Do - Overs

It's rare that we have do-overs in life. One of the many reasons I enjoyed teaching was it could feel that way. As each new school year began, I had a chance to apply the things I'd learned from the previous year and hopefully make things better, more interesting, and more exciting for my students, so they would learn more.

Of course, in my Christian faith, God offers forgiveness and a chance to start over, too. His grace is truly amazing, and I never cease to be awed by it. Jesus died on a cross that we might have that forgiveness through His sacrifice, because we could never be good enough to make any sort of restitution on our own. It's the ultimate do-over, because we can have a whole new life.

People view the beginning of a new year many different ways. Some party it in, some make resolutions, and some watch in on television. This year, why don't you treat the start of 2016 as a new beginning, a chance to correct the problems you see in your life. Make your family relationships stronger, readjust you priorities to what's really important, and make 2016 the best year you've ever had!

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Belted Cattle

When I first noticed belted cattle, I thought they looked more like some of the hogs my dad used to raise. But these breeds are actually old ones, and they're becoming popular again. Two of the better known belted bovines are the Belted Galloway from southwestern Scotland and the Dutch Lakenvelder from Holland. 

The Galloways adapted to the poor grassland of the uplands and the windswept moors. These cattle have high quality marbled beef and are usually raised for their meat, although they can also provide milk. In America they have the nickname of "Oreo cows," due to their color. 

The Dutch Lakenvelders are probably the oldest of the two and were highly sought after and admired by most people from royalty and noblemen to the the common farmer. They can be traced back to the original belted breed. They began to flourish in Holland in the mid-1700's. P.T. Barnum used them for exhibition. This breed is usually raised as dairy cattle. They can be black or reddish brown with the white band, but their hides are smoother than that of the Galloway.

My father used to raise a few head of cattle. In fact, he saved the money from their sales to put me through college. My son-in-law now farms on the side and has a small herd. Neither of them have ever had a belted breed, but I find them interesting. As you drive through a farm area, you may want to look for them.

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When Weather Is Subjective

Have you ever thought about how relative the weather, especially temperatures, can be? It all depends on what we get used to. I went to college at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, located in the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge. The climate zone there resembles parts of New England or Canada more than it does the South, where it's located. When I graduated and moved down the mountain, I didn't wear a coat at all for two winters, because they seemed so warm to me.

Leah experiences some of the same things in my novel, Sown in Dark Soil.  When she gets to the mountain farm, she can't believe Granny Em complains about the summer heat, when Leah thinks it's cool enough and quite comfortable, because she's been used to living on a southern plantation to the southeast. By Uprooted by War, the third book, Leah has become accustomed to the place, and she agrees with Granny Em. However, Leah's sister, Ivy, and the former slave, Moses, nearly freeze their first winter there.

Until I went to the Philippines to teach for a semester in a school for missionaries' children, I thought North Carolina could be warm and muggy. Spending Thanksgiving and the first part of December in their climate made it hard for me to get into a holiday mood. It wasn't what I had been used to. India was also extremely hot and humid the summer I spent there. New Mexico was so much drier than anywhere else I had lived that my skin didn't like it. However, before I left, I had adjusted. Despite the changes, I love to explore new places and stay there long enough to get to know the place - weather and all.

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500 Blogs

This blog today marks a milestone, my 500th blog. I have written and posted a blog daily for 500 days. There have been challenges along the way, but I have learned a lot, too. Surprisingly, I have had few problems with writing the blogs. It's coming up with the photos and illustrations that's presented the biggest hurdle, and I think they are crucial to an interesting blog. Most of us are visual people.

If I had all my photos taken through the years transferred to the computer, the problem would be solved, but when I wrote for magazines, most of them preferred transparencies (slides) at that time. Therefore, most of my past photography is in this format. I have to be very careful of copyright infringement if I pull a illustration from the web. There are sites that allow this, but often their subjects are limited.

To date, I've had viewers from 28 different countries. The top ten, with the highest first is: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, France, Brazil, Germany, Ukraine, Portugal, and Ireland.
I've built a base of followers, until I am getting to the point I don't have to do as much reposting as I once did. This has taken a lot of time, and I've enjoyed freeing up more time for working on my novels. 2015 has been an exciting year, and I look forward to seeing what 2016 will bring.

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The Prince of Peace

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:13-14).

The angels that appeared to announce the birth of the Messiah told of the peace He brought. In the life He lived and the sacrifices He made to restore our relationship with God, Jesus certainly demonstrated good will and peace.


"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus' birth and said He would be The Prince of Peace. When we look through history and around us today, we could ask, "Where is the peace?"

"For he [Christ] is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14a)

It can be inside each of us, if we accept Christ as our Savior and turn our lives over to Him. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps us understand and find this peace. And it's a peace that passes all understanding, because it doesn't depend on circumstances. Nothing else compares. Once you experience it, you'll never be satisfied without it. It comes from a deep, personal relationship with our Lord. He is our peace!

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27).

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Book Proposal for The History Press

Some of you may remember my dilemma of whether or not to send a requested book proposal to The History Press. Their editor in New England had seen my blogs and referred me to the editor in my area to write a history book for them. 

Although I majored in and taught history, my first writing love is Christian novels. I knew how much time it would take to do the research and write a non-fiction book, and I didn't know if I wanted to carve that chunk of time out of the writing I'm doing now. In addition, I wondered if this is what God wanted me to do. I received no clear-cut answers. Finally, a Christian friend suggested that I do the proposal and pray that God either closed or opened the way, according to his will, and this is what I did.

After I wrote and submitted the proposal, the editor told me I would hear back from him in three days or a week at the most. Three weeks later, I received a kind letter saying that they were impressed with my writing and my platform, but he felt my proposal was too broad. He suggested I narrow the scope to something like "Arts and Crafts in the Blue Ridge."

My proposal had been on "Traditional Blue Ridge Culture," where arts and crafts was one of the chapters. I honestly think my proposal would have wider appeal, especially in the gift shops and tourist stops I planned to market in. I love arts and crafts and could write such a book, but as a writer, historian, or reader, I would prefer a book that covered all the basics of life in the Blue Ridge, not just one niche. This is a subject I know well, because it's my culture and the one I wrote about in my first published series, Appalachian Roots.

However, given the way this evolved, I'm considering the rejection of the first proposal as a closed door. I don't think it's something I need to commit to at this point. Perhaps sometime in the future that will change. For now, I'm excited to be writing my novels. I'm in the process of publishing the third one in the Appalachian Roots Series, Uprooted by War, and one set in Pennsylvania in 1739, When Winter is Past. This and the new series I'm writing set in early New Mexico will keep me plenty busy for a while.

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Home for Christmas

As many of you know, I love to travel. I've been to around 40 other countries and all 50 of the United States. So far, all my novels have been set in a place where I have lived, at least for a short time. But, in all my travels, I've always managed to be home for Christmas.

The first time that I was away from home around the holidays was when I did mission work in the southern Philippines. For the fall semester, I taught English at Mindanao International Christian Academy, a high school established to educate Bible translators' children. I was in Davao for Thanksgiving, and a missionary family there graciously invited me to share in their traditional Thanksgiving meal. What a blessing this was! However, the semester ended, I managed to get everything graded and all my grades turned in, and make it home just before Christmas. My son living in Tennessee and my daughter met me at the airport in Charlotte - another great blessing!

The year that Jim and I spent teaching Bible translators' children at Oaxaca Christian School, we were able to fly home for Christmas, although we had driven down there. The school had a long Christmas break, and we enjoyed the trip. I'd had a grandson born that October, and I hadn't seen him yet, so that made our return even more special.

HERE'S WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND MAY YOU MAKE WHEREVER YOU ARE FOR CHRISTMAS HOME !

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Saying "Merry Christmas"

A controversy arose in the early 2000's over whether to say "Merry Christmas" or change it to "Season's greetings," or "Happy holidays" to keep from offending people of other religions. I have traveled to around 40 other countries and been exposed to different religions. I have never found someone in a Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist country who objected to saying "Merry Christmas." For the most part, they seem much more tolerant than many Americans.

In India, I sat down at the table of a Hindu family for dinner. The father told me it was fine to go ahead and say grace, if that was my custom. I listened to a Hindu priest say that he had no trouble believing in Jesus and his miracles. Of course, he believed in a multitude of Hindu gods also. It didn't offend me when one of my Muslim students in the Philippines celebrated Ramadan, and she even attended Christian chapel programs every Friday, so she could go to the best private school in Davao City.

I find it interesting that in a recent poll (2013), the states west of the Mississippi often didn't have a problem with saying "Merry Christmas," while more people in the East were very outspoken against it. One article thought the reason is that the largest percentage of Christians reside in the East, and therefore a faith-based Christian message was presented more often. Those who opposed Christianity (not usually those of other religions, unless you count atheism as a religion) want to change this.

I find the whole controversy sad. It boggles my mind that people want to take the mention of Christ from Christmas. Isn't He the whole reason for the holiday in the first place? I also find it amusing that the word "holiday" is a shortened form of "holy day," so "Happy holidays" is still religious, isn't it?

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The Christmas Pickle 

Legend says that in an old tradition from Germany parents hung a pickle on the Christmas tree where it couldn't easily be seen after their children had gone to bed on Christmas Eve. The first child to spot the pickle on Christmas Day would receive a special blessing or extra gift.

However, many refute the story, because most Germans know nothing about it today. I know I hadn't heard of it before, and at least one of my ancestors was German. It seems, either the practice is so old that it's long been lost and forgotten, or it's a hoax. There's also various other stories on the origins of the Christmas pickle.

Skeptics say that the story was invented as a marketing ploy by Woolworth stores after they'd ordered a shipment of glass ornaments from Germany in the shape of vegetables around 1880. Even after they quit ordering the ornaments from Germany, they continued to order them from France and encouraged the story. Yet, there doesn't appear to be enough hard evidence to indicate this is the real reason for the legend. 

There's also other stories about Die Weihnachtsgurke or the Christmas pickle. Some link it to a Bavarian prisoner in Andersonville prison during the Civil War. Others say it comes from either the Middle Ages or the Victorian Era and involves two Spanish boys. The truth is that no one knows for sure where the custom originated, but some families still have fun with it. Pickle ornaments can still be purchased today, especially at places like Berrien Springs, Michigan, the Christmas Pickle Capital of the World. I found one at a dollar store.

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An Almost Christmas Birthday

When people find out that my birthday is on December 22, they usually offer their condolences. They make comments like, "Your birthday must have got lost in Christmas," "I bet it seemed as if you never had much of a birthday with Christmas so near," or "How awful for you to get birthday and Christmas presents so close together." 

However, I never minded it. In fact, there were several things I liked about having a birthday a couple of days before Christmas. I was always so excited about Christmas, and, by my birthday, presents were wrapped and under the tree. With my eager anticipation, it was hard to wait, but I always got to open at least one present early - my birthday present. In addition, in 55 years, I never had to go to school on my birthday. (I was a teacher, so I had a long school career.)

When I was born, my father hadn't been home from the military long, and money was tight. I don't think my parents had much for Christmas that year. I was their Christmas present, and Mama always said that I was her best Christmas present ever. Even with it coming so close to Christmas, my parents always managed to made my birthday seem special.

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Boughs of Holly

 There are around 500 different species of holly, and fossils show us it's a very ancient plant. Most varieties are found in subtropical, tropical, or temperate climate zones throughout the world. However, the greatest diversity is found in America and Southeast Asia.

The Druids believed the leaves warded off evil spirits, and they often wore a sprig in their hair. However, Christians can also find symbolism in the plant. The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns Jesus had to wear, and the bright red berries symbolize the blood he shed as the ultimate sacrifice.

The fact that the holly is an evergreen that maintains its colors throughout the holiday season, has made it popular as a Christmas decoration. Not only do we see wreaths, Christmas trees, and mantle decorations of holly, but it also graces Christmas cards and other holiday illustrations. It's a cheerful decoration that usually brings a smile, so bring on the holly.

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The Wise Men

The second chapter of Matthew is the only biblical account of the wise men or magi, who came to visit Jesus. They had seen the strange star in the eastern sky and had come to investigate. The journey must have been a long one. Just who were these men who had come from the east? 

Although the Bible doesn't name the foreign visitors, legend and tradition give their names as Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. Neither does the Bible tell us how many came, but, because the plural is used, we know there was more than one. We get the idea there were three, because they brought three gifts: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. These were gifts commonly given at the birth of a king.

These men were apparently of noble birth, well-educated, wealthy, and probably influential. Because of how they handled Herod, we can assume they were upright men of integrity. They had likely studied the Hebrew Scriptures and knew of the expected Messiah.

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel... (Numbers 24:17).

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).

From Daniel, they may have surmised that the time for the Messiah was near. (See Daniel 9:25-26.) For whatever reasons, they decided to go and search for this Messiah, and the guiding star led them. People today would be wise to search for Him, too. The saying is so true. "Wise men still seek Him." If you don't know Him, look for Him today, and, if you do, share Him with someone else.

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A Cleared for Planting Christmas

In my first historical novel, Cleared for Planting, Edgar has been working at his uncle's grist mill, but he's supposed to be home for good by Christmas. Edgar's father goes to the Cagles' cabin to invite them to come to a Christmas party to celebrate Edgar's homecoming. Here's a snippet from the book:

"Edgar is due home sometime Friday," Mr. Moretz said. "The missus wants to give him a welcome-home Christmas party on Saturday, it being Christmas Eve and all. You’re the only others we’re inviting.”

“I don’t know,” Papa said thoughtfully. “Maybe we ought to stay here to protect our place, if the Cherokee are prowling around.”

“The weather’s also too unpredictable this time of year,” Uncle Roy added.

“The women are welcome to go, though,” Papa said.

Was Papa wanting a chance to do some partying of his own? The holidays were always the times he seemed to want his drink in the worst way.

“The girls can go,” Mama said, “but I’d rather stay here.”

Mama must be thinking along the same lines as Emma. Emma wanted to attend the party in the worst way. She should be at Edgar’s welcome-home party, but she’d worry about Mama.

“I can come get them,” Mr. Moretz offered.

“I don’t want you to have to come again so soon, just to turn around and go back,” Emma told him. “I can drive Christie and me in the wagon.”

“I don’t think that would be safe.”

“I’ll bring them up and come back and get them,” Uncle Roy said, and Emma could have hugged his neck. Apparently the un­predictability of the weather had just been an excuse.

 “Unless you have special plans for Christmas, why don’t you let them stay through Christmas, and Edgar or I will bring them back Monday?” Mr. Moretz asked.

“No special plans,” Papa said. “It’s just another day to me.”

Papa almost sounded angry. Emma could see he didn’t like the way things were working out.

“Well, it’s settled then,” Mr. Moretz took control, probably for Emma’s sake. “Roy, you can bring them up anytime Saturday, and we’ll get them home Monday.” He looked at Mama. “You know we’ll take good care of them, so don’t worry.” 

“Thank you,” Emma whispered to him, as she opened the door.

The Moretzes are of German decent, and Emma and Christie see their first Christmas tree. In fact, they get to open presents on Christmas Day for the first time ever. Their father didn't like to celebrate Christmas. 

If you haven't already, you may want to read the book to see how it all turns out. It and the second book, Sown in Dark Soil, also make great Christmas presents. (Remember all my profits go to  a sholarship fund for missionary children.) In any case, have a very merry Christmas and happy reading!

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Christmas Cards

First commercially produced Christmas card - 1843

Christmas cards may be newer than you'd guess. Although I've found mention of a large amount of Christmas cards sent out by wealthy families in colonial times, research shows that the first Christmas card came in London in 1843. They were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and illustrated by John Callcott Horseley. 2,050 cards were made in two printings and sold for a shilling each. Cole had helped introduce the penny post in 1840, and he hoped the Christmas cards would encourage its use.

1950's Christmas card

Christmas cards began selling in America in 1874. By 1880, one card manufacturer was producing over five million cards a year. Through most of the 1900's, production and sales continued to climb. However, toward the end of the century and into the 21st, the popularity of cards started to decline. Even with this decline, about 1.9 billion Christmas cards were sent in 2005.

WW II Christmas card

Today, however, most people have quit sending Christmas cards. Are you one of them? I'm sure, you, like me, have probably seen a big slow down in the number of Christmas cards you receive, especially through the regular mail. Yet, there are those who collect Christmas cards, and some of their collections are huge and worth a lot of money, especially if they include some of the older or rare cards. Queen Mary was a collector, and her collection is housed in the British Museum. I have plans to clean out the attic at my mother's house this summer, and I wouldn't be surprised to find her cards from the 40's on. It will be like a treasure hunt.

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