseball.  I got that from him.  I also got from him high blood pressure.  Even when I was young and much lighter, I had high blood pressure.  Fortunately it's under control.  As my friend Steve Hatch back in Arkansas once told me, "better living through chemicals."   I like that.  But my Grandpa Dalton did not have the advantages of medicine that I enjoy.  He had his first stroke in 1967.  He was 55.  There were other strokes, some bigger some smaller.  He eventually died of a massive heart attack in February 1973.   He was 60.  I was 15.

Those last five years, I saw my mom, and her mom (Granny, the great cook) take care of Grandpa.  I would frequently go to their house with mom, (they lived just around the corner) and watch ballgames with grandpa.  He liked that.  It calmed him.  I liked it as well.  Granny worked, so Mom, who was not working at the time, took care of her daddy.  I was young, but my brother and I saw love in action.  My mother taking care of her parent.

Fast forward to 2003.  My granny has married a man named Truell Johnson.  We all worshipped together at the Overland church in St. Louis in the 1960's.  I have already told you about my grandpa, and Truell's wife also passed away a few years later.  They lived in Pocahontas, Arkansas, where M and I met, and enjoyed their golden years together, traveling a lot, something they both enjoyed doing.

In 2003, it was discovered Truell had brain cancer.  There really wasn't much the doctors could do, and he died in September 2004.  Again, Mom was there to help Granny.  Granny was capable, but she liked having "Sis" as she called my mom around, and Mom did whatever she could.  A lot of drives to the doctor in Jonesboro, an hour each way, trips to St. Louis, doing laundry, helping nurse Truell.  Mom had a lot of experience with my grandpa, and she was putting it to good use with Truell.

It was January 30, 2008 when the word came that dad had a spot on his lung.  Further scans over the next couple days revealed he had spots on his brain and on his spine.  Dad was 72, and the doctors said he had 60-90 days.

He fooled them.  He lived 21 months before dying in October 2009.  I am convinced he lived that long, defying the odds because of two things.  The fervent prayers lifted up on his behalf, and the in-home care he received from my mom.

Dad had a couple of hospital stays, but he never went to a long-term facility.  He died at home, in his own bedroom that he shared with his wife of 53 years.

Tirelessly for those 21 months Mom did everything she could to make Dad's life easier.  It wasn't always easy.  For either one of them.  But as she once told me during a rare down moment, "it is a privilege to take care of your father."  I am convinced that only a woman described in Proverbs 31 would make such a statement.

Now we come to Tom and his struggles.  This is her fourth round of caregiving.  It is harder, she is not young anymore, there is a limit to what she can do.  But as I mentioned earlier, she has promised him she will not be abandoning him.  I believe her.

It is an incredible thing to be witness to two such strong women.  Two women, who in all things put God first.  I think we can all learn from that.

Blessings my friends

College Football, who I like and who I don't, and why

 If after reading this, you think what a waste of a column, and I sincerely hope you don't, but if you do, blame my good friend Will Young.  At church this morning he told me he really liked my blog (and I thanked him), and I could I write another today.  Sure Will, nothing like a little pressure, just like Tuesday nights back at the old Star Herald.

So what I have decided to do, is pick out the college football teams I like and don't like and tell you why.  Seems simple enough.  Remember these are just my feelings, so feel free to disagree.  It's not my problem if you're misguided.  Just kidding.

I started following the Big 8 growing up, and since my parents, grandparents, cousins, preacher, milkman, pizza delivery guy were all from Arkansas, I followed the Southwest Conference as well.  As time passed, the Big 8 became the Big XII, and the Southwest Conference ceased to exist, so I followed Arkansas to the SEC.  Now, fully one-third of the teams from the old Big XII are now in the SEC, well, let's just say the SEC is pretty much all I follow.  Though we will touch on a few from other conferences I like or despise.

SEC

These will be in alphabetical order by like or dislike.

Like

Alabama - Seriously, you have to ask?  Bear Bryant is the greatest, Gene Stallings is as fine a man as there is, and Nick Saban?  Not bad for a guy from West Virginia.  Roll Tide.

Florida - I lived in Naples, Florida for three years back in the mid-90's and loved the Gators.  If God had answered my prayer I would still be living there.  He said know, and said "I have something else in mind for you.  Hint, it starts with an M

Georgia - Ok, I know this will cause some concern among the rank-and-file, but both of my boys grew up in Georgia and one still lives there, as do my grandkids.  Plus I always liked Mark Richt and Kirby Smart.

LSU - If Georgia didnt cause you to choke on your Cheerios, this one will.  Why do I love the LSU Tigers?  One reason, well maybe three or four reasons, but one really important reason.  I was born in Louisiana.  Really don't need any other reason.  I do like they wear white at home, and have goalposts that have two posts, not one like the rest of the world

Mississippi State - The perennial underdog. (no pun intended).  I like the Bulldogs for several reasons.  1.  They are not Ole Miss.  2.  I really liked Mike Leach  3. They have a great baseball program.  4.  Cowbells.  5.  I love the Weather Channel and nearly half their on-camera people went to school there.

Missouri - Ok, you knew this was coming.  I lived in Missouri from the time I was two until 18, then periodically thereafter.  Did I tell you about having a front row seat when the Mini-Mizzou band and the Golden Girls came to my high school?  It was, as my son Barclay would say, glorious.

South Carolina - M and I travel a lot.  Most of the time we go to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  On average we spend a month there every year.  I love South Carolina.  A lot.  I like the people and the food.  Plus, that is where Hootie and the Blowfish got their start and where my brother Barry forst went to grad school

Vanderbilt - Seriously, is there anyone who doesn't like Vanderbilt?  As added reasons, my brother-in-law Don got his Master's there, and my nephew Titus works in the pediatric ICU at Vanderbilt Hospital.

Dislike

Arkansas - I have spent 21 years of my life in Arkansas, so why do I dislike the Razorbacks.  I don't per se, i like their coach, plus Frank Broyles was a good man, I've had relatives graduate from there, it's so many of their fans I can do without.   Most of them think Arkansas gets no respect, if there is a penalty, it was a bad call because the refs are out to get them.  One time I had a friend tell me when we were talking about recruiting, "why would anyone want to go to Alabama, Florida or LSU when they can come to Arkansas."   I just looked at him and "Seriously?"  Seriously, a lot of Arkansas fans have a huge chip on their shoulder, which is why they are in this category

Oklahoma - This goes back to the Big 8 days.   Grrrrrrrr

Ole Miss - I just don't care for schools who think they are better than everyone else

Tennessee - If I hear Rocky Top one more time......

Don't Care

The following SEC schools I neither like nor dislike.  Auburn, Kentucky, Texas and Texas A&M

Other Division One Programs and one Division II

Like

Arizona State - The Sun Devils, isn't that cool name, the Sun Devils have the sharpest, coolest mascot on the planet.  Did you see their orange helpnets in the first round of the playoffs.  "Sparky" looked like he was running and was holding a pitchfork.  He also has this ultra-cool Salvadore Dali moustache.  Yes I like a team for their mascot

Cal-Berkeley - My son Clayton works there.  Do I need another reason?

Harding - Mine and M's alma mater and the 2023 NCAA Div. II Football Champions.  Go Bison!

Iowa State - Again we harken back to the Big 8 days.  Every year it seemed, the Cyclones would beat either Oklahoma or Nebraska and honestly have no business beating them.  But the rest of the Big 8 was grateful

Miami (FL) - See Florida

Michigan - This comes with a caveat.  Only when they are playing Notre Dame or Ohio State

Military - If you are not rooting for Air Force, Army or Navy, well, there is just something wrong with you

Dislike

Kansas - If you grew up in Missouri, you would know why.  Wars, well a war, was fought between these two states

Notre Dame - ugh, I hate typing the name.  The king of thinking they are better than everybody else.  Their own television contract, too good to commit full-time to a conference, and touchdown Jesus.  I am a firm believer and have faith in Jesus Christ, but I am pretty sure he didn't play football or care if the Irish win or lose

Ohio State - If Notre Dame is number one, Ohio State is 1-A.  Back when the SEC was winning 20 or so national championships in aa row did you ever, ever hear such griping coming from a school.  One other thing, they insist on being called "The" Ohio State University.  I'm sorry, I roll my eyes on that one

Ok Will, there is your blog for this Sunday evening 12 January 2025.  Goodnight America, and all the ships at sea

Random Thoughts on a Cold Saturday in January

 Good afternoon kids.  Hope you enjoyed your day in the snow.  Facebook and Instagram were filled with kids and adults enjoying the annual snow in the Shoals.  Me?  Nah, I hate the stuff, wouldn't bother me if I never saw snow again the rest of my life.  But that's a blog for another day.

M taught English and French for 38 years in Arkansas.  Back in October, a nephew of ours married a girl from Guatemala he met on a mission trip.  M went to the wedding and is now learning Spanish online.  I'm just glad she didn't go to Japan or Korea or India.  Anyway, while she is practicing Espanol, I thought I would jot down some random thoughts that have been flowing through my head the past couple of days.

- M and I are heading to Hilton Head on Monday.  I truly believe this will be the last week on this earth for some shrimp, grouper, snow crabs and redfish.  Oh well, someone has to eat them.

- Speaking of food, it is the middle of January, which means we will be planting collards within two months.  That makes me happy.

- I still dont like Ohio State and Notre Dame.  Why isn't Alabama and Georgia as God intended

- I am a huge baseball fan, and I know a lot about baseball.  But I truly cannot understand what my St. Louis Cardinals are doing this winter, I'm afraid they don't either.

- I am contemplating writing a blog on how some of my beliefs have changed over the years regarding the C of C.  Some are very subtle differences, some are not.  I am so tired of "tradition," and "that's the way we've always done it."  Christ didn't think that way, why should we?  Anyway, pray for me.

- I really miss Imo's pizza and Jack-in-the-Box tacos

- As I sit in our library, with a window facing northwest, I see abundant blue sky.  Why is it I can't get Sweet Home Alabama out of my head

- I don't know if there is a term for it, but for most of my life, my best friends have been girls.  Even in grade school.  Right now, of the five or six people I am closest to, only two are guys.  Go figure

- Only 30 days until pitchers and catchers report

- I probably didn't appreciate Jimmy Carter as much as I should have.  He was a good man

- For the life of me, I cannot stand our incoming president.  I don't think he is fit to be president.  But it is obvious, I'm in the minority

- This is the third day in a row I've written a blog.  I really love to write, it is easy, I can be creative, or irreverent, or just plain goofy.  Doesn't matter, I just love to write.  I really need to write a book.

- I spend most of my radio time listening to classic rock.  Do you ever listen to the lyrics?  Granted, some are obscene, but some are just brilliant and really hit home.

- Speaking of music and lyrics, one hymn we sing in worship, When Peace Like a River, has a line or two in the second verse that just gives me chills, and I'll be honest, sometimes I tear up.  "My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part, but the whole.  Is nailed to the Cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!  O my soul!"  See, the waterworks are on again

- I don't have much of an inquisitive mind.  Even though I worked for aa newspaper for 15 years, I'm just not that curious.  My mother, will sometimes ask, "is so-and-so married or divorced?  Do you think John Doe is gay?  Do you think John Q. Public has lost it?"  I just stare in disbelief.  Those questions never cross my mind.  I really don't care

- I think my life has been one continuous blessing.  Even with dropping out of college and having a divorce on my resume, I have been blessed.  I give God all the credit

- Speaking of our Heavenly Father, isn't incredible just how much he loves us and doesn't want us to fail.  Blows me away

- My younger son Clayton and his wife Mimi live just outside San Francisco.  Every time I see the fire on television, I am grateful they are not in Los Angeles

- I know the Internet can be one giant cesspool, but there are some things I am grateful for.  For instance, Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with a number of friends that I went to church with growing up it has been fun to reconnect with them.

Those are my random thoughts.  Please don't ever try to follow my train of thought, you'll be derailed.

Have a great rest of your weekend, be kind to each other

Romans 8 and the gift of intercession

 As the name of this blog indicates, we cover a wide variety of topics.  More than just baseball, God and tacos, in other words, more than sports, religion and food.  This week we have touched on my favorite desserts and my brushes with greatness, or at least those semi-well known that I had interaction with.

A bit more serious today.  I want to write about a revelation in the scriptures that I can across yesterday.  A revelation that surprised me, surprised me because it was right in the midst of a chapter, Romans 8, that is far and away, my favorite chapter in the entire Bible.  It is so rich, so full of meaning and encouragement.  I'm sure all of you could quote some part of Romans 8 if asked.  Maybe one day I'll write a whole blog on it and the effect it has had on my life.

I try to read my Bible everyday.  Most days, I do, some days I don't.  No excuses, I need to be more disciplined.  That is entirely on me.  I pray about it, and I am better than I was, but not as good as I need to be.  To help and encourage my daily reading, last summer I purchased a workbook on prayer.  My thought being if I am going to improve my spiritual life, what better place to start.  The book, by Rick Shepherd, is entitled, Praying God's Way, talking with the Father and Walking Together.  Each chapter, or segment has thoughts to meditate on, scripture to think about the daily focus, as well as a chance for the reader to jot down their own thoughts, or is some cases, literally write down what they are praying.

One of the characteristics discussed yesterday was how we need to make time for study, for prayer.  I admit I do not have a set time everyday to study or pray, I just don't.  I am not, and for most of my life have never been very disciplined, instead I have been carefree and did my own thing when I wanted to. , which is probably one of the reasons I did not graduate from college.

But looking at the revelation that opened my eyes and blew my mind.  The segment talked about intercession and even if we don't know what to pray for the (Holy) Spirit intercedes for us.  You know the scripture, and so do I, as well as any verse in Chapter 8.  Look at verse 26 and 27.

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

You know when we pray, we are praying directly to the Father, the one who created all things, the one who knows our thoughts, and our hearts.  But his gift of the Spirit is at work as well interceding for us, testifying for us if you will before God.  God and the Spirit are one, but separate.  They are so close, the Spirit doesnt have to say anything on our behalf because God knows the mind of the Spirit.  I knew that, have known it for years, it is indeed a great gift from God.  But here is the super neat part that I "learned" yesterday in my study.  The Spirit is not the only one interceding for us.  There is another individual and Paul tells us who it is just a few verses later.  Skip down to verse 34.

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

Honestly, when I read that yesterday I thought, hold on a minute, has that always been there.  Of course it has.  Why then did I never "see" it or dwell on it.  You mean the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who died on the cross is also in heaven interceding for us?  Or to make it more personal, Two-thirds of the God-head, Jesus Christ and the Spirit are both interceding for us before the Father.  Think about that, it is hard for me to comprehend, both are working on behalf of me.  Me, Dalton Sullivan in 21st century America is that important that Christ and the Spirit are testifying for me in the presence of God.

If you were aware of this, and I assume a great many of you were, I'm jealous.  But if you, like me, just read past it, not comprehending what the scripture said, well, it is life changing.

Blessings my friends, thanks for reading.

On the Periphery with Greatness

 For the past few days M has been reading a book by actress Judy Greer entitled, "I Don't Know What You Know Me From, Confessions of a Co-Star."  Also for the past few days she has been interrupting whatever important thing I was doing (I'm retired so how important can it be) and saying listen to this and then would proceed to read a segment from the book.  One thing I have learned from these passages is Greer is hilariously funny.  In case you are wondering just who in the world Judy Greer is, she was the mom who directed the play in the recent movie, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."  She also seduced Leonard in an episode of the Big Bang Theory.

It is one of those segments that gave birth to today's blog entry.  At one point she said look at this, and then proceeded to show me a page from the book that at the top read, "Celebrities I've peed next to."  M looked at me in all seriousness and said, you could do a blog on that.  I reminded her there was only one celebrity I had actually peed next to, so it would be a very short entry (more on that later).  So she said, well then write about all the famous people you've talked to or met or whatever.  I thought about it for a second or two and said, "ok, I think I can do that."  So here we are.

I use the term "celebrity" quite loosely, in fact some of these people you will think, "never heard of them."  That's ok, if you haven't heard of them, it just means you need to get out more.  

This is not going to be an exhaustive list, just a handful of people I've met and had actual conversations with.  The list is not by order of importance, but in alphabetical order.

Martha Ackmann - Ok, I can see a few of you with the deer in the headlights look.  This is not a name you recognize.  Truthfully, unless you were a journalism student at Ritenour High School in St. Louis in the mid-to-late '70's, or a seriously devoted fan of the theater or a fan of Emily Dickinson, chances are you wouldn't know her.  She was my high school journalism teacher.

Back then we called her Miss Ackmann, when I talk to her today it's "Martha" or "Marti."  I learned a lot about writing newspaper style from her, and she is also the one who introduced me to radio.  But that is another story for another time.  Not long after I graduated from Ritenour, she left for the east coast to further her education, eventually earning her PhD and teaching at Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts.  She also started writing books.  One of which, "These Fevered Days: Ten Pivotal Moments in the Making of Emily Dickinson," she was kind enough to autograph for M.  Prior to that, she wrote a biography on Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in the Negro Leagues.  The year was 1953.  The book was eventually made into a play and debuted off-Broadway in 2019.  It has also been staged by several theater companies across the country.

The last time I saw Martha was in the fall of 2023 back at Ritenour High School.  She was being inducted into the school's Hall of Fame and asked several former students to attend.  I was honored to be asked to attend, and M and I enjoyed the evening festivities.  She and M had a lot of fun discussing literature.  It was a great night, and she is the only one on this list to give me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Mike Beebe - Mike Beebe is a former governor of Arkansas, before which he was the state Attorney General and a state senator.  I first met him in 1979 when he was a Searcy, Arkansas lawyer.

After I was asked not to return to Harding University (who knew they actually wanted you to go to class and take tests), I worked at KWCK-AM/KSER-FM in Searcy and actually loved my work and was pretty good at it.  During the two years I was there, Mr. Beebe and I crossed paths many times.

Fast forward 25 years or so.  I am now living in Pocahontas, Arkansas and working at the local newspaper, the Pocahontas Star Herald.  Beebe has been state attorney general for eight years and is running for governor of Arkansas.  It was the summer of 2006 and I was just ending my one-year term as president of the Pocahontas Rotary Club.  This particular Wednesday afternoon at Bonanza Steakhouse, Beebe was our guest speaker.  Being the reigning president of the club, I sat at the front of the room with him and the club treasurer, Mike Dunn.   As we ate our ribeye and baked potato, we started talking.  I mentioned working in Searcy 25 years earlier.  Not surprising, he didn't remember my brief time there.  But he was friendly, and we knew a lot of the same people.

After his program, which was really a campaign speech, I thanked him for coming and prepared to say good-bye.  Out of the blue he asked what I was doing that afternoon, and honestly, I had nothing pressing, so he invites me to ride on his campaign bus with him for the afternoon and we would visit some more.  I called Anita Murphy, my boss back at the paper, and she basically said, "have fun."  The future governor assured me after the various stops they would come back through Pocahontas and drop me off at my car.  I have to admit, it was the best afternoon I had had with a Democrat in a long time.

Barbara Bush - Yes, the Barbara Bush.  It is the spring of 1980, and as mentioned earlier, I am working at KWCK/KSER in Searcy.  It is a presidential election year and the primaries and caucuses are in full swing.  I did news and sports at the station and one day my boss, Al Pickett, received a call from some Ladies Club in Searcy.  They would be holding a meeting on Thursday afternoon at one of the hotels in Searcy, I think it was the Kings Inn, and Barbara Bush would be speaking.  Al, showing his Kansas humor, gave me the info and said, "you're the only Republican here, you can cover it."  I didn't mind at all because also included was lunch.  I'm here to tell you, as a 21-year-old journalist you never turned down a free meal.

As you probably remember from 1980, Daddy Bush was running for President.  He didn't get the nomination and eventually became Ronald Reagan's running mate.   Thde lunch was fair and the program good.  I found Mrs Bush to be a good speaker and was impressed with her.  Following her pitch for her husband, there were some pictures taken and small chit-chat and the ladies began to leave.  Mrs. Bush and her handler were still there and incredibly Mrs. Bush came over to where I was sitting and sat down next to me.  She commented on my tape recorder and asked what organization I was with.  I told her I was from the local radio station.  Seeing my youthful looks and sensing perhaps I needed a scoop, she actually put her hand on my arm and asked if I would like to do an interview or did I need any other background information.  Goodness, she knew my job better than I did.  She treated me like I was Tom Brokaw and we talked for another 10 minutes.  She was gracious, charming, funny and real. 

At that moment I became a George Bush fan because I thought if he is smart enough to marry a woman like this, he is smart enough to be president.

Jeff Foxworthy - I am guessing it is 1996, maybe '97, and I am working for the Naples (Fla.) Airport Authority.  I was the nighttime supervisor for general aviation.  On weekends in the winter, we stayed pretty busy.  It wasn't unusual to see celebrities flying in as Naples was a town on the Gulf of Mexico, and a lot of well-to-do folks would fly in their private jets in and out on a regular basis.

This particular Saturday night around six or do, Jeff Foxworthy had flown in from Atlanta.  He was speaking at some banquet in town and he was the entertainment.  This was not a show for the masses.  When he arrived and walked into the general aviation terminal where I was walking, there were two individuals there to meet him, and they whisked him away to the speaking engagement.  About ten minutes later, after shutting down the aircraft, the pilots that flew him in came in and gave me their fuel order.  They also asked if there was any place good to eat that was close.   I recommended Michelbob's, a popular BBQ place that had great ribs and melt in your mouth onion rings.  I am not exaggerating when I say it was not unusual on a weekend night to have ten planes fly in from all over the state of Florida just to eat there.  That sounded good to them, so one of the guys gave them a ride over to the establishment.

About an hour later, who should walk in the from door of the terminal but Jeff Foxworthy.  He had finished his performance and was now ready to head back to Atlanta.  I informed him his pilots were not here, as they had gone to the barbecue place across the street and were not back.  He wasn't too upset about it, because he knew he was back before he said he would be.  I assured him they would be back soon and invited him to have a seat and wait.  Instead he stood at the counter and the next words out of his mouth were "Well Dalton, y'all having a busy night?"  Wait a minute, did Jeff Foxworthy just initiate a conversation with me?  Suddenly my paperwork did not seem so important.

We wound up talking for another 10 minutes.  I mentioned my sons, Barclay and Clayton lived in Cartersville, an Atlanta suburb about 30 miles north of downtown on I-75.  He knew exactly where Cartersville was and remembered when it was not more than a few thousand people.  Our conversation ended when the pilots returned.  They both looked surprised to see him and one of the pilots said with a quivering voice, "Mr. Foxworthy, we weren't expecting you back so soon."  Jeff looked at them sternly and said, "the only think I have to say is you better have brought me back some ribs.  I haven't eaten yet."  Now the pilots really looked worried and stammered to say something.  Foxworthy couldn't keep a straight face anymore and burst out laughing.  "I'm just messing with ya," he said, "let's go home."   It was pretty cool to have a front seat to a comedic genius.  As he headed out the door, he actually called me by name again and asked if I had any messages for my kids.

Mike Huckabee - Back to working at the paper.  This was probably about 2004.  Huckabee is the governor of Arkansas.  He would later be succeeded by Mike Beebe who I talked about earlier.  

As best as I remember it, there has been a ruling by the State Supreme Court regarding schools in the state, that all students needed to have equal opportunities.  That meant curriculum and facilities.  It also meant big dollars.  Many smaller school districts felt they would be forced to close or merge with another district because they would not be able to afford the changes or offer the courses required by the specified date.  

We had a couple of small districts, Biggers-Reyno and Oak Ridge Central, in Randolph County (where Pocahontas was) and they were very nervous.  I contacted the governor's office and requested an interview with the governor about the education reforms.  We agreed upon a date about two weeks later, and on the agreed upon date I drove to the Little Rock and the state capitol.  I knew my way around the capitol building pretty well and went to straight to his office.  The receptionist let someone know I was there, and just a minute or two later a young man led me into the inner sanctum.  After passing through three rooms, I arrived in Gov. Huckabee's office.  He stood when I walked in and offered me a seat, there was one other individual in there from the Arkansas Dept. of Education.  We chatted for about 45 minutes.  I know it was more of an interview, but the end he did ask my background and the like.  He answered all of my questions and was very friendly and personable.

After leaving office Huckabee would run unsuccessfully for president in 2008 and 2016.  He also had his own show on Fox News, Huckabee, from 2008 to 2015.  Following his election in November, President-Elect Trump has said he plans to appoint Huckabee to the Ambassadorship of Israel.

Don King - Let's see a show hands of how many of you know who Don King is.  In the '70's and '80's King was the pre-eminent boxing promoter in the United States.  He was loud, and he was a showman.  His hair, oh my his hair, was an afro going in every direction.  It had to be about two feet in diameter.  It was massive.

In the mid '80's I was young (under 30), carefree, had few responsibilities and a nice disposable income.  I also worked for Trans World Airlines (TWA), which meant I could fly free pretty much anywhere TWA flew world-wide.  It was a great time.  It was not unusual for several of us to be sitting around the employee lounge at the end of the day and one person to say, "hey, I see the Cardinals have a day game in New York tomorrow, who wants to go?"  There would usually be four or five us quickly checking our calendars.  One of my co-workers, Pat Sizemore was in charge of procuring tickets.  Pat's brother was Ted Sizemore, National League Rookie of the Year in 1970 or 71.  He was also good friends with Met first baseman Keith Hernandez, who used to play for the Cardinals.

So five us showed up at Lambert Field the next morning to catch the 7 a.m. flight to LaGuardia.  From there we would squeeze into a couple of cabs for the quick trip over to Shea Stadium.  After the game, it was back to La Guardia and catch the last flight home.  Sounds simple doesn't it.

Pat picked up our tickets at Will Call and distributed them to us.  We were in like the 10th row, right behind home plate.  We watched batting practice, laughed, talked, ate real Nathan's hot dogs, and had our favorite beverage.  We all had our feet on the back of the seats in front of us as they were empty.  That is until about five minutes before game time when the row filled up.  As luck would have it, sitting directly in front of me was Don King and his mammoth hair.  It was like there had been an eclipse of the ballpark, I couldn't see a thing.  My so-called friends laughed at me.  Hysterically.  I rebuked them as best I could, but it didn't change the situation.  I had Don King sitting in front of me.

Evidently, he had a fight to broker or a client to meet as in the fourth inning he got up and left, leaving me an unobstructed view of Shea Stadium.  Did I talk to him?  No, not really, but I was on the periphery of greatness

Nick Saban - Back in 2014 when M and I moved to the Shoals from Arkansas, I had procured a job with SeaPort Airways.  A small airline that flew three times a day to Nashville from Muscle Shoals using nine-seat Cessna 208's.  It was fun, I had been out of the airline business for 15 years and was glad to be back in it.  

One afternoon between flights, one of the University of Alabama jets landed.  I couldn't see who got out but it was rumored to be Nick Saban.  Oh well, missed opportunity.  Apparently, I wasn't thinking because about an hour later a big, black Suburban pulled up to one of the doors and out popped Coach Saban.  He came in the door right in front of me and stood there for a few.   Somehow I found the courage to approach him.  I introduced myself and we briefly chatted.  When it came time to leave, he graciously agreed to have his picture taken with me.  I guess he knew that I was friends with Barbara Bush.  I still have the picture and post it periodically

Jerry Seinfeld - By this time you are probably asking yourself, "who did you pee next too?"  Your patience has won out.  It was Jerry Seinfeld.

My senior year in high school and for a bit after a dated I girl named Linda Richardson.  She had a younger sister named Paula.  No, I didn't date her, but through her work, she cut hair and one of these fancy places, she would frequently get tickets to the Funny Bone Club in the Westport area of St. Louis County.  I saw Howie Mandell and Stephen Wright, Imo Phillips and some others, one of whom was a young comedian from New York named Jerry Seinfeld.  He was clean, he was funny and had the crowd inn his hand.

There were usually three comedians performing per night, and on this particular night, about 10 minutes before Seinfeld was to come on stage, I headed to the men's room.  As I went in there were three urinals along the wall.  I noticed the middle urinal was occupied by the man who went in before me, so I took the one to his left.  While standing there doing my business, I noticed it was Seinfeld standing next to me.  Jerry Seinfeld was peeing next to me!  I broke the awkwardness by saying something incredibly stupid like do well tonight or break a leg.  Something really lame.  He finished his business, got himself straightened up and flushed.  He said, "Thanks, see you inside," and that was it.  Remember this was several years before his television show started.  But still, it was pretty cool.

Those are my vignettes, and I'm sticking to them.  Thanks for reading.  See you next time

Southern Desserts

One day last week I was reading a Southern Living article online, and it was entitled, "The 10 Best Southern Desserts of All-Time." A panel of noted Southern chefs made the selections. I agreed with many of their selections and disagreed with some. Which I guess is the way most folks would react.

To start off, here are the top ten Southern desserts selected by the esteemed Southern chefs.

1. Banana pudding

2. Fruit cobbler (peach, blackberry, etc.)

3. Pound cake

4. Hummingbird cake

5. Pecan pie

6. Lemon Chess pie

7. Black bottom pie

8. Red Velvet cake

9. German chocolate cake

10. Pumpkin cheesecake

Now, before I get started on my own list, I should present my credentials. I am 67 years old and a southern boy. I was born in Louisiana, have lived in Arkansas, Florida and Alabama. I also spent my growing up years in Missouri. For those of you who would argue Missouri is not a southern state, you are half right. Northern Missouri is not southern, but everything south of the Missouri River, which is where I grew up, is as southern as a pan of corn bread cooked in a cast iron skillet. It's definitely more southern than south Florida.

Both of my grandma's were born and grew up and lived in Arkansas. That goes for my mother as well. My wife was born and raised in Alabama, spent most of her post-college life in Arkansas, but for the past ten years we have been back in Alabama.

Three of the aforementioned women were/are exceptional cooks. One of my grandmothers, bless her heart, was not a great cook, but had other endearing qualities. My point being, I have literally eaten nothing but grits, beans and cornbread and fried okra my entire life.

So here is my top ten Southern Desserts. You will notice some of the desserts are the same as what you saw on the Southern Living.

Dalton's Top Ten Southern Desserts

1. Coconut Cream Pie - I was shocked this dessert did not make the list. It is far and away my favorite dessert, southern or not. My birthday is June 5th, my dad's was June 3rd. Guess what. His favorite dessert was coconut cream pie. My granny, the one who could cook, would make each of us a coconut cream pie for our birthday. When I I worked at the Pocahontas Star Herald, my boss, Anita Murphy, would make me a coconut cream pie for my birthday. Now that we live in Alabama, my wife Marilyn (M) makes me one on my birthday. I had a great-uncle who would eat chocolate cream pie for breakfast every morning. I would easily and with great glee eat coconut cream pie for breakfast.

2. Strawberry shortcake - Ok, I realize the origins in strawberry shortcake are set in England a few hundred years ago. But is there a southern home anywhere that doesn't serve this summertime treat on a regular basis? I have spent the last 26 years living in Arkansas and Alabama. Strawberries, depending on the mildness of the winter, can be ripe in nearly to mid-April, though usually it is toward the end of the month.

Currently, our favorite strawberry place is Allen Farms in Moulton. Last April and May we made three trips down there to buy strawberries, and there was one time we bought some in Arkansas.

Now there are variations to the "cake." My mother and my granny would use pie crust, which is still my preference. M prefers a cake, like something you would make with Bisquik. No complaints, it is good as well, especially when warm. I prefer real whipped cream, by Cool Whip will do. Suffice to say, i love strawberry shortcake anyway it is served.

3. Fruit cobblers - When I use the term fruit cobblers I mean peach or blackberry, or a mixed berry. I like it made with real pie crust not cake, again just a preference. There are very few things better than hot cobbler right out of the oven, topped with a scoop of real vanilla ice cream. Thee crust stuck to the juice of the fruit, you would scrape it off the side. Oh my, I'm getting hungry. It was good cold for breakfast as well.

4. Fried pies - I talk about my granny's cooking a lot and that is because her cooking was so exceptional. one thing, besides the coconut cream pie, that always makes me think of her are fried pies. If you are not aware what a fried pie is, it is pie dough, that you place pie filling inside, fold over and fry in the skillet. Some sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. When I lived in Arkansas, occasionally Granny would call me and say, "I just made a mess of fried pies, come over and get some to take home to you and Marilyn." Yes ma'am, I'll be right over. My favorites were very similar, apricot and peach. Just melt in your mouth goodness. M makes a pretty good coconut cream pie, but I haven't found anyone yet who makes fried pies like granny did.

5. Pecan Pie - Sitting on our kitchen counter this very minute is a pecan pie M made yesterday. We each had a piece last night after dinner and it was very tempting to eat the remaining three-fourths of the pie this morning for breakfast. Pecan pie is decadent, I am not sure if there is any dessert that reminds me more of the old south than pecan pie. There are variations, chocolate pecan pie, bourbon pecan pie, they are all good. Just give me the original, like the one I am going to go partake of as soon as I finish this blog.

6. Key Lime Pie - Besides sunshine, warm weather, seafood and hurricanes, Florida has given us the Key Lime pie. I came across this gem late in life, I was in my 40's when I tried it for the first time. My first thought was I have wasted 40 years of my life not eating this. It is sour, a little sweet, almost always on a graham cracker crust. Another hint, let someone else make it. M and I made one once. It was good, but it would have been easier to feed the 5,000. I've had key lime pie all over Florida, from Panama City to Key West. It's all good. But let me share this one nugget. If you're not going to Florida anytime soon, buy the one at Publix. They are based in Florida, and they have the best, without exception, store bought key lime pie on the planet. I'm heading to South Carolina next week, which is close to Florida. I'll have key lime pie at some point.

7. Banana Pudding - I have one rule about banana pudding. It must be made with Vanilla Wafers. No exceptions. This was number one on the Southern Living list and honestly could have been higher on mine. Another favorite of my Granny's. Did I mention she lived to be 98 and cooked up until the last few months of her life. She was an amazing lady. Anyway, banana pudding was another of her summertime staples and she would serve it warm with, once again, homemade whipped cream on top. It was delightful, it was glorious, you thought you will never be satisfied by any other dessert again. It was that good. It didn't matter, warm or cold, my spoon was ready.

8. Pound Cake - One of the great things about southern desserts is just how incredibly versatile they are. Pound cake is no exception. Often baked in bread pans, once cooled I can remember from my childhood eating it plain, or with peaches or strawberries, or ice cream or just whipped cream on top. Seems like we always had it when company was coming over. Mom liked pound cake. I do too.

9. Lemon Chess Pie - Here is all you need to know about lemon chess pie. A few weeks before Christmas, M asked my mom what she could bring when we came up for the holidays. Without hesitation my mom said, "please make me one of your lemon chess pies." If that is not a validation of the goodness of this sweet and sour dessert, I'm not sure what is.

10. Sweet Potato Pie - Another treasure I discovered while living in Florida. I was the nighttime supervisor at the General Aviation facility at the Naples Airport. We handled private aircraft and stayed pretty busy. My nighttime security officer, whose name I have forgotten over these 30 years, every Saturday night would bring in a sweet potato pie that his grandma had made. He was African-American and his grandma had spent years as a cook before retiring. I'm sorry I never tried any of her other creations because after the first bite of my first pie, i just closed my eyes and thought, "wow, this is what a pie should be." It tastes similar to a pumpkin pie, but there is a subtle difference. I think I've had one sweet potato pie since leaving Florida in '98. I'm more than ready for another.

That is my list, Enjoy it, make your own, but if you do share it with me. Stay warm this week, be good to each other.