A spring-ish winter and pork in the freezer

It's winter time again, but we did have some wonderful much needed rain this past week.  It seems like we have springlike, beautiful days for a while, then it wants to be winter again.  Saturday was hog-killing weather, literally!  Our neighbor, Lee Eaton killed a pig and had him hanging up ready to cut up.  They will have some good pork in the freezer!   But all in all we really haven't had much bad weather.  I hope this isn't "famous last words!"
Maggie and Raegan are here with Grandma this morning since it is a Presidents Day Holiday.  We have already gone to The Dollar Tree, where everything is a dollar and is their absolute favorite store, although Maggie loves the new Goodwill; I do too!
Yesterday, Raegan had our blessing at the dinner table.  She said her teachers had taught her a new one; it was so sweet.  "Thank you God for the food before us, our family around us, and the love between us."   And everyone said Amen!
Joanie Bruce will have another book signing this coming weekend in Madison.  It will be held this Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Madison Artists Guild Cottage which is at Town Park right across from Godfrey's Warehouse.  Joanie will be there to sign her just released suspense novel, "Alana Candler, Marked for Murder," from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  I have already gotten a copy of it and it is really good.  It is definitely a suspense novel and it keeps you on edge until the very end.  I highly recommend it.
Madison should be packed this weekend with the Antique Show and Sale that will be held at the Cultural Center Hall.  There will also be a huge antebellum estate sale this Thursday - Sunday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. each day at the former Miss Florida Prior's home on East Avenue.
The Bethany community sends their sincerest sympathy to the family of  Dot Fordham who passed away on Friday morning.  Mrs. Fordham resided on the Barrows Grove Road close to her daughter, Cindy Michael's and her family.  She had in the last month or so became a resident of the Lake Oconee House and then had moved to The Madison House. Dot attended Bethany Baptist Church and she also enjoyed going to the ladies Bible study which is held every Tuesday at Fay Walter's home.  A wonderful memorial service was held at Bethany on Sunday afternoon and a reception was held afterward for everyone down at the Michael's lake home on Lake Oconee.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.
We need to continue to remember  Olena Eaton in our prayers as she had to spend some time at Northside Hospital this past week.  We pray she continues to regain her strength.
Joe and Lynn Hanson's daughter, Cindy Baldwin, has started a home-based business called Straight from Home.  You can order delicious, healthy, affordable home-cooked meals for your family.  She features different casseroles and dishes each week.  I noticed one of hers this week is Mama's Chicken Pot Pie (I bet it is Lynn's recipe!)  You need to order by 2 p.m. each Monday.  She says she has been really busy!  You can email her at straightfromhomecasseroles@gmail.com, ph. 706-342-6494, or she is on Facebook.  She can make your busy life easier!
Jeri, Chuck, and Charles Smith of Woodbury visited with the Jack Catheys this past weekend.
We want to wish Malachi Cathey a Happy Birthday as he turned 1 this past week on Feb. 12.  Malachi is the son of Bart and Samantha Cathey and the grandson of Gerald and Andrea Cathey.
We congratulate the girls and boys basketball teams of Gatewood Academy as they both won the title of AA Region Champs this past Friday night.  Marlee Malcom, a 10th grader, is a leading starter on the team and was a big help in winning this title.  The teams will go on to the Sweet 16 tournament this coming weekend.  Good work!
Sally Stephens and Laurie Lewis attended the Morgan County boys basketball game region tournament in Jackson County near Commerce this past Saturday night.   The boys won their region title also.  Congratulations to those players.
Karalynn Clifton and others of the Morgan County Marlins Swim Team participated in a meet down at Augusta this past weekend.  Karalynn came away with some second and third places.  The team will have a state meet this coming weekend at Georgia Tech.
Sarah Nell Craig attended a bridal shower in Aberdeen, NC on Saturday for her daughter, Stacy Craig who recently became the bride of Brent Loudermilk.  Stacy and Brent were married on February 9 in Hawaii!  I bet they wanted to stay there in that nice weather!  We all want to offer them our congratulations and best wishes!  Sarah Nell said it snowed all day Saturday in North Carolina, but hopefully she didn't get snowed in and was able to drive back home.
A reminder about  the Ladies Missions Extravaganza to be held Monday March 11 at 7 p.m. sponsored by the Morgan County Baptist Association and to be held at Madison Baptist Church.  Judy Shafer, a missionary to Southeast Asia, will be the guest speaker. For more information you may contact Esther Curry at esthercurry@gmail.com or at 706-474-5963.

Printed in  the February 21 edition.