"Echoes From the Heart of the Hollow!:

Ton of Echoes Behind!

2010-12-28T14:16:00.002-06:00

Wow! Where to start? I guess I will start by saying thank you God for all you have seen me through in this year since I last posted!This will not be too long but just wanted to say that I hope to redo my blog soon and start posting regularly!
We are so blessed as this year draws to a close that things are no worse than what they are!His grace has been and will continue to be sufficient to see us through! The past six months have been full of various catastrophic events,not the least of which was the losses of a very dear sister and one who was as a mother to me!God has wrapped me around with His special grace and strength as only He can do time after time!Praising Him for His special care of me! Blessings to you all for a Happy Blessed New Year! "As Eternity is reckoned,there is a Lifetime in a second." I am more determined than ever to make those seconds count! Love and best wishes of the day from your friend,Margaret Ann

2009-05-05T09:19:00.001-05:00

Especially for my Son,Ricky II,part 1

2009-04-18T12:19:00.003-05:00

Looking back to my earliest memories as a child of three-four years old,up the "holler",living in a three room house on the banks of Star Creek,across the creekbed from my grandparents (on my dad's side) homeplace .Our lighting was coal oil lamps.I had no thought of what electricity was.Our running water was what we all,from smallest kid up, ran across the creek and up the hill, to Grandpa's spring where we all filled our buckets and carried our part back down the hill and across the creekbed.My little bucket,I will never forget,It was a little green lard bucket,also used at times to pack lunch in for older brothers or sisters as they walked to the country school.
We had a huge garden plot and I remember a big strawberry patch and helping my mother pick strawberries for the strawberry shortcake, fixed her way,the way I still like it best.Strawberries,plenty of sugar smashed up,over baked pie crusts.She also added fresh, whipped,real cream.I liked it then but now have to have the stuff in a can.We had an old smokehouse,just beyond the house.I close my eyes and to this day and can still smell that smell of fresh, cured hams,sausages and such and when I say fresh,I mean fresh.So fresh,in fact, I will not often pull up the memories of the butchering days,I remember so vividly.It would be a cold day and and can remember the uncles and aunts being there and me not fully understanding,but knowing what the squealing of the pigs meant as my little legs went scurrrying,crying,hiding my face in a pillow.It was an all day affair and a lot of the gory details I block from remembering,but it was a necessary part of life.I remember that for a few days,I couldn't eat the pork,but as butchering day faded away,the ham,bacon and sausage gravy were enjoyed.
During this time when I was about four,I remember my first macaroni and cheese.I was instantly a fan.I still remember that taste and smell.I am elated that my recipe I have tried to make as much like what I remember that my little grandsons,esp my six year old,Phoenix,dearly loves and he tells everyone,that "his grammy makes the best macaroni and cheese in the whole,wide, world!"He wasn't kidding either for when I kept him a few days over spring break,I made my huge soup pan almost full.I did freeze a little and sent some home with his dadddy,but while he was at my house,he ate it every chance he got.He would stand beside me, as I was putting it in his dish and have me keep adding to the bowl,till he was sure it was enough.On the last day he was at my house,he insisted he needed mac'n'cheese for breakfast,as well as his cereal.Of course he got it!Of course this warms my heart in so many ways,but especially,as it connects me with wonderful memories of my childhood.
Another first I remember,during this time, was my first stick of boughten(as we would call it) gum.Our gum was from some tree and it was plenty good for that is all we knew,but one day,a car drove up into our yard and that in itelf,brought a lot of excitement,so yes,my four year-old,skinny legs went racing with the rest,before our mother could stop us.I am not sure who the man was,but I will never forget that bright green,flat package of gum he took out and passed out to us all.I can still remember the wonderful taste and wow,what an experience-my first store-bought,Wrigleys Doublemint gum.I confess I still have to buy it occasionally,just because.
Our entertainment was our own,but it involved,singing,dancing to whatever instruments amongst
the family but there was always celebrating-big dinners for birthdays,weddings,births.

"Considering The Lilies!"

2009-04-09T08:31:00.002-05:00

Luke 12:27 reads,"Consider the lilies how they grow;they toil not,they spin not; and yet I say that Solomon in all His glory was not arrayed like one of these. This scripture has brought me much comfort through the years epecially during the difficult times when I had been rendered unable to toil or spin as I was acustomed to doing in my busy home life,in a very active children's ministry and in a part-time job.It was during those times that God surrounded me over and over with that calm assurance that indeed,I had nothing to prove.He had made me and it was enough for me for Him,"just being!"What a wonderful Creator and Saviour,Loving Heavenly Father He is.
I love all flowers and plants but lilies have played a big part in my life especially during extremely difficult times.In the early 80's,we were pastoring a little church,I was having some pretty bad physical problems,my dad was dying an agonizing death of esophagal cancer;my four children were ages 3-8;the economy had bottomed out and we had a steady stream of people needing food and other things coming to our door.It was coming upon Easter Sunday and I confess,I was feeling pretty overwhelmed.For sure there was no money to buy the fresh lilies I always hankered for for the church,at Easter.I was battling my discouraging thoughts,trying so hard to think what Easter really meant,but just couldn't quite get above the darkness,as I came down the steps of the parsonage,heading over to our little church,wishing so bad for a sign from above.As I started to pass by our car,out of the corner of my eye,a flash of white in the front seat.I turned to get a better look and what I saw,both humbled me and made me feel so happy and loved.There,in all its glory was my "beautiful Easter Lily",my reminder of how very much God loved me that he would take the time to impress upon a Safeway manager(a good friend) to bring me my Easter flowers.
Maybe today,just now,you are battling overwhelming self-doubts,unworthiness,inadequateness,etc.,etc.,it is enough to just be;consider the lilies!

Not Open for Debate

2009-04-07T08:40:00.002-05:00

In my life,there are a few things so settled in my own heart that are "simply not open for debate."The main one being who Jesus Christ was and is still today.My teachings of Him were rooted and grounded in me from birth by a wonderful,Godly mother whom I shall always thank God for.Throughout the years,how glad I have been for those teachings and that I was rock solidly taught those principals for though I am thankful and appreciate the many ,many people of my church and all the support I have received through the years from them,I recognize anew today that my relationship with God came from my mother's knee.
I have been privileged to learn my family tree several generations back on all sides and now know that I owe a great debt to all those gone before,several of whom were ministers of the gospel.A few years ago for the first time,I attended a big family reunion of my mother's family.Words cannot describe what I felt to be amongst a huge group of people,most related to me and many whose faces reflected that familiar look of my mother and her sister.
The reunion was held as it is every time in a little country church that was started over a 100 years ago by some of my family and still pastored by a cousin.So you see,my view of God and His Son,Jesus,as handed down through the realms of family on all sides can never be questioned or debated.True,I had to come to my own personal realization for myself,but it wasn't a hard choice for it was always a part of my life and I am so very thankful for that!
A few years ago,for a time,I worked part-time at a little sandwich shop.The owner was very staunch in his "religion"-so staunch that when it came prayer time each day,it didn't matter what was going on,he put his mat on the kitchen floor and turned the right direction and said his prayers.His treatment of me was what I considered less than Christian,but I endured it for I needed the job.
One day, he brought his "book of teaching",what we would call our Bible and he requested I sit down across from him and he was going to persuade me of how wrong my belief in Jesus was.As he began to read first one passage and then another,I let things roll until he mentioned,then started to read about how Jesus was "just a man."As those words came out of his mouth,I very emphatically interupted him with these words,"I need you to stop right there.Nothing you can say will change my mind or what I know.Indeed Jesus was the Son of God;He did come back to life and I know this for He lives within this heart of mine and furthermore,I cannot even have you say such things in my presence.Fire me,do what you will,but this subject is not up for debate." I was not sure but what I had just lost my job,but it did not matter for I meant what I said.He did not like it and got pretty mad and still tried yet again to say the same,but again I refused to hear!He simmered down and realized how bad he needed my help at the restaurant,so did not let me go.He did get light shed upon his darkness and I still pray for him.
Today at this moment,I still feel the same.I serve a "Risen Saviour" one whom took a stand for me and my unworthy soul as He gave Himself up on that cruel tree.The least I can do is defend His worthy name and take a stand for Him,my Jesus,my Father and friend!

"Little Girl Within!"

2009-01-07T09:52:00.003-06:00

From whence cometh these wrinkles;this furrowed brow?
The youthful one still skips within,in unaltering steps,in my heart!
She still runs free,among those childhood hills;only the wind being able to overtake her.
A wild child racing through the meadows of her childhood past.
In a place filled with divers colors of wildflowers,peeping their tiny faces up through the grass,
the little girl smiles and sings as she skips along.
Little creatures,her special friends,scurry about her as she hurries along.
The little girl is comforted by the old familiar sound of the wind as it squeezes it's way through the clefts and crevices of the rocks and hills;this sound was the lullaby each night of her youth.
Eerie clikkety claks echo from the creek bed nearby;steps of some animal;
or,as her childhood imagination kicks in,she wonders,maybe some ogre come to steal her away?
The little one lays her down to rest with the sisters of her youth in the warm glow of the old lamp;her mother's gentle breathing of rest nearby and her daddy's nocturnal night noises-
an occassional odd word combination,spoken in sleep,from the brothers'part of the house.
A chill passes over the little girl,as the old familiar sound of the whipporwills echo from holler to holler,their sad refrain,but "all is well in Star Hollow"-angels watch as silent sentinels as she sleeps!

Echoes From the Heart of the Hollow

2009-01-04T13:49:00.001-06:00

Special Honor to My Grandparents

2008-12-31T10:09:00.002-06:00

In 1885,on New Years Day,my dad's parents,Richard Butler Day and Katie Clara James were united in marriage.My Grandma Day died before I was born.My sister,Connie shared these memories with me.She told me that she remembers Grandma with her big Bible in her lap on her front porch every day that she remembered her.She also remembered hearing our dad say,that as Grandma lay dying that she said,"I see a beautiful place full of beautifull flowers."Grandpa and Grandma Day,I honor your memories today and thank God for my heritage of faith.

Final Echoeing Thoughts of 2008!

2008-12-31T09:49:00.001-06:00

I stand, as it were,on the precipice of Time.Looking ahead I see the prospects of a brand new year;truly a gift,this gift of life.Looking ahead,it is indeed a precipice into the unknown for we know not what awaits.I do know however,that I am holding the Hand of one Whom I can trust to lead me safely through the unknown.
Turning away from the edge,I peer back into the year that was.I listen closely as echoes come crashing through the air.A voice on the phone bringing me to my knees,my heart wounded with all they had to say;sounds of happy laughter that I recognize as my three little grandsons.Through the fog,I hear the silent,uncontrollable heart sobbing-at the final farewell of a sister,so dear,I recognize myself.Voices of love,mother's day greetings,some cold shoulders of shunning,anxious voices of loved ones in the hospital waiting rooms all echo back to me.A special echo resounds loud and clear;that of my 6 year-old grandson,Phoenix declaring that :his Grammy made the best macaroni and cheese in the whole wide world"In the midst,another phone call echo that of a family member,saying their world had been jerked out from under them.We all cry and grieve silently with them.
I could go on and on about what was,but I would rather dwell on what is and I hear through all the muddle and chaos of parts of 2008,the Supreme Echo,my Father in Heaven saying,"I am the Lord,I change Not""I will perfect that which concerneth thee""

Farewell 2008 with all the Wondrous and Woeful Moments!

2008-12-31T07:40:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving Praises!Turkey times Three!

2008-11-26T07:10:00.002-06:00

It was our third Thanksgiving at our little church in Tulsa for our family of six.God had blessed our little church's efforts and hard work and we had a nucleus of 25-30 kids in our Sunday School ministry,most from very troubled homes,and not a lot in material goods.Through VBS and other efforts,we had befriended their parents and gotten some of them out to church for programs,etc.It was coming up on Thanksgiving and I had just had my second surgery in about a year,so I was in bed for a few days,trying to recuperate and as was my habit,when I was feeling a mite discouraged,I got out my Bible and pen and paper and started making some special plans for holiday celebration.I wrote down:Thanksgiving baskets,including Turkey and all the trimmings for each of our Sunday school children's families.I visualized all these baskets and made plans to share my desire with our little church family when all of a sudden,in the midst of my happy planning,the reality of our own personal situation just crashing down on me.The whispers and the taunting of the enemy began,Ha,ha ha,look at your great and mighty plans for everybody's Thanksgiving baskets when you only have right now,how much for grocery money this week?Is it 8.00 or 9?Now tell me,how in the world do you think you are going to pull this off?"I listened,momentarily,but then I let him have it,with these words,"My God owns the cattle on a thousand hills! and I recalled something I heard someone say,"he even owns the taters in them there hills!"So be gone! It will be done.What could be so hard about supplying what would amount to a flock of turkeys when indeed I had connection to the one who owned every bovine animal?To make a long story shorter,I will say that I pushed forward with my plans and ,knowing the state of our budget,of course, my husband was skeptical.I prayed and spread the word to our little group and that Thanksgiving,all our children and families,probably 10-12 total had an abundant Thanksgiving meal including a turkey.
Now for the best part.Clear up to the week before Thanksgiving,I did not have the means or even a turkey for my own family little alone one for an extra family,but I knew God was going to answer and did he ever?I ended up with not one,not two,but three turkeys given to me,so I had two to give away.The third turkey God prompted someone in Kansas to call his brother, a grocery store manager there in Tulsa,to be sure I had a turkey for Thanksgiving.What a wonderful prayer answering God we serve today!Maybe someone reading this needs this reminder.Please be assured that He can and will do the same for you.How blessed I am today,this day before Thanksgiving, and how thankful I am today for all you family and friends and "thanks again,dear,brother,Stephen, for listening to God's prompting that Thanksgiving so long ago,to bless me with that third turkey!"Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

Out on a limb with the Clifton's: Craft ideas

2008-11-17T12:13:00.000-06:00

Out on a limb with the Clifton's: Craft ideas

Celebrating 39 years on November 21

2008-11-16T10:07:00.001-06:00

"Wood stoves still warm me from the inside out!"

2008-11-12T08:52:00.003-06:00

I close my eyes and I can still feel the warmth ,smell the delicious smell of the wood both in the big,round, black main stove in the center of our humble home in Star Holler and the special mix of smells of the wood,bacon,biscuits and gravy that wafted out most mornings as breakfast was being prepared on that old wood cookstove by my sweet mother.Of course the rest of the story,about the main stove was the memories of shivering on the backside as you warmed from the frontside only,at first when you first got up,but never you mind for the warmth,from the inside of your happy,childhood,safe,home quickly reunited the front and back as you turned back and forth to warm every part.I can't burn outside here in town,so, my children bought me a chimenea a few years ago for Christmas.So now,when I need that,warmth from the inside out,I build me a little wood fire and as always,it refreshes my spirit and revives my bruised and torn heart.Thanks Children!
My phone rang Sun. eve before church.I said,"Hello!" A little voice says,"Hi Gwammy!" I answer with our little game we play;"Hello,who is this anyway?" The little voice echoes with excitement as he says,"It's Wicky and you know what,Gwammy?"I can tell he is busting to tell me something.I answer,"What,lil Ricky,what is it?" "Gwammy,we got us a Woodstove!"I answer,with tears in my voice,"Oh,Ricky,I am so excited"The other part of this is throughout much of that day,I was feeling sad and praying for a couple of my loved ones,definitely in need of what I call "wood stove thoughts,"if not the wood stove itself.The remarkable part of this is,as I learned from talking to my son,Ricky2 after my conversation with "lil Ricky" is that "lil Ricky",on his own,asked for my number cause he "needed to talk to Gwammy." Thank you,loving,Heavenly Father,for yet again the sign from above of your special love and concern for me.If any who is reading this are feeling cold,lonely,in need of warmth,reach out to a loving Heavenly Father and may He grant you,your"wood stove" moments,whatever it takes to make you aware of His special care and give you the warmth of spirit and body you need.

"O What a Journey!"

2008-10-30T10:31:00.002-05:00

I would like to report that,with the help of the good Lord,I had a wonderful Star Hollow few days.I actually did not go down into Star Hollow but close enough as Carolyn and I and Connie's friend,Carl visited Maplewood Cemetery that sits right outside of Exeter,Mo. at the top of the entrance into Thomas Hollow(that would be the hollow you would go through to get to my bloved Star Hollow.Of course you would have to go across a couple of ridges and down Bear Cve Hill(the one my Aunt Bessie refused to ride down in the car once because she was scared,so yep,she walked down it)This was one of several family stories told and retold.
It is a gorgeous Fall Ozark day as we approach the final resting place of a whole lot of my Day relatives and people I gew up with.This journey is always poignant and bittersweet with memories as we have just passed through the small town of Exeter.We go past what used to be the small MFA Exchange Country Store.Of course,first I have to recall the excruciating,sad, day .It was October 16,1972 and I had made the sad journey with my Daddy in his pickup.My unutterable pain and loss was beyond human comprehension,but when I added the pain I felt from a father who had lost yet another son,tragically,it was beyond human bearing.That day I stood in the corner of this store and listened while my dad made the arrangements of burial for a beloved son,my dear sweet Bobby whom I had tended to since birth,As always,I feel the gentleness of the kind heavenly Father take over and I am comforted and quickly move on to happier memories-those of a small little girl who finally got her turn to come into town with a Daddy that had to spread himself thin with 10 children.I still feel the excitement as I got to enjoy the little stores atmosphere(the old woodburning stove with several gathered round sharing stories,howdies,etc,many,my relatives,no doubt)What wonderful memories!I have to leave you now,but will post more of my journey,later,as I can.What I have to reiterate is how very thankful I am for all my family and friends who have helped on and through this journey.I have never had trouble believing in angelsmheavenly and earthly for it has been my experience,that everytime I needed them,they are always there,provided by my loving Heavenly Father!If you are heavy-hearted today,call on Him.He knows,He loves,He cares"I have proven Him true,what He says He will do...for He never Has failed me yet!"One more thing,I confess,I still feel that same ,little girl excitement about little brown sacks,filled with chosen candy favorites!Till next time...Ann of Star Hollow

This Star Holler girl is headed Home for few days

2008-10-16T13:47:00.002-05:00

I am meeting up with my sister,Carolyn,to tend to Connie Sues grave as well as pay our respects to our dear little brother,Bobby.What a wonderful boy he was!How much we still miss him even though it has been 36 years.He was worthy of the the Miss!Plan to drop in on other family as well.Looking forward to breathing some Ozark air! Till next time,M.Ann

Seven Star Springs - Barry Co., Mo

2008-10-15T13:42:00.000-05:00

Seven Star Springs - Barry Co., Mo

Family Spooktaculer

2008-10-15T13:03:00.001-05:00

O God,thy sea is so great;my boat is so small!

2008-10-08T15:41:00.002-05:00

Spending a good part of the day yesterday in the Cancer Hospital with a dear family member while she began yet another series of Chemotherapy,I came away,both humbled and feeling rather helpless at my inability to take away the pain of a mass of hurting people,both patients and caretakers.I left there feeling ashamed at my complaints,suddenly made to look pretty minute in the face of such pain and suffering.I also came away more determined to make the most of all the moments of my life,not sweat the small stuff,etc.
My what an equalizer the word,Cancer,becomes!No respector of race,age,class or status of life.I heard the cries of small children,saw the elderly and infirm,too weak to hold up their head as they received their treatment.With bowed head,I sat,humbled,asking God yet again,for strength to help those who had no strength,to help point them to Him,our all enduring strength.
"God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in time of trouble"

Heart Echoes

2008-09-30T17:25:00.001-05:00

"I Will Not Drown in Shallow Waters!"

2008-09-30T16:26:00.002-05:00

When I was a girl growing up in Star Hollow,some of my fondest memories center around picnics at the Creek.At one of these outings,with my mother,sister,brothers and various cousins,no doubt,I was wading in the cool,clear creek.What happened next followed me all my life.I remember the darkness,being engulfed by water.I also remember sudden bursts of air as Isurfaced at least a couple of times.My life almost ended right there at the age of six.Throughout my life,I have battled a horrible fear of water,especially getting my face or head under.Having older brothers that delighted in throwing me in the water at times didn't help either.My oldest sister told me more about this memory a few years ago.She said we were not at our familiar creek and that indeed I had stepped off into a deep hole as creeks are known for and she said I went down and resurfaced three times before they got me out.Deep holes of water in a creek are legitimate places to lose your footing,maybe as many as three times,but with God's help and the hands reaching out from family and friends,you can regain your sure footing,be helped back to dry ground.
We have all heard the tragic stories of maybe a toddler drowning in 12 inches of water or one about the accident victim knocked out ,no other apparent injuries,yet he loses his life,drowning face down in a few inches of water.I worried about this as all parents should when my children were small.When they were in the bathtub, I was right there.When my youngest was barely two,she was in the tub and I heard the neighbour girl screaming at my front door.hastily I grabbed Lori up,wrapped her in a towel and rushed ,dripping water,to my front door.The girl's drunk father was beating up her mother and she ran to me for help.What to do??I deposited my dripping wet,towel wrapped 2 year-old on my front steps and sternly told her not to move and with one eye on her and praying desperately,I went to help my neighbour.Between us,we managed to bring him down and I proceeded to sit across his legs(one of them was wooden)while his wife called the cops.All in a day 's work!!!Back to my point of story.Unless you are completely knocked unconsious,or yet to young to realize the danger,you have no excuse to drown in shallow water.
Sometimes,I confess,I have landed,figuretively speaking,face down in the murk and the mire of malicious talebearing brought against me.I also have to say that sometimes I have laid there with the nastiness of it beginning to ooze out of my nostrils,when that still small voice says,"Thou art fearfully and wonderfully made.I made you.I know who you really are.You are not that person."Then and only then am I able to draw strength from Him and rise up out of shallow waters that had the power to even kill me had I not risen above it
Maybe today you are battling some things you have no control over.He said,she said,he said again.There is such power in the spoken word.That is why we can't help but be wounded in our spirit by them and why we should always be careful what we speak.Shallow waters become stagnant,putrid,putting off a strong stench.Quick,arise,shake the stench and mire from your face and determine,with God's help,"I WILL NOT DROWN IN SHALLOW WATERS!" "In my distress I cried unto the Lord,and he heard me." Psalms120:1