–C. Wayne Winkle  (Gideon Parnell: The Beginning)

 

My mercy, Pard, that poor hoss of yur’s.  How much pie did yuh eat?  Four pieces or four pies?  I know there was plenty of food and the folks sure filled their plates.  Yuh wasn’t one of them that hit the dessert table first were yuh?  Hmmm, my missus made four pies: two apple, a pumpkin, and a sweet tater.  I know there was also a chocolate one around.  From the looks of yur girth yuh did yurself proud.

     Really nice weather down at the lake, sitting ’round the fire for a few days, eatin’, drinkin’ coffee, an’ watchin’ the flames flicker.  Spent some time jawin’ with folks I see only once a year.  Yep, it was a nice time.  Was sittin’ there one time, sippin’ on the hot coffee that was just boiled at the fire and heard something.  At first I thought it was just the wind comin’ cup and whisperin’ through the tree tops, but then I recognized that it was an “Echo”.  Yep, I could hear it comin’ off the lake, beginnin’ at one end and movin’ quietly over the waves.  It weren’t nostalgia, but the sound of rememberin’ and reflectin’ on how good the Lord has been to me through the years.

     Made me realize the there are fewer days left in front of me than behind me.  Need to be makin’ most of the time left.  No tellin’ when the Lord may call a person home, or when He might be comin’ in on the clouds.  In fact, when I heard the wind in the trees I wonder if’n that’s not the Holy Spirit a whisperin’ sayin, “He’s comin’, be ready for the sound.”

     Sure did enjoy my time ’round the fire.  Coffee was good.  I’d forgotten just how good coffee boiled on a campfire tasted.  Ahhh, not that what we’re a-drinkin’ this mornin’ is bad.  Just something ’bout bein’ out in God’s great cathedral, enjoyin’ His creation, and swallerin’ good coffee that hits the soul.  But Pard, yuh best lose those pounds for this is the Christmas season an’ jist because yuh enjoyed a feast on Thursday don’t go fillin’ yurself everyday.  

     For sure the Lord is good!  He is faithful to His children an’ sure good to know that I’m one of them.  Be sure durin’ this time of year that yuh do plenty of ponderin’ on all that He has done for you.  Enterin’ Christmas be thinkin’ of why He came down to this ol’ earth.  Make His comin’ personal.  An’ in the hustle and bustle of the season, when yuh go out don’t forget to be checkin’ yur cinch or when yuh fall on yur noggin’ yu’ll see all sorts of colorful lights.  

     Speakin’ of lights, tonight they light up the town square.  Nice time and it’s a blessin’ to see a community still showin’ that Jesus is the reason, not only for the season, but for our lives.

      Vaya con Dios.

                    –Donald L. Robertson  (Tortured Season)

 

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie, and the apple pie and all the other treats…but we must remember, Pard, that Thanksivin’ is more than stuffin’ our face an’ fillin’ our innards with delectable food.  Yep, Pard, whilst yur enjoyin’ yur coffee, be thankful for it.  As I wrote the other day, we need to be listenin’ to the “Echoes” an’ learnin’ from them, an’ thankin’ the good Lord for all that He has done.

     Ahhh, good coffee this mornin’.  Lookin’ forward to havin’ some over the campfire next week.  Burn ban is off here, so it should be nice, ‘ceptin’ that rain is forecast for Thanksgivin’ Day.  But that’s alright, the Lord sends the rain.  Pard, I’m convinced that we don’t thank the Lord enough for all that He does for us.  Seems to me that we don’t thank Him when we’re in trouble–unless He gets us out.  We moan and groan, whine and complain, but give little thanks in those times of turmoil.  For sure, we don’t thank the Lord much when things are goin’ great; we don’t think about it.  We’re too busy to be a-thankin’.  We tend to thank Him when we’re reminded to, when there is a special day to check our conscience.

     So, Pard, yuh be thankful this week.  Be thankful that yuh haven’t fallen on yur coconut because yuh didn’t check yur cinch.  Be thankful that the Lord has taken care of yuh when yuh didn’t even know it.  Be thankful for the small things, for the mundane things, for the routine things–in other words in all things be thankful.  We should all make that a habit.  

     Yep, hurrah for the turkey and dressin’.  Hurrah for the pies, in all flavors.  Hurrah for the salvation that the Lord has provided for us.  Hurrah for His keepin’ power.  Be havin’ a wonderful Thanksgivin’; I’ll have the coffee ready next Saturday, the Lord willin’.

       Vaya con Dios.

                    –B.N. Rundell  (The Trail to Retaliation)

 

Pard, missin’ yur smilin’ face this mornin’.  I left the door open, so go on in an’ make yurself a pot.  The missus and I are out in the Hill Country for a weddin’, won’t be back ’til tomorrow.

     Whoopdi-ay, I see where some folks are runnin’ scared.  Maybe this time something will get done up there in the Marble City.  For shore, they need to get rid of that wokeness in the military.  That’s a sham and a shame that nonsense goin’ on with our military.  Yep, those top generals should be losin’ their jobs.  Wish ol’ Krulak was around, or some of the others of days gone by.

     Pard, I’m tellin’ yuh that it’s gonna be a hum-dinger those first hundred days of office.  The President’s gonna show ’em how the cow eats the cabbage.  An’ Pard, he’ll do it with a smile on his face but with a firm hand.  Get rid of some of that graff and smugness of some of those there politicians.  

     What’s that yuh say?  Nope, nary a one.  Come on Pard, yuh know that them Hollywood sort and entertainers are mostly gab.  Run their mouths but when it’s time to put up an’ follow through with what they said, ha.  Do yuh really think they’d leave the good ol’ USA?  Be better off if some of them would hit the road, that’s for shore.  

     Don’t be lettin’ this day go without mentionin’ Grandma’s birthday.  She was a determined person, possibly the strongest person I’ve known.  An’ could she cook, why the onliest one that could beat her would be my darlin’ Annie.  Side by side there’d be no match agin them.  She’s up in glory, possibly helpin’ out gettin’ that Marriage Supper ready.  The irony of Grandma was that she always kept the coffeepot ready for company even though she wouldn’t touch the stuff her ownself.  When yuh sit yurself down at that table in the sky, be shore yuh get some of Grandma’s dumplin’s or a bite of her pie.

     Listen, since I ain’t ’round to be checkin’ on yuh, yuh be shore to do things right.  Don’t get lax just ’cause yuh think better days are ahead.  Might not be that way, so stay alert, an’ Pard, don’t go ridin’ off without checkin’ yur cinch.  Why I reckon I’ve checked mine a time or two already on this trip.

       Vaya con Dios.

                    –Mel Odom  (Matamoros Bull)

 

Pard, when I heard the news, if’n I’d been in the kitchen I’d have done a little cloggin’.  Now it’s time to get to work gettin’ this country back on the right track–that is followin’ the Word of the Lord.  Along with that delicious brew I reckon my liver is a tinglin’ along with the gizzard.  I know it’s a democrat song, but my mind is goin’ to FDR’s “Happy days are here again…”

     Go ‘head, take a deep swaller for I do have some bad news.  It’s actually shameful news.  My very most favorite store of all time says that they’re no longer goin’ to have a Christmas catalog.  In fact, here are their words as to why, “in the spirit of inclusivity as it welcomes customers of all backgrounds, religions, and traditions to celebrate the season.”  Bah–humbug!  Pard, there goes my shoppin’ at Neiman Marcus.  ‘Course they don’t have my style of boots and shirts, nor any decent sort of sombreros to choose from.  Ha, gotcha.  I don’t think I’ve passed through one of their stores ‘ceptin’ maybe once or twice goin’ somewheres else.  But, Pard, what season is comin’ up?  My mercy–it’s Christmas!

     See, the enemy just won’t stop.  Not only is he the great liar and deceiver, he’s full of jealousy.  He can’t create, he can’t sit in the throne room, he can’t save a soul, all he can do is lie, steal, cheat, and destroy that which is good, or at least attempt to.  Say Pard, let me ask yuh a simple question.  Which is worse in yur mind:  slavery or killin’ babies?  Our country was split along geographic lines once with the slavery issue, but my land, Pard, ain’t killin’ as bad or worse?  Add to that the abomination of the gay agenda and all its ramifications.  Makes yuh just want to spit, but swaller first, don’t be a-wastin’ any of that coffee.

     Yuh be celebratin’ the holy-days.  I know they’ve shortened it to holidays, but yuh get my meanin’.  First is comin’ the recognition of those who served our country, the veteran.   All gave of their time and effort, many with their blood.  Followed by Thanksgivin’, and don’t we have so much to be thankful for?  Yuh know, I’m convinced that there are more blessin’s than there are problems, burdens, and troubles.  

     Now, don’t yuh be celebratin’ so much that yuh go off half-cocked an’ forget to check yur cinch.  Fallin’ on yur noggin’ ain’t the best way to bring in the holy-days.

      Vaya con Dios.