Three Music Legends Die 

A Beechcraft Bonanza

On this day in 1959, the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed killing all aboard. At that time, Waylon Jennings, Tommy Allsup, and Carl Bunch made up Holly's band. They, along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (the Big Bopper), had been playing on the Winter Dance Party tour across the Midwest. Their plane went down over Iowa.

Because their tour buses were so cold and uncomfortable, Holly decided to charter a plane this time to get to their next performance in Minnesota. Richardson had the flu and swapped places with Jennings. Allsup lost his seat to Valens with a coin toss. After a late night take-off in wintry conditions, the pilot lost control of the Beechcraft Bonanza and went down in a cornfield, leaving no survivors.

Buddy Holly's wife, Maria Elena, first heard the news on television. She became a widow after being married only six months. She was pregnant at the time, but later miscarried due to the trauma. She wasn't able to attend the funereal and has never visited the cemetery. This situation prompted the policy not to release the names of victims until the family could be properly notified.

J.P. (Jiles Perry) Richardson, Jr. was usually called the "Big Bopper." He had been born in Texas where his father worked in the oil fields. Richardson was first a disc jockey and songwriter. He wrote "White Lightning" for George Jones. Richardson's own rockabilly style and enthusiastic personality eventually made him an early rock and roll star. His most famous hit came in 1958 with "Chantilly Lace."

Richie Valens was born in Los Angles, California, of Mexican descent. His career as a sought-after musician had lasted for only eight months. His biggest hit was "La Bamba." Others included "Donna" and "Come on Let's Go," which he sang on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. He was eighteen when he died.

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The First Sears Store 

After selling merchandise from catalogs for a number of years, Sears and Roebuck opened its first store building in Chicago on February 2 (Groundhog Day), 1925. The company had already had an interesting history.

Richard Sears worked in North Redwood, Minnesota, as an agent for the railroad. An impressive shipment of watches came through, but the local jeweler refused them, so Sears bought them and resold them to other station agents for a profit. He ordered more and began selling them through mail-order catalogs. A year later he moved to Chicago where Alvah Roebuck joined him in the business and they expanded.

The first Sears catalog had been published in 1888. But the two partners renamed the company Sears, Roebuck, & Company and began to diversify. Farmers who had been used to buying from a limited selection of goods at inflated prices on credit especially welcomed the catalogs. By 1895, the catalog had grown to 532 pages. In 1906, Sears opened the first tower building to house its catalog sales. The first retail store came on this day in 1925, and many more soon followed.

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Glaciers

What I knew about glaciers came from books until my first trip to Alaska, where I got to see glaciers firsthand. I even flew over them in a float-plane that gave me an up-close look. On my second trip to Alaska, I didn't see as many, but they were there. However, in southern Alaska you may only see their edges during tourist season because of the summer melt.

Glaciers are defined as "a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight." It forms over many years and often centuries. They change the terrain from the stress of their weight. As a student, my mind had pictured this relatively smooth surface similar to a winter snowfall. However, glaciers are often made up of crevasses and jagged terrain too uneven and full of trenches and canyons to walk across.

Glaciers only form over land and are different than the much thinner ice that forms over water. Icebergs, however, are hunks of ice that broke from glaciers and now float in bodies of water. Glacial ice comprises the largest amount of fresh water on earth. Their freezing and thawing can affect water levels across the world. Because they're so sensitive to weather, they're considered one of the best indicators of climate change that we have.

I was surprised by their distinctively blue color as I flew over them. A glacier appears blue because it absorbs the other colors but not all the blue, and some of the blue is reflected. This may vary on sunny and cloudy days. Glaciers also lack the air bubbles that give ice a white color. If you think about it, large bodies of water also appear some shade of blue. But if you scooped up a glass-full, it wouldn't be blue.

I found my trips to Alaska and what I learned about the glaciers very interesting. Besides my love of history and English, I'm also fascinated by the natural sciences. Well, at least I'm interested in so many things that I'm never bored. All these varied interests also come in handy in blogging.

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Why Are Many Churches Declining?

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:27).

Have Christians followed God's commandments? Do we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds? How much thought do most Christians really give God. Is the bulk of their Bible study, prayer, and spiritual thought reserved for Sunday mornings, if they manage to make it to church that week? When we haven't been very committed, how can we expect our children or grandchildren to be? Don't fail your future generations. The Bible admonishes us over and over again to teach our children to love and serve God. That's the most important thing we can teach them! But we have to show them by example.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:39 b).

Have we loved others as much as we love ourselves? If we love God the way we should, His great love will overflow from our lives and we will love even the unlovable because of God's love in us. This is one of the works of the Holy Spirit, but we must choose to allow it to happen. As Peter said, "Love covers a multitude of sins."  
And above all things have fervent love among yourselves; for love shall cover the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Have we fulfilled the Great Commission Jesus gave us and focused our life on being His disciples and witnessing to the world? We can do this wherever we are - wherever He sends us. Too many haven't even done a good job of this within their own families and neighborhoods. As Christians, we need to realize we are His, and nothing in this world can compare to serving Him according to His will. He's made His will very clear to us. How obedient are we?

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19).

If we would get these three greatest commandments right and give God total control of our lives and our churches, the pews would be overflowing. Have you done your part? Will you? With God, it's never too late as long as we live. We serve a God who will give us as many chances as we need. America desperately needs the kind of Christianity Christ demonstrated.

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The Arts Council Connection

The day before Jim and I left for our whirlwind trip to Alabama and Texas (see blog for January 25, 2016), I went to sign books at the Bertie County Arts Council. It turned out to be a great day - well planned and organized. They seemed to have also done a good job of promoting the event, because the traffic through was steady.

Besides me, they had also invited an artist to show his work and give a demonstration. I didn't sell out of books, but I had sales, there was a lot of interest, and I enjoyed talking with everyone. It's always a joy to discuss my books and writing.

While I was traveling, someone from the arts council contacted me and asked if I would be willing to place some books in their store for them to sell. Of course, I said "yes." I'm excited about this new outlet. Apparently, people have been asking for the books. I know many asked me about the third one in the Appalachian Roots Series, which is being published now, and where they would be able to get it.

My promotions and events have slowed somewhat during the winter, and I'm always looking for new opportunities. If anyone in my area (North Carolina, Southern Virginia, or Northern South Carolina) would like me to speak or do a book signing, please contact me. Since all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children, even many churches have asked me to speak and had me sign books afterwards. To God be the glory in it all!

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The Raven 

On January 29, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe published "The Raven" for the first time in the New York Evening Mirror. The poem was soon reprinted in many other publications and made Poe quite famous, although it brought little financial gain.

"The Raven" has always been a favorite of mine, ever since I had to memorize several verses in elementary school. I can still quote some of them from memory now. Poe wrote it to appeal to the public, as well as to the literary critics. I think he accomplished this.

The Raven - Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a  quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore --
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'This some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door --
Only this and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow, sorrow for the lost Lenore --
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore --
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me -- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'This some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door --
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my heart grew stronger; hesitating them no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you" -- here I opened wide the door --
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word "Lenore!"
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before;
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore --
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore --
'Tis the wind and nothing more!"

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not in the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he,
But, the mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door --
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door --
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore --
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning, little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door --
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust,
spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered not a feather then he fluttered --
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "Other friends have flown before --
On the morrow will he leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."


But the raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if its soul in that one word he did outpour
Nothing farther, then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered --
Till I scarcely more than muttered: "Other friends have flown before --
ON the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said "Nevermore."

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore --
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of Never -- nevermore.'"

But the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore --
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining with my heart at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet violet lining that the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer,
Swung by angles whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee -- by these angels he has sent thee
Respite -- respite and nepenthe from the memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing if evil! -- prophet still, if bird or devil! --
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted --
On this home by Horror haunted -- tell me truly, I implore --
Is there -- is there balm in Gilead? -- tell me -- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore,"

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! -- prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us -- by that God we both adore--
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore --
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting --
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul has spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! -- quit the bust above my door!"
Take they beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor.
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted -- nevermore!

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Emma's Recipe for Venison

In Cleared for Planting and the coming release, Uprooted by War, I used my mother's recipe for country-style venison for Emma to cook. My mother and father were born and grew up in the Appalachians. When I wrote of this area, it's a culture I know well.

In Cleared for Planting, Edgar has come to visit Emma, and she's cooking dinner for him:
      Edgar sat at the kitchen table while Emma finished cooking dinner. Emma had planned a special dinner. She’d soaked some venison strips in apple cider vinegar and water to get out the gamey taste, tenderized the meat by beating it, and slowly simmered it in a pan until tender. Then, she took it up, made gravy, and put it back in the gravy. She stewed potatoes and carrots together, added butter, and made biscuits. For dessert, she’d made an apple cobbler. When they sat down to eat, Edgar asked for permission to say grace. Mama gave it, since Papa didn’t say anything.
       “This is an excellent meal,” Edgar said as they began to eat. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted better venison.”

In Uprooted by War, Emma has decided to cook a meal for the family, although Leah often does the cooking now:

            Granny Em cooked venison for all of them for dinner. She said she’d fixed it like she had for Edgar, when he’d come to visit at her family’s cabin before he and she were married. She'd soaked it in some apple cider vinegar and water to get the gamey taste out, beat it to tenderize it, simmered it tender, and smothered it in gravy.

            “Emma, I didn’t know you could cook like this,” Hawk said.  “I’ve never tasted such delicious venison, and I’ve had it every way imaginable.”

            “This is good, Mama," Clifton added. "I remember you used to make it like this occasionally, but it’s been years, since I’ve had it.”

            “Could you show me how to make it?” Leah asked. “I know Luke loves this.”

            “He does, and yes, I’ll show you.”

Here's a more detailed recipe of how to make this venison:

Place frozen pieces of venison in a bowl of water with lemon juice. Vinegar also works, but my family prefers the lemon or lime juice, and fresh is better than reconstituted, although the reconstituted will work. This will remove the wild taste. Put in the refrigerator for at least six hours, and it can be overnight. Rinse and place in fresh lemon water and set back in the refrigerator until it is completely thawed and soft or for a few more hours. Rinse thoroughly. Use a washable cutting board (placing it on a folded towel will tone down the noise). You can sprinkle a little white meat tenderizer on both sides of each piece of meat and omit the salt, but we never do this. Beat in one direction and then the other with a meat mallet or the edge of a saucer that will not chip easily (I find the saucer works much better), until the meat thins and tiny holes begin to appear.  Place in a skillet with heated oil and brown on both sides. Add water and steam turning at least once for over an hour or until fork tender. You may need to add more water along. Remove meat. Stir in flour to make gravy using either milk or water, whichever you prefer. I do this without measuring, but you can find a gravy recipe if needed. Your gravy won’t lump as much if your stock is not too hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place meat back into the gravy and simmer until ready to serve.

(All profits from my books go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

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