News from the Mountain

By CAROL GUNTER

Here it is Monday of a new week. I hope you had a very pleasant weekend. I've had my two cups of Folgers coffee with the Great Value hazelnut creamer and I'm ready to go now, just hadn't decided where I'm going. At least, I have come to life and that is a good sign of making some progress.

Spotted around fifteen turkeys behind A.J. and Brenda Neal's place up in the field this morning as I looked out our patio doors and you know with that number it was "real turkeys" not people I'm talking about. Sunday morning I guess it was the same turkeys plus one deer up in that field. A beautiful sight to behold and it makes where I am living that much more meaningful and worthwhile.

Tony and Tracy Neal have gotten into the Christmas spirit with their yard looking simply spectacular. I've noticed they also have up some more lights to add to the beauty of their place. I think you both have inspired me to enhance our yard some more. Love you both and thankful to God for you always being there for me.

Well, now I have to brag on Randy and Gail Neal's magnificent job on their nativity scene and lights for the Christmas season coming up. Thumbs up and a very Merry Christmas to you guys.

Enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with Linda and Eden Nokes of Smithville were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jr. Bryant, Toby Nokes and family, Brock Nokes and family, and James Crook.

Barbara Curtis and Becky Gay brought a fruit tray from the church on Monday to Dorothy Morrison and spent some time with her and from what I have gathered had quite a ball enjoying each other's company. Churches in our community always participate each year in delivering trays of goodies to so many as a gesture of love and to let them know how very important they are in our community.

Around the rumor mill up here on the mountain conversations are running wild about a Redneck Birthday Bash for "Clyde" and yours truly on Friday, December 13th, at Short Mountain Market, the now very popular destination to be at. What are the odds of Clyde and me having a birthday on the same day? Not disclosing any age for either one of us for the time being. That is because everyone knows we have been around here for quite a while and that Clyde is somewhat older than me. There will probably be a birthday cake with around 150 candles on it, if we wanted to go that route. Discussions about having the Fire Dept. and the paramedics on standby in case the flames from all those candles burning threatened everything and everyone in sight are not setting too well with me. I think just 1 candle on the cake will suffice for both of us as we do not need to have the premises evacuated with the kind of emergency this just might cause. I will be keeping an eye on "Debby" and "Bobby Taylor". Never know what they might have in mind on the special day of celebration for Clyde and me. It is, of course, Bobby that I'm really concerned about. He's been awfully good lately. I think he could be planning something. Will let you know later how all of this plays out.

Melvin and Alene Ferrell are doing somewhat better. I'm still keeping you in prayer.

I talked with Betty Gunter on Tuesday and she is doing okay.

Winter weather moving in this weekend. Chili sure does sound good for the cold weather we will be experiencing.
Visited with Beverly Hubler my neighbor down the road on Tuesday. She is doing very well. Also, talked with Chloe Evelyn Bogle, Brenda Underwood and daughter Katie for a little while. Everyone seems to be doing fine.

Been cleaning on our house some and finally got the Christmas tree up. I've got about half the ornaments on the tree, and will try to finish this task over the weekend. For me, it just doesn't seem like Christmas without a tree being decorated so beautifully. After all, we will be celebrating Christ's birthday. He gave us eternal life with him in heaven, if we will only ask for forgiveness of our sins. Wouldn't trade what I have in Jesus for anything this world has to offer.

Christmas shopping is getting in high gear. So many times we get carried away with gifts for this one or that one and forget why we are celebrating Christmas. Our greatest gift of Jesus Christ should be what we are concentrating on at this time of year because this is HIS birthday. Naturally, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at (615) 563-4429.

I urge you now to live the life to which God called you. Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love. You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.
Ephesians 4: 1-3