Happy Post-Thanksgiving! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This too hot to handle new page is from our friends Johanna, Linda, Bunni and Geniann. It is one sure to give you some smiles! Check it out here... () `.. .. `... `.. `.... `.. `.. ()-'`-. `.. `..`. `.. `.. `.. `.. `.. `.. `| |\\ `.. `.. `.. `..`.. `..`.. `. `.. ' |__| \) `.. `.. `.. `..`.. `..`.. `.. `.. . //\\__ `.. `.. `. `..`.. `..`.. `. `.. `.. (( `--( `.. `..`.. `. .. `.. `.. `. `. `.... . )\ `.. .. `.. `.. `.... `.. `.. ,--._ ` ,-'`- ;-. `.. `.. `. `.. `.. ,: , `. `. `.. `. .. `.. `.. /. ` ,-' . \ `. `.. `. `.. `.. `.. ( ; `. ) `... `. `.. `.. `.. `.. | ' , `. | `. `.. `...... `.. `.. `.. ( / . ( ) `. `. `.. `.. `.. `.. \ ) `/ `.... `.. `.. `..`........`........ `. / ' ,' `-:_ _,-' Consider yourself hit by a snowball !! `--' Snow Fun 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/snowfun2.html --- ...What a hoot! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ _ ( Y ) \ / \ / \ /^\ _ ) //^\\ -= (_) =- ( // \\ ) // \\ / \ __ // \\ |=^| // _ \\ __|= |__// (+) \\ /LLLLLLL// ~ \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// |~[|]~| |~[|]~| \\ ^| [|] // | [|] | | [|] | \\ | [|] ^| |_[|]_| |_[|]_| |^ ___|______| | /LLLLLLLLLL|_____________________| /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ ^||^^^^^^^^/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ || |~[|]~|^^||^^^^^^^^^^||^|~[|]~|^||^^ || | [|] | || |~~~~| || | [|] | || || |_[|]_| || | [] | || |_[|]_| || ||__________|| | o| ||_________|| .'||][][][][][|| | [] | ||[][][][][||.'. ."'||[][][][][]||_-`----'-_||][][][][]||"." .(')^(.)(').( )'^@/-- -- - --\@( )'( ).(( )^(.) '( )^(`)'.(').( )@/-- -- - -- -\@ (.)'(.),( ).('). ".'.'." ." '.". @/- - --- -- - -\@ '.".'.".'.".'." jgs'' ".".".'.'@/ - -- -- -- -- -\@".'..'".'."'.'.' '.".".''.".''."@/ -- --- --- -- - -\@.".''.".''.".'". >MAY IT EVER BE SO by Nancy Julien Kopp The crisp, sunny days of October somehow slid into damp, gray ones during November in the Chicago area where I grew up. The sun played hide-and-seek in the late autumn and winter months, mostly hiding. Wind swept across Lake Michigan, bringing a chill that seeped through warm, woolen jackets and into our bones. Un-raked leaves swirled around our feet with each new gust of wind, and naked tree branches dipped and swayed like ballerinas announcing that winter would soon begin. We walked faster on our way to and from school and mom often commented that we had roses in our cheeks. We accepted the chill and gloom of November because it heralded Thanksgiving. At school, we spent that month learning about Pilgrims and Squanto, the Indian who helped the settlers through that first tortuous winter. Teachers planned bulletin board displays with a Thanksgiving theme. Everyone celebrated this non-religious holiday. Mom and my aunts prepared the dinner -- turkey roasted to a golden brown and stuffed with a moist dressing redolent with sage, that teased for hours with its pervading aroma. Aunt Adeline made a second stuffing adding sausage, a recipe from the French side of the family. We had creamy mashed potatoes and rich gravy made from the turkey drippings, sweet potato casserole with a marshmallow topping, seasoned green beans, homemade yeast rolls, cranberry sauce, and the family favorite, seafoam salad, a mixture of lime Jello, cream cheese, mashed pears and whipped cream. Spicy pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream and apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream finished off our feast. Dad's two older sisters lived in the Chicago area, so we usually celebrated Thanksgiving with them, trading homes from year to year. The eight cousins, despite the wide range of ages, had a wonderful time together. After dinner, we got shooed outside to play. I suspect the adults sat around and drank more coffee, nibbled on the leftovers and did all they could to put off the dishwashing time. No dishwashers in those days, so all the women pitched in and cleared the table, washed and dried the dishes, often with towels made from flour sacks. When my female cousins and I got older, we were drafted into the kitchen with chattering women and clattering dishes. The men plunked themselves into chairs and listened to the radio, or watched the small screen black and white TV when we finally had one. After I married, I invited my parents and brothers to our home for Thanksgiving, even though I wondered if my mom would be hurt. She'd been the hostess ever since my aunts passed away. I needn't have worried, for her answer was, "Finally! I've been waiting to be invited out for Thanksgiving for years." Now, my children's families make the trip home for Thanksgiving every other year. We use a few shortcuts in cooking and we load the dishwasher instead of drying dishes, but the grandchildren revel in being with cousins just as I did. The faces around the table change, but the same warmth of a family gathering to give thanks remains. May it ever be so. -- Nancy Julien Kopp ______________________________________________ Nancy lives and writes in the Flint Hills area of Kansas. She has had stories in 8 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Guideposts and other anthologies and many online sites. She is a mother, grandmother and former teacher who still enjoys teaching through the written word. -<>- .--. {\ / q {\ { `\ \ (-(~` { '.{`\ \ \ ) {'-{ ' \ .-""'-. \ \ {._{'.' \/ '.) \ {_.{. {` | {._{ ' { ;'-=-. | {-.{.' { ';-=-.` / {._.{.; '-=- .' {_.-' `'.__ _,-' jgs |||` .='==, >THANKSGIVING CHECKLIST by Jackie Gregg Bought the turkey, got it thawing Found the roaster after hours of pawing Through the cupboards looking for All the dishes from the year before. Great big platters and serving bowls Gravy boats and that thing with holes That holds the deviled eggs quite still So they don't take a violent spill. Toasted loaves and loaves of bread. Diced the onions, oh how I dread Those pungent things that make me cry But the stuffing without them, would be a lie. Celery and sage just isn't enough, Not when there's a twenty-pound bird to stuff. On to the baked goods. What have we got? Two pumpkin pies, that's not a lot. Considering the kid that's gonna eat 'em. They're his favorite, though he don't need 'em. That never stopped him ever before. Maybe I'd better make one more. How about a pecan pie this time? An apple crisp would be divine. I'll make some Jello, orange and blue, With fruit for me and plain for you. The linen's been ironed, the crystal's washed clear, The plates and the cups will all match this year. There's plenty of forks and knives and spoons And other utensils to be used at noon. Or one, or two, or even three. The time doesn't matter, at least not to me. As long as we're together and having some fun, Who cares if and when the turkey gets done? The dips and the dunks have all been prepared. The veggies all cleaned, not a carrot was spared. There's chunks of sausage and chunks of cheese And cute little crackers as crisp as you please. No one will go hungry at our house that day. If they do it's their own fault. What more can I say? Except for to wish that love, hope, and peace Will live in your heart and never will cease. It's not what you eat. It's not even if you pray. It's all about the love On Giving Thanks Day. -- Jackie Gregg _____________________________________________ Jackie says, "I live in northern rural Michigan and keep busy taking care of many animals and one husband. Any leftover time is devoted to gardening, writing and waiting for grandchildren." ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Karen :) >Turkey Trivia .--. {\ / q {\ { `\ \ (-(~` { '.{`\ \ \ ) {'-{ ' \ .-""'-. \ \ {._{'.' \/ '.) \ {_.{. {` | {._{ ' { ;'-=-. | {-.{.' { ';-=-.` / {._.{.; '-=- .' {_.-' `'.__ _,-' jgs |||` .='==, (CNN) -- When the guests around your Thanksgiving table are busy stuffing their bellies today, here's one way to break the lull in conversation: dazzle them with some tasty turkey trivia. Here's 9 to get you started. We bet you they'll eat them up! 1. A tradition is born: TV dinners have Thanksgiving to thank. In 1953, someone at Swanson misjudged the number of frozen turkeys it would sell that Thanksgiving -- by 26 TONS! Some industrious soul came up with a brilliant plan: Why not slice up the meat and repackage with some trimmings on the side?Thus, the first TV dinner was born! 2. Going shopping?: Not if you're a plumber. Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for them, according to Roto-Rooter, the nation's largest plumbing service. After all, someone has to clean up after household guests who "overwhelm the system." 3. This land is my land: There are four places in the United States named Turkey. Louisiana's Turkey Creek is the most populous, with a whopping 435 residents. There's also Turkey, Texas; Turkey, North Carolina; and Turkey Creek, Arizona. Oh, let's not forget the two townships in Pennsylvania: the creatively named Upper Turkeyfoot and Lower Turkeyfoot! 4. Leaving a legacy: When Abe Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, it was thanks to the tireless efforts of a magazine editor named Sarah Josepha Hale. Her other claim to fame? She also wrote the nursery rhyme, "Mary Had a Little Lamb." 5. Gobble, gobble?: Not so fast. Only male turkeys, called toms, gobble. Females, called hens, cackle. 6. Ben's bird: If Ben Franklin had his way, the turkey would be our national bird. An eagle, he wrote in a letter to his daughter, had "bad moral character." A turkey, on the other hand, was a "much more respectable bird." 7. Born in the U.S.A.: Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday. Canadians celebrate it too. Except they do it the second Monday in October. 8. Don't blame the bird: You stuffed yourself, and now you're feeling sleepy, very sleepy. But it ain't the tryptophan in the turkey. In fact, chickens have more tryptophan. You're groggy because you overate. And digesting all that grub takes a lot of energy. 9. Talking turkey: Why is it called a turkey? Oh boy, this will take some explainin'. Back in the day, the Europeans took a liking to the guinea fowls imported to the continent. Since the birds were imported by Turkish merchants, the English called them turkeys. Later, when the Spaniards came to America, they found a bird that tasted like those guinea fowls. When they were sent to Europe, the English called these birds "turkeys" as well. --- ...HaHa! Good ones! Thanks Karen! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) ___________ // \\ _____ []//___________\\[] / ___\ | _____________ | / / oo |[_]|--AMC--|[_]| \_( _) |_==_________==_| \___-/ | | | | / \ _____|__|_________|__|____|| ||__________ \ / || || JRO| | || || | | ||__|| ))) | | |_/ \| oo ) / \ | /// \o/ / \ | | /:\\ _/ \__| |______|_//___ |___| ||| [____) / (_(_) >The Past... There are some things we will never be able to get over Let them be... The past is our biggest bank A Bank of memories both good and bad Memories of things we could achieve and those that we couldn’t Memories of people we could be with and those we could not be with Memories of all the special times that left a mark in our life Memories that are attached to us until our last breath Why fight them? Leave them like that Reconcile with them Let them have a place in a small corner of your heart Go on with your life There is a lot more to come Live your life to the fullest You deserve a lot more than you think Just work for it... Be good - and you'' get get life's good in return Let your past rest - Look forward to happy Times! --- ...Great Advice! Thanks Jazz! ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >I had No More Excuses After I was fired from the plastics company I had a few other jobs but was let go from all of them as well. It was not because of my work but because it was the height of the 1990 recession in Canada and many companies were going out of business. Unfortunately I seemed to always find myself employed by one of these companies. The last company I had worked for was a fur dyeing and dressing company that had been in business for close to 100 years. I worked for the company five months when it folded. I was starting to get really frustrated. Being a single mom, I was in dire need of making an income. My son was 16 years old at the time. Sensing my anxiety and frustration, Dee, my very good friend from childhood, sat me down for a good talk about what direction my life was taking. She was convinced that I was wasting myself, and I should be going to university to expand my horizons. I had a 1001 excuses why I couldn't go at this time; I was having trouble with my son, I couldn't afford the tuition fees, I didn't think I was smart enough, and on and on I went spewing out excuse after excuse. Dee was relentless. For each excuse she had a counter proposal, or remedy for my situation. She wore me down. I had no more excuses. The future at this point in my life looked pretty bleak. I had no money, I could not keep an office job, and my son was a juvenile delinquent. Hey I thought, I was already down, the only way to go was up. Perhaps by going to university I could accomplish a few things. Perhaps I could get away from the dead end mundane jobs that I was used to. I was tired of office work. My heart was not in it. I needed a job where I could feel like I was actually helping somebody; office work was just not cutting it. Also, the struggle of finding jobs that stayed clear of clerical work was becoming more and more difficult for me to do. Instead of typing a letter dictated by a temperamental boss who makes all kinds of mistakes and screams if his secretary dares to correct them, perhaps I could be the boss and write my own letters; but to accomplish that I needed a higher education. Furthermore, I needed to get out of office work altogether. I did not find it rewarding at all. The recession was in full swing and it was difficult keeping jobs. I thought that perhaps going to university would indeed broaden my horizons. I could get out of office work, take something that I really enjoyed doing, and start a new career. By the time I finished university the recession should be over, I would have new skills to offer an employer, I would hopefully be doing something that I love, my self esteem would increase, and I would be a positive role model for my delinquent son. At this point in time, my son was starting to hate school and was cutting his classes. I thought if he saw me go back to school at my age, he might be motivated to continue with his schooling as well. Though Dee did not provide me with these insights she did open the door for me to turn around my 1001 excuses for not going to university into 1002 reasons why I should. About me: I have a Masters in Counselling Psychology. I have written for several newsletter including this one. I run my own newsletter and I will soon be publishing my book – Picking Up the Pieces: A woman's Journey. If you would like to comment about this story feel free to contact me at: winterose@videotron.ca -<>- |\ /| |\ /| | \ / | |\\ //| | | | | | \| |/ | \ | | / \ || || / \ |_| / \||_||/ .' '. .' '. | | |o o| / \ /= Y =\ `'-. .-'` `'-.^.-'` _| |_ _| |_ /` `\ /` `\ | / \ | | | |/ \| | ( ) | / \ /\ \ / /\ | .-~-. | | '._)_.' | \ { } / \ / jgs \ '-=-' / \ '.___.' / .--' ;---; '--. .--' \---/ '--. `-------' '-------` `-------' '-------` >The Bunny I remember as though it were yesterday. I had several Mini rex rabbits and had set up a trade to a couple who lived in Louisiana. They were traveling and bringing mea nice trio of little Dutch rabbits. I had only seen hem on the computer so really was not sure how they would look. I had been raising rabbits fro almost 7 years when I decided to try my hand at a new breed.I was hoping it would turn out to be as good a idea as getting into rabbits in the first place. I recall sitting at the computer looking at the pictures on a web site to see how they might look when the SUV drove into the yard. my heart was racing at the prospect of a new baby to love. I slowly slipped out of the house and we all shook hands. I met my new friend and her husband and her little son. They had made such a long trip I wanted to invite them inside but was dying to see my new babies.We decided to put the rabbit in the barn with the others so they would not get too hot in the car. I felt my palms get sweaty as her husband lifted the back of the tailgate. The in a flash I saw the most beautiful little bunnies I had ever seen. They were brown and white and had a perfect white mark down their little faces. I knew it was love at first site. I gently held each bunny as I put them into their new home. There was 2 females and one male and I was ecstatic. I invited my new friends inside and we sat and visited for quite a long time and I offered them a drink and the use of my bathroom. Their little boy played with our dog and was glad to be out of the vehicle for a bit. Several hours later they loaded up to head back and we went to the barn and I gave them the Mini rex and they were just as thrilled to have them as I was the Dutch. That made me happy because I have always been cautious about letting a rabbit go to a home that would care for it well. After they left I took my permanent marker and the hutch card that we put the names on for each rabbit and I went to the barn. Once inside I gently picked up each rabbits and looked them over and cuddled them and named them. There was "Southern Bell" she was a bit slender and very dainty and then my daughter came in and wanted to help so she held them too and the other female was named "Itty Bitty" she was very tiny in size but full of spirit. Then came my beautiful little male rabbit.He was very strong and his markings were perfect he was going to be a great show stopper. I cuddled him and he snuggled and I named him " Rebel" 5 years later I had sold most all the rabbits in the barn but could not part with "rebel" he was such a sweet heart and he had such personality so I kept him even after all the others were gone. he came inside, ran around in the barn, got carrots daily, and as my husband likes to say "he had the life of Riley" meaning he was so spoiled it was pitiful. Then the day came that "rebel" did not want to go out, he did not want his carrots his age was catching up with him. He died in June of 2003 and he is sorely missed. I wrote him a poem and would like to share it with you as well as the story of my beloved little "Rebel" "my bunny" I had a little bunny as sweet as he could be; He love to nibble carrots and cuddle up with me. He was so very tiny could hold him in one hand; He loved to play with blocks and things he was quite the little man. I lost my little bunny not too long ago; I miss him terribly I am really feeling low. A friend of mine has offered to try to send a kit; But alas I think that I should probably wait a bit. I dearly miss my bunny and playing under the shade tree; I loved my little bunny and I know that he loved me. Donna Starkey I am 40 years old and live in Northeast Mississippi and I am married and have 2 children one is married with a new baby girl and the other a senior in high school.I love rabbits, dogs, writing and taking walks with my dog in the woods. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: 2012 Most Stunning Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moststunning2.html Thanksgiving Story - Alice's Restaurant http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/alices.html Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html The Giver And The Gift http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html Give Praise http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/praise.html Directions Home http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html Human Chameleon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chameleon.html Mountain Biking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Until We Write Again http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html The Emotional and Physical Benefits of Thanks-Living http://www.truthortradition.com/emails/thanksgiving_2009_email2.html I Give Thanks By Southbreeze http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/IGiveThanks.htm Christmas With Pets http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/christmaspets.html Miniature Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html God Is Like... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Just Thinking... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Matchstick Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/matchstick.html Miniature Baby Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/baby.html World Of Big Cats http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigcats.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Frying a turkey is a delicious option for your Thanksgiving feast. However, it can also present a safety risk. William Shatner wants to keep you safe by sharing his turkey-frying experience in this hilarious, over-the-top safety video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYkRF_FmD40&feature=player_embedded Take a deep breath and come dive with us into the crystal clear waters of Bali, where you will immediately be accosted by a range of colors unknown to surface dwellers. These waters hold so much life within them, so much is there to find beneath the deceptively peaceful waves. Let's take a look at the beauty of the ocean in this stunning high definition video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZX1oAGWmFh0 I Love Lucy was one of the most popular shows during its time. This legendary clip was taken from the episode titled "Job Switching", which featured Lucy and Ethel going to work, while Fred and Ricky stayed at home to take care of the housework. It's safe to say that the girls don't last too long at their new jobs! The original episode aired September 15, 1952. Enjoy the hilarious clip! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8NPzLBSBzPI --- ...Teehee! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- From Our Friend Wesley :) colons http://tinyurl.com/mb9m3el butterey turkey http://tinyurl.com/njprykj --- ...HaHa! Thanks Wesley! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Post-Thanksgiving Which turkey meat is more tender ..... http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lp2XV22FO4c --- ...TeeHee! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) The Bishop's Amish Chocolate Pie http://www.amish365.com/amish-chocolate-pie/ Winter Waltz In Austria http://biggeekdad.com/2013/10/winter-waltz-in-austria/ Faithful Friends Nursing Home Ministry - Christian Ministry Resourc http://www.faithfulfriends.org/commtips.html Santa's Official Reindeer Live Feed | ReindeerCam http://reindeercam.com/ How to Help the Homeless This Holiday Season http://www.ehow.com/how_10122_help-homeless-this.html Don’t Forget The Elderly In Nursing Homes This Christmas http://tinyurl.com/lvntg86 --- ...Great Links! Thanks Melody! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >First Medicine in the Bible When I was a boy, I was asked where medicine is first mentioned in the Bible. The answer given From Exodus 31: 18 was: “When God gave Moses two tablets.” At a Mowbray Baptist Church Neighbourhood Bible Study Group in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the members, a pastor from Zambia, said that when he had read that verse in family devotions recently, his young son had asked him: “Dad, were they Apple or Microsoft Tablets?” If you do not "GET" this, ask your grandchild. Contributed by Eric A. Mermanson of Cape Town, South Africa -<>- | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ >*Bear Bryant On Keeping Your Word* At a Touchdown Club meeting many years before his death, Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant told a great story about his recruiting days: "I had just been named the new head coach at Alabama and was off in my old car down in South Alabama recruiting a prospect who was supposed to have been a pretty good player and I was havin' trouble finding the place. Getting hungry I spied an old cinder block building with a small sign out front that simply said "Restaurant." "I pull up, go in and every head in the place turns to stare at me. Seems I'm the only white fella in the place. But the food smelled good so I skipped a table and go up to a cement bar and sit. A big ole man in a tee shirt and cap comes over and says, "What do you need?" I told him I needed lunch and what did they have today? He says, "You probably won't like it here, today we're having chitlins, collared greens and black eyed peas with cornbread. I'll bet you don't even know what chitlins are, do you?" I looked him square in the eye and said, "I'm from Arkansas, I've probably eaten a mile of them. Sounds like I'm in the right place." They were all smiled as he left to serve me up a big plate. When he came back he says, "You ain't from around here then?" "I explained I'm the new football coach up in Tuscaloosa at the University and I'm here to find whatever that boy's name was and he says, yeah I've heard of him, he's supposed to be pretty good. And he gives me directions to the school so I can meet him and his coach. As I'm paying up to leave, I remember my manners and leave a tip, not too big to be flashy, but a good one and he told me lunch was on him, but I told him for a lunch that good, I felt I should pay. The big man asked me if I had a photograph or something he could hang up to show I'd been there. I was so new that I didn't have any yet. It really wasn't that big a thing back then to be asked for, but I took a napkin and wrote his name and address on it and told him I'd get him one and shook his hand and left." "I met the kid I was lookin' for later that afternoon and I don't remember his name, but do remember I didn't think much of him when I met him. I had wasted a day, or so I thought. When I got back to Tuscaloosa late that night, I took that napkin from my shirt pocket and put it under my keys so I wouldn't forget it. Back then I was excited that anybody would want a picture of me. The next day we found a picture and I wrote on it, "Thanks for the best lunch I've ever had." "Now let's go a whole buncha years down the road. Now we have black players at Alabama and I'm back down in that part of the country scouting an offensive lineman we sure needed. Y'all remember, (and I forget the name, but it's not important to the story), well anyway, he's got two friends going to Auburn and he tells me he's got his heart set on Auburn too, so I leave empty handed and go on see some others while I'm down there." "Two days later, I'm in my office in Tuscaloosa and the phone rings and it's this kid who just turned me down, and he says, "Coach, do you still want me at Alabama?" And I said, "Yes I sure do." And he says OK, he'll come. And I say, "Well son, what changed your mind?" And he said, "When my grandpa found out that I had a chance to play for you and said no, he pitched a fit and told me I wasn't going nowhere but Alabama, and wasn't playing for nobody but you. He thinks a lot of you and has ever since y'all met." Well, I didn't know his granddad from Adam's house cat so I asked him who his granddaddy was and he said, "You probably don't remember him, but you ate in his restaurant your first year at Alabama and you sent him a picture that he's had hung in that place ever since. That picture's his pride and joy and he still tells everybody about the day that Bear Bryant came in and thad chitlins with him." "My grandpa said that when you left there, he never expected you to remember him or to send him that picture, but you kept your word to him and to Grandpa, that's everything. He said you could teach me more than football and I had to play for a man like you, so I guess I'm going to. "I was floored. But I learned that the lessons my mama taught me were always right. It don't cost nuthin' to be nice. It don't cost nuthin' to do the right thing most of the time, and it costs a lot to lose your good name by breakin' your word to someone." "When I went back to sign that boy, I looked up his Grandpa and he's still running that place, but it looks a lot better now; and he didn't have chitlins that day, but he had some ribs that woulda made Dreamland proud and I made sure I posed for a lot of pictures; and don't think I didn't leave some new ones for him, too, along with a signed football." "I made it clear to all my assistants to keep this story and these lessons in mind when they're out on the road. If you remember anything else from me, remember this. It really doesn't cost anything to be nice, and the rewards can be unimaginable." *Forwarded by JR Whitby* To subscribe send an e-mail to: Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to http://www.sermonfodder.com ========================================================== .---------. _ |:: [-=-] | | | |_________| |~| |_| ,;;;;, I\ ,__ ,;;;, __, ///\\\\\ I |{ / . . \ } / " \\|| I | ) ( _ ) ( \_= _/// I |{___'-. .-'___}\___ )_\ I ||~/,'~~~~~,\~~|'---(( \ I \ // \\ | \ \ \ I \/ // | | /-/ I (/ (/ | |/||\ I | | | | I | | |____/ I :-----_o_-----: || | I | /~~|===|~~\ | (( | jgs I || |===| || ||_/ /^\ "~ '^^^' "" ((__| >Three Gifts of Kindness Story Editor: by Pat Woods Dan Keller Queensland, Australia In December 2007 I became ill and was taken by ambulance for a blood transfusion. I guess it was my chance to get back some of what I'd donated over the years. "Thank goodness no neighbors are watching," I said. "I'd be answering questions for weeks." "You get good at spotting people behind curtains," replied a paramedic. "At least three houses are checking you out." Oh dear. I don't like to discuss my health and didn't relish the impending inquisition. This paramedic's kindness was amazing. At the hospital, orderlies told him to go but he wouldn't, until he knew medical staff was assigned to me. What a relief when one is alone in a huge hospital, with impersonal staff hurrying past. After several days in hospital, my sons cleaned my house thoroughly, arrived in a car strewn with jasmine, and settled me in at my house. A week later, I desperately needed fresh air and groceries. I walked to the nearest bus stop and suddenly felt weak and dizzy. I knew I couldn't make it home, but if I caught the bus to the store, I could grab a shopping trolley for support and be fine. Here in Brisbane, Australia, buses only stop if you hail them; newcomers to the city stand, as I once did, totally bemused at buses zooming past them. My bus came and I waved him down. Apparently I was a metre too far from the actual stop; he gestured rudely and kept going. So there I was, hanging onto a lamppost, feeling dreadful and wondering what on earth to do next. A hand gently but firmly took my elbow. I looked up, and further up, to see a tall man with a concerned look on his kind face. "You aren't well, are you?" he asked. "Oh, just a bit dizzy," I mumbled, and he gave me a look that said, "Yeah, right, and I'm Santa." Turned out he was a bus driver taking his break across the road. He supported me to his bus and helped me into a seat. "Where do you live?" he asked, then rang his depot, saying he was taking ten minutes to look after a sick passenger. Shortly, my neighbors, still agog from the ambulance, were treated to an enormous city bus pulling up outside my house and the driver escorting me to my door. In two weeks I experienced the kindness of people going out of their way to make me comfortable: the paramedic who stayed with me; my sons who rallied round; and the bus driver who gave up his break to get me home safely after his colleague simply drove past. I hope we all have a chance to experience -- and give -- that kindness. I will always be grateful to those who bother to notice the needs of others, and take that extra step to help. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: `>.___ o-.--.-o ___,<' / `. / ,, \ .' \ { `.; ,__, ;.' } `._ }`.__.'{ _.' `,=."' `".=,' .' /`-.____.-'_ `, \_.';`-.______.-':`._/ `+-.______.-'' `-.____.-' / || \ ; ;; ; `-./ \.-' fsc >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Esther was babysitting her grandchildren, Cameron, 4, and Madison, 2. They were at the kitchen table and able to look out the window and watch the bees fly around the Rose of Sharon bush. Madison was saying, "Bee, bee, bee..." Esther explained the difference between honey bees and bumble bees. Cameron said, "I seen honey birds." Esther corrected him, "No, it's BEES not birds." Cameron was insistent, "I seen honey BIRDS, Grandma. They can fly and stay still." And then Esther realized he was referring to a hummingbird that had appeared briefly. -- Esther Grawcock of rural Avilla, Indiana Gale was watching her grandson Josh, 4, enjoy a chocolate cookie. He offered her one. She said, "No, I can't have it. I'm allergic." Very seriously he replied, "Grandma, I promise I took the 'lergic' out of it!" -- Gale Spence of Angola, Indiana Here's another one from Gale. Josh, 4, overheard Gale making a call. The person didn't answer so Josh overheard Gale leaving this message: "It's Aunt Gale. Call me when you get this message." Josh said, "You're not Aunt Gale anymore. You are Grandma! Did you forget? What do I have to do to get you to remember?" Here's another story from Gale. She was having a bad day and Josh said to her, "Grandma... it's always a GOOD day when we are together!" Connie's friend Roswitha was visiting her grandniece who had just given birth to her second child. The 4-year-old first born was watching his mother nurse the baby. "What is she doing?" he asked about his baby sister. "She's drinking milk; you also did when you were a baby," his mother said. The little boy followed up with, "How do you put the milk in there?" -- Connie of Austria _ .-. .--''` ) _ | |/` .-'` ( `\ /` _) _. -'._ /` .' .-.-; `).' / \ \ (`, \_o/_o/__ / .-''` ``'-. { /` ,___.--''` { ; '-. \ \ _ _ { |'-....-`'.\_\ / './ '. \ \ `"` _ \ \ | \ \ ( '-.J \_..----.._ __) `\--..__ .-` ` `\ ''--...--. (_,.--""`/` .- `\ .__ _) | ( } .__ _) \_, '. }_ - _.' \_, '. } `'--' '._. ,_) / | / .' \ | _ .-' \__/;--.||-' _|| _||__ __ _ __.-` "`)(` `" ```._) jgs (_`,- ,-' `''-. '-._) ( ( / '.__.' `"`'--' Koen, 4, had just finished supper with his Nanna and PawPaw. He had dropped a chicken nugget on the floor during the meal, so he was told not to eat it, but to throw it in the sink with the disposal. Koen walked to the kitchen sink, dropped the inedible nugget in and asked, "Throw it in the eater?'" -- Dennis Smith (Koen's PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina Brooklynn, 4, was playing with her cousins. Her mom was at home with her sick sister, so her Auntie Lori asked her when she came out of the bathroom if she'd washed her hands. She said she had. Lori asked if she'd flushed the toilet. She said yes she had. Then she tacked on, "I think I've done everything I was supposed to do in there!" -- Donna Johnson (grandmother of Brooklynn) of Ashby, Minnesota Cali, 5, was riding home with her Nana. She had gotten some skim milk to drink on the ride. She suddenly told her Nana, "I know why it is called 'skin milk.'" Nana asked her why and she said "'Cuz it is good for you skin!" -- Cathy (mother of Cali) of Dillard, Georgia Trevor, 5, needed to get up early for classes. He told his mother he was too tired, and she told him he could sleep in the van. He sternly told her, "Mommy, I hate sleeping in pieces." -- Trevor's Aunt Amy of Butler, Pennsylvania \_/ --(_)-- . / \ /_\ |Q| .-----' '-----. __ /____[SCHOOL]___\ ())) | [] .-.-. [] | (((()) ..|____|_|_|____|..................................)(... ldb Here is another story from Amy, a teacher's helper. Jonni, 4, was learning about Joseph in Sunday School. The teacher asked her if she understood revenge and she didn't. So the teacher asked her what she would do if someone stole her crayon, and she sweetly answered, "Call the police." They all chuckled and went on with the lesson. When they got to the part where Joseph was thrown in jail, Jonni was asked, "Why was Joseph in jail?" And she looked straight at the teacher and matter-of-factly stated, "Because he stole my crayon!" Jane sometimes substitutes for pre-K. Recently two of the children had a birthday on the same day turning 5 years old. One little boy standing close by was looking sad, so Jane asked him if he was still 4 years old. He said, "My mama says I am." -- Jane from Louisiana Amy was talking with her mother-in-law, Donna, about where they should go to eat: Olive Garden or Red Lobster. A little while later, Emily, who was sitting at the table coloring, looked up and asked, "Are we going to Crabs to eat?" -- Donna Kensky (grandmother of Emily) of Fort Wayne, Indiana Here is another story from Donna. Emily saw Donna's Christmas tree up and lit with cherubs and angels all over it. She said, "I want to count the Fairy Tales on your tree, Grandma!" .--..-""""-..--. ///`/////////\`\\\ ||/ |///""\\\| \|| ## ( 6. 6 ) ## /_\ \ _. / /_\ _`) (`_ /` '--' `\ / _,,_ \ / /` `\ \ /\_/ / 6 6\ \_/\ \ \/\ Y /\/ / \ \/ `'U` \/ / \( \ / )/ |\_/ \_/| / ____ \ \ ( || ) / (__)||(__) | || | |__||__| jgs |==||==| /~`//~`/ / // / `""` `"` And Donna tells about her daughter's daughter. McKenzie Maiorano, almost 3, has a little sister Haley,18 months. Occasionally there is a biting issue. Donna's daughter Kristin saw McKenzie open her mouth and Kristin yelled, "MCKENZIE!" Fast thinker McKenzie said to her mother, "I'm not biting her, I'm smelling her!" Val, 4, and his Aunt Amy were at Val's grandmother's house. Amy said, "I have to leave now to pick up your brothers and sisters." Val quickly retorted, "No, Aunt Amy -- I have TWO brothers and ONE sister. And that's too many sisters!" -- Amy Worthman of Bluffton, Indiana Here is another story from Amy. They were sitting at the dining table together, watching Grandma light a match. Then she blew it out. Val, 4, said, "Blow up another match and let ME blow it out!" Nolan, 4, was eating some crackers and said, "You know, Mom, I have a fun slide in my mouth and a hole for the crackers to go down." -- Lisa Billingsley of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina Myrna was visiting with Eric, the son of a friend. She asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He answered that he wanted to be both a professional football player and a professional basketball player. Myrna remarked that if he could do that he would really make a lot of money. His eyes got huge and he asked, "Those guys get paid?" -- Myrna Dooley of Pueblo, Colorado ) (.) .|. l7J | | _.--| |--._ .-'; ;`-'& ; `&. & & ; & ; ; \ \ ; & &_/ F"""---...---"""J | | | | | | | | | J | | | | | | | F `---.|.|.|.---' Krogg Michelle was driving and had no idea that the children had been absorbing anything about the upcoming election. Then she heard from the back seat, "Audrey is for Barack Obama and Sydney is for John McCain." After Michelle and Audrey, 7, stopped laughing, Michelle asked 3-year-old Sydney, "Are you a Republican?" Sydney replied, "No, I'm a cupcake!" (That's a term of endearment her father Jason often uses.) -- Dawn Neace (aunt of Sydney) of Kendallville, Indiana Kelley's pastor's wife Leslie works as a teacher from her home. One of the children she takes care of Layton, 3, came to church with her to be in the Christmas Play. He was playing in the nursery and asked if he could take the tow truck home. Miss Leslie told him kindly that the tow truck belonged to Jesus so he had to leave it there. Layton asked several times throughout the day and Miss Leslie would always kindly say that it belonged to Jesus. Finally Layton said, "I talked to Him and Him told me I could have it!" -- Kelley Needham of Somerville, Ohio _____ j_____j /_____/_\ |_(~)_| | | )"( | | |(@_@)| | hjw |_____|,' Walter brought a friend home from kindergarten. His mother was in the kitchen preparing them some milk and cookies, when she heard them talking. His friend said, "Wally, your mom sure talks funny." Without batting an eye, Walter said, "Yes, I know she is not from this planet." (His mother is of foreign birth.) -- Frances Rawleigh (mother of Walter who is 40 now) of Granbury,Texas Anticipating long lines to vote on election day, Wendy's daycare provider, Michelle, and her husband took turns watching the kids the day before so each could go vote early. One of the little girls arrived while Michelle was gone. Upon her return, Michelle asked if the mom wondered where she was. Her husband said, "Nope. Sam told her you went fishing." Later in the evening, Wendy's husband and she were talking about voting the next morning and Sam, 2, said, "I want to go fishing with you!" Sam has no idea what "vote" means but he definitely knows what a boat is! -- Wendy of Auburn ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Thanksgiving Of Faith Although things are not perfect Because of trial or pain Continue in thanksgiving Do not begin to blame Even when the times are hard Fierce winds are bound to blow God is forever able Hold on to what you know Imagine life without His love Joy would cease to be Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee Move out of "Camp Complaining" No weapon that is known On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone Quit looking at the future Redeem the time at hand Start every day with worship To "thank" is a command Until we see Him coming Victorious in the sky We'll run the race with gratitude Exalting God most high Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but... Zion waits in glory... where none are ever sad! ~ Cindy Blackamore ~ --- ...Aww, so true! Thanks LouiseA! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************