By Lois Harper

Good morning May 12 and God has bathed the soil with rain and is filling the lakes again. There is nothing impossible with God. He is bringing us out of the drought on His own time. The grass has grown and being baled in beautiful shapes towards oasis.
Something else is growing fast and that’s poke sallet in my yard and on the railroad. Now if you don’t know what it is or eaten any of it you didn’t grow up in the older days. It grows tall and leaves picked tender and known to older generation as a tonic or getting the “winter out of you.” This was before green stuff in salads etc. is available every day in the year now. They knew it had minerals or something in it but made you feel better or something according to my Granny.
I have cooked it for my deceased husband and it required using good old fried fat back grease, after several par boilings, rinsed out then put in a big skillet covered and finished cooking it in hot grease for at least 30 or 40 minutes on medium low heat. Add corn bread and just plain out chow down on a piece of the fried Tennessee chicken, that is what we called it, and we had gourmet fare. Some people use onions in it but it’s good either way. Just writing about it makes my mouth want some. Ingles here I come.
Last week I mentioned the baby bird being fed by its red bird parents. It can fly up into the tall tree in front now, still fed by them. I’m wondering how much longer Junior will be pampered. That mother bird will not cease caring until a time known only to her, then it flies away.
A first grade boy was asked what would he like to change in his mother. He said the eyes in the back of her head. Remember what was written that the hands that rocked the cradle rule the world. Long ago my mama sure had a lot of rules and I’m grateful for them.
Town Topic
Saturday was a perfect day for our Country Fair and was largely attended all day. The day opened with the Royal Diadem Tabernacle singers, the swing low tuba quartet, magic show, then the parade led by our R.O.T.C. unit followed by Civil War group, floats by Philadelphia Christian School, lots of old tractors, old cars, a brief summary of the long parade, etc.
After the parade the Philadelphia Christian School rendered gospel music and song.
The kids sure enjoyed the rides, etc. and somebody said Big Ed’s barbecue was the best they had ever had.
The whole afternoon was filled with live bands, but I didn’t stay after 1 p.m. but it sounded good resting on the screened porch. Thanks to everyone for coming, see you next year.
Neighborhood Notes
Kaye Evans is home at present, hope she does well.
Susan Briscoe is doing very well according to Louie while I was talking to him Saturday.
Gary and Betty Stewart were taking in the fair and said Betty’s dad Jack Lord celebrated his 88th birthday recently. Many more Jack.
Congratulations to Josh Ghann on his graduation from college last week.
Other neighbors celebrating birthdays are Dora Clark today the 12; Ernest McCullum the 20; Carl Sims on the 21; Bobbie Melton on the 23 and Will Peterson and Robin Benkoski on the 30.
Happy anniversary to Val and Roy Holland on May 28.
Jimmy, Brenda and James Thompson joined other family members for Mother’s Day at Brenda’s mother’s residence at Buckhead.
Faye Payne was treated for the day with dinner at the Cracker Barrel by Lowell and Phylis Messer.

Baptist Church News
Our church was full yesterday with three candidates for baptizing during the morning service. They were Billy Blair, Clay Lester and Harley Hays. We welcome them into our warm, loving church family.   
Also it being Mother’s Day, flowers were given for the oldest mother, mother having the oldest child, Rosemond Anderson; Mrs. Flora Smith next oldest received flowers for having the most grandchildren present. Laura Atkinson received the youngest mother, flower.
The choir paid tribute in rendering, “If I could hear my mother pray again.” Wayne’s sermon was dynamic as usual. See you next Sunday.
Methodist Church notes – Angel Food pickup date is May 17.