Season's Greetings

I'm a Christian that says Happy Holidays. Why? Because I am hoping that all of the days that the person enjoys around Christmas are happy.

We start Christmas now on October 31st and it seems so stupid to say Merry Christmas so early. The other reason that I find myself saying Happy Holidays is because in 80 degree weather it just does not seem like Christmas to me.

But the saddest thing is the thought that some Christian may jump me verbally or physically because I choose to say Happy Holidays. We must remember that Happy Holidays is not a slur to Jesus. If someone actually said something like Miserable Christmas or Horrible Holidays then we should say something.

If persecution by beheading and being quartered and being fed to lions did not stop the proclaimation of Jesus' birth, life and death, I don't think "Happy Holidays" will erase my Savior's birth.

Wonderful welcome in Columbus

I had an absolute wonderful time with the Columbus, MS book club at Columbus-Lowndes Public Library yesterday. The library is beautiful. There was roughly 20 members present. The Friends of the Library Book Talk enjoys mysteries for their readings.

Mrs. Millie Moore, President of the club, gave me a wonderful introduction and delicious snacks. The group was comprised of a wonderful mixture of professional individuals who politely laughed on cue at all of my little funnies. There were even a number of gardeners present. I enjoyed handing out the two door prizes and the surprise live flower give-a -way to the person in purple.

Several years ago, I spotted a large statue of a frog in a wisteria filled yard that I searched the city for and found. The group told me that the city had numerous gardens to tour and I was invited back to the lovely city at any time to enjoy the many gardens and the beautiful azaleas when they bloom.

I made a new friend, Ms. Scoti Diane, that I will be staying in contact with in the future. If you are ever in the area, stop by and visit the friendly people of Columbus that I also mentioned in my book.

Review my book Columbus book club by selecting the review button on the left side of the blog page.

I traveled back in time last week.

I am so happy. I have found a wonderful site named GardenStew. I am enjoying all of the people and posts there. I finally got the hang of posting pictures.

I went to a one man performance at my seminary Nov. 3, it was very good and the performer interacted with the audience well. The performance was on the life and times of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church.

The quilt in the background is what is known as a star-quilt. My mother and aunts have made and sold so many of them. I myself made one when I around 13/14. I don't like the quilt life so much. The costume was so authentic and representive of that era. The show was funny as well as informative. John Wesley took on the job of ministering to the indians even though not successfully. We blacks, were not thought to have a soul to save during that time. Thank goodness someone decided that we did have a soul.

Seeds are always planted for good or bad. Be careful in soil and life as to the seeds you plant. The pictures and harvest may not be pleasing to the eye.

Butterfly chase

I have the most delightful job of telling everyone how lovely the ladies are at Columbus Lowndes Public Library in Columbus, MS. I have spoken with the lady over the library on the telephone and I can't wait to meet her and the book club members for my book signing November 14, 2007. I would mention names but I am horrible with names and prefer to have a face to match. Keep an eye out for more on the lovely ladies of Lowndes County.

Yes, I chased this butterfly down with no regards for my safety. There are snakes (poisonous) where I live and I should always be diligent where I put my feet. I threw caution to the wind and took flight and got my shot.

I have many varieties of butterflies and moths in my yard. I hope to capture many pictures of wild life in the coming year. As always, enjoy nature and enjoy life. Wish me luck at my book signing.

If I could; I would.

Went to the mall with my daughter today and this is what greeted me.

How pretty and colorful. There was the plant that is called the money plant and I recognized dianthus. there were Orange hibiscus and roses.

Today was a good day. I passed my first exam in Seminary and I kept my temper even when my computer failed to load my other photos. The weather is mild and the butterflies are friendly. the visions of my garden for next year is alive with color and empty of grass. The only thing that would have been better is me in the midst of the flowers, I almost did it but, vanity thy name is not Dorothy.

Friends of mine

This is a dear friend of mines, Mrs. Katherine Carr Esters. She is an author also and wrote her memoirs. She is the cousin of Oprah Winfrey. She supports with her time, efforts, and encouragement the Oprah Winfrey Girls and Boys club in Kosciusko, MS. and the small town itself. She has encouraged me in all of my efforts and I adore her. She is beautiful inside and out. She attended my book signing at our local library which is filled with helpful people. Stop by and visit our friendly town if you are ever in the area and tour the birthplace of Oprah Winfrey and her Girls and Boys Club. I would say that my friend is a sunflower. She has a radiant face and smile and she is useful in more than one way. Her seeds of kindness feeds and maintains many people that she comes in contact with. She adheres to her deep strong sense of justice and morals while bowing her head in humility to God. She is a precious flowere in the garden of my life. Who is a Sunflower in your life? After reading my book she said in her Maya Angelou esque voice, "Dorothy, you made me want to garden." That's a compliment!

I am hoping for more purchases of my book or at least some book reviews of my book. Where are you gardening community? I need the friends of the earth to unite in force. Ill stick to my belief: IF YOU POST IT, THEY WILL COME.

This is my friend Joyce. What can I say about her. She has a loving spirit and a southern belle essence. I feel special in her presence. She is from a small town east of our fair city. She is also a spit-fire when it comes to work. She would be a red salvia if she were a flower. So beautiful with delicate flowers that dazzel with their color. Salvias are resiliant and show stopping. You need red salvias in your garden in MS. I am glad to know this salvia in my garden life. She bought two books--did I tell you how intellegent she is :)

An ode to halloween

This my favorite time of year. I am a Christian and I am surprised with the stance of other Christians regarding halloween. There are so many other vices that are indulged in throughout the year that deals with pagan rituals and beliefs that have become so common place that the acts are not even noted. Household pets such as cats and dogs were domesticated in Egypt for their use in having direct contact to the god or goddess that the animal represented. The Pharoah would have the represetative figure (i.e. dog, cat, falcon, etc.) brought into his presence so that his requests were sure to be heard. IS THIS FACT OR FICTION? Can your innocently domesticated animal be a representative of a pagan god or goddess? Is it your intent that makes your association with the animal pagan or not? Check out the history of all that you do to make sure that you are not dabbling in unsavoury activity. As for me, I will continue to enjoy the laughs and boos of halloween. TRICK OR TREAT!!!????

I am so happy to have found what I was told a Mexican Petunia. I have admired this plant in other people's yards for two growing seasons and I found seven of them at a local nursery in Jackson, MS for $1.00 each. Talk about a blessing. I can't wait until next year to see them in action. ARE CARDS PAGAN TOO? I found them a wonderful tool to teach my little ones their number when I had little ones.

Oh halloween, the night of dread,

the favorite night of the dead.

I see your moon, its fullness shines,

The dogs are howling in the distance,

My heart beats faster in an instant.

The scary figures, shadows defines.

My feet go fast in a hasty retreat,

I hear the giggles of Trick or Treat.

Is this a game, a trick played on me?

I see no grave nor empty tomb,

But, I feel the presence of my doom.

I feel the anxiety of catastrophy.

Ghosts and goblins and withches ride,

I search ahead for a place to hide.

I run, I jump, to a bush that will do,

Imagine my surprise to find you hiding too.

IT WAS YOU!