In honor of our dear friend Jo Ann’s birthday, we wanted to put together a couple of our favorite pieces she has written and share them with you. You are the best, Jo Ann!
Jim and Jake the Possum
Not long ago, we reported that Jake the Possum had died by being run over by a car. We are happy to report that is not the case. Like the famous saying, “My demise was greatly exaggerated,” it appears the same is true about Jake. Our neighbor was feeding his feral cats the other day and whom did he see? None other than Jake the Possum eating out of one of his paper plates.
He could hardly believe it. So today we are thankful for Jake’s friends who rescued Jake and saved him. Now this is the story from Joe of how Jake was saved. It appears that Jake had an identical twin brother. The only difference between them was that Jake had a small black tiny patch of fur on his back. That’s why we know it’s Jake that our neighbor saw eating at his place.
Now Jake’s brother was never careful when he crossed the street. Jake had tried to get him to listen to his warnings to be careful. Jake’s brother being a stubborn Possum wouldn’t listen to him. So, one day Jake tried to warn him that a car was coming as he crossed the street in front of our neighbor’s house.
Jake must have tried to stop him, but he couldn’t in time. In fact, Jake got hurt real bad. Now, Black Beauty, one of our feral cats in the neighborhood saw what had happened. Being that all the animals in the neighborhood liked old Jake, they carried him to his home under the porch next door.
In the meantime, our neighbor thought it as Jake and didn’t know about his twin and gave him a wonderful burial in his back yard. The other neighborhood animals made a soft bed for Jake and took care of him. They loved old Jake because he had done so much for them throughout the years.
They found him food to eat and took one of our small cups of water I leave out for other cats to drink. I had wondered where that cup had disappeared to. That explains why we saw so many of our animal friends going next door under the porch.
Now the animals had their hands full. It seems that Jake took it hard that his twin didn’t make it. He was very hurt and was grieving about his brother. They all tried to cheer him up. One day, a Red Cardinal Bird dropped by to check on Jake.
He talked to Jake telling him how lucky he was to have so many friends that loved him so much that they would care for him. He should be grateful to them and get better. The Red Cardinal sang a song to Jake. Before the Red Cardinal left, he said, “Thank you for being my brother and trying to save me. You were always kind to me. The rest of your animal friends need you to watch over them. So, get well and goodbye.”
It appears that changed everything for old Jake. He got better. So, when he finally made his neighborhood rounds, our neighbor knew that Jake was alive because he looked close enough to see the tiny black fur on the Possum’s back who was eating on his porch. I could tell that everything now is back to normal because all the animals in the neighborhood are happy
. The birds were singing their morning songs and the squirrels were again playing in the trees. So, today being Thankful Thursday, we are thankful for all the caring animals in our neighborhood for taking care of old Jake.
Now, Miss Josie has been in the kitchen with her staff working very hard. She is making the biggest Birthday Cake you will ever see in these parts.
Now surprise Jo Ann by posting Happy Birthday to her today. Don’t bring gifts but you could help out your local Animal Shelter with gifts or just volunteering. Let’s surprise her! Birthdays are a big thing with her, and I know she would love you wishing her a Big Happy Birthday!
I know Jake the Possum will be by to wish her a Happy Birthday with all his friends. Having said that let’s have a breakfast beverage and a Native American Proverb. A Lakota Sioux Chief’s Proverb of today goes like this, “Kinship of all creatures of the earth, sky and water is a real and active principle of the Great Spirit.” Thanks for coming. Enjoy your gift of today. Have a great day! We look forward to seeing you Next time!
Pastor John and Hattie Field
I was just thinking how nice it is to settle down to a good romantic book or story with a cup of coffee. So today, we are Thankful for Romantic love stories.
Now Joe says he has one for you. In Dead Man’s Hollow, Pastor John was getting lonely. Sure, he had his congregation but that wasn’t enough. Now, Pastor Joseph was making his rounds of his churches when he stopped in to see Pastor John. Pastor Joseph and Pastor John were having coffee that morning.
“What’s wrong?” asked Pastor Joseph. “What do you mean? I have a full church ever Sunday. The community is doing well, and no one seems to be getting in trouble since I arrived,” answered Pastor John. Now Pastor Joseph knew Pastor John well. “I know that you are not as happy as you should be. I got the feeling that you are missing something. Being a Pastor can be a lonely life for some, especially so far out in the deep part of Appalachia,”
said Pastor Joseph. “You are right. I’ve had a hard life before I saw the light and became a Pastor. By now, I had envisioned having a wife and kids. Most women around here are taken or too young for me. I have a feeling that my past might have something to do with it,”
Pastor John stated. “Why sometimes you even scare me because you’re a little too handy with your guns and fists? Is there anything else that I can help you with?” asked Pastor Joseph. “Well, I do need a new organ and someone to play it for church services. Do you know where I can get those around here?” asked Pastor John.
“Now I can get you an organ but there’s only one person that I know that plays one. I am afraid you wouldn’t like her. She’s a little wild and hard to get along with. She lives up in Wicked Creek. I used her at a couple of small churches, but she didn’t last long. She has a temper and doesn’t like taking orders. I know she is looking for a job giving lessons and leading a church choir. Her name is Hattie Fields of the Field family,” replied Pastor Joseph.
Pastor John smiled, “She sounds like she would do fine around here. I’ve heard of the Fields. They are a rough family. I had to tangle with them when I first got here.” Pastor Joseph smiled, “Be my guest, why don’t you just go up there and offer her a position with the church? I will have an organ here in three weeks.”
The next Sunday, Pastor John told his congregation that he would be gone to find an organist and church choir director. They asked him where would he get one? He replied,
“Hattie Fields up on Wicked Creek.” By the faces in his congregation, you would have thought he had said the she-devil of Wicked Creek.
Pastor John got his stuff and headed out for Wicked Creek the next day. He was dressed in his black suit and took his six gun and rifle with him. Big Jake saw him leave, “I guess you are ready to tangle with Hattie Fields and her brothers. Good luck with that!”
It took about a day and a half to get to Wicked Creek. Pastor John asked the Sheriff where could he find Hattie Fields? “Just go over to the Rattlesnake Tavern, she cooks and plays piano there on weekends. I think she’s there now. I bet you are Pastor John. Everyone in these parts knows about your reputation. Good luck with Hattie.”
Pastor John went into the Tavern. The first thing he heard was a voice he knew too well. “Why John, the last time I saw you were in Memphis? He couldn’t believe it. “So, your real name is Hattie Fields. The last time I saw you, I was running you out of Memphis because of all the trouble you caused! I think Pastor Joseph gave me the wrong person to ask to come work at my church,” replied John.
“No, he didn’t, he stopped by two weeks ago saying you would be by to ask me to come down and help you out. I naturally can’t turn old Pastor Joseph down,” answered Hattie with one of her most wicked smiles. “Why that old man set me up! How did he know that I knew you any way!” said John.
“Pastor Joseph is well connected. When do we start? I’m all packed if you can handle me working for you,” said Hattie. “I handled you once. I guess, I can handle you again,” replied John.
“I do recall, you handled me well enough. I still got that old ring you gave me before I got in trouble in Memphis. I’m just wondering if you still meant what you said.” Pastor John replied, “That was a long time ago. Get your stuff and we will get going. It’s against my better judgment. Now don’t give me in any trouble down in Dead Man’s Hollow,” John sternly said.
John waited outside for Hattie. He had to take a second look when Hattie walked out of the Tavern with her suitcase. Hattie was as beautiful as she was tough. She wore a nice traveling dress with a matching coat. A man brought her carriage up so she could drive it down to Pastor John’s Church. “Stop staring at me, John, that is not what a Pastor should do to a single lady. Where’s your manners?” And so they went, back to Dead Man’s Hollow.
They stopped at Deer Creek to set up camp for the night. The moon was full. They called the full moon this time of year a Lovers Moon. As they sat by the campfire, Hattie asked, “Why did you not marry me?” John didn’t want to answer. “You shot that man in Memphis. I had to get you out of town fast. You never told me where you were. I looked for you, but you just disappeared.” Hattie answered,
“I had a big reason that’s all I will say.” John pointed up to the full moon. “Remember the last time we were together. The moon was full, and it shined on your beautiful red hair. I fell in love with you that night.” Just then, a man shouted, “Can we come into your camp?” John grabbed his gun. Hattie knocked down John’s gun. “That will be my adopted daughter and my brothers. I told them to bring her here to show you why I shot that dirty old man in Memphis.
He wasn’t treating her right. I had to get her away from him.” Pastor John could only say, “Yes, I know. I have been looking for you for years. Now I know why you didn’t tell me your real name.” A twelve-year-old girl ran to her adopted mother’s arms.
One of Hattie’s brothers said, “So you are the one that saved our sister. You know, she once told us that she would only marry one man so when is the wedding. Pastor Joseph is waiting at your church for you to get home. We will be your best men. What do you say, Pastor John?” John looked Hattie, “As Hattie said to me once, how do you say no to Pastor Joseph.
Having said that let’s have a breakfast beverage and a Native American Proverb. The proverb of today goes like this, “The Great Creator made Grandmother’s full moon to warm the hearts of lovers.” Thanks for coming. Enjoy your gift of today. Have a great day! We look forward to seeing you next time!
