Columns

I walked into the church on that Easter Sunday in my yellow seersucker dress that Mama had made for me. My sister wore one just like it and I fumed. First of all, I hated the Easter dress custom because Mama never let me pick out what I wanted. She decided what I would wear, and at the mature age of 8 years, I knew very well that I was plenty old enough to make my own decisions about clothes. She did concede some issues to my better judgment. For example, I tolerated no lace and no ribbons on my dresses—not even one. A sash hung down in the back, but it was plain, not frilly, and besides, I couldn’t see it behind me. And just because the whole world thought females should adorn themselves in pink didn’t mean I would wear that horrid color. I had agreed under duress to the yellow fabric. [Full Story »] 

The pear and wild plum have bloomed just in time to draw back a nub because as I write this it is supposed to freeze tomorrow. I just smoked my country cured hams. The collards are blooming and I will soon gather their seed and keep them for next year. No, I don’t have to buy all my garden seed. I’ve also got dry peas, rice and honey stored, honey because it never spoils. I heard some honey was found in a tomb somewhere that was hundreds of years old and was still good. I don’t expect to be here another hundred years, so when I go you are welcome to it if you can find it. I guess I was a doomsday prepper long before the television series. [Full Story »] 

Diane Feine is our able, efficient, slim, trim, and vivacious administrator at St. Marys Magnolia Manor. There is never a dull moment with Diane. Sporting a Master’s Degree in Education and loaded with a world of experience, she keeps Magnolia Manor in tune and humming. Diane sees to it that the place is kept immaculate and that the residents are carefully cared for. Nevertheless, Diane has a keen sense of humor and loves to pick on her Chaplain--that’s your’s truly. [Full Story »] 

Over the last few months, talks of budget cuts in general and Sequestration in particular have filled the news. I agree with many of the cuts. I’m opposed to waste in government since it involves our tax dollars. Even some of the proposed military cuts are logical. For example, the grounding of the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds is a reasonable cut and won’t do much harm. I enjoy watching their shows, but will not be harmed in any way if I never see another one. Other cuts, however, could very well threaten military readiness. The Defense Department predicts that the slashing of ship and aircraft maintenance and the curtailing of training will occur with the currently proposed budget cuts. [Full Story »] 

(Editor’s note: Every week we receive articles penned by guest columnists. The following was so moving that I would like to devote my normal space this week to this powerful message with hope this will encourage others facing a difficult situation at this very moment. Thank you Pastor Steve for sharing. - Jamie Gardner)

By Steve Statum

John 11:4-6 - 4 - When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 - Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 - Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. - NIV [Full Story »] 

“Do you want to hit some yard sales tomorrow?” my sister Sarah Nell asked me Friday night on the phone. [Full Story »] 

My youngest is studying to be a chemist at Valdosta State and, accordingly, he did a home experiment last week in trying to develop his own brand of organic solvent. I haven’t quite figured out just what that is yet but at least now I know it when I smell it. Let me explain. [Full Story »] 

B. J. and I go back with Charleston, S.C. a long way. Since I have a lot of family and ancestral roots there, and a brother buried there, I probably go back farther than B. J. Across the years, Charleston has become sort of an “old stomping ground” with us. There are few nooks and crannies in Charleston that we haven’t plundered through at some time or other in daylight or dark. We traversed Charleston Harbor several times both in my brother’s private boat and on the ferry. While my brother Halbert was living, since he was a WW 2 U. S. Navy Veteran, we made Patriot’s Point a regular destination so my brother could guide us through the WW 2 Navy ships anchored there. [Full Story »] 

Barrow Seeks to Change 27th Amendment to Cut Member Pay

On March 6 U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, H.J. Res 33, to allow Members of Congress to cut their pay at any given time. Under this amendment, Congress may reduce their compensation immediately upon enactment of a salary reduction law. The 27th amendment currently prevents members from “varying” their pay, preventing a salary reduction. [Full Story »] 

Every once in a blue moon, members of Congress actually roll up their shirtsleeves and do something positive. Last week U.S. Senators Orin Hatch (R-Utah) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) introduced legislation to repeal a portion of Obamacare. The legislation, dubbed the American Job Protection Act, attempts to repeal the job-killing employer mandate that was included in the President’s $2.6 trillion health law, which requires businesses with 50 employees or more to provide health insurance of minimum value or pay a penalty between $2,000 and $3,000 for each employee working 30 hours or more per week. [Full Story »] 

When I walk into a Weight Watchers meeting, the room is already set up. Chairs line the walls, products sit on the back table waiting for my perusal and/or purchase, and the flip chart of the week’s session awaits the appointed hour. In the back the leader and her assistant are already weighing members in, celebrating with those who lose and commiserating with those who gain. They smile and encourage as they efficiently do their jobs. We all know that they are doing jobs, of course. They are paid, as well they should be, but how fair is their pay? I’ve never heard Baxley’s local leaders complain, but a big outcry is sounding across the country among leaders who complain that they make less than minimum wage. [Full Story »]